Floyd Mayweather Jr., Mike Tyson and the Top 10 Showmen in Boxing

By Douglas Batiste (Featured Columnist) on October 20, 2010 Boxing has a history that dates back to ancient Egypt, the sport then was a lot more brutal and almost unregulated. The United States didn't legalize boxing until 1896 with New York being the first state to set the trend. From the onset the need for a boxing promoters were in high demand. Because boxing didn't have any social relevance the public needed to be convinced paying for fights would be worth it. Boxing promoters can be traced back to the early 1900's with Rex being the most famous. Promoters have always served as the representation and hype men for their respected fighters. It was the promoters job to build the suspense and sell fights as a must see event. Although promoters are still being used by fighters in modern times some fighters have adopted a self promotional mentality. Fighters today are little more verbal and flamboyant and play a bigger role in promoting themselves. Almost every fighter today in some form does self promotion. Let's take at the best that ever showmen in the history of the sport. This is not a greatest of all time list. Boxing is entertainment and these guys found ways to entertain us in and outside ring. #10 Iron Mike Tyson Arguably one of the greatest boxers ever, but poor character issues and personal turmoil sidelined potentially the foremost impressive boxing career in recent history. Mike Tyson was known as a knockout artist but was one of the best at intimidating his opponent before ever stepping into the ring. Mike would show up at future opponents post fight interviews and challenge them . Mike Tyson was pretty conservative on how he entered the ring never really had a theatrical entrances. But if you ever witnessed a promotional press conference for one of his fights its a experience you'll never forget. He always took the role as the villain being very explicit and sometimes vulgar on how he describe beating his opponents. Mike Tyson often times would short circuit interviews with the press with loud outburst and unexpected comments. Until his decline it wasn't a question on if he would knock his competition out it was how fast. # 9 Roberto Roberto Duran wasn't much of a show boater, but very much a showmen. It was clear he wanted to destroy anyone who opposed him. Duran had a career record of 103 wins 16 loses and 70 professional knockouts. He was known as a punisher his nick name was hands of stone. Roberto Duran is regarded as one of the all time greats. He is arguably the greatest light weight of all time fighting in five different decades and one time winning 30 straight fights. Unlike most showmen Duran wasn't flashy or super quick. If I was to describe him in one word it would be violent. He would talk about your mama, sister, brother it didn't matter. He would make opponents feel he hated them even after winning fights he would continue to taunt them. When Sugar Ray Leonard rose to stardom Duran challenged him. During their press conference he cursed Leonard out talk about his wife, kick at him, he even tried to provoke a fight at the press conference. His aim was to intimidate and destroy and beating you wasn't enough. Most fighters after winning the fight would finally acknowledge their opponent's ability. Not Duran, After defeating Sugar Leonard he shoved him away and told him, "you are no good you are nothing." # 8 Sugar Ray Leonard Sugar Ray Leonard has victories against great fighters like Roberto Duran, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, and Thomas Hearns. Sugar Ray had a professional record of 40-3-1 he also was named fighter of the decade in the 80's. He also won a olympic gold medal 1976 and quickly rose to stardom after starting his professional career. Ray Leonard's agility and quickness was a mirror of Sugar Ray Robinson. He also adopted Muhammad Ali's foot shuffle as a added measure to entertain fans. If he really got comfortable against his opponents he would unloaded 8-10 punch combinations at will. He was best known for his hand speed, but he was able finish off opponents with a consistent attack of accurate punches. # 7 Naseem Hamed AKA Naseem Hamed (born 12 February 1974) is a retired British boxer and former Bantamweight and Featherweight champion. He was commonly known by the nickname Prince Naseem. Hamed was known for his boxing antics and spectacular ring entrances that have included being deposited in the middle of the ring by an elevator, entering the ring in a low-rider Chevrolet Impala, entering on a flying carpet (Held up by strings), imitating the Video Thriller by Michael Jackson. Walking into the ring with a Halloween mask for his fight on Halloween night. Prince Naseem would fight the with his hands down, catching opponents from unbelievable angles. Obviously a gifted athlete he would enter the ring by flipping over the top rope. If opponents would somehow land a punch he would act like his knees buckled to further frustrate the fighter. # 6 Pernell Pernell Whitaker was one of the most elusive unorthodox fighters to step into a boxing ring. Every boxing showman has a alter ego and his must have been sweet pea. Whitaker picked up the nickname "Sweet Pea" by mistake. His childhood nickname was Pete. During a hometown fight the crowd was chanting "Sweet Pete". A sportswriter thought the crowd was chanting "Sweet Pea." and for the rest of Whitaker's career that was his nickname. Sweet Pea was the ultimate show boater he would slip punches and land violent body shots at will. When he felt like entertaining the crowd he would put on a defensive exhibition gracefully dancing around and underneath opponents punches. Most of the time if you were lucky to land a punch it was a glancing blow. He then we act like his knees buckled and if you took the bait would rip you with a quick punch. Although he wasn't known for being much of a puncher he managed to win seven world titles. Pernell Whitaker show boating style wasn't always welcomed by judges. Against Jose Ramirez and Julio Cesar Chavez two great fighters he made a mockery of the judges awarded both fight gift decisions. Whitaker eventually avenged both fights with victories. His style and speed made a mockery of almost every fighter he fought Oscar De La Hoya also was a victim, but also recieved a gift from the judges. # 5 Roy Jones Jr. Roy Jones Jr is one of the most gifted athletes i've ever seen in a boxing ring. In his prime if you stepped in the the ring he was going to embarass you. Jones remained undefeated for 10 years and at one time was 49-1 with the one loss a disqualification (hitting fighter while down). The very next fight he knocked the same fighter out in the first round. Roy Jones wasn't wasn't much of a counter puncher or defensive expert. With lightning fast hand speed Jones just would beat you to the punch. He would put on a show dancing, twisting, rapid fast combinations and out of no where a knock out punch. Roy Jones was the ultimate taunter fighting with his hands to his side. he would often poke his face out daring fighters to swing. Even if you didn't swing he would catch you we a unexpected blow. # 4 Floyd Mayweather Jr AKA Pretty Boy Floyd AKA Money Mayweather! Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the biggest showman that generation has seen. There is no other boxing personality that can out talk Money Mayweather. I'm not talking about verbal gymnastics I'm talking about backing it up. He has the nick name "Pretty Boy Floyd", because he has never left the ring looking like he was just in a fight. Just like many other great welterweights Floyd has great hand speed. Along with quick hands he is as elusive as Whitaker as smart as Ali and as accurate as Sugar Ray. He has mastered the sweet science of boxing and that's hit without being hit. His style may not be the preferred method for the casual boxing fans, but doesn't keep him from being in high demand. Floyd has made a lot of great fighters look like amateurs. Floyd also knows how to entertain the crowd often time looking into the audience while in the ring. Mayweather has as many haters as fans but the bottom line is they all pay to see him fight. Floyd simply knows how to build a fight and he always ends up the master of ceremony. His pre-fight antics inspired HBO to start the fight promotional television special 24-7. He has some of the most memorable ring entrances in the history of the sport. In 2007 against Arturo Gatti he was carried to the ring on a chariot, and then destroyed him.