BoxRec

What boxers come to mind when you think of a fighter whose mere physical presence and facial features are intimidating. The type of guy you would feel uncomfortable about passing on the street.

And what about fighters who are not intimating to look at in any way whatsoever. From pretty boys like De La Hoya to "friendly" faces like Piper and Woodhall.

If a person looks hard by their facial features, how much does this say about their toughness in reality? For average people on the street, it seems that facial features as opposed to physical condition seem to determine whether somebody is hard or not. Why is it that the the overweight tattooed skinhead with the harsh facial features seem more of a danger and threat and deemed to be somebody not to be messed with as opposed to a floppy haired pretty boy in top athletic condition?

Is this a natural thing, or fuelled mainly by prejudice? What about the boxers on here, when you look at a fighter, does it make a difference whether an opponent looks hard or not? Is it something in the eyes, or is the physical condition itself the most imposing thing that makes you second guess yourself?

All comments welcome!

There is a rule about this in South Yorkshire.
They might look rough with their twisted features etc but its the bloke that imposed the damage you need to look out for.
As for boxers I dont think any of them are intimidated by appearance.
However I have seen fights won by psychological means in the lead up to a fight.
Naz was a master at it.

Michael Gomez!

eamon magee would petrify me

Tony Bellew attemps it now but the higher the level the more embarrassin it looks for him as these guys dont fall for that.

Eamon Magee is a good shout , ive been in his company and he was good guy with fellow boxers but could see the possiblity of a run in

last time i went to york hall the scariest lookin guy there was mark potter.

I'd imagine Kenny Anderson is intimidating in person.

Norbert Ekassi was an intimidating figure as was Mark Prince, Mark Kaylor liked to intimidate before a bout, John Mugabi was a scary man and Azumah Nelson was too.

Bomber Graham, Colin McMillan Billy Schwer and Jon Jo Irwin never seemed that scary though they were excellent fighters; Richie Woodhall didn't seem all that scary either.

J-C wrote:I'd imagine Kenny Anderson is intimidating in person.

Has he retired?

Nicky Piper

I always thought Iran Barkley was seriously scary until Benn destroyed him.

Shaun the Guvner was quite intimidating along with Benn. I think you generally find those who were different in some way were intimidating, hair cuts etc. Mike Tyson was obviously intimidating in his early prime as take a look on the faces of his opponents.

Froch's Handwraps wrote:I always thought Iran Barclay was seriously scary until Benn destroyed him.

+1

slapbangwhallop wrote:Nicky Piper

Beat me to it!

For the non-intimidating part.

Not intimidating: De La Hoya
Intimidating: Benn

I'd say that Walsh brothers try the 3 of them in the ring staring at the opponent to try intimidate haha. I'd say mayweather intimidates everyone he fights. May not be in an angry way but the fights won before they are in the ring usually :)

Dead Mouse wrote:

J-C wrote:I'd imagine Kenny Anderson is intimidating in person.

He's alright when you meet him in person. Dry wit and he knows he has a rep and uses it to crack a few jokes. Gomez and Magee are also pretty approachable. Magee growled at me when I mentioned the Hatton fight, but he was cool and really chatty. Most fighters fall into the same category, they're friendly enough.

I think he is sick of talking about it to be honest. Should have won that fight and genuinely could have if only he’d lived the life.

Shudda, whudda, cudda!

Sonny Liston, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Ron Lyle, Roy Williams, Michael Dokes, Mike Tyson, Razor Ruddock, Oliver McCall, Andrew Golota - some pretty scary heavies in their time.

Scott Harrison was intimidating fighter

loaded_gloves wrote:Sonny Liston, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Ron Lyle, Roy Williams, Michael Dokes, Mike Tyson, Razor Ruddock, Oliver McCall, Andrew Golota - some pretty scary heavies in their time.

i have to agree with your list especialy tyson , honeyghan could be both i've seen him prowling around a show when younger giving off a don't come near me vibe and i've played football in the park with him and some kids.

marvin hagler seemed like he could be intimidating

Ended up sitting next to Joey Jacobs at a regional ABA's once in about 85 - can remember thinking how thick his neck was - he was built like the proverbial brick outhouse. Scared the crap out of me at the time.

Trout looked scary as he'll in all the pre fight artwork for the Cotto bout.

In Southampton there is a fighter called Mark Atkins and he looks scary as hell, big build, shaven head, mean moody features. Very intimidating till you start speaking to him and find him one of the nicest people you'll meet.

Remember seeing a story about Kostya Tszyu from someone who was at one of his fights, during the ringwalk, they touched his glove, said he just looked at him and that it felt like he'd looked right down to the bottom of his soul, like staring death in the face.

Vitali K
MAB
Ron Lyle
Liston

Oh and Hagler. Of course.