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Irish Boxing

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by ardy, Dec 19, 2007.

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marty Boxing Addict Full Member

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Sardu said:

Hello Ardy, I am curious about something and want to ask you a question. What did Irish boxing fans like yourself think about Micky Ward, an Irish-american from Lowell, MA, calling himself "Irish" Micky Ward? Another poster correctly stated that most americans (even Irish-americans) are mixed with other nationalities. Mongrels is the term he used to describe the mixing. Micky, on the other hand, is absolutely 100% Irish descent and has that appearance with his blue eyes and reddish-blonde hair. Ethnically Micky is Irish. Culturally - the way he talks, his love of baseball, his country of orgin - he is american all the way. My queston is if a great Irish-american fighter emerged on the scene would the Irish fans in the old country support him as well? I don't claim to know when and if this person is even out there. It is just a hypothetical situation. Say a 6-4" 230lb. Irish-american heavyweight who really started to make headway, ala Gerry Cooney in the late 70's and early 80's. Only this guy will become the real deal and be a champion. He will be dedicated to his craft and stay away from distractions like women, booze, and, of course, drugs. In this way he will be the anti-Cooney.
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I was a big fan of Ward. It goes without saying, that the Irish american boxers get the backing of the Irish boxing fans.

marty, Mar 25, 2008

#1456

fra Boxing Junkie Full Member

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Sardu said:

Fra, did you notice what Neary did to Micky during the ref's instructions? Micky was never a staredown guy. I met Micky in 2004 and he was one of the nicest, most soft-spoken guys you could ever have he pleasure of talking with. Anyway, it was so obnoxious how that tool was pressing his face into Micky's and trying to psyche Ward out during the referee's instructions. Micky had no choice but to return the stare but that was not his MO. I never saw Ward stare down his opponent. Dempsey did not do that, Micky Walker did not do it, Duddy does not go for that nonsense. That (staredowns) is not the irish way. Anyway, Neary was a tough cookie and had Micky in some distress early in the fight before He was stopped by that legendary hook to the liver! It was a great fight!
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yeah neary was intense...a bit over excited...and i remember my da punched the air ...when ward...put him away:yep

fra, Mar 25, 2008

#1457

mickrick1 Member Full Member

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ardy said:

Hello Sardu, good to hear from you.Irish-American boxers have always been supported in Ireland, almost like the long lost son, I suppose.I unlike Fra can remember Gerry Cooney.It was a Friday night Gerry fought Holmes,and funny thing was, I was at my own boxing club training that night, and all the talk was of a Cooney and the prospect of an Irish heavyweight champ. When I arrived home from training, it had already been a long day, and the thought of sitting up all night to watch the contest was somewhat daunting, but I was eager to do it, so to watch a bit of history in the making.RTE had purchased the fight because of the "Cooney angle".I can remember it vividly, RTE decided to show the Deer hunter before the fight, and then decided halfway through the film, to show it all again, from the start, because in an other area of Ireland there had been a power-cut, and they had missed a section of the film. Christ, what a farce!
Anyway needless to say we were very disappointed when Cooney got "chinned".
Another example of supporting Irish-American boxers, was when Sean O'Grady challenged Scotlands Jim Watt for the lightweight title.We cheered loudly as Sean bashed Watt up.But then the dirty scot, gave O'Grady a "Glasgow kiss"[ headbutt] and cut O'Grady, and the fight got stopped in the champions favor.:good
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Ardy - I too can remember the Deerhunter farce.

mickrick1, Mar 25, 2008

#1458
ardy UP THE IRISH Full Member

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mickrick1 said:

Ardy - I too can remember the Deerhunter farce.
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It was mad,What do you think about Sardu's question, mickrick. Where do you stand on supporting Irish-American boxers.

ardy, Mar 25, 2008

#1459

Shamrock Active Member Full Member

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ardy said:

I personally look as Macklin as an Irishman, but only because Macklin considers himself one. To me there is not much difference between Macklin and Andy Lee, both born in England of Irish parentage, you can still hear a bit of a London accent on Lee.But essentially it's down to the individual where his nationhood lies. It's not just about birthplace, there is also a cultural dimension to all nationalities, which incorperates language, sport, dress, music and dance. The fact that Macklin spent long periods of time in Ireland during his youth, and participated in Gaelic games, plus Macklin's family are heavily involved in the Irish community in Birmingham[ Macklin is sponsored by Irish buisnessmen living in Birmingham], indicates he is not some "plastic paddy"[someone who says he's Irish when it conveniences him]. Anyhow does any one else have a view on Macklin's Irishness.:good
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Thanks Ardy, that could apply to me as well except I didn't live in Ireland. I was there 2yrs ago, and I didn't want to leave, I asked my wife to go back to NZ and sell up while I get us something to live in etc; she declined! although she's part irish herself, she has relatives in Clare. Macklin will do me as irish because thats what he is, but the brits are already on to him in the commentaries.

