When it rains, it pours

Discussion in 'British Boxing Forum' started by Vano-Irons, May 28, 2012.


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  1. Vano-Irons

    Vano-Irons Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    I should be sitting here writing about Carl Froch’s career best performance in Nottingham on Saturday night. I should be writing about how ‘The Cobra’ yet again threw the form book and the bookies’ odds out the window as he dominated the previously unbeaten IBF Super Middleweight Champion Lucian Bute, before stopping him in five brutal rounds. I could even be writing about Northern Ireland’s Carl Frampton, and the ease in which he stepped up in class against an unbeaten Mexican. But I’m not. And do you know why? Because sometimes it is just too damn hard being boxing fan. Actually, scrap that. Sometimes it is too damn emotional being a boxing fan. Not only do we have to put up with dubious hometown decisions and the collapse of super-fights on a monthly basis, but we also have to come to terms with tragedies that seem to engulf our beloved sport all too often.

    Terry Spinks, Joe Frazier, Henry Cooper and Gary Mason are just some of the names who are sadly no longer with us. While the families and close friends of those involved have undoubtedly been hit hardest by these deaths, we followers of the noble art also become emotionally attached to our favourite pugilists. We may not know them directly; perhaps we have never even seen them in the flesh, but an unbreakable bond has been formed between boxer and fan alike, a bond built on respect.

    As I awoke this morning, however, I read the news that Johnny Tapia had been found dead at this home in Albuquerque, New Mexico by his wife Teresa. He was aged just 45. The unbreakable bond had been shattered once more. This, unfortunately, came at no real surprise to Tapia’s adoring fans. In fact, Tapia had actually been pronounced dead on four different occasions. In a life which consisted of the murder of both of his parents, addiction to narcotics, five world championships in three weight divisions, and the odd suicide attempt, Tapia will go down in folklore as one of the most exciting, if not troubled, boxers of his generation.

    While that story may not have shocked us fans to the core, the news which came just a few hours ago did send a sickening shiver down my spine. It was the news that Paul ‘The Punisher’ Williams had been severely injured in a motorcycle accident just outside of Atlanta. As the news broke, Williams’ manager George Peterson told one boxing website that the Punisher will have emergency surgery on Wednesday to stable the upper half of his spine. At this early stage, however, it looks as though Williams will be permanently paralysed from the waist down. The South Carolina resident, who has amassed a record of 41-2, has seen his hopes of fighting Mexican Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez dashed. But more importantly, a healthy 30 year old may now never walk again.

    As fans, all we can do is wish Paul Williams a speedy recovery, and pray that the miracle that is modern-day medicine will one day allow the Punisher to walk again.

    Sometimes it is too damn emotional being a boxing fan.

    Feel free to add any tribute videos / highlights of Tapia or Williams. I'm absolutely gutted!
     
    Vano-Irons, May 28, 2012
    Vano-Irons, May 28, 2012
    #1
  2. Bajingo

    Bajingo Boxing Junkie banned

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    Fantastic writing :good

    I'm still in shock, especially about Paul. Just horrible.
     
    Bajingo, May 28, 2012
    Bajingo, May 28, 2012
    #2
  3. BoxingAnalyst

    BoxingAnalyst Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Great read Vano, being a boxing fan will always be emotional, so many highs and lows.
     
    BoxingAnalyst, May 28, 2012
    BoxingAnalyst, May 28, 2012
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  4. Vano-Irons

    Vano-Irons Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Cheers lads.

    I'm honestly gutted, I really am!
     
    Vano-Irons, May 28, 2012
    Vano-Irons, May 28, 2012
    #4
  5. Arnie

    Arnie Well-Known Member Full Member

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    :-(
     
    Arnie, May 28, 2012
    Arnie, May 28, 2012
    #5
  6. Bajingo

    Bajingo Boxing Junkie banned

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    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QxjmnsEf0M&sns=em[/ame]
     
    Bajingo, May 28, 2012
    Bajingo, May 28, 2012
    #6
  7. kosaros

    kosaros Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Thai fighter Thangthong Kiattaweesuk also passed away two days ago. He was unbeaten and had just won an IBF title eliminator a week previously. The tragic accident also resulted in his wife and two nephews dying, whilst his two daughters are currently recovering from serious injuries.

