I'm intrigued by sparring and background stories.

At the Kronk Gym, "Mad Dog" Danny Paul would spar Tommy Hearns. I remember how he wouldn't take a backwards step to Hearns. He would push him back and rough him up.

 

James Toney eating six (6) BK Whopper's in the dressing room before his fight with Dave Tiberi.

 

My Friend Rafael Ramirez Of Spring Valley Ca, Was Castillo Main Sparring Partner, As I Believe Castillo Beat Maywether But Mayweather Got The Win. Mayweather Quickly Pick Up Ramirez As His Sparring Partner As You All Know Mayweather Did Beat Castillo In Fight 2, Speed Kills. Not A Great Story But Its Mine.

 

Joe Bugner said he sparred with Liston and Sonny wanted out after two hard rounds.

 

Was that the week before he died?

 

What about the great Antuofermo-Eddie Gregory sparring stories that appeared in the pages of Boxing News in 1976. Before his fight with Mo Hope, Vito was claiming his chin was that good, even a big hitter like Gregory never bothers him: "I kick his ass all the time" said the face-first headbutt merchant. After that, Eddie wrote an open letter to the magazine saying Vito was full of **** and that he pastes him regularly. Wonder who was telling the truth? My money's on Eddie. :hey

 

Probably the week after he died. :good

 

Hahaha, Eddie would have given Vito kittens in there

 

i have footage of Holmes making Joe Frazier look very sluggish before the first Ali v Frazier fight in the gym in philly. I was also in the gym when 2 sparring partners gave Tyson horrendous trouble before the Norris and Ettienne fights.
(Ahunanya and Stan Allen) Another so called myth i was stood 5 feet from was a fist fight in the Mirage ballroom after the Tucker v Lewis fight was between Chavez and Terry Norris. The fight started a melee where Oliver McCall and Mike Nunn had to get involved..

 

Hector Camacho reportedly giving Hilmer Kenty a beating years ago in Detroit.

 

At that time Norris and Chavez had been in a media war of words surrounding a suggested future matchup.. Chavez had just beaten Terrence Alli and Norris had been doing comentarry. Everyone was merry and partying at the mirage in a fancy champaign reception hosted by DKP, Chavez with his hand in plaster following his bout (small Injury) was chatting to TNT Tucker and King by the main table, Norris was slowly approaching to start to make the conversation interesting, it was obvious that things would get uncomfortable so i and everyone elst braced ourselves, Thomas Tate was stood with me and said watch this **** go bad.. and as predicted the two started hurling insults and in a heartbeat Norris smashed a punch at Chavez and as bodyguards flew in he ran to exit the melee, Tables chirs and food were thrown and it became a massive riot, McCall was shoved by a large Don King security man and he knocked the guy out with a single shot over a round dinner table, i hada bottle of corona hit the side of my face and ducked out of the **** , the last thing i saw was Ollie McCall turn a large table over and teh security grab cameras from any press nearby and dragging streams of film out of them, Mike Nunn was very unhappy for some reason also.

When any mention of this story ever surfaces it is always said "That was a frigging myth" well guess what folks.. I was right there May 8th 1993 mirage ballroom A.. very scarey for me , i was quite fresh to that kind of behaviour at the time and Oliver freaked me out.. funny though

 

No the week after!

 

Lewis cracked a couple of Alis ribs,dont think he dropped him