Good thread!
I think the biggest problem with boxing is that we have to wait months for the big fights to happen. In my opinion simply down to promoting time taken to make as much money as possible.
By name they are not bums, but even past greats have an end to their prime and get washed up, and every person you listed above was far past it and in most cases SHOT, as is the case with Hatton, Margarito and Cotto. Marquez is the only live opponent listed above and he beat Manny.
Barrera was a good win.
Marquez didn't beat Manny. Manny won with a split decision.
Berto killed the hype himself by choosing to fight bum after bum. Same as Pacquiao. When you continue to fight bums people lose respect for you, it's as simple as that.
Sorry I can't get hyped up over a bout with Freddy Hernandez.
How can you say that Manny has only fought bums???
De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto, Juan Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera?
Bums? Have some respect :/
Manny Pacquiao. He showed mercy to Margarito for 3 rounds after Marg called him a bunch of names and made fun of Freddies illness. And then he visits him after the fight and says hes sorry for breaking his face in. Thats a true humanitarian right there.
I agree. Pacman does seem like a true gent. Also, Mikkel Kessler seems a nice guy in my opinion.
I agree. I don't know why Cortez has been nominated for the Hall of Fame when he is so inconsistent :/
I remember staying up in the pub until 5am to watch the Ricky Hatton v Floyd Mayweather fight, and Ricky being an infighter couldn't get in because Joe Cortez would break them up everytime they fought. I then remember the Hopkins v Calzaghe fight, he let B-Hop get inside all night long!!
Seems he is bias to me, and I don't mind saying it.
Well you can't dismiss Floyd, as I'm guessing he was second place for FOTD. But in my opinion, Joe Calzaghe deserves some recognition than he currently gets. I know that won't go down with you American lads and ladies, but I'm a big fan ;)
or you could just watch the clip he posted to make his point? rather than be a tit.
Referees and officials have a hard job to do and can get things wrong under pressure, anybody would.
Agreed, but this certain mistake making referee should not be in the Hall of Fame!!!
I knew Haye wouldn't win it, primarily because he has only beaten Ruiz and Harrison this year, which my nan would be able to do without breaking into a sweat.
I thought Westwood would win it, being the new no1 in golf. I'm glad that Jess Ennis and Phil Taylor got some recognition for their achievements this year too, along with the lifetime award for Becks - that was touching.
A good show all in all, but I agree with the person who said it needs to be called Sports Person of the year, and not Sports Personality.
I'm a Brit and don't appreciate your comments lads. You can't tar everyone with the same brush.
I am a massive fan of the past greats namely Ali, Louis, Tyson, Frazier, Foreman, Holmes, Shavers, Norton etc
The point you are making is down to national pride. Us British are very patriotic and we want to do well in the sweet science as much as you do, but I disagree with the world "hatred" against your boxers. I think the word "favouritism" is better used in a fight between the two nationalities which has got to be expected hasn't it?
The USA has created many of the best boxers the world has seen, no one can say otherwise. But let's not get into a battle over personal preference?
I agree. His terrible cardio-- huffing and puffing after the first 3 rounds is an absolute joy to watch!! OMG, and running away from a 45-year-old man, is there anything more exciting than that???? If you look in the dictionary under the word "WARRIOR" you will see a picture of Pascal turning off his alarm clock and saying "f*** road work, look at my muscles I don't need no stinkin' road work..."
Pascal is hands down the most exciting fighter in the sport today.
Great post. Green K sent.
I sense a hint of sarcasm.
Joe did the sensible thing, he achieved what he wanted to achieve, he made his retirement fund then retired. Like in any career be it sport or business, the situation is the same for most people. It is only the proud who want to be remembered as an all time great, I think Joe's health and his family were more important to him than fame.
I'm a fan of Joe's. And I'm glad that he has retired happy, with his health, his retirement fund and an unbeaten record.
People just don't need to pay attention to the titles. If they want one legit title, that would be Ring magazine, whose champion is in higher status than other champions. I really don't have any problems with the 4 titles. More fighters and fights get more exposure to the public with 4 titles. If there were only one title, young prospects would have to wait for a long time to get a shot for a title. But with 4 titles they can build up their name, using their belt get the fights they want, so by the prime age they would have big following. As example DLH and Trinidad became champions at very young age and held the titles for a long time. When they had unification fight, that was big event, we wouldn't had that if like both of them were fighting without title with unknown fighters.
