Camera and Interview-Friendly Boxers Then And Now

[them_apples]

The opposite of those qualities, unfortunately for him, is exemplified by Larry Holmes. He always came off as bitter and aggrieved over something. His interviews were not filled with fun and slapstick; he was not handsome, or glib either. He was angry.

That is enough preamble. Back to the opposite subject.

Of course Cassius Clay was perhaps the most camera-friendly and interview-friendly of them all. No need to elaborate.

Two guys who were marvels of popularity when they first came along were de la Hoya and Ray Leonard. Both were extremely well spoken, and could be mistaken for white guys on the radio. Such popularity can even withstand fishnet stockings!

Poor old Sonny Liston came over as the meanest and most dangerous man who ever walked. He had ample reason to not trust the media or anyone else. The tragedy is we never got to know one of the greatest heavyweight champions, and he was actually a man with a bent for humor and wit. Given a little respect, Sonny would have given some great interviews, and we would know him better.

Marciano always came across as agreeable and gregarious. The camera did not mind him at all, and he had his own TV show.

Archie Moore garnered quite a bit of sympathy during his career for the obvious reason that he was shut out from the title like someone from the age of ragtime. On top of that old Arch was obviously intelligent and did not seem bitter. The public loves a man who takes his lumps without growing bitter. Any bitterness Archie did feel could usually be subsumed under cordiality and philosophizing. He was quite the philosopher and boxing expositor. Nothing there to dislike.

Poor old Jack Johnson, a natural showman who was shut out from the show.

Everyone loved Ray Mancini as a person. He was friendly, eager, and excited about everything.

One could go on all night.

Don't forget Bobby Czyz, my favorite expert boxing announcer.

I feel like Joe Louis was around during the card reading era, but had he come along a bit later his personality would have been accepted as well as his sense if humor. Theres a reason people loved Joe.

as you mentioned Liston as well, was someone with a personality that didn’t always show it. This was also part of his mystique, or a defense mechanism of his.

interestingly enough we saw George Foreman do this. He went from a cold killer to a cold bible thumping reverend.