Benn vs. Logan: Ferocity Extraordinaire
Today, when fans talk about Nigel Benn, they conjure up words like fury, rage, and ferocity. These were his trademarks in the ring. This fight went far in establishing that legacy.
Chico Vejar: Quintessential 50s
In any serious discussion of warriors who thrilled fans back in the day, none who made his living from boxing was more gallant than Chico Vejar
Corrie Sanders: When the End Finally Came
Like so many before him, the end was an inglorious one. Nevertheless, years from now, Corrie Sanders will not be remembered for the Machimana bout. No, his legacy will be all about what he did on March 8, 2003 in Hannover, Germany.
Fighters and Heartbreakers
Never Fall in Love with a Fighter. If you do, he'll likely break your heart. And try as I may, this is something to which I have never become inured.
Forever Remembered, Forever Missed, Forever in our Hearts.
Call it innocence lost; call it bad juju; call it the day evil paid a visit to Conway, New Hampshire. Whatever it was, it makes writing a boxing article far less important. Hell, it makes just about everything less important.
Gatti before Gatti
Many demonstrated tremendous heart, and that's one of the most important things for boxing fans because boxers with heart never give up. But only one enjoys the ultimate compliment of having other warriors referred to as "Gatti before Gatti."
Giving Dee His Due
Tex Cobb remains a great fan favorite and a virtual legend in his own timeYet for the many who worship at the Shrine of Cobb, let there be no doubt that he had his lunch eaten on October 29, 1985 and the guy who did the eating should get his due.
Giving Juan His Due
The affable and humble LaPorte retired in 1999. He never had a bad word for his opponents nor did he engage in trash-or smack talk. He was a positive influence who was and is the essence of class.
Hell at the HemisFair: The Kid vs. Pikin (1991)
This is an updated and lengthier version of the same article that appeared in the author's book
Never Fall in Love with a Fighter
Remember, if you fall in love with a fighter, he'll break your heart just about every time.
Sibbo vs. Collins: A Blast From the Past
Sibson and Collins fought during a time when television gave us a great number of entertaining fights and fighters. With a combined mark of 89-9-2, they certainly did nothing to detract from the lustre of this great time in boxing.
That Ninth Round: A Boxing Historian Struggles to Maintain His Interest
Men who fight for a living do not stop fighting when the outcome of a championship fight is one the line. Back in the day, I never saw much of that. You left it in the ring; you did not take it back to the corner
The Apparition That Was Larry Holmes
Cooney was made into the good guy who was going to win the "title for America." But the affable and sensitive Cooney wanted nothing to do with it. He just wanted to be champion. Holmes did not buy in. Instead, he used the hype to work for him.
The Avoided
David Lopez is a tough hombre who has worked his way up in the rankings after a dreadful start to his professional career. Now all he needs is an opportunity to engage in a high profile fight with the kind of purse that makes it all worthwhile.
The Case for Hector Camacho in the Hall
Now then, at the end of the fight, what counts most is whose hand the referee raises. In the case of the "Macho Man," his hand was raised 79 times and that's not bad.
The Combat Zone: Remembering Ernie Knox,
Ernie Knox was 26, the youngest of 10 children. He was an unemployed hod carrier at the time of the fight and a professional boxer. His purse for the Bethea fight would have been $243. He was also a human being -- that's why he needs to be remembered
The Compassionate Stoppage
He gave us all we could ask for in a fighter; he entertained us with many classic battles--and therein lies the rub. There were simply too many such battles which finally culminated in his being defeated by an unknown journeyman in front of his fans.
The Incredible Roller Coaster Ride of the Brixton Bomber
While he ended things on a low, Danny Williams had a fine 15-year career finishing 41-9. Of course, beating Tyson has to be the pinnacle of his career, but for me, I'll always remember Danny for the courage he displayed in beating Mark Potter.
The Quintessential Pier Six: Nardico-Norkus
These two were representatives of a different time.Somehow, I don't seem them fitting into today's boxing scene and that might just be to their credit.
Tony DeMarco: A Boston Legend
In the end, the affable DeMarco (Scally Cap and all) is fit, ready and sharp at 76. And he is pure Boston -the city in which he treated fans to thirty-one great fights with twenty-one of them being main events.
