Boxing

[The Iceman]

did any of you ever do a bit of boxing? in the ring that is.

Not me but the old man did back in the day - have a great black and white pic of him and his twin brother from the stadium - The fighting twins!!!
His uncle fought in the Helsinki Olympics - 1952 and the singlet is in the Mothers attic - I hope!

did a bit of stuff up in Keady when I was a young fella - joined St George St Malachys in Belfast when I was at Uni (great wee club down in the markets)
Have a lovely broken nose now

[Candyman]

did a bit of stuff up in Keady when I was a young fella - joined St George St Malachys in Belfast when I was at Uni (great wee club down in the markets)
Have a lovely broken nose now

ye got off light there ICEMAN ...

[The Iceman]

did a bit of stuff up in Keady when I was a young fella - joined St George St Malachys in Belfast when I was at Uni (great wee club down in the markets)
Have a lovely broken nose now

ye got off light there ICEMAN ...

fortunately they didn't understand the concept of the "double leg take down" back in those days!

[Candyman]

i find the aul headbutt or low dig usually does the trick!! ye know the craic urself...

[passedit]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest1120

20. George Foreman

Heavyweight Ring career: 1969-97 Record: 76-5 (68 KOs)
Career notes: On Nov. 5, 1994, knocked out Michael Moorer in 10th round to become, at 45, oldest heavyweight champion in history, capping improbable career comeback. ... In first incarnation, was a sullen wrecking ball of a champion, wrenching heavyweight title from Joe Frazier after six knockdowns in two rounds in January 1973. ... Was shockingly outthought, outfought and upended by Muhammad Ali in the "Rumble in the Jungle" in Zaire in 1974. ... After losing to Jimmy Young in March 1977, retired to become a preacher, but returned to ring 10 years later, to initial derision. ... Fought four more times after defeating Moorer before retiring for good after suffering points defeat to Shannon Briggs in a bout most people thought he won.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: George Foreman ESPN Video
Bonus video: George Foreman's greatest heavyweights ESPN Video

19. Stanley Ketchel

Middleweight, heavyweight Ring career: 1903-10 Record: 52-4-4 (49 KOs) and 4 no-decisions Career notes: Only boxer to beat twin brothers in consecutive bouts: Knocked out Mike Sullivan in February 1908, and his twin brother, Jack, two and a half months later. ... Victory over Jack Sullivan secured world middleweight championship, which he never lost. ... Made 11 defenses of crown in just three years, a total behind only Bernard Hopkins, Carlos Monzon and "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler. ... Fought heavyweight champion Jack Johnson in October 1909, and despite being outweighed by 35 pounds, knocked him down before being knocked out cold. ... Shot and killed by jealous husband in 1910, at 24.

18. Archie Moore

Light heavyweight, heavyweight Ring career: 1935-63 Record: 183-24-10-1 (131 KOs)
Career notes: Had fought 168 times and was 39 years old before finally getting shot at world title. ... Took advantage of that shot by outpointing champion Joey Maxim to take crown. ... Fought additional 52 bouts after that, losing just four, three to heavyweights: Rocky Marciano, Floyd Patterson and Cassius Clay. ... Remains oldest world champion in history: 48 years, 59 days old when last held the belt. ... With 131 knockouts, recorded the most of any boxer.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Archie Moore ESPN Video

17. Mickey Walker

Welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, heavyweight
Ring career: 1919-35 Record: 93-19-4-1 (60 KOs) and 46 no-decisions
Career notes: Won world welterweight championship in 1922 and defended it six times before losing it in 1926. ... In January 1925, weighing less than 150 pounds, challenged for light heavyweight title, the lightest man ever to do so. ... Later that year, unsuccessfully challenged Harry Greb for middleweight title. ... Won middleweight championship from Tiger Flowers in December 1926, and defended it three times before relinquishing in 1931. ... Made two more unsuccessful bids for light heavyweight crown and also challenged heavyweights Jack Sharkey and Max Schmeling.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Mickey Walker ESPN Video

