Muhammed Ali is the only boxer with a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame, for his contribution to "live entertainment". The star is the only one not on the ground and is mounted on a wall because he didn't want anyone "walking on him".
Sandy Saddler had a two-inch reach advantage on Rocky Marciano Baby Arizmendi turned pro at 10... I know of no one else younger than 14 (Pipino Cuevas and Georges Carpentier, for example) In 1975, the WBC sanctioned a matchup to determine their flyweight champion (title was vacant), they picked Luis Estaba to do battle with a Paraguayan named Rafael Lovera, who was making his professional DEBUT! He never had another professional fight. This was, of course, a net gain for the sport. Emile Griffith boxed 339 rounds in title fights, the most in history Jimmy Carruthers and Chamern Songkitrat boxed barefoot during their 1954 title fight due to a torrential rain which left the canvas too slippery for shoes The referee for the bout between Bob Fitzsimmons and Tom Sharkey? Wyatt Earp
Ali was also on candid camera; <iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-yNWfRfaHPU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
Bat Masterson was heavily involved in some of those early fights too, as writer/columnist/referee/quasi-promoter sort.
That's WHO Ali was, Whether Cameras Were There or Not...Like Mike Tyson, Ali Oooooozed Natural, Effortless CHARISMA... It'd Be Cool to Hear from the Young Men in that Video TODAY, to Get their Thoughts on Meeting Ali Under those Circumstances...THE ONE Boxing Related Thing REED Wants to Do, MORE than Anything Else???... Meet, Hug & Take a Pic w/Muhammad Ali... REEDray:
In 1979, Antuofermo became World Middleweight Champion by beating defending champion Hugo Corro by a decision in 15 rounds at Monte Carlo. According to an article on Ring Magazine, Howard Cosell, who was working on that fight's live broadcast to the USA, was telling viewers that Corro was, in his opinion, way ahead on the judges' cards. When someone on the American television crew found out it was Antuofermo who was actually leading on the cards, Cosell then began to say he had Antuofermo ahead. According to Wikipedia.
It wasn't because he didn't want anyone walking on *him,* it was because he didn't want anyone walking on the name "Muhammad."
very cool thread. that clip of ali is awesome. definitely the one fighter i'd love to meet above anyone else, even ahead of roberto duran.
Another strange boxing fact - Floyd Mayweather has no testicles, but despite this enormous deficiency has camanted as gratist fightar of hes genaration.
But he participated in a sport which allowed somebody called Mohammed to get smashed in the face? He cavorted with women who stole from Mohammed? He hit Joseph, the Father of Jesus, in the face with left and rights?? He has an odd sense of protecting Mohammeds integrity. AND THEN HE LET THIS HAPPEN---------------><iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/thSjjhixbZY?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Even you must be capable of seeing the clear and immediate distinction between doing something to someone called Muhammad vs doing something to the name Muhammad itself. If you insist on sucking at abstract thinking.. Disrespecting someone named after something != disrespecting the name of something.
Undefeated Argentinian mini flyweight champ Yessica Bopp(24-0, 11 KO) is not only hot, but has better boxing skills than many current male boxing champs.
