Which fighters do you consider to be least reliable in terms of their testimony?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by janitor, Dec 23, 2017.


  1. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    The question is simple.

    Which historic fighters do you consider to be least trustworthy, when expressing their opinions about their era and contemporaries?

    Perhaps you consider them to be prone to self promotion, or their testimony to be tainted by grudges or jealousies.

    For whatever reason, whose testimony would you always take with a grain of salt?
     
    janitor, Dec 23, 2017
    janitor, Dec 23, 2017
    #1
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Bernard Hopkins.
    Evander Holyfield.
    Jack Dempsey.
    David Haye.
    Mickey Walker.
     
    McGrain, Dec 23, 2017
    McGrain, Dec 23, 2017
    #2
  3. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I am a little bit surprised that you single out Jack Dempsey.

    While I don't necessarily trust his motives as a fighter, he seems to have been fairly straight up in terms of his testimony, and often admitted things that were not to his favor.

    Now Gene Tunney on the other hand, seems to have systematically rewritten history in his favor.
     
    janitor, Dec 23, 2017
    janitor, Dec 23, 2017
    #3
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  4. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Gene Tunney was actually the first name that came to mind!

    Another who deserves a mention is Tommy Loughran.
     
    Bukkake, Dec 23, 2017
    Bukkake, Dec 23, 2017
    #4
  5. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    Another guy who built his resume with the pen, as much as with the boxing glove, was Jim Corbett.
     
    janitor, Dec 23, 2017
    janitor, Dec 23, 2017
    #5
  6. willcross

    willcross Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Foreman jumps to mind. He still hasn't fully decided on which excuse he wants to use for the Ali fight or who was the hardest puncher he's faced etc
     
    willcross, Dec 23, 2017
    willcross, Dec 23, 2017
    #6
  7. jyeahfosho

    jyeahfosho mrtechnicalboxer Full Member

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    Larry Holmes
    James Toney
    Hagler
    Floyd Mayweather Jr
     
    jyeahfosho, Dec 23, 2017
    jyeahfosho, Dec 23, 2017
    #7
  8. jyeahfosho

    jyeahfosho mrtechnicalboxer Full Member

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    tbh I would say Foreman is the opposite
     
    jyeahfosho, Dec 23, 2017
    jyeahfosho, Dec 23, 2017
    #8
  9. willcross

    willcross Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I dunno, I've heard him say the ropes were loose, his water was poisoned, he was dehydrated, he saw his friend cheering for Ali and it distracted him, he waited for his trainer to give him the signal to start getting up and the signal never came, and finally that Ali was just the better man
     
    willcross, Dec 23, 2017
    willcross, Dec 23, 2017
    #9
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  10. jyeahfosho

    jyeahfosho mrtechnicalboxer Full Member

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    yh to be fair I've heard him say all these things too. He also said once the orange he ate before going out was dodgy but ah whatever. Although Whenever else he talks about his career he does seem very honest and doesnt seem to sugarcoat anything and tells it how it was.
     
    jyeahfosho, Dec 23, 2017
    jyeahfosho, Dec 23, 2017
    #10
  11. Sting like a bean

    Sting like a bean Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    Sting like a bean, Dec 23, 2017
    Sting like a bean, Dec 23, 2017
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  12. Grapefruit

    Grapefruit Active Member Full Member

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    Well when floyd Patterson was asked who the hardest hitter he ever fought was he almost humorously said Ingmar.......this was after he faced Liston, but it was to preserve his pride, and he was always embarrassed when Liston was mentioned around him.

    Jack sharkey was another one. Man was blinded by nostalgia and admiration for Jack Dempsey, claiming dempsey would beat any fighter alive in any era, claiming he's k.o. Liston in two rounds, beating joe Louis, maybe so, he had moments of credibility though like when asked who hit him hardest between between Louis and Dempsey and he said dempsey did hit a bit harder instead of " he had twice Joe's power!!!!!"
     
    Grapefruit, Dec 23, 2017
    Grapefruit, Dec 23, 2017
    #12