Boxing Quotes
Boxing Quotes
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My favorite boxing quotes; some witty, some insightful, some just plain stupid.
“Lay down so I can recognize you” – Willie Pep to some guy claiming to be one of his opponents.
“I try not to take too close an interest in my personal life.” – Mike Tyson when asked about his failed relationship with Robin Givens.
“He’s a diamond in the raw.” – Don King about Mike Tyson; yet another incoherent mixed metaphor.
“It’s better to deal with Arum, he will only rob you.” – Steve Wynn of the Mirage, on dealing with Bob Arum and Don King.
“What’s the point of being Irish if you can’t be stupid?” – Billy Conn on why he chose to trade with Joe Louis despite the fact he was leading on the score cards.
“I swear I didn’t see anything.” – Jake La Motta after being approached by a Jehovah’s Witness who tried to force on him a copy of the Watchtower, asking “Would you like to witness for Jehovah?”
“You need to understand, his business involves using your hands, and he likes to bounce around a lot.” – Hector Camacho’s lawyer trying to explain why the Macho Man assaulted two police officers while resisting arrest.
“How did you expect to hold it for six months when you couldn’t hold it for 13 rounds” – Joe Louis to Billy Conn, after Conn said to Louis: “Joe, why didn’t you let me have the title, I could have run down to the corner store and told my guys, ‘hey I’m heavyweight champion of the world’, and then you could have won it back from me six months later.”
“A bike, a purse, a car” – Rocky Graziano explaining how in his youth he stole only things that began with the letter “A”
“Honey, I forgot to duck.” – Jack Dempsey after the first Tunney fight, trying to explain his face to his wife Estelle Taylor.
“He can run, but he can’t hide.” – Joe Louis on his fight with Billy Conn, after Conn announced he wouldn’t bulk-up for the fight, but would instead use his speed to befuddle the champ.
“Boxing is like a ballet, except there’s no music, no dancing, and people hit each other” – Saturday Night Live’s ‘Deep Thoughts.’
“I can lick any son of a bitch in the house.” – The Great John L. Sullivan in just about any room he ever walked in to.
“Whoever he fights has a home planet advantage” – A sports’ writer trying to explain Livingstone Bramble.
“When I see two ladies kiss hello, I always think of two fighters touching gloves.” – H.L. Mencken
“I had the best seat in the house, and I failed to show up.” – Virgil Hill on why he lost his title to Tommy ‘Hit Man’ Hearns.
“See this one, this one is six months in the hospital – this one, sudden death” – My Uncle Tom (Tommy Johnson) half yelling at us for screwing around when we were kids. First he would show us his left fist, and then show us his right.
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My favorite boxing quotes; some witty, some insightful, some just plain stupid.
“Lay down so I can recognize you” – Willie Pep to some guy claiming to be one of his opponents.
“I try not to take too close an interest in my personal life.” – Mike Tyson when asked about his failed relationship with Robin Givens.
“He’s a diamond in the raw.” – Don King about Mike Tyson; yet another incoherent mixed metaphor.
“It’s better to deal with Arum, he will only rob you.” – Steve Wynn of the Mirage, on dealing with Bob Arum and Don King.
“What’s the point of being Irish if you can’t be stupid?” – Billy Conn on why he chose to trade with Joe Louis despite the fact he was leading on the score cards.
“I swear I didn’t see anything.” – Jake La Motta after being approached by a Jehovah’s Witness who tried to force on him a copy of the Watchtower, asking “Would you like to witness for Jehovah?”
“You need to understand, his business involves using your hands, and he likes to bounce around a lot.” – Hector Camacho’s lawyer trying to explain why the Macho Man assaulted two police officers while resisting arrest.
“How did you expect to hold it for six months when you couldn’t hold it for 13 rounds” – Joe Louis to Billy Conn, after Conn said to Louis: “Joe, why didn’t you let me have the title, I could have run down to the corner store and told my guys, ‘hey I’m heavyweight champion of the world’, and then you could have won it back from me six months later.”
