HBO broadcast of Hagler v Sibson.

[bigzab]

Any brits seen this broadcast?

Reg Gutteridge, who i have always held in high regard, i think, made one of the poorest journalistic presentations i have ever seen, and in doing so left himself wide open to a patronising retort by a smirking Larry Merchant.

To cut it short, Reg did a 5 minute piece profiling Sibson and winding up with a proud reference to Englands tradition of producing boxers with considerable courage, all this to a cheesy backround music that would not have been out of place in a 16th century English disco. Not too much wrong with that, in itself......

.......but then on comes Mr Merchant for the final word, ridicules Reg's reference to Sibson's lineage to Richard the Lionheart, some kind of reference to Redcoats, then these nuggets:

'for all their bravery, an English boxers chin may as well have a redcoat hanging on it, as they hold it out to be hit'

'the problem for Sibson is the yank always wins these encounters'

'Sibson only got this far 'coz he fights like a yank'....
....all this delivered with a smirking, laughing countenance.

To be fair, there was some innocent reference in Reg's piece to the English colonisers, but this pissed me off, coz it gave Merchant a chance to look so smart (in his eyes) next to a guy whose shoes he couldn't shine.

Also, could never imagine that kind of shit being done today.

[bennie]

Hagler-Sibson was televised on the Beeb over here, with Harry Carpenter as opposed to ITV's Reg.
Sounds like Reg - along with Sibbo after the fight - got stitched up.

[THEBUTCH]

Sibson too his beating like a man. We'd be here until the next turn of the century if we picked holes in just about anything Larry Marchant says. The bloke is an out and out prick.

[TerribleTerry]

Sibson too his beating like a man. We'd be here until the next turn of the century if we picked holes in just about anything Larry Marchant says. The bloke is an out and out prick.

...and an alcoholic, as I understand it.

[KO Artist]

Any brits seen this broadcast?

Reg Gutteridge, who i have always held in high regard, i think, made one of the poorest journalistic presentations i have ever seen, and in doing so left himself wide open to a patronising retort by a smirking Larry Merchant.

To cut it short, Reg did a 5 minute piece profiling Sibson and winding up with a proud reference to Englands tradition of producing boxers with considerable courage, all this to a cheesy backround music that would not have been out of place in a 16th century English disco. Not too much wrong with that, in itself......

.......but then on comes Mr Merchant for the final word, ridicules Reg's reference to Sibson's lineage to Richard the Lionheart, some kind of reference to Redcoats, then these nuggets:

'for all their bravery, an English boxers chin may as well have a redcoat hanging on it, as they hold it out to be hit'

'the problem for Sibson is the yank always wins these encounters'

'Sibson only got this far 'coz he fights like a yank'....
....all this delivered with a smirking, laughing countenance.

To be fair, there was some innocent reference in Reg's piece to the English colonisers, but this pissed me off, coz it gave Merchant a chance to look so smart (in his eyes) next to a guy whose shoes he couldn't shine.

Also, could never imagine that kind of shit being done today.

Larry Merchant is a wanker, a legend in his own mind.. He's not in Reg's league.

[MightyWarrior]

'the problem for Sibson is the yank always wins these encounters'

Sibson didn't do himself justice that night, even if he was up against one of the greats. The fact the elastic holding up his boxing shorts broke, just about summed up his night.

Got his revenge over the yanks on his next visit though: brought over as cannon fodder for their unbeaten hot shot John Collins, Tony destoyed him inside two rounds, much to the great shock the American audience and TV

[bennie]

Hagler-Sibson is actually quite topical, given the Hatton-Collazo showdown any day now - another left hooker vs another southpaw in another Massachusetts city with an English equivalent (Hagler-Sibson took place in Worcester, Massachusetts).

[silkov]

I remember in the build up to the fight Sibson did no sparring at all for the last two weeks I think... was this because he was injured?... anyone know a bit more about this as I've always wondered how Sibson may have done had his preperation been 100%...
Merchant is an arse... I don't know how he has lasted so long in the buisness as everyone seems to hate the guy, including his fellow commentators...

[bennie]

I remember in the build up to the fight Sibson did no sparring at all for the last two weeks I think... was this because he was injured?... anyone know a bit more about this as I've always wondered how Sibson may have done had his preperation been 100%...:

Yes, he was injured. He suffered an injury (nose, I seem to remember) sparring Telford southpaw Cliff Gilpin over here and didn't spar in the three weeks preceding Hagler, which baffled the Americans. He was also unable to do proper roadwork, due to terrible snow in Worcester (Hagler trained out in Cape Cod).
Understandably, Sibson was way off in the fight. It didn't help him he wore brand new boots, and ended up with blistered feet, and a patched-up protector, which broke.
But he would never have beaten Hagler in a million years. Hagler's chin was too good.

[silkov]

I remember in the build up to the fight Sibson did no sparring at all for the last two weeks I think... was this because he was injured?... anyone know a bit more about this as I've always wondered how Sibson may have done had his preperation been 100%...:

Yes, he was injured. He suffered an injury (nose, I seem to remember) sparring Telford southpaw Cliff Gilpin over here and didn't spar in the three weeks preceding Hagler, which baffled the Americans. He was also unable to do proper roadwork, due to terrible snow in Worcester (Hagler trained out in Cape Cod).
Understandably, Sibson was way off in the fight. It didn't help him he wore brand new boots, and ended up with blistered feet, and a patched-up protector, which broke.
But he would never have beaten Hagler in a million years. Hagler's chin was too good.

