Last man to beat Mayweather

[JC]

Interesting piece on Serafim Todorov, the guy who knocked Floyd out of the '96 Olympics.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/04/sport ... share&_r=1

[stujones]

It was a very dodgy decision that I think the USA team tried to overturn. For the record I remember Floyd well in the Olympics - thought he lost to the Cuban in the Quarter Finals (and I didn't think much of him) but definately thought he won the semi final.

[Sklar]

I'm not sure, Stu. Watch the Aragon fight again if you get a chance. There's maybe a glimmer of case that a couple of shots in the last 20 seconds or so could have scored for the Cuban to just let him edge it but I don't think there was anything fishy and thought overall the judges hit the buttons at about the right times.

[ajwesty13]

Crikey how different did those turn out

[Crease]

It's a sad story. Wouldn't it be great if Mayweather fought him later this year? It's not going to happen obviously, but I wonder how much the concept of "the last guy to beat Mayweather" would carry?

Surely a good crowd of those starry-eyed Mayweather fans would buy that that? And plus make Todorov a load of money to get out of Bulgaria and live somewhere in more comfort.

It's not going to happen, but I'd love to see that. It would be like a real life Rocky film.

[handsofstone]

That's a pretty sad tale but sounds like he was a terrific boxer

[reggaereggae]

It all sounds a little dubious. Maybe based on truth, but one sided. Like the bitter rankings of a talented but alcoholic ex fighter who probably took the wrong path.

Can't believe he's only 45. He looks 60 in that photo

[Bleak]

Wasn't he a 3 time world AM champion

[black panther]

Nice article and a sad story but it's all too a common a tale in boxing. A gifted fighter wastes his potential on women, drink and/or drugs and poor decision making.

The biggest shame is he is still bitter and full of regret. It's important to learn lessons from the past but also to let go of regrets and keep move forwarding. In 2011 after drifting in and out of amateur boxing gyms for years, I decided to give it one last go and took it seriously, got my weight down and got myself a fight lined up. A month before the fight, I played an Indian game called "Kabaddi" for the first time in a charity sports event. Within the first five minutes, I was picked up and slammed on my left shoulder. It's never been the same since and gives out after a couple of rounds on the bag. I was absolutely gutted and furious at myself for not taking boxing more seriously when I had the opportunity and full health. But now no regrets, every experience was a lesson and I've set myself new goals in life.

In any case despite really enjoying boxing, in reality I was still pretty shite and wouldn't have made it very far anyway!

[reggaereggae]

Nice article and a sad story but it's all too a common a tale in boxing. A gifted fighter wastes his potential on women, drink and/or drugs and poor decision making.

The biggest shame is he is still bitter and full of regret. It's important to learn lessons from the past but also to let go of regrets and keep move forwarding. In 2011 after drifting in and out of amateur boxing gyms for years, I decided to give it one last go and took it seriously, got my weight down and got myself a fight lined up. A month before the fight, I played an Indian game called "Kabaddi" for the first time in a charity sports event. Within the first five minutes, I was picked up and slammed on my left shoulder. It's never been the same since and gives out after a couple of rounds on the bag. I was absolutely gutted and furious at myself for not taking boxing more seriously when I had the opportunity and full health. But now no regrets, every experience was a lesson and I've set myself new goals in life.

In any case despite really enjoying boxing, in reality I was still pretty shite and wouldn't have made it very far anyway!

Good post. Kabbadi is that indian game where you have to keep on saying 'Kabbadi' and not take a breath?

I remember watching it in 1990 or 89 on channel 4.

Ps being able to say you played a competitive game of Kabaddi is a pretty awesome accomplishment; I've never met anyone who can say that :-)

[Crazyboy]

Nice article and a sad story but it's all too a common a tale in boxing. A gifted fighter wastes his potential on women, drink and/or drugs and poor decision making.

The biggest shame is he is still bitter and full of regret. It's important to learn lessons from the past but also to let go of regrets and keep move forwarding. In 2011 after drifting in and out of amateur boxing gyms for years, I decided to give it one last go and took it seriously, got my weight down and got myself a fight lined up. A month before the fight, I played an Indian game called "Kabaddi" for the first time in a charity sports event. Within the first five minutes, I was picked up and slammed on my left shoulder. It's never been the same since and gives out after a couple of rounds on the bag. I was absolutely gutted and furious at myself for not taking boxing more seriously when I had the opportunity and full health. But now no regrets, every experience was a lesson and I've set myself new goals in life.

In any case despite really enjoying boxing, in reality I was still pretty shite and wouldn't have made it very far anyway!

Good post. Kabbadi is that indian game where you have to keep on saying 'Kabbadi' and not take a breath?

I remember watching it in 1990 or 89 on channel 4.

Ps being able to say you played a competitive game of Kabaddi is a pretty awesome accomplishment; I've never met anyone who can say that :-)

Yes I remember it as well!! trans world sports or something like that used to show it on channel 4!!

mad old game...can't rememember it being as physical as that mind.... like a game of tag more than anything.

back on topic though, yes....never ever live life with regret....its harmful and painful to do that, move forward and do what you can now, not what you could have done

[black panther]

Nice article and a sad story but it's all too a common a tale in boxing. A gifted fighter wastes his potential on women, drink and/or drugs and poor decision making.

The biggest shame is he is still bitter and full of regret. It's important to learn lessons from the past but also to let go of regrets and keep move forwarding. In 2011 after drifting in and out of amateur boxing gyms for years, I decided to give it one last go and took it seriously, got my weight down and got myself a fight lined up. A month before the fight, I played an Indian game called "Kabaddi" for the first time in a charity sports event. Within the first five minutes, I was picked up and slammed on my left shoulder. It's never been the same since and gives out after a couple of rounds on the bag. I was absolutely gutted and furious at myself for not taking boxing more seriously when I had the opportunity and full health. But now no regrets, every experience was a lesson and I've set myself new goals in life.

In any case despite really enjoying boxing, in reality I was still pretty shite and wouldn't have made it very far anyway!

Good post. Kabbadi is that indian game where you have to keep on saying 'Kabbadi' and not take a breath?

I remember watching it in 1990 or 89 on channel 4.

Ps being able to say you played a competitive game of Kabaddi is a pretty awesome accomplishment; I've never met anyone who can say that :-)

Haha cheers fella! Yes the one and the same game. I was told it isn't meant to be so physical by one of the officials but some hotheaded lads take it too far. In the past, people have been taken out on stretchers with broken arms and legs so I guess in some ways I was lucky. There were some really good players there too; some are members of the England Kabbadi squad where as I was a complete novice.