“A bike, a purse, a car” – Rocky Graziano explaining how in his youth he stole only things that began with the letter “A”
“Honey, I forgot to duck.” – Jack Dempsey after the first Tunney fight, trying to explain his face to his wife Estelle Taylor.
“He can run, but he can’t hide.” – Joe Louis on his fight with Billy Conn, after Conn announced he wouldn’t bulk-up for the fight, but would instead use his speed to befuddle the champ.
“Boxing is like a ballet, except there’s no music, no dancing, and people hit each other” – Saturday Night Live’s ‘Deep Thoughts.’
“I can lick any son of a bitch in the house.” – The Great John L. Sullivan in just about any room he ever walked in to.
“Whoever he fights has a home planet advantage” – A sports’ writer trying to explain Livingstone Bramble.
“When I see two ladies kiss hello, I always think of two fighters touching gloves.” – H.L. Mencken
“I had the best seat in the house, and I failed to show up.” – Virgil Hill on why he lost his title to Tommy ‘Hit Man’ Hearns.
“See this one, this one is six months in the hospital – this one, sudden death” – My Uncle Tom (Tommy Johnson) half yelling at us for screwing around when we were kids. First he would show us his left fist, and then show us his right.
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Re: Boxing Quotes
I'm not sure if these are all word for word correct, but I can't be far off on any of 'em.
"If anybody ever hit me any harder than Earnie Shavers, I'd just shoot the son of a bitch" - Randall "Texx" Cobb on Shavers' punching power
"Hey if you guys don't shut up I'm gonna end this interview" - Larry Merchant yelling at the people in Lamon Brewster's entourage who wouldn't quit making a lot of noise while he was trying to interview Brewster following his KO of Wladimir Klitschko
"If anybody ever hit me any harder than Earnie Shavers, I'd just shoot the son of a bitch" - Randall "Texx" Cobb on Shavers' punching power
"Hey if you guys don't shut up I'm gonna end this interview" - Larry Merchant yelling at the people in Lamon Brewster's entourage who wouldn't quit making a lot of noise while he was trying to interview Brewster following his KO of Wladimir Klitschko
Re: Boxing Quotes
"If anybody ever hit me any harder than Earnie Shavers, I'd just shoot the son of a bitch" - Randall "Texx" Cobb on Shavers' punching power
Explains why he never fought George Foreman or Ron Lyle.
Explains why he never fought George Foreman or Ron Lyle.
Re: Boxing Quotes
He was able to take Shavers' best shots quite nicely -- since he was never down and knocked Shavers out... Of course he wasn't the only one.
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 18480
- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
"I guess I zigged when I should have zagged"
Jack Roper after being knocked out by Joe Louis
Jack Roper after being knocked out by Joe Louis
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 18480
- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
The Bigger they are,the Harder they Fall
(attributed to Bob Fitzsimmons)
or
The Bigger they are,the heavier they fall
(John L. Sullivan in his 1888 autobiography
(attributed to Bob Fitzsimmons)
or
The Bigger they are,the heavier they fall
(John L. Sullivan in his 1888 autobiography
Re: Boxing Quotes
"Earnie hit me so hard, it shook my kinfolk back in Africa" ...
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 18480
- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
He also said that a few years earlier about Henry Cooper.Rexob wrote:"Earnie hit me so hard, it shook my kinfolk back in Africa" ...
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Controversial
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 9152
- Joined: 13 Jul 2002, 18:29
Re: Boxing Quotes
My uncle used to say something similar to me, "this ones injury and that ones death" when talking about his left and right.APerno wrote:.
“See this one, this one is six months in the hospital – this one, sudden death” – My Uncle Tom (Tommy Johnson) half yelling at us for screwing around when we were kids. First he would show us his left fist, and then show us his right.
