LeRoy Neiman the artist shares his boxing stories Ali Liston etc

[montrealsuper]

Some fresh new insights from the famous great artist LeRoy Neiman about boxing and his up close experiences with boxing champions...

http://spam.com/2017/06/06/lero ... -all-told/

“Beau Jack the great ex-welterweight champion started out as a shoeshine boy in Georgia. He got some backers, became a lightweight champion, and fought all over the world – in Paris, in Hong Kong. Now he was back to shining shoes in the basement men’s room of the Hotel Fontainbleau. I had to stop by and pay my respects. I found Beau Jack sitting on a stool, just like a fighter between rounds. After I introduced myself, he went on to tell me how he’d started out as a shoeshine in Georgia before he became a fighter and then a world champion. “I went through millions,” he boasted nostalgically, “and saw the world. But you know, it ain’t that bad to wind up full circle, right back where you started. Now I’m shining the shoes of the Voice himself, Mr. Frank Sinatra. I got my memories and I got my fans like you, who stop by and say hello.”
“Joe Louis was something else. If you had a woman with you, he’d make a pass, like all those old movie stars did. The Brown Bomber – that’s what they called him.”

[Kalan]

Some fresh new insights from the famous great artist LeRoy Neiman about boxing and his up close experiences with boxing champions...

http://spam.com/2017/06/06/lero ... -all-told/

“Beau Jack the great ex-welterweight champion started out as a shoeshine boy in Georgia. He got some backers, became a lightweight champion, and fought all over the world – in Paris, in Hong Kong. Now he was back to shining shoes in the basement men’s room of the Hotel Fontainbleau. I had to stop by and pay my respects. I found Beau Jack sitting on a stool, just like a fighter between rounds. After I introduced myself, he went on to tell me how he’d started out as a shoeshine in Georgia before he became a fighter and then a world champion. “I went through millions,” he boasted nostalgically, “and saw the world. But you know, it ain’t that bad to wind up full circle, right back where you started. Now I’m shining the shoes of the Voice himself, Mr. Frank Sinatra. I got my memories and I got my fans like you, who stop by and say hello.”
“Joe Louis was something else. If you had a woman with you, he’d make a pass, like all those old movie stars did. The Brown Bomber – that’s what they called him.”

Neiman was a good artist.. not such a good story teller.. But it was true that Louis would make a pass at just about any woman out there.. It's amazing he didn't have 20 kids out of wedlock like Holyfield...maybe he was a freak. But Louis behaved with such deference and respect around white men that he was very well liked and respected himself. He never celebrated his victories. He never swaggered, boasted, or contradicted people. He was so humble it was unreal.

The story about Liston is true.. Liston liked to dress nice and wanted to be respected like a gentleman.. He admired men like Clark Gable and President Kennedy and the way they presented themselves.. He tried to be gentle, kind, and articulate, but it didn't work because of his appearance. He couldn't relax his face because he looked so naturally fearsome he appeared to be scowling. His innate nature was that of an antagonist and ruffian.. That's why the order "Get rid of the cigar" and you better comply.. Liston would tell off a cop, or maybe just grab him bodily and ram him head first into a garbage can like he did once.. People who scare the ass off other people frequently find themselves in circumstances where they're supervised 24/7.. Jack Johnson was widely disliked, for being black and outspoken, but he was able to navigate society through personality and conversation.. He was able to win people over.. Even he wound up doing a stretch in prison for doing what any white person could do without reprisal.

[APerno]

Some fresh new insights from the famous great artist LeRoy Neiman about boxing and his up close experiences with boxing champions...

http://spam.com/2017/06/06/lero ... -all-told/

“Beau Jack the great ex-welterweight champion started out as a shoeshine boy in Georgia. He got some backers, became a lightweight champion, and fought all over the world – in Paris, in Hong Kong. Now he was back to shining shoes in the basement men’s room of the Hotel Fontainbleau. I had to stop by and pay my respects. I found Beau Jack sitting on a stool, just like a fighter between rounds. After I introduced myself, he went on to tell me how he’d started out as a shoeshine in Georgia before he became a fighter and then a world champion. “I went through millions,” he boasted nostalgically, “and saw the world. But you know, it ain’t that bad to wind up full circle, right back where you started. Now I’m shining the shoes of the Voice himself, Mr. Frank Sinatra. I got my memories and I got my fans like you, who stop by and say hello.”
“Joe Louis was something else. If you had a woman with you, he’d make a pass, like all those old movie stars did. The Brown Bomber – that’s what they called him.”

Good article - the 'Beau Jacks' always make me want federal regulation - forced pensions; long-term healthcare; ETC, all promoter paid - remember the failed McCain effort, that dealt primarily with manger-promoter-trainer relationships and obligatory contracts, but nothing about protecting retired fighters.

[Kalan]

I don't think pension benefits and healthcare will work... There's not enough money in the sport and most boxers aren't active enough.

An emergency fund might be created for surgeries and care for boxers who suffer catastrophic injuries and health care issues... There's not too many of those.

[APerno]

I don't think pension benefits and healthcare will work... There's not enough money in the sport and most boxers aren't active enough.

An emergency fund might be created for surgeries and care for boxers who suffer catastrophic injuries and health care issues... There's not too many of those.

I agree it would be difficult, if not impossible to create/maintain - but I don't believe the money isn't there; I believe the money is there; it has to come as a tax on venues (Casinos) and promoters, (and even sanctioning bodies, [why not, fornicate them]) - a progressive tax based on revenue garnered. The big events would have to pay for the small ones (which need not be taxed for fear of diminishment) - I would also include a minimum wage (again, particularly with big fights) with under-card fighters getting a bigger share of the available revue . . .

and definitely 'catastrophic injury' insurance, paid for by the casinos and promoters.

[Sidney Carton]

LeRoy Neiman was a mediocre 'artist.'

He is even worse as storyteller.