Sugar Ray Leonard vs Pete Ranzany

Saad54 · Nov 16, 2015

Tin_Ribs said: ↑

Before I go off on a rant, I just want you to know that this isn't a dig at you personally or anything....

Where the human psychology of boxing is concerned, nearly every great fighter is internally driven by a degree of self-belief that borders on arrogance. Jimmy Cannon - who was quite close to Joe Louis and respected him more than most - said that even a fighter of Joe's modesty and humility was bound to be endowed with it, even if it wasn't readily apparent. All great athletes are.

Carlos Monzon was probably as detestable a sociopath that ever set foot in the ring. Robinson was reported to be a domestic nightmare, whereas Ali became subserviant to a doctrine which preached that white people were created by devils. Yet all of them are revered by people of all generations for what they achieved inside of the ring, with their failings as human beings having **** all to do with it.

Leonard, though one of the greatest to ever lace them up, was an arrogant, self-serving charlatan and shameless politician; Tyson is a polarizing figure who tends to be both overpraised and overcriticized in equal amount, though still an undeniably outstanding fighter. You'll find plenty of old timers who sing the praises of both men, and the valid criticism directed their way has jack squat to do with them being black or outspoken.

Mayweather isn't outspoken or anything such; he's just an insecure, ignorant, obnoxious little **** who has benefited both from competing in a mediocre era and good matchmaking, as well as a decent amount of technical ability (which is in itself overstated most of the time IMO). The ire towards him comes from the fact that he flaunts his wealth in the faces of those less fortunate than himself who have helped him to actually attain it via the easiest route. At least Ali, Toney, Leonard and most of the other bull****ters bothered to back their inflated egos up by facing the best (in much stronger respective talent pools, I might add). Floyd is just awful. I feel unspeakably embarrassed for him every time he opens his absolute ****flap of a mouth. His case, however, and the case of Jones Jr, aren't aided by the absolute travesty that is the majority of the international boxing media kissing their **** pockets at every available opportunity. Nor by the army of ill-informed sychophants that have them up on some unattainable pedestal.

That said, generational bias is always going to exist in a sport as unique and subjective as boxing, with the old timers being short-changed just as much as (if not moreso than) the modern day fighters. Anybody boxing fan who tells you that he isn't biased one way or another is a flat-out liar.

And I'm 24, if that helps at all.
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Very good and insightfull post - especially for someone so young.

It is clear a few posters on here (to remain nameless) let their dislike of the personalities (maybe even nationality) of the fighters highlighted - Tyson, Mayweather, Jones, Leonard affect their judgment regarding the boxing abilities of said fighters.

lufcrazy · Nov 16, 2015

I don't get this fan boy mentality.

I'm a huge fan of Frank Bruno but I have no issue admitting he gets ktfo by almost everyone.

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Sugar Ray Leonard vs Pete Ranzany

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Sugar Ray Leonard vs Pete Ranzany

Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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