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ClivePatrickLyons
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 2811
- Joined: 07 Aug 2014, 22:10
Re: Boxing Quotes
I once said to Aussie boxer Jeff Malcolm remember my cousin Hank well he said he's got 7 mate's that would have beat you he looked at me for a few second's before he replied..............That's not true your cousin Hank hasn't got 7 mate's
It was a classic responce 
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Cutman Scabbers
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 2313
- Joined: 05 Jun 2008, 18:15
Re: Boxing Quotes
APerno wrote:.
My favorite boxing quotes; some witty, some insightful, some just plain stupid.
“Lay down so I can recognize you” – Willie Pep to some guy claiming to be one of his opponents.
“I try not to take too close an interest in my personal life.” – Mike Tyson when asked about his failed relationship with Robin Givens.
“He’s a diamond in the raw.” – Don King about Mike Tyson; yet another incoherent mixed metaphor.
“It’s better to deal with Arum, he will only rob you.” – Steve Wynn of the Mirage, on dealing with Bob Arum and Don King.
“What’s the point of being Irish if you can’t be stupid?” – Billy Conn on why he chose to trade with Joe Louis despite the fact he was leading on the score cards.
“I swear I didn’t see anything.” – Jake La Motta after being approached by a Jehovah’s Witness who tried to force on him a copy of the Watchtower, asking “Would you like to witness for Jehovah?”
“You need to understand, his business involves using your hands, and he likes to bounce around a lot.” – Hector Camacho’s lawyer trying to explain why the Macho Man assaulted two police officers while resisting arrest.
“How did you expect to hold it for six months when you couldn’t hold it for 13 rounds” – Joe Louis to Billy Conn, after Conn said to Louis: “Joe, why didn’t you let me have the title, I could have run down to the corner store and told my guys, ‘hey I’m heavyweight champion of the world’, and then you could have won it back from me six months later.”
“A bike, a purse, a car” – Rocky Graziano explaining how in his youth he stole only things that began with the letter “A”
“Honey, I forgot to duck.” – Jack Dempsey after the first Tunney fight, trying to explain his face to his wife Estelle Taylor.
“He can run, but he can’t hide.” – Joe Louis on his fight with Billy Conn, after Conn announced he wouldn’t bulk-up for the fight, but would instead use his speed to befuddle the champ.
“Boxing is like a ballet, except there’s no music, no dancing, and people hit each other” – Saturday Night Live’s ‘Deep Thoughts.’
“I can lick any son of a bitch in the house.” – The Great John L. Sullivan in just about any room he ever walked in to.
“Whoever he fights has a home planet advantage” – A sports’ writer trying to explain Livingstone Bramble.
“When I see two ladies kiss hello, I always think of two fighters touching gloves.” – H.L. Mencken
“I had the best seat in the house, and I failed to show up.” – Virgil Hill on why he lost his title to Tommy ‘Hit Man’ Hearns.
“See this one, this one is six months in the hospital – this one, sudden death” – My Uncle Tom (Tommy Johnson) half yelling at us for screwing around when we were kids. First he would show us his left fist, and then show us his right.
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These are great!
The first three are my favorites.
Got any more?
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ClivePatrickLyons
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 2811
- Joined: 07 Aug 2014, 22:10
Re: Boxing Quotes
Ali said if ''James Ellis dreams he beat me he better wake up and apoligise'' 
Re: Boxing Quotes
The late, great and worldly-wise Mickey Duff.....
"If you want loyalty, buy a dog."
And having been on the wrong end of Honeyghan's assessment of his personal qualities he added...
"Fortunately, there's nothing in our contract that says Lloyd and I have to like each other."
"If you want loyalty, buy a dog."
And having been on the wrong end of Honeyghan's assessment of his personal qualities he added...
"Fortunately, there's nothing in our contract that says Lloyd and I have to like each other."
Re: Boxing Quotes
Bodyshot3 wrote:The late, great and worldly-wise Mickey Duff.....
"If you want loyalty, buy a dog."
And having been on the wrong end of Honeyghan's assessment of his personal qualities he added...
