The fab Pazienza-Haughen-Camacho-Mancini series

I just watched the second Haugen v Pazienza fight last night. Both guys came to fight and were in top condition; they fought at a fast pace for 15 rounds. Pazienza fought his heart out but Haugen fought a smart fight and gave him a beating.
A real good example of what true professionals are supposed to do.

 

Great points and great thread, Jamal. Great job

 

I couldn't agree more, Robert.

 

Hehehe

 

Camacho and Mancini were really big sports stars and household names in the early 80s. That is undeniable. Even sports fans who didn't follow boxing knew who Boom Boom Mancini and Macho Camacho were.

It's too bad they didn't fight closer to the peak of their fame, but neither was an old man when they faced off, either. Classic boxer-puncher matchup.

Same with Paz-Haugen. The Pazmanian Devil was really pushed by NBC at the time. Pazienza's fights were nationally televised in the U.S. back when there were few cable channels.

Camacho, Mancini and Pazienza were all big draws. They all received a lot of media attention and press coverage in national sporting magazines (not just boxing mags) when those were still big sellers.

It's funny, really the guy who would be termed "The B Side" (a term I hate) today was Haugen. Haugen was more a staple on ESPN club cards back then like Curtis Harris and Freddie Roach.

It was kind of a surprise when he won a title. And yet, in the end, he beat ALL of them. (LOL) And the hall of famer and biggest star, Mancini, didn't have a win over any in the group.

 

My man

 

Very interesting. I'd forgot these all faced each other. And all were characters.

 

I thought the premise of the Fab Four was that they all fought each other. Such is not the case here.

 

Oh, almost forgot; Pazienza sucks.

 

All were very tough guys .. Camacho in his short prime was far more talented but as he underachieved post Rosario the other three, overachievers, closed the gap .. Paz and Haugen hated each other .. Haugen managed to get under everyones skin .. Mancini really didn't like him as well .. Camacho pissed off everyone with is arrogance and dismissive attitude .. Mancini was the most likable of the group and the only puncher of the bunch at all ...

 

I think it’s unfair to say Haugen had no heart.

 

Clubfighter? Nah.

None were clubfighters.

 

Mancini/Camacho is a special fight to me. Maybe due to my age at the time, the feeling of it happening (not hindsight analysis etc), it being the 80's, the broadcast itself, the buildup, the pre-fight comments etc. etc. etc. I really hyped up a Mancini KO over Camacho in school. Had to eat a lot of crow come Monday morning when classes resumed.

Some fights are timestamps in my life. This was one of them.