Which fighter looked the most sensational when you started following boxing?

I watched Golovkin-Jacobs with my dad and his mates, and after that the first thing I did when I got back home was gp on the sky sports section and watch every GGG fight I could find. I basically sat and watched every single fight, interview or documentary on Sky Sports back in 2017, and after that, I headed to YouTube.

By the time of the first Canelo fight, I was absolutely sure GGG would win. In fact, I thought it was possible to see an early knockout ala Kell Brook. Obviously, I learned a lot that night, but I'll never forget how much GGG contributed to my love for boxing. Always will be one of my favourites.

 

The first boxer that seemed sensational to me was future lightweight world champion Mando Ramos. He was only 17 years old and a couple of years away from fighting for a world title. A lot of his early bouts or the highlights of his early bouts were shown on Thursday night boxing from the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles. He was so young and knocking guys out. Eight year old me was very impressed.

 

I started by watching a replay of the Holmes Cooney bout in 82, I would have been 10. I remember they had commentary between rounds with the judges saying how they scored the round, who they scored it for and why.

 

Donald Curry without doubt. He looked the perfect fighting machine, didn't look like he had a weakness offensively or defensively. He kinda evolved from perfect counter-puncher to brilliant offensive machine, who had every punch in the book. He didn't run around the ring to avoid punches either, he could stand right in front of an opponent and pick him off with ease., while avoiding anything coming back. Never looked flustered and in command all the time. He was like the can't miss kid, who missed.*


* Even though in reality, his world title years are pretty similar to Tyson's. Similar reign, pfp #1 and regained version of title (albeit at other weight).

 

Roy Jones Jnr. I was a huge Toney fan and thought he would win and Jones just schooled him. From then on, I was following everything Jones did and it became clear he was a once-in-a-generation talent, beating solid guys like Merqui Sosa and Tony Thornton, who had given Toney a good fight a couple of years earlier, without breaking a sweat and doing it spectacularly too.

The only thing I thought he lacked that Toney had was a ‘**** it, I’ll fight him’ mentality. Maybe he knew his own worth or he was just a little more conservative but when there was an opportunity to make good money against guys who he likely would have whipped, like Nigel Benn or Darius Michalchewski, he still seemed a bit reluctant. It’s my only criticism of him during that time.

 

Watching a young Cassius Clay got me hooked

 

Nigel Benn. He was destroying everyone but the way he destroyed Ian Chantler with one punch in 16 seconds sealed it for me. Then the struggles with Reggie Miller and Anthony Logan before scoring one punch knockouts. Even when he lost to a brilliant Michael Watson it was such a thrilling contest. Terrific career.

 

Probably Nunn ! Looking incredible beating Tate

 

Tyson. The first fight I caught live was Tyson-Bruno 1, and while not among Tyson's absolutely finest, just the aura when he entered the ring and of course the signature finish was something truly special.

 

The first fight I ever watched was Holmes Vs. Spinks 1 (1985),... and then came Mike Tyson

 

Duran and Ali

 

Ruben Olivares was doing him bantamweight thing when I first started following. His record at the time was insane

 

Jeff Fenech. Was very popular here when I was growing up. I remember watching his first fight with Nelson at a party (I was only a kid) and all the adults booing when it was ruled a draw.

 

Never watched any modern boxing growing up, we were just too poor. I watched free stuff on YouTube - the first fighter that made me think they were magic was Dempsey I saw him on a DVD documentary from a library.