Musical boxers

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Saintpat, Nov 12, 2022.



  1. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Boxers crave the spotlight and some have ventured into acting to try to stay in the limelight (and set themselves up to make good money after their careers end … or at least tried to).

    Far fewer, however, ventured into the world of music. I figured we could learn something by exploring these guys who would rather carry a tune than carry a bucket.

    Here are a few to get us started:

    Joe Frazier and the Knockouts. ‘Singin’ Joe Frazier’ got started in the musical realm before he even ascended to the top of the heavyweight world. Here he is on the Ed Sullivan Show prior to his fight with Jimmy Ellis:

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    Larry Holmes also had some singing gigs, and a band called Marmelade for a while. He’s seen here on Late Night withe David Letterman, using both his left and right to play keyboard in addition to singing:

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    Now I know Roberto Duran played the bongos and, tangentially, Ray Robinson had a successful side career as a tap dancer.

    Who are some others?
     
  2. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Here’s a clip of Roberto leading a band (with Jose Sulaiman saying Roberto is the worst signer he’s ever heard in his life, lol):

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  3. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    UD goes to Frazier here
     
  4. Barrf

    Barrf Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Of those, Frazier is at least good enough to maybe book a wedding or two. Maybe a Bar Mitzvah. Holmes... hahaha. Well, he's having fun, nothing wrong with that. I know during the later parts of his second career when he was up against no-hopers, he'd win the fight then go play at a small venue after.
     
  5. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Tyson Fury has tried to sing before.
     
  6. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights

    Mike Weaver was a pretty good piano player which they exhibited on a pre-fight show
     
  7. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Jose Napoles used to lead a salsa band and his opponent John Stracey is currently an after dinner singer
     
  8. Stevie G

    Stevie G Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Muhammad Ali did a passable rendition of Stand By Me. Sonny Liston has also dabbled with singing,apparently.
     
  9. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Sonny did skip rope to Night Train on the Sullivan show
     
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  10. bboyrei

    bboyrei Member Full Member

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  11. Mike_b

    Mike_b Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Eddie chambers was a tap dancer, tokumbo alajidi was a trumpet or sax player. Roy Jones was a very decent rapper. Delahoya and Pacquiao were both cheesy love ballad singers. Tyson fury loves to croon. And Deontay wilder is now a mumble rapper.

    Speaking of Marvin Hagler, I believe he was a famous actor in Italy after his boxing career.

    He sure couldn't sing, but he could dance; Corey Spinks, lol.
     
  12. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    He could barely draw flies I’ve heard. Even as champion.
     
  13. Journeyman92

    Journeyman92 I’m become seeker of milk Full Member

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    Mike preferred the arts to boxing. Piano and painting was his passion. Despite how he looked he came out of fighting shape a lot early on and detested training.
     
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  14. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic For the honorable cross and the golden freedom Full Member

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    Basically I like the way Tyson Fury sings and the song he sings.
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  15. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Maybe when AJ lost to Usyk he was trying to sing “Hip Hop Hooray” and instead he garbled the lyrics and it came out “Hip Hip …”
     
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