Did you ever find yourself rooting for an opponent against one of your favorite fighters?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Paul McB, Jun 9, 2023.


  1. Paul McB

    Paul McB Member Full Member

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    This is something I experienced back in the 90s, for example.
    I loved watching Tyson when I was getting interested in boxing as a teenager back in the mid-80s. I rooted for him against everyone….until he fought Ruddock. I found myself wanting Razor to win, I just really liked his style and attitude.
    I also rooted for Holyfield against Tyson, even though I’d been cheering Tyson on in his comeback.
    I also rooted for Moorer when he fought Holyfield,probably the only time I wanted to see someone win against the “real deal”….and I can’t entirely explain why lol.
     
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  2. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic War for Souls Full Member

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    I also.

    I also looked forward to Tyson's comeback success. Specifically, in that fight, I was more worried about Holyfield, and I was cheering to see the best possible boxing.

    I have never cheered against a boxer I favor. Theoretically, that could happen if that boxer came to the fight in such bad shape that he would disappoint and annoy me.
     
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  3. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Like most, I suspect, I was a fan of all of the Fab Four (actually five as I put Wilfred Benitez in that company and I liked him as much as the others). So when they fought each other, it was … complicated.

    I rooted for Roberto Duran against Leonard (all three times), for Leonard against Hearns and Hagler. I just wanted a good fight when Hagler fought Hearns and Duran (and was rewarded both times). I cheered Benitez vs. Duran because I just loved his style, but I was for Hearns against Benitez and just wanted a good fight when Duran fought Hearns (and was not rewarded, although I was wowed like everyone).

    I was a huge fan of Alexis Arguello and of Bobby Chacon. I rooted for the Schoolboy vs. AA. And AA vs. Mancini, although I liked Ray and probably cheered for him in every other fight.

    I don’t think I was ever not for Jose Luis Ramirez except vs. Mancini, but that fight was the first time I saw him so I hadn’t gotten attached (and didn’t know who he was when he fought Arguello, which wasn’t televised — at least not where I was — and didn’t see it until many years later … but that result was the first I’d heard of him and it made me want to see him).
     
  4. Paul McB

    Paul McB Member Full Member

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    That’s fascinating…I had exactly the same experience as you with the Fab Four!
     
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  5. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I was a huge fan of both Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo Gomez. I rooted for Gomez when they fought. And I was for Danny Lopez both times he fought Sanchez (whom I had never seen before their first fight and was a longtime Lopez fan) but other than Gomez and Lopez, I was for Sal every time.

    Come to think of it, I’d say I never rooted against Little Red Lopez. I mean, how could you?
     
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  6. KernowWarrior

    KernowWarrior Bob Fitzsimmons much bigger brother. Full Member

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    As a callow youth I rooted for Norton against Ali.
     
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  7. Noel857

    Noel857 I Am Duran

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    Would not say i was rooting for him but i was at the Herol Graham v Vinny Pazienza fight and was really hoping for a good performance from Vinny but sadly he was outclassed
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2023
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  8. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    Yes, all the time. In fact, if it’s a big underdog, I can switch easily to root for them in no time.
     
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  9. JohnThomas1

    JohnThomas1 VIP Member

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    I've never ended up in that position. Biggest dilemma i had was who to vote for in Rosario - Davis Jr as they were two of my absolute faves and in the same division. I ended up going for Rosario, but barely.