Boxers who won't sign autographs

[AntonioMartin]

I‘m deviating here (too lazy to start another thread). Anyway, I stopped asking for autographs years ago. But I still remember the first time I asked a boxer (he was retired by then) for an autograph.

It was Jim Watt. I was a youngster at a show and he was right there. I asked him, he goes - I‘d be pleased to. Then he talked for a couple of minutes. A genuine good bloke.

I actually got him by contacting his daughter Michelle, who was a talk show star in England at the time, like an Oprah. i asked if she could sign a photo for me and also if it wasnt too much to ask to see if she ciould ask her dad to sign one for me too.

She came through BIG TIME! Two weeks later I received autographs by both. which is why i am so heart broken about what happened to her later on. Depression is a big issue which is sometimes unfortunately ignored by those around the sufferer and even by the sufferer him/herself. if you have depression, get help!

Michelle suffered from severe migraine after a supposedly routine lumbar puncture (often referred to as spinal tap) and she couldn't live with the pain.

My God...I am brokenhearted about that. Such a great human being, suffering like that and then gone like that. My heart goes out to the Watts and to her soul.

[Caractacus]

Anyone here ever meet a boxer and was refused an autograph request ?

Not me, I haven't, in person. Through the mail, several: Arturo Gatti 4 times, Terry Norris, Meldrick Taylor, Michael Spinks, Mike Tyson, Wilfredo Vazquez Sr., Genaro Hernandez, Jorge Paez Sr., Yori Boy Campas, Curtis Cokes, both Donald and Bruce Curry, John Ruiz, Oscar De La Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Alexis Arguello, Macho Camacho Sr., Gaby and Orlando Canizales, James Buster Douglas, Ivan Robinson to name but a few.

maybe you would have had better luck if you had enclosed a S.A.S.E ?

[AntonioMartin]

Anyone here ever meet a boxer and was refused an autograph request ?

Not me, I haven't, in person. Through the mail, several: Arturo Gatti 4 times, Terry Norris, Meldrick Taylor, Michael Spinks, Mike Tyson, Wilfredo Vazquez Sr., Genaro Hernandez, Jorge Paez Sr., Yori Boy Campas, Curtis Cokes, both Donald and Bruce Curry, John Ruiz, Oscar De La Hoya, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr, Alexis Arguello, Macho Camacho Sr., Gaby and Orlando Canizales, James Buster Douglas, Ivan Robinson to name but a few.

maybe you would have had better luck if you had enclosed a S.A.S.E ?

I always did...the Chavez Sr. case could have been because he lived in Mexico though (so US stamps were not good there)

[gilgamesh]

I met a few boxers, but because I was in Press Row when I met them I took the "Act like you been here before" approach and didn't ask them for such things. I did ask Lamon for a picture which he granted, but I didn't ask for any autographs.

Don't think I even would ask for any.

[Nile4000]

Bill Russell was right about autographs 'nuff said.

[gilgamesh]

Bill Russell was right about autographs 'nuff said.

Not quite 'nuff said. Tell me what he said about them, and you may well be right

[dagosd2000]

I guess this would have to qualify. When The World Boxing Hall Of Fame had their last ceremony(2011),Lennox Lewis was inducted.The event was held at the Mariott Hotel right that was right next to LA international. Lewis' plane was late arriving. Everyone was getting a bit anxious but he finally arrived with his wife a few, I guess, bodyguards.He looked very apprehensive as he walked in but everyone gave him a standing ovation. I saw a few people approach him probably to get his autograph. Maybe it was the wrong time,but his companions kept everyone away from the champ.Lewis got up to the dais to accept his award and spoke inaudibly for five or ten minutes. I was watching his wife, who also on the stage,and she was sleeping in her chair(must have been a long flight).When he got done he immediately left saying that he had a return flight to catch.Didn't even stay for the chicken dinner.I saw a few more fans go up to him with pens in hand.Again his bull necked buddies kept them at more than arms' length away.

[AntonioMartin]

I guess this would have to qualify. When The World Boxing Hall Of Fame had their last ceremony(2011),Lennox Lewis was inducted.The event was held at the Mariott Hotel right that was right next to LA international. Lewis' plane was late arriving. Everyone was getting a bit anxious but he finally arrived with his wife a few, I guess, bodyguards.He looked very apprehensive as he walked in but everyone gave him a standing ovation. I saw a few people approach him probably to get his autograph. Maybe it was the wrong time,but his companions kept everyone away from the champ.Lewis got up to the dais to accept his award and spoke inaudibly for five or ten minutes. I was watching his wife, who also on the stage,and she was sleeping in her chair(must have been a long flight).When he got done he immediately left saying that he had a return flight to catch.Didn't even stay for the chicken dinner.I saw a few more fans go up to him with pens in hand.Again his bull necked buddies kept them at more than arms' length away.

Hmnn he signed for my dad..but then again my dad was the only one there...

That day i was going with dad but my girlfriend and I wanted to hang out that afternoon so...

[nickcat0]

Bill Russell was right about autographs 'nuff said.

Not quite 'nuff said. Tell me what he said about them, and you may well be right

He said (something like) he didn't sign autographs, but would sit down and have a cup of coffee with them instead. Let's face it what would you rather have, a piece of paper with a scribble on, or a proper connection and conversation with your idol? I suspect anyone who would choose the former, was only going to sell it on ebay anyway.

[Nile4000]

Bill Russell was right about autographs 'nuff said.

Not quite 'nuff said. Tell me what he said about them, and you may well be right

What nickcat0 said. He felt the process was very impersonal. Very principled and proud brother, though I think he has changed his tune some.

[nobleart1978]

Met Evander at a book signing in 08.
Had a lot of bodyguards around him.
The autograph was printed on separate paper inside the book.

I mentioned his early fights and he suddenly came to life. We could have had a proper convo but one of his entourage guided me away cos there was quite a que.

Evander looked lost to be honest. Seemed to be controlled by his pr manager.