I agree Sibbo would never have beaten Hagler but I think he could have put up a better fight and lasted longer... he did put up a brave fight but just couldnt have been 100% sharp with no sparring in 3 weeks...

[KO Artist]

I remember in the build up to the fight Sibson did no sparring at all for the last two weeks I think... was this because he was injured?... anyone know a bit more about this as I've always wondered how Sibson may have done had his preperation been 100%...:

Yes, he was injured. He suffered an injury (nose, I seem to remember) sparring Telford southpaw Cliff Gilpin over here and didn't spar in the three weeks preceding Hagler, which baffled the Americans. He was also unable to do proper roadwork, due to terrible snow in Worcester (Hagler trained out in Cape Cod).
Understandably, Sibson was way off in the fight. It didn't help him he wore brand new boots, and ended up with blistered feet, and a patched-up protector, which broke.
But he would never have beaten Hagler in a million years. Hagler's chin was too good.

Yeah, but no shame in coming off second best against the Marvelous one, who truly is great, wasnt manufactured or padded in any way.

Sibson was my fave British fighter along with Clinton McKenzie.

Bennie, did you attend the Sibson-Davison final eliminator at the NEC?

What an afternoon that was.

[bennie]

I remember in the build up to the fight Sibson did no sparring at all for the last two weeks I think... was this because he was injured?... anyone know a bit more about this as I've always wondered how Sibson may have done had his preperation been 100%...:

Yes, he was injured. He suffered an injury (nose, I seem to remember) sparring Telford southpaw Cliff Gilpin over here and didn't spar in the three weeks preceding Hagler, which baffled the Americans. He was also unable to do proper roadwork, due to terrible snow in Worcester (Hagler trained out in Cape Cod).
Understandably, Sibson was way off in the fight. It didn't help him he wore brand new boots, and ended up with blistered feet, and a patched-up protector, which broke.
But he would never have beaten Hagler in a million years. Hagler's chin was too good.

Yeah, but no shame in coming off second best against the Marvelous one, who truly is great, wasnt manufactured or padded in any way.

Sibson was my fave British fighter along with Clinton McKenzie.

Bennie, did you attend the Sibson-Davison final eliminator at the NEC?

What an afternoon that was.

Yeah, I was there. Great fight on the card between Chris Sanigar and Adey Allen (Allen was British No. 1 at the time [contender], but Chris licked him), and also remember Gordon Ferris scoring a fine two-round stoppage of Stewart Lithgo, Gordon's best win in hindsight.
Sibbo had to work hard to beat the awkward - but tough - Davison. He worked flat out for 12 rounds but couldn't budge him. The Leicester fans got a bit rowdy after the win and it was obvious Hagler would never defend against Tony in England.

[Goz]

I remember when KO magazine used to run a feature on fantasy matchups they would say when the fighters in question were at their prime and they used to say Haglers prime night was against Sibson.

I always thought that was kind of a compliment to Sibbo.

[bigzab]

I was always curious about the tale of the busted protector, Sibson claimed in an interview I read many moons ago that the distraction of his trunks falling down lead directly to the stoppage.

Now that I have the fight to see (got a nice Hagler collection for my birthday - thanks Mom!) Damned if it aint plain as the nose on your face - Sibson is writhing and twisting to try to maintain some dignity while his trunks are obviously suddenly answering to gravity - while the greatest fighter around is mauling him.

Saw Sibson finish Minter also, in the build up to the fight, and I was impressed.
This guy is now firmly a favourite, I will be looking for more fights, particularly keen to see the fights with Hamsho and Andries.
Anyone who can help me on this PM or post, please.

[KO Artist]

I was always curious about the tale of the busted protector, Sibson claimed in an interview I read many moons ago that the distraction of his trunks falling down lead directly to the stoppage.

Now that I have the fight to see (got a nice Hagler collection for my birthday - thanks Mom!) Damned if it aint plain as the nose on your face - Sibson is writhing and twisting to try to maintain some dignity while his trunks are obviously suddenly answering to gravity - while the greatest fighter around is mauling him.

Saw Sibson finish Minter also, in the build up to the fight, and I was impressed.
This guy is now firmly a favourite, I will be looking for more fights, particularly keen to see the fights with Hamsho and Andries.
Anyone who can help me on this PM or post, please.

Get yourself a copy of Sibson v Frankie Lucas. Tony was only 21 and the underdog, but it was a real coming of age fight for him

Lot off needle in the build up but Tony gave him a frightful beating.

[THEBUTCH]

Sibbo's polished performance against Brian Anderson was one of my favourites, regaining the British title in the process.

[bennie]

Sibbo's polished performance against Brian Anderson was one of my favourites, regaining the British title in the process.

And winning a Lonsdale Belt outright in the process. Sibbo is in town on Thursday night at BarSports in Cannock, along with fellow Leicester left-hooker Chris Pyatt.