Good sportsmanship, gracious in defeat, gentlemen

Floyd may have been the kindest and most gracious. After the Liston loss he spoke (still in the ring) about his wanting the public to embrace Sonny as much as they had embraced him.
The disguises came afterwards and don't reflect on his sportmanship, just his fragile pysche...

R.I.P. Floyd :cry:

 

Not true. Lets say everytime but once.

 

Somtimes fighters who are all smiles and apple pie in public are horible human beings behind closed doors, while those who are totaly tactless in public can be fine human beings in private.

I suspect Holmes might fit the latter category.

 

Yeah, I remember reading an article in The Ring (or was it KO?) in the 1990s, where Arguello was still clearly bitter about the fight with Pryor, and made some rather low remarks about Pryor's personal problems. This was even after they took pictures together, I think in Canastota the HOF festivitees.

And it turned out, Arguello ended up having his own drug problems just like Pryor did.

 

Yes, from memory Arguello fired or at least heavily blamed Futch at first with the result being Futch refused to be in his corner for the rematch. Just a one off tho and Arguello later apologised. He does indeed fit all the criteria perfectly apart from one minor blemish. Great man, great fighter.

 

Agreed! Name one person that has ever lived that didn't have a moment or two that was dissimilar to who they normally are Search high and low and you'll find there aren't any!

This doesn't say anything regarding patterns, mind you.

 

Fair call mate, for sure.

 

Did we actually agree on something?

The Almighty needs to be informed!

 

But, but i'm already here!!!!! :smoke

 

Arrogant piece of cyber flotsam

You know, I've already mentioned an Almighty in this exchange of agreeing... You cause me to end up in Hades over this and I'll haunt you forever!

 

The Hades? Or the Everglades?


I'm trying to think of another great candidate, and my feeling is that the list is short for my time. Hearns was a decent shout, went to Schuler's funeral just after they fought and placed the NABF title belt (He had won ko'ing Schuler) on top of his coffin saying James had it longer than himself and was more entitled to it.

 

Touching story.

 

Hearns may best even Arguello. He lost more big matches and could have argued a bit with some -however flimsily.

When he lost to Leonard in the first bout, watch him at the press conference. He was beautiful, all about the better man winning. "Detroit, I shall return." Even the draw 8 years later: Hearns was more gracious than anyone in the arena. When he broke his hand on Hagler's chrome dome in round 1 and then lost the fight, he forbade his camp from mentioning it because he wanted Hagler to receive full credit.

I love the guy.

 

Me too. I wish that there were more fighters like him out there today