    Outside the ring, the past 48 hours or so has been a very painful time for boxing fans.

    R.I.P. to Tapia and Kiattaweesuk, and I wish Williams and all the families - especially Kiattaweesuk's daughters - that have been affected by these tragedies all the best for the future.
     
    kosaros, May 28, 2012
    kosaros, May 28, 2012
    #7
  8. Vano-Irons

    Vano-Irons Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    Great video Baj. Sums Tapia up perfectly. I'll try post a few more clips tomorrow, but I'm on the iPhone at the minute.

    Kos, wow I had no idea! RIP. horrible few days
     
    Vano-Irons, May 28, 2012
    Vano-Irons, May 28, 2012
    #8
  9. 12downfor10

    12downfor10 Guest

    ****ing hate times like these. Tapia dying (even though it wasn't totally shocking, given his hard life) really got me, when I first properly started watching boxing 5 years ago I stumbled on the ayala fights on youtube whilst bored in college and loved them. I've always had a fondness for him because of that, which only grew stronger when I learned his life story. Rip to a true, balls out warrior and a fighter in and out the ring. Hope he's at peace now.
    Terrible news about williams too, maybe his prime was behind him but I feel he still had something to give the sport. I hope it's not as bad as feared.

    :-(
     
    12downfor10, May 28, 2012
    12downfor10, May 28, 2012
    #9
  10. KidJackal

    KidJackal Well-Known Member Full Member

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    That's spot on man, devastating time for boxing

    RIP Tapia and hope Williams all the best
     
    KidJackal, May 28, 2012
    KidJackal, May 28, 2012
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  11. Roddy Collins

    Roddy Collins Active Member Full Member

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    **** only finding out about williams now, **** news!

    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzsa6WjZXGQ"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hzsa6WjZXGQ[/ame]
     
    Roddy Collins, May 28, 2012
    Roddy Collins, May 28, 2012
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  12. TFFP

    TFFP The Eskimo

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    Things like this really affect me, boxing is probably my biggest passion in life, as I'm sure it is for a lot of people here. When we suffer tragedy it really does leave me solemn for some time.
     
    TFFP, May 28, 2012
    TFFP, May 28, 2012
    #12
  13. Little Tyson

    Little Tyson Guest

    Seems akin, sadly to say when Arguello, Forrest and Gatti all passed within only a few weeks between each other. There is no emotional sport like boxing. With football you love your team these teams will change as players, chairman, kits, stadia all differ throughout decades. With boxing, it just feels like we have a strange connection to these folk, Im not sure what kind of connection I'm trying to make as I love both sports and love my team more than anything. Though roaring on a man, wether it be a favourite through style or were they are from, in the most intimidating sporting arena there is can leave us vulnerable to whatever happens - a shock KO, a **** decision, but the jubilation when they have finally come over and all they have done, gives ourselves a sense of pride, one which seen by so many including myself and many others at the Trent FM arena and at home only a few days ago. The road doesn't end when a boxer has retired neither. The legacy they leave no matter how small or big will always be respected due to them stepping up and lacing the gloves in the hardest rawest sport there is.

    R.I.P Tapia.

    #Prayforwilliams

    Fantastic post OP.
     
    Little Tyson, May 28, 2012
    Little Tyson, May 28, 2012
    #13
  14. chatty

    chatty Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Its been a bad day but still it could have been worse. Williams is lucky to still be alive so over all although its tragic, the fact is that he has been given a second chance of life, a fate some are not given the privilege of. We have a sad loss of Tapia as well which makes it a bad day but instead of 2 deaths we should be celebrating the fact that we have been spared one.

    Maybes its just me being optimistic but the way I see things is that its always better to llok on the bright side instead of the gloom.
     
    chatty, May 28, 2012
    chatty, May 28, 2012
    #14
  15. Bajingo

    Bajingo Boxing Junkie banned

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    That's a good way of looking at it but it's still absolutely devastating, not just his boxing career being over but his whole life has been compromised. The fact he seems in good spirits is some comfort.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ov7G3BOnGcI[/ame]


    Awful about Thangthong Kiattaweesuk as well, just days ago he got his biggest win and was in line for a world title shot and now he's dead. Really puts things into perspective.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0t0NkrFY7w[/ame]
     
    Bajingo, May 29, 2012
    Bajingo, May 29, 2012
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