Boxing’s dastardly villains

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Saintpat, Apr 26, 2023.


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  1. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Who are the Dick Dastardly types in boxing history, those guys who no one (or nearly no one) ever rooted for while we all wanted to see them get beat up or knocked out.

    I’m not talking about divisive guys like Muhammad Ali, whom some hated with a passion (and judging from this forum still do) but also had a legion of fans. Nor am I speaking of fighters who were necessarily real-life bad people so they’re hated because they murdered someone or committed heinous crimes (so not Tony Ayala, who had a big fan base til he got imprisoned for ****, or people like that).

    I’m looking for the types only a mother could love … and she’s probably secretly hoping someone is going to put a whupping on them.

    I’ll start with a couple and see who you guys think of:

    1) Jorge Luis González — A heavyweight regularly featured on HBO who beat both Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis in the amateurs (along with aging Teofilo Stevenson and Tyrell Biggs), he just seemed to be the guy everybody loved to hate. He had a decent run up until he challenged Riddick Bowe, and I think we were all wanting to see Big Daddy take him to the woodshed. He lost several more, and I think almost all boxing fans relished every defeat.

    I’m not sure exactly what he did that made so many people (including me) root against him other than just being arrogant, but I never got the idea that anyone rooted for him.

    2) Art Aragon — The original Golden Boy filled arenas on the West Coast mostly with people who wanted to see him get his ass handed to him. He obliged on a number of occasions, notching some meaningful wins but also losing his share of main events. He was a sort of celebrity about town who ran in fast circles and IIRC was associated with a few starlets of his day. I think people in general just resented the fact that he wasn’t world class but carried himself like he was a huge attraction and as if was above it all. He was especially disliked by Mexican fans, probably because he beat some of their favorites.

    Who else belongs on this list?
     
    Saintpat, Apr 26, 2023
    Saintpat, Apr 26, 2023
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  2. William Walker

    William Walker Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    William Walker, Apr 26, 2023
    William Walker, Apr 26, 2023
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  3. themostoverrated

    themostoverrated Active Member Full Member

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    Sonny Liston should definitely be in this list. When (allegedly) the president of the United States does not want you to fight this man, there must be some visceral antipathy in his mind.

    In the modern era, Amir Khan perhaps. He did have his legion of fans for a while, but far too many people wanted him to hit the floor. So did I, and I loved it!
     
    themostoverrated, Apr 26, 2023
    themostoverrated, Apr 26, 2023
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  4. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Ricardo Mayorga
     
    Bronze Tiger, Apr 26, 2023
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  5. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hector Camacho
     
    Bronze Tiger, Apr 26, 2023
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  6. Bronze Tiger

    Bronze Tiger Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Antonio Tarver
     
    Bronze Tiger, Apr 26, 2023
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  7. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Good premise but not easy to find the absolute perfect fit.

    Maybe Larry Holmes - particularly in and around the passing of torch from Ali…whoever it was, they were going to suffer just for the fact of following Ali…good ‘Ol Larry managed to pour a bit of fat onto the fire too….lol.
     
    Pugguy, Apr 26, 2023
    Pugguy, Apr 26, 2023
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  8. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    I can’t speak for the size (or lack thereof) of Terrell’s fan base - but given his negative and foul inclusive style, I could imagine a good number rooting against him.
     
    Pugguy, Apr 26, 2023
    Pugguy, Apr 26, 2023
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  9. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Hector was wildly popular with the public and it wasn’t all people wanting his ass kicked.

    I think there’s a group of hardcore fans who didn’t like that he wouldn’t stand toe to toe with Rosario who held onto that resentment (of a fight that I thought he clearly won) who rooted against him but with the greater public he was a high-demand guy who they would pay to see fight … not to see get his ass beat.
     
    Saintpat, Apr 26, 2023
    Saintpat, Apr 26, 2023
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  10. zadfrak

    zadfrak Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    One american fans did not like in the least was Eubank. Pretty fair amount of dislike for Hamed also---mostly due to the elaborate stage entrances I think. Had an exciting whirlwind style and was a hitter so never really understood the dislike for the guy.
     
    zadfrak, Apr 26, 2023
    zadfrak, Apr 26, 2023
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  11. thistle

    thistle Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I was going to say the Macho Man, he was Coc k Sure, but he had the goods to prove it, an absolutely beautiful Boxer and Great Champion... I think most people loved him.

    Holmes had a bit of a resentful chip, and perhaps rightfully so... living under the Shadow of 'the Self Professed greatest would do that to any capable Top Fighter.

    yeah Eubank & Hamed dislikeable persons, only surpassed by the droning regurgitating British Lying Hype Machine, that is even more sickening today... even the people that mouth it & support it, know everybody knows they are so resentfully bias and full of Shite!
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2023
    thistle, Apr 26, 2023
    thistle, Apr 26, 2023
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  12. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Audley Harrison. Funny thing is, he turned pro with a lot of goodwill after winning Olympic gold. But between his delusions of greatness, garbage opposition and woeful performances, that evaporated rapidly. Everyone cheered when he got sparked by Michael Sprott.
     
    Berlenbach, Apr 27, 2023
    Berlenbach, Apr 27, 2023
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  13. Pugguy

    Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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    Just as an aside, Dick Dastardly wasn’t a villain in my eyes (nor Muttley), he was simply hard done by and misunderstood. Much like The Wily Coyote and Sylvester J. Pussycat Sr.

    The real villains were The Pigeon, The Road Runner and Tweety Bird. I begged and prayed they’d all one day be caught, especially that cocky Road Runner, - but it never happened.
     
    Pugguy, Apr 27, 2023
    Pugguy, Apr 27, 2023
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  14. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Broner and Hamed for me
     
    robert ungurean, Apr 27, 2023
    robert ungurean, Apr 27, 2023
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  15. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Beat me to it, Robert - in regards to Broner. Nothing misunderstood there. Just an ar**hole! I've always said that his fight with Maidana was just about my most satisfying evening watching the fights.
     
    scartissue, Apr 27, 2023
    scartissue, Apr 27, 2023
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