Best personalities in boxing?

Errol Spence is a laidback, chill guy.

 

For me, Tito Trinidad. He’s the nicest and most humble superstar I’ve ever met. Just a great dude. Always smiling and happy and treats everybody great. Loves the fans. Genuine down to earth person, very kind man.

The first time I met him was the Mayorga fight. It was after the fight, as all the fighters were exiting the venue and some posed for photos, whereas Tito, who’d just fought the main event stayed and it was like a party atmosphere. He must have been there two hours signing stuff for everyone, posing for everybody and I mean EVERYBODY’s photos and even when his team were telling him its late and to get back to the hotel he kept shouting out “Who didn’t have a photo yet?” “Who needs me to sign some?” Just wanted to make sure everyone got what they wanted. Made me feel special because I was 19 and had came from far away to attend the fight and he was thankful. I showed him the photo tears later at the Atlantic City HOF and he was the same guy, very warm and personable. I just saw him sign for everyone and treat people great. Luckily am since in contact with him and had the absolute pleasure to see him in Puerto Rico last month where I spent a few hours with him and I brought along a friend who met him for the first time and he said “It’s like the guy has known me my entire life” and even said it opened his eyes on how to treat people and just being friendly. Little things, but showing interest in you as a person, your family etc; like I said, a great down to earth genuine dude. Will see him again in July and am really looking forward to it. He’s a guy who absolutely loves to give back to the people. If he’s out in public, he’s mobbed and he loves it. His wife will tell him to go to the store to pick up some groceries and he’ll be gone three hours because he’s talking to people and he loves it.

 

Paulie Malignaggi: no other boxer has ever been so open about peds in the sport!

 

I like Ron Howard but he really dropped the ball on that portrayal.

Haven’t see The Harder They Fall for a long time - perhaps due for a revisit.

I remember Requiem for a HW and young Cassius Clay - Ali would’ve loved being recorded on film in a movie like that.

Ali once said he might’ve gotten into movies but there was already a great looking, young black actor going around - Sidney Poitier.

Lol, Ali could be damn funny when he was young and the material fresh.

I guess they could’ve teamed up for those “buddy” type movies - but even Sidney would’ve had to have dropped the acid: “Muhammad, stick to boxing, it’s what you do best.” Haha.

 

This content is protected

 

Just found it surprising that the character he played in that was a person who wanted 'credit' for the damage inflicted on an opponent who dies in another. Trying not to give too much away for anyone who has not seen it, though it is decades old film so might be a bit late for spoilers. Essentially the Ernie Schaff tragedy (though Schaff had been ill too). Given how distraught he was over Frankie Campbell and then the was the death of Schaff always found that surprising. Though don't know why was surprised at that - it was an acting role rather than a direct depiction of him, he was getting paid and made the choice. Ron Howard's film was a conscious choice to change the facts and malign someone long dead for dramatic purposes. Something some filmmakers do too often. Will stop before go on a rant about the need for historical accuracy in films. Something have been known to get annoyed by!

 

Jersey Joe Walcott probably one of the most determined personalities in boxing. He retired at age 27 and came back after a three year hiatus and challenged for the title four times without success and then at almost 38 years old won the title from Ezzard Charles. He came across as a very modest and laid back man.

Michael Watson when he was boxing was always composed and in control and almost gentlemanly in his demeanour and then after his injuries came back with undefatigable resolve and faith to become the inspirational man he is today.

 

Ah, I hear what you're saying and agree that it's surprising. You could guess, but not know for sure, that there was perhaps some drawing of Baer's real-life experiences embedded in the script and underscoring his character. Totally with you on historical accuracy also. I recently watched the movie Elvis which was okay in terms of entertainment, but it got me checking on a few notable events depicted in the movie - only to find (as suspected) that there was some creative free license employed by the director in regard to several apparent "facts" depicted in the movie.