Great Fighters Who Were Dirty

Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson, Wladimir Klitschko, Andre Ward

 

Ezzard Charles immediately came to mind. And Pedroza

Then while typing the above, so did Harry Greb.

 

So, a Harry Greb thread.

 

Saddler and Zivic.

 

Sandy Saddler, and the one who inherited his style George Foreman are greats who come to mind who fought in a consistently foul way more so Saddler, George was cleaner but as one boxer said of him.

“George would say take a point I don’t care this ain’t going to the judges”

^~~This was on the topic of his style~~^

 

Wlad.

 

Pedroza was just filthy. His bout against LaPorte should have gotten him DQ'ed.

Gomez too was very dirty; hitting late, hitting when an opponent was down, elbows, low blows...…..he was awful.

 

For all the talk of Holyfield being dirty, Tyson in the 80s was much worse.

 

I will have to disagree, 80s Tyson threw elbows occasionally and was a little wild with his head but Evander was an outright disgrace at times not unlike Tyson tho.

 

Holyfield Hopkins and Marciano came to mind immediately. Mayweather lacked etiquette but don’t think I’d call him dirty.

 

I think Holyfield, when you combine his headbutts, elbows, low blows, etc (and he bit a guy in the amateurs) with his chronic steroid use which allowed him to gain an advantage was the dirtiest fighter of my lifetime and maybe ever.

 

Fullmer, Pedroza, Hatton, Holyfield, Tyson, Hopkins jump to mind

 

Did you SEE Rahmans donut head after the Holyfield Headbutt express? Looked like a damn horror movie. Holyfield was a master of the third fist.

Not sure I remember Tyson’s fouls leaving people that messed up to be honest.

 

The dirtiest ATG of my era was Esubio Pederoza, A great fighter
whom didn't need to fight that way. But I guess his thoughts
were "By any means necessary.
Holyfield as he got older and heavier was notorious for
headbutting and following the left hook with the
elbow.
G.Foreman pushed opponents off balance , nailed them
as they tried to recover.
S.Saddler was good for at the least 5-10 serious fouls
per fight.
Same with Marciano.
Believe it or not L.Holmes ,he was great at popping
that left jab, also great at putting some sauce on it
by extending his thumb into the opponents eye.
Hearns also had the rep prior to thumbless
gloves of extending his thumb.
Duran was excellent and holding and hitting.