Best entertainers outside of the ring

[DrDuke]

Pro boxing is more, than sports, it's also business and entertainment. So things occurring out of the ring are important too, cause they directly affect fights themselves, attract attention to them. Whom do you find entertaining out of the ring? Some of the most obvious choices through the history of boxing are:

Muhammad Ali - arguably an originator of trash talk, which he had brought to boxing from pro wrestling, and probably the first person on people's minds, when there're discussions on this subject. I actually don't remember, who had behaved that way prior to the fights before him, at least that much. First of all Tony Galento with his insults towards Joe Louis comes to mind.

Mike Tyson - arguably in the top-2 list of the most popular boxers ever alongside with Ali. He also had something to say out of the ring, when it was necessary. Probably in this sense he's especially famous with his thug-like attitude prior to Lewis bout.

James Toney - a one of the biggest mouthes for sure with numerous epic quotes.

Ricardo Mayorga - apparently the most thuggish and wild example of behaviour before fights.

Floyd Mayweather - often had a cocky attitude towards his opponents. The build-up to De La Hoya and Mosley is unforgettable.

Those are ones of the most popular examples, but not the only for sure. Who can join the list?

[gilgamesh]

Sugar Ray Robinson apparently took up Tap Dancing, and stuff like that during his brief retirement in the mid 50's. Not really my cup of tea, but if it's your thing I reckon you were entertained by that.

Max Baer was always a funny, and amusing guy as I understand it.

I generally tend to enjoy the guys that are all about their business, and aren't so mouthy outside the ring, but that's me.

[Sidney Carton]

Pro boxing is more, than sports, it's also business and entertainment. So things occurring out of the ring are important too, cause they directly affect fights themselves, attract attention to them. Whom do you find entertaining out of the ring? Some of the most obvious choices through the history of boxing are:

Muhammad Ali - arguably an originator of trash talk, which he had brought to boxing from pro wrestling, and probably the first person on people's minds, when there're discussions on this subject. I actually don't remember, who had behaved that way prior to the fights before him, at least that much. First of all Tony Galento with his insults towards Joe Louis comes to mind.

Mike Tyson - arguably in the top-2 list of the most popular boxers ever alongside with Ali. He also had something to say out of the ring, when it was necessary. Probably in this sense he's especially famous with his thug-like attitude prior to Lewis bout.

James Toney - a one of the biggest mouthes for sure with numerous epic quotes.

Ricardo Mayorga - apparently the most thuggish and wild example of behaviour before fights.

Floyd Mayweather - often had a cocky attitude towards his opponents. The build-up to De La Hoya and Mosley is unforgettable.

Those are ones of the most popular examples, but not the only for sure. Who can join the list?

Knowledge of boxing's past doesn't go back very with you, does it?

[Noxy]

Sugar Ray Leonard was very charismatic. His heyday was a bit before I got into boxing but I’ve seen some interviews with him on YouTube. He’s a really personable dude.

[Caractacus]

Sugar Ray Robison probably cheoegraphed this himself Im guessing.
Joe Louis also went into show buisness in 1951 too.

[tiny_acres]

Joe Frazier had a semi-successful singing career.
Larry Holmes attempted a singing career.
Ray Mancini appeared in a few movies and tv shows.
Roy Jones Jr cut am album or 2

[Sidney Carton]

Sugar Ray Leonard was very charismatic. His heyday was a bit before I got into boxing but I’ve seen some interviews with him on YouTube. He’s a really personable dude.

When he wasn't beating his wife, hitting on the break or hitting after the bell.

[gilgamesh]

Joe Frazier had a semi-successful singing career.
Larry Holmes attempted a singing career.
Ray Mancini appeared in a few movies and tv shows.
Roy Jones Jr cut am album or 2

Roberto Duran has a few amusing appearances in Movies, I think he may have had a cameo appearance in a TV show or two as well.

The scene in Harlem Nights is pretty funny with him. Just a very small cameo, but a fun little moment for Boxing fans who recognize him. "You want me to kicky ass?"..."No, no kicky ass. Thank you Roberto" and then he just nods and walks away

[APerno]

The barbarian and I went round and round with this one a few months ago, Caractacus thought he was pretty good, I thought he was horrible.

Archie Moore in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0053571/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1a

Here' a few more for Moore; the two films were top shelf films, but I don't remeber his performances in them. I need to watch for him next time they air.

The Carpetbaggers (1964)

The Fortune Cookie (1966)

On TV

Batman (1966)

Wagon Train (1964)

Perry Mason (1963)

[Yuzo]

[Sidney Carton]

Rocky Graziano, anyone?

[APerno]

Jake LaMotta had a very small part in The Hustler. And at least according to Raging Bull spent much time annoying people doing a bad stand-up in low level bars. But you can never trust a Hollywood movie for history.

[Caractacus]

there was a entire thread of Boxers as singers here a few years ago.
Ernie Terrel,Jimmy Ellis,Jerry Quarry were all in it singing on various TV shows.

[Caractacus]

IMOP It would have been a funnier gag if they had cast Gerry Cooney for it.

[Sidney Carton]

. But you can never trust a Hollywood movie for history.

Brilliant statement.

[Sidney Carton]

How much did Loews vaudeville/theatre chain pay Jack Dempsey a week to appear on their stages just after he won the title?

[Caractacus]

How much did Loews vaudeville/theatre chain pay Jack Dempsey a week to appear on their stages just after he won the title?

I dunno how much ?
BTW here is an example of the stage act that Jack Dempsey did with Doc Kearns as his straight-man at the New York Hippdrome in 1922..

Jack Dempsey-"Doc do you ever wonder why all the girls call me Honey ?
Doc Kearns-"No I dont-why is that Jack ?"
Jack Dempsey-"It's because I get stung so often".

paa-dooomp

[APerno]

The Great John L use to perform on stage in: Honest Hearts and Wiling Hands. The play climaxed with a shirtless Sullivan sawing a log in half faster than the villain and winning the girl's heart. He played to packed houses.

[APerno]

Is there any video of Dempsey as "Dare Devil Jack"? -- They were one reelers, a forerunner to the 1930s serials like Flash Gordon and Buck Rodgers.

[Caractacus]

This dude was fairly entertaning (while his schtick lasted there in the ring anyway ).

[APerno]

. But you can never trust a Hollywood movie for history.

Brilliant statement.

You suffer from the childlike arrogance of believing in absolutes.