Fighters who lived and passed still clearheaded.

About a decade ago Chuvalo worked alongside Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace, and was featured on their track "Mettle", sounded surprisingly clear and coherent

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Some others to toss out, Kenji Yonekura seems to have done well, 87 now so father time is taking it's toll on him, and he had to close his gym a few years ago, was still in his 80's by then. Susumu Hanagata is 74 and is still involved in the sport at a notable level (think he's the head of the JPBA, and runs a gym), Koichi Wajima also seems in good health (a surprise given his style)

 

No, but I showed everybody the hand that shook the hand, he had to fly out to pay a little boy's expenses for an eye operation.

 

He was one of my idols too, great msn and champion.

 

I wish, he helped out an underprivileged youth that had injured his eye, paid for the operation himself, paid the family's expenses. he really inspired me in life.

 

Larry Holmes king of this thread. What a chin he had!

 

Championship heart too.

 

Dang right too. And his mental strength so incredible. Look at him before the coney fight and also the Ali fight. Was so tough up top. I actually think head 2 head holmes is the GOAT heavyweight. But he’s not the GOAT because his resume isn’t good enough like Ali or Lewis or Holyfield. I think he out jabs Ali prime to prime.

 

Tommy Loughran held together well through the years. A few years before he died, I sent him a photo and asked him to autograph it. He did, and wrote a note on the back of it, apologizing for unsteady penmanship (which I didn't think was so bad). I tried to call him, but never connected.

Fidel LaBarba was another old champion who autographed a picture for me and wrote a nice piece on the picture. I had the impression that he was genuinely touched that someone remembered him and took the time to write. He aged well, too.

 

There is a lot in what you say, he was a great fighter, and a humble guy.

 

On several occasions I wrote to Bill Gallo, then sports writer and cartoonist for the New York Daily News, asking for addresses of certain fighters. I explained that I fully respect the right of these men to privacy, etc. and I believe he gave me every address I asked for, including Tommy Loughran's phone number. I got to meet Bill Gallo in 1983 when I went to Manhattan for Jack Dempsey's wake. I sat beside Mr. Gallo for a bit and thanked him for giving me the information on locating the various fighters. He was very friendly and gracious, as was Tommy Loughran in his correspondence. Sadly both have passed on but I will always remember their giving of their time.