Also Velazquez is the champion in UFC, Overeem is the champion in StrikeForce. Which fight would be big: Velazquez fighting his challenger Dos Santos,who is not familiar to the public or Velazquez fighting Overeem, two champions fighting each other?
Good original post, and good reply above.
I think it's something every boxing fan has wondered, and thought about, but for me personally, I agree more so with Instinto. Yes, it would be easier to recognise "The True champ" if there was only one title, but the truth is, that if that was the case, we wouldn't have anything to argue about!! XD
You've got to remember the division set up is there for the fighters safety.
Of course we would like to see bigger better fights i.e Enzo Macrinelli Vs Wlad Klit etc
Remember Henry Cooper Vs Ali ?? :O
It s a tricky one.
Of course none of us want to see Evander Holyfield get hurt. And some of us even want our marker pen back. But what we've got to appreciate is that it is his choice of career, and that he isn't content with flipping burgers like Leon Spinks was. Now It's not for me to say if I think EH has money problems and it's none of my business, but that aside I agree with the posters who have stated that it's his choice to continue to box, so let's just hope that he doesn't take too many big hits that will cause him brain damage in later life. Perhaps this is the curse of boxing?
bollocks. he should be giveb about 10% max just because of training. the fight itself wasnt a fight. he ripped of the fans that were stupid enough to pay for it. he doesnt deserve a penny for the actual fight.
Look, I'm not trying to defend Audley, but I think you need to take a look at the facts. Audley is a v.defensive counterpuncher, who relies on setting up his 'big left hand' at somepoint in the fight, usually the later stages in order to win the fight by KO. I do beleive he had a gameplan, that being to defend well for 5-6 rounds then look to find his 'big left' and drop Haye. Granted, the occasion was too big for him and the fight should never have been licenced, but put yourself in Audleys shoes. You are offered an opportunity to fight for the heavyweight championship of the world, something you have dreamed about your entire life and career, and you have a shot at it. You've trained with the champ earlier in your career, so you know a bit about him. You beleive (rightly or wrongly) in your own ability, and feel you have a chance of winning, even be it a small chance, and on top of that, you are given a purse of £1.5million. Who in their right mind would decline??
Like I said, the occasion was too big for him, and it is quite possibly the worst fight I have ever seen, but give the man a break. He tried, he failed. He's going to be gutted enough that he never got out of first gear, I don't think that blow needs to be worsened by the deduction of his purse.
I agree it does look like he would prefer to go to prison than face Pacman. And to be fair, I think many in his position would. Unbeaten record? Pride as high as the sky? He can't afford to lose that, and we all know that Pacman would eat him up on the night.
I was under the impression that Audley had already received his payment for the Haye fight?
Either way, I agree with the original column. The fight was licenced, we knew it wouldn't be value for money and Audley would embarass himself. And that is what happened. Therefore not paying him I think would be unfair.
I am not a fan of Audley, but I don't think holding back his money is right, and I wouldn't get my £15 back either.
This is one of the most stupid list i have ever seen! Why because it's missing roy jones jr and floyd mayweather jr , bernard" the executioner "hopkins , edwin valero etc.! These are game changers!!! They got the klitschko brothers, they haven't even fought a good heavy wieght, and when they did, they got beat. If we can't respect the now then how can we repsect the past and the future!!!
To the above poster: It's a heavyweight list you prune!
Anyway. I agree with Holmes being second, I rate him highly, simply in the shadow of Ali at the time. Holmes in his prime would beat the Klits and the likes of Haye within 6 rounds today.
I'm not sure about Leon and Michael Spinks though...
This would be a good fight, but I couldn't see Kell winning it due to experience. I saw his fight against Philip Kotey and he TKO'd him in the second or third, but to be honest Kotey looked like he was a postman who had taken a wrong turn and entered a boxing ring instead. I haven't yet seen Kell Brook tested against a good fighter, so it would be good if this fight happened next year.
Looking forward to this one!! :D
I was disappointed when Wlad pulled out of the fight with Chisora, because we love an urderdog story ;) But either way, knowing that we are going to have two of our lads fighting for the heavyweight titles in 2011 gives me something to look forward to.
Bring it on. :)
I wonder how much Prescott paid his media people for this one xD
I hope Khan doesn't waste his time with this guy. The money is made with Devon or Alexander. The only reason Khan should fight this guy is when there is nothing else on the table.
In my opinion, Ward was simply fantastic.
He didn't rush in, he was patient and sussed out Dawson before taking any unessecary risks.
Dawson is no mug, Ward is going to go far.
Enjoyable fight. Well done Andre.