Yeah it’s a lousy thread title but I couldn’t think of a better way to say it. I don’t mean like physically showing up — a former world champ spotted at a grocery store or whatever — so much as you come across something in an unrelated field or space that is by or tied to a boxing person. That probably still doesn’t clarify anything, but a few examples might get us started: Ferdie Pacheco cookbook: This is what inspired the thread. I was in Orlando last week and dined at Columbia, a traditional Cuban restaurant with roots of the original cafe (in the Tampa area, Ybor City aka Little Havana) dating back to 1905. While waiting for our table, I wandered into the gift shop and thumbed through their recipe book and … it’s co-authored by the Fight Doctor. Turns out Ferdie was a waiter at Columbia (not the one I went to) as a teenager. And maybe because of his boxing ‘fame’ or because he became friends with the owners or whatever, he’s credited as a co-author on the book (and yes, I did confirm it is indeed the boxing doc Ferdie and not a namesake, as you can see here): https://upf.com/book.asp?id=9780813066479 I guess this would also include Joe Frazier and his musical group (The Knockouts, I think?) and George Foreman and his grill. What else might fit into this discussion?
Kip Diggs, who was in very good fights with Derrell Coley and Tony Martin, is now a Politician... https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kip_Diggs
Between his boxing careers and before his grill, Big George was a small-time preacher doing tent revivals and such. Jack Dempsey was a successful restauranteur in NYC, his place apparently especially famous for its cheesecake. (The reason there’s so many Dempsey autographs around is because Jack was on the premises most nights and would sign napkins or whatever and pose for pictures with customers.) Ray Robinson had a nice career as a tap dancer after retiring and before his boxing comeback (I think that’s the time frame). Art Aragon, the original Golden Boy, made a good living with his bail bond business.
At the fights in Ft Worth many years ago, I believe Paulie Ayala headlined the card. The ring announcer announced. " I would like to introduce to you this very attractive young lady" She was a cute little Hispanic girl cute as a button. He said " What do you think her occupation is she is here from Austin Texas" The crowd gave her a great reception yelling "Ring card girl, stripper, actress" etc. He then surprised us all by saying " She is making her professional boxing debut on our card here next month" She came & successfully defeated another young girl & the crowd cheered her.loudly. Sadly she didn't last ,they stupidly matched her with a tough looking opponent at her next fight she got beat up bad & quit the sport. I talked to her afterwards & she said. "It was my dream to box & I achieved my dream I just didn't realize it hurt so much" Sadly I cannot remember her name but she recovered nicely & took up modeling & did quite well
was watching a paranormal show about an abandoned haunted prison in panama and out of the blue, there is roberto duran! they were asking him about the supposed hauntings in said prison since he had taken a tour of it.
