Courage in boxing.

[superpunchout]

One of the things that has always fascinated me about practitioners of the sweet science is their amazing capacity for bravery. I read the word ‘coward’ bandied around an awful lot in boxing discussion and it never fails to startle me.
Much of the time I know it’s merely a way for fans to express their frustration if the wheels aren’t turning quickly enough on the prospect of a good match, rather than a sincere attack on the personal fortitude of a given fighter but to me, anyone – whether I like them or not - who dares step into a prize ring is automatically branded with an indelible mark of valour.
On balance, I think that most people have got it in them to throw themselves into harms way when confronted by a single moment of crisis but more rarefied surely is the ability to maintain composure and make reflexive, tactical decisions under the scrutiny of a large crowd - whilst facing someone that can and will inflict serious bodily harm the instant the chance avails them.

The actual point of this thread is to ask; of all the exploits you’ve seen in a boxing ring, which ranks as the most courageous and why?

Although there are many examples I could list, the one that always comes back to me was watching Danny Williams secure an incredible one-handed KO over Mark Potter after horribly dislocating his right shoulder - mere seconds after Jim Watt had condemned him to defeat too!

[winkveron]

Gatti breaking his hand vs Ward but still fighting on and throwing it for 8 more rounds despite the obvious pain. True legend!

[Jon Saxon]

One of the things that has always fascinated me about practitioners of the sweet science is their amazing capacity for bravery. I read the word ‘coward’ bandied around an awful lot in boxing discussion and it never fails to startle me.
Much of the time I know it’s merely a way for fans to express their frustration if the wheels aren’t turning quickly enough on the prospect of a good match, rather than a sincere attack on the personal fortitude of a given fighter but to me, anyone – whether I like them or not - who dares step into a prize ring is automatically branded with an indelible mark of valour.
On balance, I think that most people have got it in them to throw themselves into harms way when confronted by a single moment of crisis but more rarefied surely is the ability to maintain composure and make reflexive, tactical decisions under the scrutiny of a large crowd - whilst facing someone that can and will inflict serious bodily harm the instant the chance avails them.

The actual point of this thread is to ask; of all the exploits you’ve seen in a boxing ring, which ranks as the most courageous and why?

Although there are many examples I could list, the one that always comes back to me was watching Danny Williams secure an incredible one-handed KO over Mark Potter after horribly dislocating his right shoulder - mere seconds after Jim Watt had condemned him to defeat too!

Courage? See The Real Deal.

The mans crazy but has a heart bigger than his division.

[Deserter]

Just a general point, but it's not the dramatic displays like Danny Williams that get my attention, it's the 'quiet' courage displayed by those fighters who realise within a round or two that they are outgunned by a superior opponent yet have the mental fortitude to hang on in there for the duration.
Crucially, I'm not talking about those who go into their shell and go through the motions (what Teddy Atlas described as the 'silent pact' between boxers), but those who despite the seemingly insurmountable odds never stop trying to win.
That, more than anything, requires genuine courage and mental strength as it would be all too easy to crumble in those circumstances.

[Coco]

Abraham fighting with a broken jaw, Ali did too

[whicker]

The actual point of this thread is to ask; of all the exploits you’ve seen in a boxing ring, which ranks as the most courageous and why?

Eubank and Benn, more than one occassion , and not just the fights with each other.

[Deserter]

The actual point of this thread is to ask; of all the exploits you’ve seen in a boxing ring, which ranks as the most courageous and why?

Eubank and Benn, more than one occassion , and not just the fights with each other.

Benn's a fascinating one, as in the wake of the Watson fight there were people accusing him of being an 'on top' fighter and a 'bottle-job', yet the same man went on to display the heart of a lion against Eubank and McClellan.
As you rightly say, Eubank showed similar fortitude against Thompson in particular.
It's a distant memory now, but Jim McDonnell seemed to give everything in his challenge against Azumah Nelson.