16. Gene Tunney

Heavyweight Ring career: 1915-28 Record: 61-1-1-1 (45 KOs) and 19 no-decisions Career notes: Known as "Fighting Marine." ... Won American light heavyweight championship from Battling Levinsky in January 1922, before losing it to and then regaining it from Harry Greb. ... Took world heavyweight championship from Jack Dempsey in September 1926, and retained it in rematch 11 months later. ... Made just one more defense before becoming one of very few champions to retire at the top and stay retired.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Gene Tunney ESPN Video

15. Jimmy Wilde

Flyweight Ring career: 1910-23 Record: 131-3-2 (99 KOs) and 13 no-decisions Career notes: One of the smallest world champions ever, and yet, pound-for-pound, one of the most destructive. ... Ninety-nine knockouts rank among the highest for any fighter, in any weight class. ... Became first world flyweight champion in history, stopping Young Zulu Kid in 11th round in December 1916. ... Lost title in final fight of career, by knockout to Pancho Villa.

14. Rocky Marciano

Heavyweight Ring career: 1947-56 Record: 49-0 (43 KOs) Career notes: Only undefeated heavyweight world champion in history and one of the most popular and iconic American athletes of all time. ... Renowned for ferocious punch and tremendous heart. ... Won heavyweight championship with 13th-round knockout of Jersey Joe Walcott in September 1952. ... Made six defenses before retiring in 1956.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Rocky Marciano ESPN Video

13. Harry Greb

Middleweight Ring career: 1913-26 Record: 105-8-3 (48 KOs) and 183 no-decisions Career notes: Despite dying at age 32, and despite a relatively brief professional career, fought more recorded bouts than all but two men in boxing history, majority of which were rendered no-decisions. ... Won world middleweight title in 1923 despite becoming largely blind in left eye following bout with Kid Norfolk two years earlier. ... Defended title six times over next three years before losing it to Tiger Flowers. ... In May 1922, became only boxer to defeat future heavyweight champion Gene Tunney.

13. Sugar Ray Leonard

Welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight Ring career: 1977-97 Record: 36-3-1 (25 KOs) Career notes: Olympic gold medalist won WBC welterweight world title with 15th-round stoppage of Wilfred Benitez in November 1979, only to shockingly lose title to Roberto Duran seven months later. ... Defeated Duran in rematch in the famous "No Mas" bout. ... Beat Ayub Kalule in 1981 to add WBA 154-pound title before dropping belt to focus on welterweight crown. ... Unified titles with dramatic 14th-round stoppage of WBA titlist Thomas Hearns in September 1981. ... Retired in November 1982 after surgery for detached retina. ... After comeback bout against Kevin Howard in May 1984, retired again after being disgusted with performance. ... Emerged from retirement to upset "Marvelous" Marvin Hagler to win middleweight crown in 1987. ... Defeated Donny Lalonde in November 1989 bout that was for both super middleweight and light heavyweight titles. ... Last two fights were ill-advised comebacks that resulted in defeats: against Terry Norris in 1991 and Hector Camacho in 1997.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Sugar Ray Leonard ESPN Video

11. Joe Gans

Lightweight Ring career: 1891-1909 Record: 120-8-9 (85 KOs) and 18 no-decisions Career notes: First black man to win world lightweight title, which was secured via first-round knockout of Frank Erne in May 1902. ... Defeated Battling Nelson in the 42nd round in 1906, the third-longest bout in boxing history. ... Lost title in rematch to Nelson in 1908. ... Once fought three times in one night.

[Galwaybhoy]

Boxing on Sky Sports 1 tonight for anyone interested.  Eamonn Magee takes on Kevin Anderson for the British Welterweight title.  I have seen Magee in action a few times and I was reading up on him there on Wikipedia.  He was shot by the PIRA in 1994 and has been in more trouble before and after that.  I didnt know about any of that.

