Wow Mike what a list that is,includes several of my favourites.Ever meet Mark Kaylor?Another favourite of mine
I’ve met a few, mainly British boxers over the years through my old pal Kirkland Laing. I also knew Sylvester Mittee quite well from when he was a mature student at my college way back in the late 1980s. But the one that stands out the most for me was when my family friend, a former journeyman boxer turned boxing gym owner called Guinea Roger, had a certain Riddick Bowe sitting in his office in the early 90s. I had walked in to do a bit of training expecting to see the usual crowd of young amateur boxers, weekend trainers and grizzled old “I coulda been a contender” daydreamers, but amongst the regular crowd, there was the big man himself…he was actually huge…sitting there, chatting away to Guinea, as if they were old pals. That was a pretty good day.
I'm envious, mate! Lol. The only two I've met, I had Ali's book signed by him at a waterstones, too briefly unfortunately. And Henry Warton the Yorkshire middleweight. Met him in York about twenty years ago and had a bit of a chin wag with him.
Rocky Marciano... Jack Dempsey... Jake LaMotta... Willie Pep... Carmen Basilio... Tony Demarco... Marvin Hagler... Bob Foster... Bobby Chacon... Jack Sharkey... Sonny Liston...
Hi Noel. Unfortunately I never met Kaylor, but he won me a shed load when he beat Christie, backed him heavily to win inside the distance, yea sure met a load of boxers, Honeygan aside, their were all pleasant, unassuming, and gentleman to a man, if I had to pick a fav, it would be Mark Rowe, a nicer man you could not wish to meet, his manner belied his fighting style, such fond memories.... have you rewatched the FOTC yet ? stay safe matey, chat soon.
Thanks Mike it is good to hear that the boxers you have met are decent chaps,though that doesn`t surprise me.Read your thoughts on Honeyghan in a previous post and that is disappointing as he is in my top 5 favourite fighters of all time.Regarding the FOTC watched it last night and have given my opinion on the relevant thread.Btw currently reading the autobiography of Errol Christie and it is brilliant,plenty of stories about racism in the 70`s.Just got to the part where he is about to fight Kaylor,should be interesting. Always good to hear from you Mike and take care
Hi Fergy. Waterstones is where I met Ali too. 1992. I was starstruck - "Champ I love you" Lol. With the exception of Muhammad,Frank and Henry,I met all the boxers within the last year.