[Old bones Ian]

Wayne McCullough showed bravery in his fights. Against Harrison and Larios it was almost to a insane degree.

[MightyWarrior]

Benn's a fascinating one, as in the wake of the Watson fight there were people accusing him of being an 'on top' fighter and a 'bottle-job', yet the same man went on to display the heart of a lion against Eubank and McClellan.

Similarly with Larry Holmes, who was disqualified for holding and not trying against Duane Bobick in the amateurs.
So when Larry turned pro, he did so with the reputation of a fighter who didn't have the heart for a real battle.
How wrong can you be ?
Very interesting to read his book, where he says that as he made his way to the ring to face Tyson, the reality hit him that he was way past his best and had probably made a huge mistake...he felt like turning and running in the other direction.
And yet as Tyson moved in to finish him off, he was still trying to throw punches, getting his arm caught in the ropes trying to throw one last punch, leaving him an open target for the finishing punch.

[Matt W]

One that stands out for me was Riddick Bowe in his rematch with Golota. Bowe had largely answered questions about his heart against Holyfield but the amount of punishment he took against Golota was uncomfortable to watch. He took a pasting and was getting fouled in the process but he showed tremendous heart to stay in there long as he did. Ultimately it eve got him the win, but it finished his career.

[Scrap]

Theres one guy stands out for me, and the 1st time, Id really watched Him I thought He had Bottled it. His shoulder went, think it was the 11th. Over the years Ive gained so much respect for the Guy, His mindset is incredible. At any time it could have gone again, guys who can do that earn my respect. He went there to win, and did, fcuking unreal Carl Thompson

[stujones]

The actual point of this thread is to ask; of all the exploits you’ve seen in a boxing ring, which ranks as the most courageous and why?

Eubank and Benn, more than one occassion , and not just the fights with each other.

Benn's a fascinating one, as in the wake of the Watson fight there were people accusing him of being an 'on top' fighter and a 'bottle-job', yet the same man went on to display the heart of a lion against Eubank and McClellan.
As you rightly say, Eubank showed similar fortitude against Thompson in particular.
It's a distant memory now, but Jim McDonnell seemed to give everything in his challenge against Azumah Nelson.

Yeah, one of my lasting memories of Benn vs McClellan was the 8th round KD when Benn went down but was literally punching on his way down.

I know he is one that probably will go down as a bottler (a bit) but Tyson against Holyfield and Lewis.... yes Tyson shouting "Aww" when getting treated for the cut, but he was absolutely fucked going into the last rounds (in both fights). Yet, he comes out and makes a desperate attempt to KO them both.

He did so also in the Danny Williams fight, but he was quite hit and miss in the heart department.

A guy who I think fits the description you mentioned in your post Deserter is Rocky Juarez - he must be now so beaten up both physically and psychologically.... yes people are starting to condemn the number of high profile fights he is but he must be getting so annoyed at being the "high profile" fodder for fighters. Yet he still giving it a good go.

[Deno1986]

Martin Power.

[palooka]

To be honest most of the lads who can't punch much have my admiration. They know they're in for a long night and are always in against someone who can hurt em pretty bad. They are the 'anti bullys' and have my respect.

[Nightmare Roy]

For me it has to be this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imZaiGJgbsw

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InUUKIdwe_Q

Followed by Dennis Andries vs Tommy Hearns and Danny Williams when he fought Vitali Klisckho - Danny showed a bucketful of guts and heart that night.

[hurlock]

anthony small went 12rds with a thuruka DD

[terrdilk]

To be honest most of the lads who can't punch much have my admiration. They know they're in for a long night and are always in against someone who can hurt em pretty bad. They are the 'anti bullys' and have my respect.

That's A really good post never thought about it like that an have to agree with u

[Counter-puncher]

The actual point of this thread is to ask; of all the exploits you’ve seen in a boxing ring, which ranks as the most courageous and why?

