Saw Audley Harrison in the Mandalay Bay playing blackjack with a fit bird by his side in Vegas when I was on a stag do - he gave our group a nod of recognition and a smile. No need to exchange words...
The Commonwealth medalist Darren Langley is a regualr down at AFC Wimbledon so see him time from time at matches...
Saw John Conteh in a station coffee bar at Waterloo, then went in WHSmiths and there was a pic of him in Boxing News, so I bought it and got him to sign it. He's a really cool friendly bloke.
Saw Tim Witherspoon on a train and was chatting to him for a while. Again, cool geezer. He seemed amazed that I knew so much about his career as I don't exactly look like a bruiser (6 feet tall, 10 stone). He only knew J L Gonzalez as 'the weird Cuban dude'.
I once saw Chris Pyatt at a Soul Weekender in the late 80s. Think he was chuffed someone actually recognised him.
This isn't random (it was at a big boxing show) but in the ordinary seats, miles away from the ring like I was (this was before I did reporting) was little Francis Ampofo with a fit bird. I clocked him, he clocked me and could tell I recognised him. Thing is, it was obvious the wee man wanted someone to come up and ask him for his autograph so he could impress the bird...no one recognised him other than me.
His eyes were almost pleading...I couldn't leave him hanging could I? So I went and got his sig and he even gave me a knowing wink as he was doing it.
Ryan Rhodes - I thought he would be something like his 'Spice Boy' persona but he is actually a very nice guy, very pleasant and humble.
I also remember having a long chat with Frank Grant on the phone just before he stopped Herol Graham for the British title - he seemed a nice chap also.
I was out looking for a pair of shoes and saw JF doing a bit of shopping, He was British and Commonwealth Champ at the time, nod of recognition/cool how are tings etc.
Then remembered I had a copy of Boxing News on me from ages ago ( always good reading the back issues on the train into work) and I kid you not – it had a feature of him in it - he signed it and off I went.
Away from fight nights only - i saw Audley at LA Airport. Right at the end of his career i saw Colin Dunne walking down Brixton High Street carrying a black bin liner full of stuff with a grin on his face.
I'm not sure seeing any boxers in Vegas can be called random but i did meet Winky Wright (& his Mrs) in Crazy Horses II.
Mike Tyson in Miami Beach, I went to a restuarant for breakfast and mike tyson was sitting about 4 tables across, I had my picture taken with him and grabbed an autograph.
Herol Graham was the guest of honour at the white collar boxing event I went to in Dubai. I saw him at the end of the night when I'd had a skinful so went over for a chat. Lovely fella, but i think he found my enthusiasm amusing - at one point he turned around and said 'I think you know more about my career than I do!"
He now has the dubious honour of sharing my Facebook profile pic ...
Bob & Weave wrote:Mike Tyson in Miami Beach, I went to a restuarant for breakfast and mike tyson was sitting about 4 tables across, I had my picture taken with him and grabbed an autograph.
Bob & Weave wrote:Mike Tyson in Miami Beach, I went to a restuarant for breakfast and mike tyson was sitting about 4 tables across, I had my picture taken with him and grabbed an autograph.
Carlos-Wigan wrote:I also remember having a long chat with Frank Grant on the phone just before he stopped Herol Graham for the British title - he seemed a nice chap also.
Carlos, I'd love to know how this was random...were you cold calling about double glazing or something?
"You know, there's a boxer called Frank Grant...what? Never!"
Was staying at the same hotel as Joe Calzaghe in Dubai, got him cornered in the pool to speak to him. He said his next fight should be Taylor but metioned Kessler aswell.
Nice guy and his ex Mrs Jo-Emma too, told him i trained when i was a kid and he said your smart for not fighting. But competing is what i love now. Got a pic which is on the fireplace just wish it was signed.
Nicky Cook walking around Manchester at 8 in the morning the day he lost his title, didnt speak to him but i thought that day if i was world camp i wouldnt be up that early the day of a fight, and we all know how that one ended.
I was walkin round Manchester the same day and got kind of leered at by Enzo Maccarinelli. Was all in the blink of an eye I recognised him but he probly thought who the f*ck are you.
That was the day the Corn Exchange told me the weigh in for Barrera had been shifted to a private hotel, it was across the fcking road in a different shopping centre. I was sick, I bought a marker pen the lot. Actually that was the day before.
Enzo got KO'd that night but tbh I'd only gone to see Barrera Khan , Hall Pryce, and Cook.