British welterweight title challenger Eamonn Magee will not be letting his travel problems heading to the weigh-in stop him from taking the title from Kevin Anderson.

Magee challenges Anderson for his title at Motherwell Civic Centre, live on Friday Fight Night on Sky Sports 1, and he has already had his problems.

The Belfast fighter's flight to Glasgow was cancelled as he headed to the weigh-in, and he had to catch a late flight to Edinburgh and take a taxi to make the appointment.

35-year-old Magee is not too concerned about his disruption though, and says that it will not affect his title challenge - claiming the champion will be more nervous about the fight.

"It didn't make any difference to me that we had to fly to Edinburgh. It was only a 40-minute journey back to Glasgow," said Magee.

"I'm confident about this fight, I'm taller, bigger and more experienced. I've been round the block too many times, I know how to treat these fights.

"I'm sure Kevin will be more nervous than I am."

A few travel problems will hardly trouble Magee, who has suffered vicious attacks in the past and had his leg severely broken after one incident.

"Part of my leg was left in the street and they had to take the muscle from the back of my left leg and put it in the front," recalled Magee, who has also been shot and stabbed.

"My right knee was busted up, facial injuries, hand injuries. The doctors said that I'd not box again let alone walk again."

24-year-old Anderson knows he faces a tough task against the man who put Ricky Hattong on the floor before losing to 'The Hitman' on points.

"It is going to be a big fight for me," said Anderson.

"Magee is always going to be remembered as the man who put Ricky Hatton on his backside, he is a big name.

"But if I beat him then everyone will forget what happened in my last fight and I will be back at the top of the tree again."

http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,12-1265204,00.html

[An Laoch]

Magee was a fantastic talent, a really beautiful southpaw who never fulfilled his potential. He seemed to lose focus in fights just as he was getting ahead and let to much go to the judges. He damn near beat Ricky Hatton and what a different landscape we would see in the boxing world now had that happened.

Outside the ring he's what's known as a nutter. It really is miracle stuff that the guy is boxing again after that beating he took. I met and interviewed him once or twice back in my journalist days - an interesting and witty character if ever there was one.

[Syd]

Magee was a fantastic talent, a really beautiful southpaw who never fulfilled his potential. He seemed to lose focus in fights just as he was getting ahead and let to much go to the judges. He damn near beat Ricky Hatton and what a different landscape we would see in the boxing world now had that happened.

Outside the ring he's what's known as a nutter. It really is miracle stuff that the guy is boxing again after that beating he took. I met and interviewed him once or twice back in my journalist days - an interesting and witty character if ever there was one.

Magee is an absolute tr**p outside the ring.

[CiKe]

beaten tonight and put on his arse for the first time in his career. Think two judges only gave him a round which was a disgrace as he won nine, ten and twelve for my money (11 was when he wa sput down by a peach of a short right hook). At the most the points difference should have been four i thought yet somehow the minimum "official" difference was seven.

[CiKe]

Passedit, meant to comment earlier on some of that ESPN stuff. De La Hoya ahead of Whitaker and RJJ? Not a chance. More titles in different weight classes but at light middle and middle weight he beat the worst champion in recent memory (Castillejo) and was thoroughly thumped by Sturm yet somehow got a decision. Great fighter none the less but certainly not better than the best defensive fighter of the last 25 years (and from what i read, a helluva a lot longer than that) nor probably the greatest boxing athlete of the last 25 years. Guys who know a helluva a lot more about boxing than me might criticis his technique as being less than perfect but RJJ was just so fast and had such good reflexes it didn't matter - he made good fighters look crap. His destruction of Montell Griffin in one round after he lost his perfect record against the same fighter by DQ was something to behold. Griffin went on to beat James Toney twice.

