The Boxing Thread -yes Boxing

[sonnylarue]

Some folks around here know that I covered the sport in print and broadcasting for almost 20 years . I wrote for RING and Boxing Illustrated in the 1990's, and broadcast for Fox Sports, Sportsvision, and The Sporting News Radio Network, covering dozens of chapionship fights, and the 1992 and 1996 olympics (from chicago, never been to an olympiad).

I also made a 2002 audio documentary on the Jqack Dempsey Gene Tunney 1927 fight. That nearly landed me a historic advisor gig for the Ron Howard film Cinderella Man.

I've interviewed Ali, Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Larry Holmes, Tyson, Riddick Bowe, Lennox Lewis, De La Hoya, Roy Jones, Chavez, Archie Moore, among others, and a ton of the TV and print guys who cover the sport.

I don't dislike UFC/MMA, but can't say I've been interested enough to turn my Boxing interest into a writing or broadcasting gig for that type of fighting sport.

So I ask that this doesn't become a MMA thread (we can make another one if those fans truly want that)

Boxing is on the decline , but there are still good fights and fans here who've wanted my 2 cents on certain match-ups and fighters, so feel free to ask or discuss any bouts here.

[JimmyF1982]

pretty sweet you got a chance to interview Ali.

i've probably know less than nothing about anything in boxing, but what are your feelings about de la hoya coming back to fight this other guy? IIRC he "retired" so he didn't have to fight mayweather again? again i'm not in the know but that's some shady shit you ask me.

[sonnylarue]

oscar never retired officially. he knows he's still a ppv draw, and fighting manny paquiao at 147 is a safe big name match-up for him.

[sonnylarue]

oscar never retired officially. he knows he's still a ppv draw, and fighting manny paquiao at 147 is a safe big name match-up for him.

i was sick and didn't have the chance to expand on this fight .

i figured it was manny's fight to lose, because like roy jones, oscar has been living on his past rep, and trying to avoid hard matches since his loss to hopkins.

i think he took this fight for the same reason he chose floyd mayweather, thiking these smaller guys wouldn't hurt him.

i respect all delahoya accomplished but he's been too selective match-up wise for most of this decade, as opposed to his rise through the 90's.

[D. George]

John, what do you think of Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor?

I saw their two fights against each other, and came away impressed by both, even though Pavlik won both.

[Josh V]

John, what do you think of Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor?

I saw their two fights against each other, and came away impressed by both, even though Pavlik won both.

Pavlik's fight after the Taylor rematch was incredibly impressive. He just beat his opponent into submission. It really is a shame that boxing means very little in this country right now because I think that guy would be a huge star.

[sonnylarue]

John, what do you think of Kelly Pavlik and Jermain Taylor?

I saw their two fights against each other, and came away impressed by both, even though Pavlik won both.

jermaine taylor is sadly the typical name attraction these days.

he was rushed to the title, and frankly i've never been impressed with him.

he's among the best between 160-175, but he doesn't have much talent imo

it speaks more to the lack of good fighters over 147 lbs in this erA.

[NeverWanderer]

Hey, John!

You ever get a chance to interview/speak to a boxer by the name of Abe Simon?

Fought Joe Lewis in the 60s (62, I think?) and appeared in On The Water Front and Requiem For A Heavyweight?

Probly before your time, but you dropped a few older names, so I figure it's worth a shot.

[sonnylarue]

Hey, John!

You ever get a chance to interview/speak to a boxer by the name of Abe Simon?

Fought Joe Lewis in the 60s (62, I think?) and appeared in On The Water Front and Requiem For A Heavyweight?

Probly before your time, but you dropped a few older names, so I figure it's worth a shot.

are you trying to be silly? joe louis fought simon twice in the 40's

the oldest guys in the game that i have met/interviewed were trainers eddie futch and angelo dundee, the greatest lt hvy of all time archie moore, 160 champ gene fullmer, and former hvyweight champ floyd patterson.
fullmer

[NeverWanderer]

are you trying to be silly? joe louis fought simon twice in the 40's

the oldest guys in the game that i have met/interviewed were trainers eddie futch and angelo dundee, the greatest lt hvy of all time archie moore, 160 champ gene fullmer, and former hvyweight champ floyd patterson.
fullmer

Oh! WOW... okay, yeah. No sillyness... I just had a case of the dumb.

In fact... considering what I'm about to tell you, I'm a complete moron.

So, yeah, the reason I ask is, Abe Simon is my wife's grandfather.

Which would have put him somewhere in his 40s or 50s fighting Lewis in 1962.

This is why I failed math.