People who have never boxed

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 28 Jun 2004, 08:23

Yes, whilst they all deserve respect, I didn't to say that they are above criticism, however when people who have never experienced their lives get all judgemental and say stupid things like 'Danny Williams is a pathetic bum,' it pisses me off. Despite Danny's failings, he is/was the best heavyweight in the UK, which means he's still in the top what 20%in the world at heavyweight, if not more.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 28 Jun 2004, 08:24

I think one quality in boxers that is constantly overlooked by the general public is the ability to remain calm and carry out your fight plan where most mortals would just be going beserk in there until their 20-30 seconds of puff ran out. It looks so easy when you're on the outside, feeling fresh and fighting fit.

I remember a Boxing News letter after the De La Hoya v Quartey fight critcising Oscar for not keeping up his furious 2-fisted assault at the start of the 12th. Abrams rightly suggested that the reader go and hammer a punch bag flat out for 30 seconds and then see how he feels.

Thinking about it, am I the only one who gets a bit fed up with ex-pro Glenn McCrory constantly telling the Sky viewers that so-and-so "needs to start throwing more punches" even though it's pretty clear that the fighter is struggling with the pace as it is? McCrory says it like it's a tactic the fighter hasn't thought of, when in fact the guy is just knackered. It annoys me.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Jun 2004, 15:07

This is a very interesting topic.

I don't think boxers should be exempt from being criticised or even called bums because they participate in the toughest sport. My ex coach used to call me a BUM (and he had never boxed, sparred much or anything) simply because I can be a lazy trainer. I didn't criticise him for that, it was justified.

I know some scenerio's are different, but I believe fighters deserve criticism if they do not fulfil their potential. If they try their best (both in and out of the ring) and lose, then enough respect. Also, whilst I think guys from the stables such as Nobby Nobbs (Howard Clarke especially) have not fulfilled their potential, I think its because of financial reasons etc and they do not warrant criticisms.

I was speaking to a Welsh international prop at the weekend, and the way he was talking I had to call him an arsehole for waisting his undoubted talent. He was only 29 but was talking like a retired player. When I was watching an ex boxing clubmate in the earlier rounds of the Welsh champs he was laughing his head off saying before the match "I'm not bothered about this, I will lose" - now this guy had the talent not only to win the Welsh champs, but to go far - but with that attidude I think he could be dubbed an arsehole. I was screaming at him that he had him beat, but he didn't care - he acted like a bum and warrants crticism from non boxers.

Without known the full score behind fighters it is hard to criticise, however I would have no problems in calling Hamed an arsehole for his attitude prior to Barrera, similarly Audley Harrison for going against his promises.

dandantheweatherman · Post by **dandantheweatherman** » 29 Jun 2004, 10:03

As much as I like boxing I for one wouldn't have the bottle to get in the ring. I've often wondered about maybe going to to a boxing gym to have a stab at bashing a punch bag and perhaps even hitting some pads, but there's no way I'd have the guts to actually spar (plus I'm pretty short sighted which would make it hard anyway!), but to be honest I don't really even have the necessary to go to a boxing gym with the intention of not getting in the ring

It's almost incomprehensible to me how someone can get hit hard and take it. I'm on the floor if I get hit in the gut/nose with a football!

I think Kilburn made a great point about the try punching for 20-30 secs thing....I read something similar once that Angelo Dundee (I think) wrote about walking round in your lounge with your hands up for 3 mins and throwing 120 punches. This was pretty tiring in itself!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 29 Jun 2004, 10:07

stujones wrote:My ex coach used to call me a BUM (and he had never boxed, sparred much or anything) simply because I can be a lazy trainer. I didn't criticise him for that, it was justified.

Your coach wasn't Burgess Meredith by any chance was he?

knockout artist · Post by **knockout artist** » 29 Jun 2004, 10:36

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
stujones wrote:My ex coach used to call me a BUM (and he had never boxed, sparred much or anything) simply because I can be a lazy trainer. I didn't criticise him for that, it was justified.

Your coach wasn't Burgess Meredith by any chance was he?

Meredith used to pronounce it "a bomb" "You're a bomb, a bomb"

"You lay off that pet shop dame"

Classic

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 29 Jun 2004, 10:38

I watched it again the other night, better than I remembered, though of course the fight scenes left a little to be desired.