In other more depressing news, have jsut read that Wayne McCullough is to return to the ring. He says that othe rfighters who turned pro at the same time as him had twice as many fights and that he has only had 33 fights. He almost hasn't been involved in a fight that wasn't a war since winning the world title in '95. He has shipped a ridiculous amount of punches over the years to some of the best punchers in and around his weight class, and lost numerous world title fights since he first lost to Daniel Zaragoza. Incredibly stubborn and with an incredible chin and seemingly endless stamina, he has shown freakish determination and will power over the eyars to consistently come back from hellacious beatings, but why he feels the need to do so one more time I don't know. Some of those close to him should tell him home truths - unfortunately he hasn't been good enough for the last 10 years to regain a world title, he aint gonna do it now considering he was virtually always the lighter puncher in any fight. Hang them up once and for all and enjoy retirement.

[passedit]

Only posting it Cike, not saying I agree. 10 - 1 up now.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest110

10. Sam Langford

Lightweight, welterweight, middleweight, heavyweight
Ring career: 1902-26 Record: 167-38-37-3 (117 KOs) and 48 no-decisions
Career notes: Almost certainly the greatest fighter never to win, or even fight for, a world title. ... Fought all the way from lightweight to heavyweight, and continued to fight -- and win -- even after becoming almost completely blind in one eye and partially blind in another. ... Problem was that he was just too good. That, and the fact that heavyweight career overlapped with that of Jack Johnson -- who refused to give him a title shot, and whose behavior outside the ropes made promoters leery about the prospect of another black heavyweight champion -- combined to deny him the world title opportunity he deserved. ... After being forced to retire because of blindness, disappeared from view until he was rediscovered by journalist Al Laney in 1944.

9. Jack Dempsey

Heavyweight
Ring career: 1914-27 Record: 61-6-8 (50 KOs) and 6 no-decisions
Career notes: Held world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926, although only six of his fights during that period were official title defenses. ... Furious two-fisted punching style was hugely popular with fans. ... Engaged in some of the most celebrated battles of all time, including with Luis Angel Firpo and Gene Tunney. ... The "Manassa Mauler" was the face of boxing at a time when it was still, along with baseball and horse racing, the most popular sport in the land. ... Rakishly handsome and charismatic outside the ring, was all-action inside it, brandishing a breathtaking, go-for-broke fighting style. ... Won the title by shattering the jaw of giant Jess Willard. ... When he lost it, by decision to Tunney in 1926, it was in front of the largest paid attendance in the history of boxing -- more than 120,000 spectators. ... In rematch, floored Tunney for a count of nine, the infamous "long count" in which Tunney was actually on the canvas for 14 seconds. ... After losing rematch, retired and opened a restaurant in New York.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Jack Dempsey ESPN Video

8. Jack Johnson

Heavyweight
Ring career: 1897-1928 Record: 77-13-14 (48 KOs) and 19 no-decisions
Career notes: First black heavyweight champion. ... Beat Tommy Burns to win crown in 1908, and held on to it until defeated by Jess Willard in 1915. ... Was in many ways precursor to Muhammad Ali: dominant in the ring and deliberately provocative and antagonizing outside it, shocking and infuriating white society with his boldness and arrogance. ... Was driven into exile for much of his reign, living and fighting in Europe and South America to avoid facing charges under the profoundly racist Mann Act, which prohibited the transport of white women across state lines for immoral purposes. ... Died in an auto accident in 1946.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Jack Johnson ESPN Video

7. Benny Leonard

Lightweight
Ring career: 1911-32 Record: 85-5-1 (69 KOs) and 121 no-decisions
Career notes: Won world lightweight championship in May 1917, and retired as champion in January 1925, making him the longest-reigning lightweight champion ever. ... After more than seven years, made return to the ring, winning 18 of 19. ... At one stage, fought 154 consecutive bouts without losing. ... Of five losses, three were in his formative ring years, one was on a foul when challenging for the welterweight championship and one was the final contest of his career, during his comeback after a seven-year layoff, against fellow Hall of Famer Jimmy McLarnin. ... Exceptional all-around talent possessed speed, accuracy and power in one package. ... Became a referee after retirement, and collapsed and died in the ring while refereeing a bout in New York state.

