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: This content is protected 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: This content is protected 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?
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): This content is protected
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.
Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights Mike Weaver was a pretty good piano player which they exhibited on a pre-fight show
Jose Napoles used to lead a salsa band and his opponent John Stracey is currently an after dinner singer
Muhammad Ali did a passable rendition of Stand By Me. Sonny Liston has also dabbled with singing,apparently.
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.
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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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 …”