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@Markyboy
OK, my two cents.
Yes Haye is arrogant, name me a good fighter who isn't. I remember David as a junior at Fitzroy Lodge (before he switched to Repton), and we could never get him a match - he was that good, special at that age.
White collar boxing is a yawn, but I have seen one or two guys who do it who wouldn't disgrace themselves in a genuine amateur ring. And since when did white collar = hooray Henry? Sounds a bit chippy to me Pisti ;) I have no problem with people doing something they like. Do we criticise people who play 5-a-side football after work, just because they'll never play at Wembley?
I think people tend to mythologise the whole Mike Tyson/Cus D'Amato thing - Cus wasn't quite the positive influence people believe - I'll say no more on that. The person Tyson really missed was Teddy Atlas, and Jacobs a bit. And don't blame Don King - I've seen the contract Tyson had with him and it was as OK as boxing contracts get.
Boxers I like - Roberto Duran as a lightweight, Ray Robinson as a welter, Hagler as a middle (my all time favourite - visited his training camp in Provincetown), Ali obviously (have every fight from Olympic final to retirement on DVD if anyone wants to borrow). Best fighter from this country for me was Colin McMillan - but then he's a mate, and a mutual friend managed him (well, technically, he was self-managed). Best tear-up - Hagler v Hearns.
MMA - I just don't get as a spectacle, sorry. I'm sure it's all that, but watching some dude grappling with one of those Gracies for 15 minutes sends me to sleep. That's just me, happy to be enlightened.
Interesting thing - back in 1987, Marvin Hagler was the highest earning sportsman in the world. And it was all money earned in the ring. The golfers, the tennis players, etc. earned half their dough from endorsements and advertising. I don't believe any other sport holds the same kind of attraction and fascination as boxing did in the 70s and 80s, or ever will. Those were special times and I was glad to be around to witness them.
Damn - didn't really want to get dragged into this. My days of obsession with boxing are long gone....or I though they were. Maybe I'll arrange a few tickets for an amateur show some time (don't go to the pros any more)?