6. Roberto Duran

Lightweight, welterweight, junior middleweight, middleweight
Ring career: 1968-2001 Record: 103-16 (70 KOs)
Career notes: Won lightweight championship from Ken Buchanan in 1972. ... Snarling, unstoppable ring monster dominated lightweight division for seven years, and then outhustled Sugar Ray Leonard to become welterweight champ in 1980. ... Quit in the rematch with Leonard five months later. ... At 32, destroyed Davey Moore to win a junior middleweight belt in 1983, and fought bravely against Marvin Hagler five months later. ... In 1984, was felled, flat on his face, by Tommy Hearns inside two rounds. ... In the 21st year of professional career, improbably won a middleweight belt by beating Iran Barkley in 1989.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Roberto Duran ESPN Video

5. Willie Pep

Featherweight
Ring career: 1940-66 Record: 230-11-1 (65 KOs)
Career notes: Two-time world featherweight champion renowned for legendary defensive skills. ... Achieved tremendous success despite suffering near-fatal injuries in a plane crash in 1947. ... Legend that says he once won a round without throwing a punch (he almost certainly did not) is testament to defensive wizardry of "Will o' the Wisp." ... Won first 63 bouts before losing to Sammy Angott, and then went 72-0-1 before losing again, to Sandy Saddler. ... Only Saddler was ever truly able to figure him out, winning three of four times in bouts that were frequently brutal and foul-filled.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Willie Pep ESPN Video

4. Joe Louis

Heavyweight
Ring career: 1934-51 Record: 68-3 (54 KOs)
Career notes: Won world heavyweight championship in 1937, and retired as champion in 1949. ... Held heavyweight title for longer (11 years, 8 months, 7 days) and made more successful defenses (25) than anyone. ... Defined by two fights against Max Schmeling of Germany. In first encounter, was unbeaten and knocked out in the 12th round, in June 1936. In rematch, almost exactly two years later, as world champion knocked out challenger in the first round, becoming hero to black and white Americans alike, and cemented his place as one of the most popular champions of all time.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Joe Louis ESPN Video

3. Henry Armstrong

Featherweight, lightweight, welterweight
Ring career: 1932-45 Record: 151-21-9 (101 KOs)
Career notes: Only boxer to hold world titles at three different weights simultaneously. ... Won featherweight crown in October 1937. ... Added welterweight title in May 1938 and became lightweight champion three months later. ... Challenged for middleweight crown in 1940, and held champion Ceferino Garcia to a draw. ... Known variously as "Hammerin' Hank" and "Homicide Hank." Third nickname, "Hurricane Hank," was perhaps the most appropriate. ... Was a whirlwind of a fighter, a perpetual-motion machine who overwhelmed opponents with a nonstop, suffocating fusillade of punches. ... Faced 17 world champions in career and defeated 15 of them.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Henry Armstrong ESPN Video

2. Muhammad Ali

Heavyweight
Ring career: 1960-81 Record: 56-5 (37 KOs)
Career notes: First to win heavyweight championship of the world three times. ... Was banned from the ring for three years for refusing induction into the armed forces during the Vietnam War. ... After ban was lifted, lost to Joe Frazier in "Fight of the Century" in 1971, but stunned George Foreman to regain belt in 1974. ... Lost title to, and regained it from, Leon Spinks in 1978. ... Three of defeats came in last four bouts, including two in an ill-advised emergence from retirement, against Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick, at 38. ... Transcended the sport unlike any other boxer. ... Reinvented the way heavyweights were supposed to fight, deploying a speed and athleticism that was previously unheard of; also alternately bedazzled and appalled America and the world with charisma, showmanship and braggadocio. ... Viewed progressively over the years as loudmouth, villain, hero and finally a figure of pathos. ... Remains for many the definition of a champion.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Muhammad Ali ESPN Video

