Name some.. Jack Johnson: For obvious reasons, race in America at the time Joe Louis: The Shmeling fight and its implications with Germany at the time Ali: Refusing to enter the draft, losing his liscence for 3 years Pac: No joke here, huge impact on his home country Who else?
What about Duran? Panaminians went completely nuts for the guy and he became an icon and legend (and also proving that a poor kid from Panama could become famous and make some $$$). Perhaps Foreman too? Returning to the sport after his embarassing loss and becoming a champion years later.
Maybe I should throw Tyson in here too; proving that one CAN actually go broke very shortly after being worth tens or millions :rofl
I'd argue that the single most significant fighter in this category might be James J Braddock. America was gripped firmly by the depression when this everyman beat Max Baer. Here is a nice wee quote form WC Heinz on the subject: In no list that you will ever see will he be listed among the ten greatest - that is as it should be. He may, however, in the sense that others see themselves in him and read their own struggles into his, have belonged to more people than any other champion who has ever lived. For me, these words are as true now, post Ali, as they were then. Eisenhower's "fireside chats" in combination with the "trust the banks" patter seem to have been the most significant factors in turning America around. But the people also needed hope. The single most important factor in providing this hope, in my opinion, was Braddock. Nine months before the fight against Baer - nine months - Braddock had been one of them, on wellfare, seperated from his children because he could not feed them. Now, the heavyweight champion of the world! If he can do it, so can I. But this is through western eyes. I bet there are some Mexicans who run him close. Taking that fact into consideration: 1 - James J Braddock --------------------- 2 - Jack Johnson 3 - Muhammad Ali
What about wlad or vitali K(stands by for the hate),they kind of ushered in the era of the east euros that were able to win things,i know they were not the first,but they were the most succesful
Rocky Balboa. United the East and West circa '85. Single handedly ending the Cold War and receiving the Nobel Prize for Peace as a result. ''I came here tonight... and I didn't know what to expect. I've seen a lot of people hating me...and I didn't know...what to feel about that, so...I guess I didn't like you much either. During this fight... I seen a lot of changing: the way you felt about me... and the way I felt about you.In here...there were two guys...killing each other. But I guess that's better than million. What I'm trying to say is... if I can change... and you can change...everybody can change! I just want to say one thing to my kid...who should be home sleeping. Merry Christmas, kid! I love you!'' Exceptional.
This was posted on the classic board, I whipped up this quick list: This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected This content is protected
I agree that Braddock deserves a mention here, but I think you greatly overstate his impact. I won't get into all the historical, economic and sociological factors, but suffice it to say that the New Deal policies pursued by the Roosevelt adminstration and the economic impact of WWII were far more significant. I would say that Ali's impact in helping to galvanize opposition to the Vietnam war was far more significant - although that too gets exaggerated by some. Joe Louis, for the impact of the second Schmeling fight alone, places a bit below this, as does Jack Johnson. Jack Dempsey deserves a mention here also, as he typifiied the 1920s era of excess, and was really the first modern popular sports hero. People who are interested should read Roger Kahn's excellent book A Flame of Pure Fire on this. Among HW champions, I would probably rate them as follows for their sociological impact: 1. Muhammad Ali 2. Joe Louis 3. Jack Johnson 4. James Braddock 5. Jack Dempsey
That's a VERY good point. Here in the U.S. their impact has been minimal, but in their own country, they are probably the most important sports figures ever.