Eubank and Benn, more than one occassion , and not just the fights with each other.

Benn's a fascinating one, as in the wake of the Watson fight there were people accusing him of being an 'on top' fighter and a 'bottle-job', yet the same man went on to display the heart of a lion against Eubank and McClellan.

and then 'quit' vs Collins...

To be honest most of the lads who can't punch much have my admiration. They know they're in for a long night and are always in against someone who can hurt em pretty bad. They are the 'anti bullys' and have my respect.

excellent point simon

[boxingchat]

Quit?

Realising you hadn't got it any more in the loneliest place of all and quitting, rather than risking serious injury, as he had seen all too often before, doesn't detract from Benn's previous acheivements.

Having seen him at the end of both Collins fights, no one was more pissed off than him I can tell you.

If your body won't do what your head wants it to do then you must get out, the risks are far too high.

Benn could never been accused of quitting. The McClellan fight would have made most people quit in the first round. He didn't he dug deep, very deep, stupidly deep maybe.

Benn took his beatings like a man, Win or lose as did Eubank I might add.

Courage is actually getting in there in the first place, remember that from the safety of a keyboard.

[Counter-puncher]

i used the scarequotes over the word 'quit'- like so- for just that reason. IE to imply that the word or phrase used should be taken as what some people said at the time, but that I found to be erroneous.

but well done wasting your time typing out a load of stuff i agreed with anyway.

[IRLangmaid25]

I read Evander Holyfield's autobiography a while back and apparently during his fight with Michael Moorer back in 1994 he was actually fighting that fight after experiencing a heart condition which was only diagnosed until afer the fight because he thought he had dislocated his shoulder during the fight. While on the subject of disclocated shoulders I seem to remember Danny Williams' retaining his British title with a dislocated shoulder and had to win it off the jab, but I am not sure who was it against?

[Shirow]

To be honest most of the lads who can't punch much have my admiration. They know they're in for a long night and are always in against someone who can hurt em pretty bad. They are the 'anti bullys' and have my respect.

I can't think of any particular examples but in this vein i rate journeymen who take on the assignment of an up and coming KO artist on a couple of weeks notice and still fight to win.
They must know that they have been selected for a highlight reel KO but go for it anyway. If you know deep down you almost certainly going to lose it's just a matter of how that takes huge bravery to not be totally negative i those circumstances.

Can anyone name any?

For high profile fights watching Marquez get dropped 3 times and his nose flattened against Pacquiao in their first fight then steeling himself and outboxing Pacquiao from there was awe inspiring.

[black panther]

Quit?

Realising you hadn't got it any more in the loneliest place of all and quitting, rather than risking serious injury, as he had seen all too often before, doesn't detract from Benn's previous acheivements.

Having seen him at the end of both Collins fights, no one was more pissed off than him I can tell you.

If your body won't do what your head wants it to do then you must get out, the risks are far too high.

Benn could never been accused of quitting. The McClellan fight would have made most people quit in the first round. He didn't he dug deep, very deep, stupidly deep maybe.

Benn took his beatings like a man, Win or lose as did Eubank I might add.

Courage is actually getting in there in the first place, remember that from the safety of a keyboard.

x2

[the truth]

Quit?

Realising you hadn't got it any more in the loneliest place of all and quitting, rather than risking serious injury, as he had seen all too often before, doesn't detract from Benn's previous acheivements.

Having seen him at the end of both Collins fights, no one was more pissed off than him I can tell you.

If your body won't do what your head wants it to do then you must get out, the risks are far too high.

Benn could never been accused of quitting. The McClellan fight would have made most people quit in the first round. He didn't he dug deep, very deep, stupidly deep maybe.

Benn took his beatings like a man, Win or lose as did Eubank I might add.

Courage is actually getting in there in the first place, remember that from the safety of a keyboard.

x2

x3 ppl dont relise thats why some boxers quit