boozemonster
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After reading the Haye v Klischko thread I started to wonder who was my favourite boxer. So then was interested in what everyone else thought.
I have a couple of favourites that span 200 years of boxing, one I've only read about, one I've watched old footage of and the other I've seen live.
Thomas "Tom" Cribb
Career 1803-1822
Was a true "Champion of England" before there was ever a World Championship there was only the All England Championship (mainly because few other countries boxed) Possible the first man to ever be classed as a counter-puncher. Not only a fine pugilist but also a very hard man who on one occasion fought and won a 77 rounder (2h 12mins it lasted) as well as fighting twice against the first ever Black boxer to fight for the title.
Jake "The Bronx Bull" LaMotta
Career 1941-54
A true hard man who would never back down from a fight (even though Sugar Ray Robinson gave him a couple of right beatings he still came back to fight against him and beat him on one occasion) LaMotta was the first boxer to really "bully" his opponent and physically force them into a corner regardless of the damage he had to walk through to get them there.
Julio Cesar Chavez Gonzalez
Career 1980-2005
A 25 year boxing career, 6 time World Champion at 3 Weights, 13 years undefeated (the longest anyone has gone) 89 wins on the bounce, the record says it all. Chavez never ducked a fight, was as hard as nails and stood toe to toe with all comers. In his latter years he didnt always win, but he was never stopped until his final bout in 2005 when he was forced to retire in the 4th round (aged 43 mind you) his professional record stands at 115 fight -- 107 wins (86 KO's) -- 6 losses -- 2 draws
A living legend.
I have a couple of favourites that span 200 years of boxing, one I've only read about, one I've watched old footage of and the other I've seen live.
Thomas "Tom" Cribb
Career 1803-1822
Was a true "Champion of England" before there was ever a World Championship there was only the All England Championship (mainly because few other countries boxed) Possible the first man to ever be classed as a counter-puncher. Not only a fine pugilist but also a very hard man who on one occasion fought and won a 77 rounder (2h 12mins it lasted) as well as fighting twice against the first ever Black boxer to fight for the title.
Jake "The Bronx Bull" LaMotta
Career 1941-54
A true hard man who would never back down from a fight (even though Sugar Ray Robinson gave him a couple of right beatings he still came back to fight against him and beat him on one occasion) LaMotta was the first boxer to really "bully" his opponent and physically force them into a corner regardless of the damage he had to walk through to get them there.
Julio Cesar Chavez Gonzalez
Career 1980-2005
A 25 year boxing career, 6 time World Champion at 3 Weights, 13 years undefeated (the longest anyone has gone) 89 wins on the bounce, the record says it all. Chavez never ducked a fight, was as hard as nails and stood toe to toe with all comers. In his latter years he didnt always win, but he was never stopped until his final bout in 2005 when he was forced to retire in the 4th round (aged 43 mind you) his professional record stands at 115 fight -- 107 wins (86 KO's) -- 6 losses -- 2 draws
A living legend.