all of them are class acts,, ,went to one of them events at M.k stadium yesterday to meet them and was thoroughly impressed with the respect they had for their fans. I know that a small fee has to be paid for autographs (large fee for Eubank!), but a chance to meet a few of my idols was great. These events are essentially a money spinner, with 'no posed photo's!' signs everywhere. The boxers were the only ones who took no notice of these rules, and happily posed with me and to chat about boxing. At one point the twatty so-called security blokes jumped in when I asked Bugner for a pic, with "Jo's not doing that , can't you read mate!", to which Bugner gently advised them "never to do that to a fan again, do you understand?", and happily posed for one. I was made-up. The other sport stars [Jack Charlton, Stuart Pearce, Neil Robertson etc], were sullen so and so's who would not even give their money paying fans a second glance when signing a pic... ..all in all a fantastic few hours with plenty of good memories-would recommend if you get a chance:bbb
At least the boxers sound like they are happy to be there are interact with fans . Bugner saying that to the security guard is cool:smoke
Most boxers in general are like a different breed to footballers. I get to as many fights as I can each year and usually I'll hang around after the events over to meet a few fighters, have a chat etc and not yet have I met one who hasn't had the time of day for anyone. Hatton/Senchenko was a good example. Me and a few mates stayed behind, Jazza Dickens was fighting after the Hatton fight in a non-televised fight and there was probably about 50/60 people that had stayed in the MEN. Ended up chatting away with Ryan Rhodes and Paulie Malignaggi like we were old friends - you wouldn't get that with a footballer. For one you can hardly get near them and secondly, most aren't interested in the fans anyway.
yep, sticking about after the man event is always a good shout, I have spoken to Kell Brook, Junior Whitter, Carl Greaves, Jonny nelson and loads more after Froch's old fights at the ice-arena- it's definitely one of the best aspects of this great sport:bbb
Indeed met many famous boxer over the years and all of them were sound. It's cos there real men not phaggots like footballers who are just pretenders
Got to say, I was at the Groves Degale fight when a fan jumped over the security fencing where the fighters make their ringwalks. He got a bit excited because he saw Naz. Anyway a couple of security guards got hold of him but I was pleasantly surprised to see Hamed step in and talk to the fella. Even better to see Naz get one of the security to take a photo of him and the said fan.
Couple of years ago , I was sat ringside with Bugner at a ameteur show , we were talking approx 3 hours , and i kid you not , i don't think we spoke for more than 3-4 minuits at any time in that 3-4 hours m, when Joe was'nt interupted to give his autograph , and or a photo , and now once did he refuse , get impatient or be a smart ass , . He did give everyone , a good old laugh when some kid came up ,about 11, stood looking at us talking , , just staring , then Joe just said can i help you young man , do you want an autograph , The kid just looked at him and said ,,, Who , are you , you famous or summting ,, Joe said , i'm Joe Bugner , i fought Muhamid Ali , The kid said , who's he , A famous boxer Joe said , So what , bet he would'nt beat me , i just won tonight , said the kid and i bet i could beat you has well , with that Joe shaped up to him and started moving around , well if you seen the size of bugner , and a small 11 year old shaping up , you can imagine how funny it was . The guy is a legend , hes not like most only freindly when the cameras are around he's freindly and got time for the fans 24/7
I've also found boxers a lot more willing to talk to small-time reporters than footballers are. I've put it down to, among other things, boxers needing publicity on their way up the ladder whereas footballers don't.
