Remarkable attendees/spectators from previous boxing fights?

- In 1882 the famous writer Oscar Wilde travelled over 4000 miles from Europe to America, because he attended the fight between the challenger John L Sullivan and the bare-knuckle Champion Paddy Ryan.
Another spectator was the notorious and wanted outlaw Jesse James.

- Wyatt Earp was the referee of the fight between Bob Fitzsimmons vs. Tom Sharkey 1896.

Off course, there were many other remarkable persons as referees/spectators etc.... ringside?

 

Frank Sinatra taking pictures for Time magazine ringside on march 8 1971 during Ali-Frazier number 1.
Monzon had his then girlfriend tv personalitySusana Gimenez at ringside when they were together.

 

I think you mean 1882.

 

Of course 1882, little typo. I will edit it.

 

I used to see Ed O'Neil, Lou Ferrigno and Magic Johnson at the Forum regularly.

 

Did the oppurtunity to speak with any of them arise?

 

I believe Houdini was in attendance for Dempsey-Willard? I do know he once humiliated Willard enough to make him leave one of his shows while he was still champion of the world.

 

The model Christie Brinkley was a ringside photographer for the Leonard-Duran rematch in New Orleans. Ray Charles sang “America the Beautiful” (Leonard was named after him).

Marvin Gaye sang the national anthem — best rendition I’ve ever heard — for Holmes-Shavers II.

 

Ed O’Neil is a legit badass. He played college football and signed as a free agent with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1969 but was cut as the Steelers elected to keep a couple of other rookies — Mean Joe Greene and LC Greenwood.

He has practiced Brazilian jiu-jitsu for more than 20 years under Rorion Gracie and earned his black belt about 15 years ago.