Have YOU met any well known fighters?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by d4n1elc, Mar 2, 2026 at 9:50 PM.


  1. thistle

    thistle Boxing Junkie

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    Did we meet???
     
  2. Brian1980

    Brian1980 New Member Full Member

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    In my early twenties I was doing some amateur boxing… nothing too serious, mostly for fun. My trainer was Chuck Wissmiller who was very good friends with Mayweather Sr and helped train Jr in his amateur days. He took me to Big Bear where Floyd Sr was training De La Hoya… maybe 2001 or 2002. We ate breakfast at a Denny’s. Mayweather Sr was very nice and it was awesome to hear him talk about past and present fighters. At a gym there in Big Bear I met Vassiliy Jirov and watched him spar. His trainer was Thel Torrance who had trained Bowe. Super nice guy.

    Later in 2002/2003 Wissmiller took me to Vegas where we went to Mayweather Sr’s house and a boxing gym, I think Richard Steele’s gym. There I met Mayweather Jr. He was very welcoming, gave me a hug, and was all smiles. I also met Montell Griffith there… nice but it was very brief.

    Chuck Wissmiller was famous in Michigan and had a reality TV show filmed at his family run mortuary in San Diego. He’s worth looking up. Lots of pictures with him and famous fighters, including one where he’s arm wrestling with Buster Mathis Sr.

    I haven’t really thought about any of this stuff in a long time. Thank you for starting this thread!
     
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  3. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Amanda Serrano. She said she was on the verge of fighting Katie Taylor in 2020, but COVID ended up delaying it. She was very normal.

    Also Paul Williams at a meet and greet before the Margarito fight. Nice guy.
     
  4. Makingweight

    Makingweight Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Met quite a few and know a couple of ex pros

    Memorable ones Joe Bugner in 1987 he was in the UK for the Bruno fight I met him in a work capacity as a youngster he was very polite and friendly. Gentleman 100%.

    John Conteh really sound fella talking to him about his fight career and seemed surprised I recognized him this was about 10 years ago.
     
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  5. Ice8Cold

    Ice8Cold The Hype Job Spotter. Full Member

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    Of the champions I've met: Floyd Mayweather, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury, Daniel Dubois, Chris Billam-Smith.

    These guys were huge!
     
  6. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    We were actually at the same table. You wanted to give Ryan O'Neal a copy of your book and I walked you over to him and introduced you. Small world.
     
    thistle likes this.
  7. thistle

    thistle Boxing Junkie

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    If you are who I think you are, were you there with your dad or were you the fella that ran a Boxing Gym north of L.A... because apart from people I met briefly over that weekend, there were only a few I remember from our table?

    My mother was thrilled to meet O'Neil and as I remember my wife & I were in separate tables from my Mum & Dad, but I think after the dinner they came & sat among us.... something like that.
     
  8. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I was the one that was there with my dad. My Dad and I were mainstays at WBHF events. We came out every year for the event. I still have the book on your grandfather that you gave me too. It was well written.
     
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  9. Paul McB

    Paul McB Member Full Member

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    John Conteh, makes you feel like you’ve known him for years..tons of charisma.
    Shea Neary. Very quiet, shy man.
    Earnie Shavers, very respectful, nice man.
    Shane Sutcliffe - was amazed that I’d heard of him…told great tales about fights and sparring with Holyfield, Bowe, Tua etc.
     
    Makingweight likes this.
  10. thistle

    thistle Boxing Junkie

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    Hi D, thank you,

    have you looked through the Facebook page on him, it has been active for well over 10 years now but more importantly you can see the ACTUAL Reports, Ratings, Commentaries and all other important documented history, it consists of approx. 2000 Reports and such, broke down into Separate Albums.

    Important for validation & cross-referencing facts, claims & statements - 13 Years of RATINGS Pinned as the Top Post, the RING, Boxing News and 3 other UK Boxing periodicals.

    I hope you are well; it was a great evening & weekend. GOD Bless you & yours D.
     
    scartissue likes this.
  11. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Some famous fighters have met me. But they don’t seem to talk about it much … guess I don’t make a lasting impression.
     
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  12. Makingweight

    Makingweight Well-Known Member Full Member

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  13. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    Mike Weaver, Alberto and Richard Sandoval, and Albert Davila; only Weaver was a pro when we first met. Recently, Ernesto 'Tito' Mercado.
     
  14. Paul McB

    Paul McB Member Full Member

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    @Makingweight
    I’m from Liverpool but emigrated to the USA back in 2007.
    I met Earnie when he was working the door at a bar in L’pool…can’t remember the name of it for the life of me.
     
    Makingweight likes this.
  15. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 OFFICIAL THREAD DIDDLER Full Member

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    Met my idol Roberto Durán not too long ago

    He told me i looked like a colombian


    I am panamanian.