"Fortunately, there's nothing in our contract that says Lloyd and I have to like each other."
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handsofstone
- Cruiserweight
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- Joined: 11 Jan 2011, 17:28
Re: Boxing Quotes
"When in doubt,jab"
That too was Mickey Duff
That too was Mickey Duff
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Ambling Alp II
- Super Middleweight
- Posts: 15097
- Joined: 04 Nov 2012, 18:31
Re: Boxing Quotes
"Yesterday I was lying. Today I am telling the truth" - Bob Arum
Re: Boxing Quotes
Duff was always good value for money, when asked about his own less than stellar time in the ring I think he said something like...."When in doubt,jab"
That too was Mickey Duff
"To be honest, I would not have hired myself."
Re: Boxing Quotes
ali was annoying joe louis one night in vegas. saying he could beat him. joe said, "i did a bum of the moth tour. you'd have been on the tour."
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
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- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
just thought I'd bump this one up again to see what's been missed so far.
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 18480
- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
newspaper Interviewer to Two Ton Tony Galento
and and how do you feel about William Shakespeare ?
Galento: Shakespeare ? I'll Moida the Bum !
and and how do you feel about William Shakespeare ?
Galento: Shakespeare ? I'll Moida the Bum !
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Les Norton
- Super Bantamweight
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- Joined: 13 Feb 2021, 18:11
Re: Boxing Quotes
“ I ain’t gonna lose to no white boy”
- Bernard Hopkins, before being decisioned by Joe Calzaghe
- Bernard Hopkins, before being decisioned by Joe Calzaghe
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writehooks
- Cruiserweight
- Posts: 181
- Joined: 17 Mar 2011, 13:12
Re: Boxing Quotes
The wit and wisdom of Randy "Tex" Cobb:
"I can do my sport no greater service." -- On being informed that commentator Howard Cosell had hung up his microphone after being so appalled at the one-sidedness of the Holmes-Cobb fight.
"You're a white guy -- can't you do something about this?" -- To the referee, after taking a particularly savage beating from Holmes in round 8.
"Boxing writers are the only people out there who have less constructive jobs than what I do. I don't do nothing but hit people, and those mothers don't do nothing but write about what I do!"
"Yeah, I've been KO'd. Once. By a Mexican bantamweight. How come? Six of my buddies were swinging him around by the heels at the time."
"I can do my sport no greater service." -- On being informed that commentator Howard Cosell had hung up his microphone after being so appalled at the one-sidedness of the Holmes-Cobb fight.
"You're a white guy -- can't you do something about this?" -- To the referee, after taking a particularly savage beating from Holmes in round 8.
"Boxing writers are the only people out there who have less constructive jobs than what I do. I don't do nothing but hit people, and those mothers don't do nothing but write about what I do!"
"Yeah, I've been KO'd. Once. By a Mexican bantamweight. How come? Six of my buddies were swinging him around by the heels at the time."
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 18480
- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
"If it wasn't for (Doc) Kearns,
I'd still be a bum"
- Jack Dempsey (1950)
I'd still be a bum"
- Jack Dempsey (1950)
Last edited by Caractacus on 15 May 2025, 18:53, edited 1 time in total.
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 18480
- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
"Hit 'em first and Hit 'em Hard"
-Jake LaMotta
(actually those were the words given to him from his father
to him when he was in grade school having to "take it up the ass'
and came back home blubbering, his father gave him an ice-pick and after that
Jake would carry it to school in a leather pouch.
-Jake LaMotta
(actually those were the words given to him from his father
to him when he was in grade school having to "take it up the ass'
and came back home blubbering, his father gave him an ice-pick and after that
Jake would carry it to school in a leather pouch.
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Caractacus
- Super Welterweight
- Posts: 18480
- Joined: 13 Jun 2014, 16:47
Re: Boxing Quotes
"Sober or Stiff, I belted the guts out of the best of them"
-Mickey Walker
-Mickey Walker