I cant stand Burt Sugar!!

Ironically, those two uncles didn't get along either. I read once where a dude came up to Cosell with a Ring Record Book (Sugar was the editor at the time) and Cosell turned surly, refused to sign and said in no uncertain terms, "Bert Sugar is a crook!"

Scartissue

 

He seems like the hustling type, but he has always been a very humble, down to earth, fun loving guy whenever I've been around him.

 

He didn't owe you money, B

 

I love it.

 

Bert Sugar thinks it's still the 1930s, just look at that hat and cigar (which he never smokes!).

He come across to me as a professional "character" who makes things more lively but at the expense of accuracy and honesty. He's always struck me as being a bit like a drunken bum friend who has some good funny stories but you know at least half of them are bull****, and he's always borrowing money, booze and cigarettes and never paying anything back. But you put up with him because he's a fun guy and doesn't really mean any harm.

So, it is pretty amusing to hear on ESB that this is how Bert Sugar is like in real life too, lol.

 

Thats all I have to hear to know what the man is like, coming from someone else I would wonder but from you John, I believe it.

 

Didn't he get in trouble for plagiarizing when he was the editor of Boxing Illustrated? I heard that's why the magazine ceased production.

I never cared much for Bert and his schtick. Among boxing historians, I was a much bigger fan of the late Jack Newfield.

 

Like it's already been said...he was like the odd, eccentric uncle at the family picnic..aggravating at times...at think he wants to be a 50's throwback, with the cigar and the hat...and his opinions are silly and bombastic at times...but he's not a truly reprehensible, troll of a figure like Rock Newman or Bob Arum, or any of the Mayweather clan, for instance.

 

There's always a place in certain boxing fans hearts for some old guy propping up a bar going "Ahh, these bums wouldda never had a chance against 'Earless' Frank Johnson!"

 

When Bert Sugar took over Boxing Illustrated back in the early 70's , it wasn't long before they went belly-up. I had a two year subscription which got tossed out in the process. Every time I see that crook I remember this. I would like to know how many other fools like myself that were stupid enough to send those low-life their money got screwed? I never bought another boxing magazine afterward.

 

good

 

i lurk around alot on the classic forum and I gotta say Bert Sugar knows his **** more than just about anyone who posts on here.

 

Bert is of the old "Print the myth school". He seems to have two modes, one for the casual sports fans (tv mode) and one for those with a true knowledge of the sport.

I ran into him and chatted with him briefly. He was at a little nothing & nobody fight card here in Miami. I brought up old-time vs today, no-decision bouts, infighting & parrying, and title fight distances. I think he gauged my knowledge by the topics I asked him about. He was very sharp and nothing like the TV persona (except the clothes, voice and that annoying cigar). His answers surprised me and were very insightful.

 

Any hint he was a deadbeat, d?

 

How much money did he owe you?