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:21

For me too the fight scenes are the least impressive part, everything else is just pure class. The Rocky films are brilliantly acted/directed in my opinion, particularly I & II. Having one of the best soundtracks in the history of cinema also helps the cause.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:24

Kilburn wrote:For me too the fight scenes are the least impressive part, everything else is just pure class. The Rocky films are brilliantly acted/directed in my opinion, particularly I & II. Having one of the best soundtracks in the history of cinema also helps the cause.

you can get the DVD RI - RV for £30 in HMV....

classic.... you can jump straight to the training scenes in siberia!!!!

DRAAAAAAAAAAAAGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:30

Given that III, IV and V are utter knob, it is easy to forget that Stallone won an oscar for Best Picture for the first one and the second one was the biggest grossing film of its year.

hear he is hawking around a script for the sixth one. It is a bit far fetched. The sub plot involves Hatton and Calzaghe fighting live opponents. I mean, who is going to believe that? You have to keep it in the realms of reality, Sly

Slapsie

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:35

I think it was on a documentary called "Made In Manchester" years ago when Robin Reid was talking about how many newbies turned up at his gym the day after Rocky had been on tv. Then a couple of days later they were back to the usual numbers.

Bloody good documentary that was too. Wish I could remember more about it.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:45

I liked Mr T's performance in Rocky III.

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:46

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I liked Mr T's performance in Rocky III.

my prediction????................................ PAIN!!!!!

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:50

The only bit I really liked in III was the whole scene where Rocky is finally making a breakthrough in training and he passes Apollo on the beach in slow motion. That bloody music makes the hairs stand up every time!

knockout · Post by **knockout** » 29 Jun 2004, 11:53

Kilburn wrote:The only bit I really liked in III was the whole scene where Rocky is finally making a breakthrough in training and he passes Apollo on the beach in slow motion. That bloody music makes the hairs stand up every time!

i like the expression on Apollo's face when Rocky goes past.....

he likes damn, no way this white boy can be beating me

classic!!!!!

He clearly didnt realise how much doping Rocky had been doing behind closed doors ha ha

Kilburn · Post by **Kilburn** » 29 Jun 2004, 12:14

knockout wrote:i like the expression on Apollo's face when Rocky goes past.....

he likes damn, no way this white boy can be beating me classic!!!!!

He clearly didnt realise how much doping Rocky had been doing behind closed doors ha ha

lol yeah. One of my favourite scenes is from Rocky 1, and I know it might sound a bit female but it's the one where Rocky is shouting in frustration when Micky comes round to his apartment. Then Micky leaves with his head down and you see Rock chase down the street after him and give him a hug.

mickeybeard · Post by **mickeybeard** » 29 Jun 2004, 12:38

Kilburn wrote:The only bit I really liked in III was the whole scene where Rocky is finally making a breakthrough in training and he passes Apollo on the beach in slow motion. That bloody music makes the hairs stand up every time!

I went to a fancy dress party with a mate dressed as Rocky and Apollo from that scene. Long white socks, the lot. He's a 6' 3" black guy, I'm a 5' 9" white guy. So naturally I went as Apollo and he went as Rocky.

I think I've made sure that all pictures of the evnt were burnt...

III is great in that it's cheesy as fornicate, and so bad it's great, whereas IV and V are just so bad they're fornicating awful...

RC · Post by RC » 01 Jul 2004, 08:33

How can you not love rocky IV?

With rapier wit such as

Rocky: I see three of him out there.
Paulie: Hit the one in the middle.

Pure evil villain - Drago: If he dies, he dies.

Plus cutting insight into the future of the US-USSR relationship at the end of the cold war

Rocky Balboa: I guess what I'm trying to say is, if I can change, and you can change, everybody can change.

RC · Post by RC » 01 Jul 2004, 08:37

http://studentweb.tulane.edu/~mweinste/pagethree.html

guestie · Post by **guestie** » 01 Jul 2004, 11:09

regarding comments on boxers...of course we can say what we like...as my old teacher used to say...

i can't lay an egg, but i know what a good omelette tastes like

glittermonkey · Post by **glittermonkey** » 01 Jul 2004, 11:17

guestie wrote:regarding comments on boxers...of course we can say what we like...as my old teacher used to say...

i can't lay an egg, but i know what a good omelette tastes like

Some of my teachers favourites:

Where's your homework?

Get out!

Shut up.

Sit down.

Stop writing on the desk.

Get out!!

Wake up.

Detention!

Don't backchat.

Come to the front of the class.

Get out!!!

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 01 Jul 2004, 11:19

My old Math's teachers favourite.

"McDonnell....you Lemon!"