Shamrock, Mar 25, 2008

#1460
ardy UP THE IRISH Full Member

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Shamrock said:

Thanks Ardy, that could apply to me as well except I didn't live in Ireland. I was there 2yrs ago, and I didn't want to leave, I asked my wife to go back to NZ and sell up while I get us something to live in etc; she declined! although she's part irish herself, she has relatives in Clare. Macklin will do me as irish because thats what he is, but the brits are already on to him in the commentaries.
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Hello Shamrock, we are having a discussion on supporting Irish-American fighters, like Gerry Cooney or Micky Ward. Do you take pride in there achievements, because of your joint Irish heritage.

Also Shamrock, it can get very cold here in the winter.You maybe made the right decision,to stay in New Zealand.:good

ardy, Mar 25, 2008

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Shamrock Active Member Full Member

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ardy said:

Hello Shamrock, we are having a discussion on supporting Irish-American fighters, like Gerry Cooney or Micky Ward. Do you take pride in there achievements, because of your joint Irish heritage.

Also Shamrock, it can get very cold here in the winter.You maybe made the right decision,to stay in New Zealand.:good
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Got to admit I like the hot climate, we're having a really great summer in NZ at the moment. The decision to stay in NZ wasn't mine though.

Ardy, I wholeheartedly support anything irish, my parents were irish, i have an irish heart. I only saw Ward and Cooney as 'irish'. I fly the irish flag at our gym. They call me the 'greenman' at our Association. I have always claimed Ireland as my own.

(strange though, some irish look at me as a blow in'... something less than the real deal! Pisses me off, but thats a reality i guess.

Shamrock, Mar 25, 2008

#1462

ardy UP THE IRISH Full Member

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Shamrock said:

Got to admit I like the hot climate, we're having a really great summer in NZ at the moment. The decision to stay in NZ wasn't mine though.

Ardy, I wholeheartedly support anything irish, my parents were irish, i have an irish heart. I only saw Ward and Cooney as 'irish'. I fly the irish flag at our gym. They call me the 'greenman' at our Association. I have always claimed Ireland as my own.

(strange though, some irish look at me as a blow in'... something less than the real deal! Pisses me off, but thats a reality i guess.
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Your as Irish as the guys calling you blow-in,wether they like it or not. And I only make the distinction Irish-American, because when Ward,Cooney,O'Grady,Quarry, Conn or whoever fought for world titles they were essentially known as American rather than Irish.

ardy, Mar 25, 2008

#1463
Shamrock Active Member Full Member

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ardy said:

Your as Irish as the guys calling you blow-in,wether they like it or not. And I only make the distinction Irish-American, because when Ward,Cooney,O'Grady,Quarry, Conn or whoever fought for world titles they were essentially known as American rather than Irish.
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Conn was all irish, fight at the drop of a hat :yep :good

Shamrock, Mar 25, 2008

#1464
ardy UP THE IRISH Full Member

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Shamrock said:

Conn was all irish, fight at the drop of a hat :yep :good
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That's right, I seen old footage of some of his fights.ML and Sardu are also big fans of Conn.

ardy, Mar 25, 2008

#1465
fra Boxing Junkie Full Member

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my da mentioned conn to me a few times...when i was growing up...

fra, Mar 25, 2008

#1466

ml Active Member Full Member

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I dont know if it is still up but their was an exhibition in NYC called "Fighting Irishmen" and it really reflected this entire thread. If you like the history of irish fighters you would really enjoy it (google it). Anyway check out the poster they created!

http://www.killianart.co.uk/artwork-details.php?productID=9&p=Limited-Edition-Giclee-Fine-Art-Print-of-Fighting-Irishmen-by-Patrick-J-Killian

ml, Mar 25, 2008

#1467
ardy UP THE IRISH Full Member

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ml said:

I dont know if it is still up but their was an exhibition in NYC called "Fighting Irishmen" and it really reflected this entire thread. If you like the history of irish fighters you would really enjoy it (google it). Anyway check out the poster they created!

http://www.killianart.co.uk/artwork-details.php?productID=9&p=Limited-Edition-
Giclee-Fine-Art-Print-of-Fighting-Irishmen-by-Patrick-J-Killian
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I wouldn,t mind having that on my wall.

ardy, Mar 25, 2008

#1468
mickrick1 Member Full Member

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ardy said:

It was mad,What do you think about Sardu's question, mickrick. Where do you stand on supporting Irish-American boxers.
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I would be very supportive of any boxer or indeed any sportsperson who are proud of their Irish heritage be they American, British, New Zealander whatever. I lived for seven years in England - met my wife there and by a quirk of fate returned to Ireland 16 years ago. If things had turned out differently my girls would be Irish-English.

mickrick1, Mar 25, 2008

#1469
Shamrock Active Member Full Member

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ardy said:

I wouldn,t mind having that on my wall.
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That might make a HomePage

Shamrock, Mar 25, 2008

#1470

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