Good sportsmanship, gracious in defeat, gentlemen

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Sonny's jab, Apr 16, 2008.


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  1. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    When was it that the majority of big-name boxers became assholes ?

    When did all this trash-talking before the event and bitterness in defeat really become commonplace ?

    Who were the great gentlemen of the past ?

    And who of the modern recent times has consistently shown admirable qualities in defeat and the utmost respect for his opponents before and after fights?
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 16, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 16, 2008
    #1
  2. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    The 80's seems to be the answer to your first two questions.

    I don't know. Society and people as a whole seemed to expect courtesy decades ago, say in the 50's. But it was a facade.

    When Ray Robinson was elected dad or husband of the year in the 50's it was irrelevant that he had beaten some of his unborn children to death.

    Don't know what's worse, in the open animosity or the seething behind the scenes kind.
     
    Russell, Apr 16, 2008
    Russell, Apr 16, 2008
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  3. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Sullivan seemed a gent immediatly after the Corbett fight, though some of the things he said in print in later years were not so flattering if I remember rightly.

    For the really touching stuff though, you need the Friday Night Fights stuff that sees two Brithish level guys pitted against each other (and at a similair level elsewhere I presume). Those guys always have wonderful things to say about one another.

    Burley never said a bad word about anyone aside from Robinson early on and Moore before their fight (the two later became great friends).
     
    McGrain, Apr 16, 2008
    McGrain, Apr 16, 2008
    #3
  4. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Dno y guys are arseholes when they are beaten these days, Hatton was so bad! Just wanna say that Tyson was always gracious in defeat, what a guy!!!
     
    teeto, Apr 16, 2008
    teeto, Apr 16, 2008
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  5. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Haye was congratulating Thompson in detail right after he got the **** kicked out of him by Carl if that counts for anything.

    But fighters over the pond tend to be more gracious period.
     
    Russell, Apr 16, 2008
    Russell, Apr 16, 2008
    #5
  6. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I have recently thought that Shane and Oscar were gracious (even when obviously disagreeing with verdict) in defeat among modern boxers.
     
    PhillyPhan69, Apr 16, 2008
    PhillyPhan69, Apr 16, 2008
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  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I think these are good picks. Although i've always felt that there was something vaguely disingenuos about Oscar, now matter what was coming out of his mouth :lol:
     
    McGrain, Apr 16, 2008
    McGrain, Apr 16, 2008
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  8. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I agree McGrain , didnt really know how to put into words, but you sort of did it perfect!!! Its his slimey smile while he's sayin' it!!!!
     
    teeto, Apr 16, 2008
    teeto, Apr 16, 2008
    #8
  9. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    In the ring Robinson allways lost with class and was invariably complimentary to his opponent.Arguello comes to mind ,Louis is a template . Ezzard Charles was gentlemanly towards his opponents .Marciano had manners before and after a fight,in between was something else!
     
    mcvey, Apr 16, 2008
    mcvey, Apr 16, 2008
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  10. Sonny's jab

    Sonny's jab Guest

    Yes. Haye's attitude there was admirable, and the way he expressed no regrets and a willingness to always try his luck against good fighters.
    In stark contrast to the **** Audley Harrison was doing and saying at the time.

    Haye's getting cocky though. And I daresay we'll get some trash talk from him at heavyweight.

    David Tua seemed a decent guy in defeat.
     
    Sonny's jab, Apr 16, 2008
    Sonny's jab, Apr 16, 2008
    #10
  11. Bigcat

    Bigcat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    When Evander Holyfield lost to Bowe in 1992 he was gracious, but the situation when he faced Lennox for the first time he seemed quite an ass about that dodgy scoring......

    Heavyweight Alex Stewart was great in defeat, when he boxed Foreman he just shrugged his shoulders as the scores were announced, he never brought excuses.. He took his lumps and win lose or draw he was a great character, lost to George, Evander twice, Tyson and Moorer yet never uttered a word of grudge... Even though he banged George to the point of ugly...
     
    Bigcat, Apr 16, 2008
    Bigcat, Apr 16, 2008
    #11
  12. Dempsey1238

    Dempsey1238 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Judah was a poor sport imo.

    Jack Dempsey needs to be brought up in regards to defeat.
     
    Dempsey1238, Apr 16, 2008
    Dempsey1238, Apr 16, 2008
    #12
  13. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Rocky Marciano wont be mentioned in this thread!!! HA HA!


    Answr is alexis arguello
     
    SuzieQ49, Apr 16, 2008
    SuzieQ49, Apr 16, 2008
    #13
  14. rendog67

    rendog67 The firestarter Full Member

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    the majority of fighters are gentleman but they all are trying the fight so much now
     
    rendog67, Apr 16, 2008
    rendog67, Apr 16, 2008
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  15. Dave's Top Ten

    Dave's Top Ten Active Member Full Member

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    Tommy Hearns. Absolute class. Took his defeats like a man and praised the winner.
     
    Dave's Top Ten, Apr 16, 2008
    Dave's Top Ten, Apr 16, 2008
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