1. Sugar Ray Robinson

Welterweight, middleweight
Ring career: 1940-65 Record: 175-19-6-2 (109 KOs)
Career notes: Won world welterweight title in December 1946, and defended it four times before stepping up in weight and winning, in 1951, first of five stints as middleweight champ. ... Attempted to win light heavyweight title from Joey Maxim in 1952, but was stopped in the 14th round. ... Born Walker Smith in Ailey, Ga. ... Was the most complete boxer yet to grace the squared circle. ... Lost just one of first 123 fights, to Jake LaMotta, a defeat avenged five times in a classic ring rivalry. ... A near-perfect pugilist at welterweight, was less dominant at middleweight, but was still able to win the title five times, including three times after he had retired for two and a half years. ... Only stoppage defeat was when challenging Maxim for light heavyweight crown, and then was leading on points until overcome by heat so extreme that it had forced the replacement of the referee in the 10th.
Let's go to the video: 50 Greatest: Sugar Ray Robinson ESPN Video

[passedit]

A top 50 without Lewis says more about ESPN than Lewis though:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/greatest/featureVideo?page=greatest150
The final list

1. Sugar Ray Robinson Video ESPN Video Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas on the list ESPN Video
2. Muhammad Ali Video ESPN Video
3. Henry Armstrong Video ESPN Video
4. Joe Louis Video ESPN Video
5. Willie Pep Video ESPN Video
6. Roberto Duran Video ESPN Video
7. Benny Leonard
8. Jack Johnson Video ESPN Video
9. Jack Dempsey Video ESPN Video
10. Sam Langford
11. Joe Gans
12. Sugar Ray Leonard Video ESPN Video
13. Harry Greb
14. Rocky Marciano Video ESPN Video
15. Jimmy Wilde
16. Gene Tunney Video ESPN Video
17. Mickey Walker Video ESPN Video
18. Archie Moore Video ESPN Video
19. Stanley Ketchel
20. George Foreman Video ESPN Video
21. Tony Canzoneri
22. Barney Ross Video ESPN Video
23. Jimmy McLarnin
24. Julio Cesar Chavez Video ESPN Video
25. Marcel Cerdan
26. Joe Frazier Video ESPN Video
27. Ezzard Charles
28. Jake LaMotta Video ESPN Video
29. Sandy Saddler
30. Terry McGovern
31. Billy Conn Video ESPN Video
32. Jose Napoles
33. Ruben Olivares
34. Emile Griffith
35. Marvin Hagler
36. Eder Jofre
37. Thomas Hearns
38. Larry Holmes Video ESPN Video
39. Oscar De La Hoya
40. Evander Holyfield
41. Ted "Kid" Lewis
42. Alexis Arguello
43. Marco Antonio Barrera
44. Pernell Whitaker Video ESPN Video
45. Carlos Monzon
46. Roy Jones Jr. Bonus video: Brian Kenny on Jones' place on the list ESPN Video
47. Bernard Hopkins
48. Floyd Mayweather Jr. Video ESPN Video
49. Erik Morales
50. Mike Tyson Video ESPN Video

[bridgegael]

yeah saw that magee fight last night, he was always on the back foot, ithink if he had have taken the fight to anderson it would've been a lot closer,  maybe age was a factor in that.  i'd say he'll hang the gloves up now.

[CiKe]

In relation to Duddy being the next big thing in Irish boxing, he may be further along the line than Andy Lee but from the little I have seen of the two of them Lee seems to be the better boxer but Duddy can be good to watch. What odds on an All Irish World middleweight championship fight in 2-3 years?

[bridgegael]

having seen duddy fight a few times, i think he needs a big improvement on his defence, he throws a serious amount of punches and loves a brawl, thats why the americans love him.  he is hoping to fight here in the summer, possible against jim rock or jason mckay.  all going well then he is looking at a title shot against jermain taylor,  as i said his defence could really let him down. i'm a big fan of duddy and i hope he can go all the way.     another irish boxer to look out for in same weight is james moore, he is doing well over in the states as well.