World champions you have trained with, met or seen live

[JAB5239]

I use to box but now train in Muay Thai. Today I got to train with Superbon and Petchtanong, two of the very best fighters in the sport today. They were also two of the kindest and most humble people I have ever met. It got me thinking of all the fighters I've met, trained with or have seen live. Of the ones I have seen live there are to many to name. There have been a ton through the years. But I have been blessed to have met Willie Pep, George Foreman, Marvin Hagler, Shannon Briggs, Vinny Pazienza, Stevie Collins amongst others. I've also trained with Paz and Collins and many other pros.Who are some of the champions you have trained with and or met?

[HOUDINI563]

Met Duran maybe 6 months prior to his bout with Hagler at a small, typically deserted, club at the now long defunct Playboy club resort in Vernon NJ. Got his autograph, shook his hand and got a huge smile and laugh when I asked him to knock Hagler out!

Ali at that same Playboy club resort back in 1976. A local white heavyweight was making his pro debut and Ali showed up, stayed a while and then left. When he entered the ring some cheered but others did not. My brother and I was screaming for Ali to give Jimmy Young a rematch. When we both walked over to where he was sitting to get a autograph we both got one. As Ali wrote he looked up at us and said “You two are crazy!”.

Met Chuck Wepner at the now long defunct Turtlebrook club in North NJ. Must have been around 1984. He drove up in a huge white Cadillac and wore an all white disco outfit (10 years behind the times) with loads of gold chains around his neck. I stood next to him at the bar. Never met a larger human being in my life. I was too intimidated to ask him for an autograph!

Watched Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Lyle, Shavers train at various times from 1974 to 1976.

[JAB5239]

Met Duran maybe 6 months prior to his bout with Hagler at a small, typically deserted, club at the now long defunct Playboy club resort in Vernon NJ. Got his autograph, shook his hand and got a huge smile and laugh when I asked him to knock Hagler out!

Ali at that same Playboy club resort back in 1976. A local white heavyweight was making his pro debut and Ali showed up, stayed a while and then left. When he entered the ring some cheered but others did not. My brother and I was screaming for Ali to give Jimmy Young a rematch. When we both walked over to where he was sitting to get a autograph we both got one. As Ali wrote he looked up at us and said “You two are crazy!”.

Met Chuck Wepner at the now long defunct Turtlebrook club in North NJ. Must have been around 1984. He drove up in a huge white Cadillac and wore an all white disco outfit (10 years behind the times) with loads of gold chains around his neck. I stood next to him at the bar. Never met a larger human being in my life. I was too intimidated to ask him for an autograph!

Watched Ali, Foreman, Frazier, Lyle, Shavers train at various times from 1974 to 1976.

Lol, I can picture Wepner with the butterfly collar and bell button pants!!

[Anthony342]

I use to box but now train in Muay Thai. Today I got to train with Superbon and Petchtanong, two of the very best fighters in the sport today. They were also two of the kindest and most humble people I have ever met. It got me thinking of all the fighters I've met, trained with or have seen live. Of the ones I have seen live there are to many to name. There have been a ton through the years. But I have been blessed to have met Willie Pep, George Foreman, Marvin Hagler, Shannon Briggs, Vinny Pazienza, Stevie Collins amongst others. I've also trained with Paz and Collins and many other pros.Who are some of the champions you have trained with and or met?

Were those fan experiences all positive?

[JAB5239]

Were those fan experiences all positive?

For the most part yes. Hagler I met at a bar. Je was a little stand offish at first, but by the time he left he ended up giving me his IBHOF hat. Everyone else was very gracious, especially Willie Pep. Both Paz and Collins were especially helpful giving me pointers. I was originally supposed to spar with Collins until we got there and found out who it was. I was way to green and wouldn't have been more than a punching bag for him. Super nice guy though.

[DeeMoney]

I have a family member who was big in state politics, about 35 years ago he had Ken Norton appear at one of his fundraisers. I was just a kid, but there is a picture of him swooping me and my brother up (one in each arm).

In HS, about 25 years ago, a buddy of mine's dad worked security at an event at a local casino, got to meet a number of boxers, most notably the Ruelas brothers. Both were cool and friendly.

I got an old college roommate whose buddies with Tim Bradley, and he always seemed like a solid dude.

Mikey Garcia came to do an autograph signing down the road from my house a couple years back. My kids were super excited to meet him and get autographs, so we went out there. He was very friendly and seemed like a genuine good guy.

[Anthony342]

For the most part yes. Hagler I met at a bar. Je was a little stand offish at first, but by the time he left he ended up giving me his IBHOF hat. Everyone else was very gracious, especially Willie Pep. Both Paz and Collins were especially helpful giving me pointers. I was originally supposed to spar with Collins until we got there and found out who it was. I was way to green and wouldn't have been more than a punching bag for him. Super nice guy though.

Good stuff, man.

[siablo14]

Lennox Lewis
Evander Holyfield

[JAB5239]

Lennox Lewis
Evander Holyfield

I saw Holyfield vs Alex Stewart II in Atlantic city as the co main even with Pazienza vs Honeyghan. Also saw Lewis vs Briggs in Atlantic city.

[markusmod]

I've met a few. The most random was going on a train and Wayne Brathwaite (who was cruiserweight champ at the time) was just sitting there listening to a walkman. I just starting talking boxing with him.