BoxRec

Boxers like many sportspeople can be very superstitious, here are a few pre-fight rituals that I've heard about.

Former British Light-Middleweight Ensley Bingham apparently before a fight would visit his mothers grave and take a blade of grass to keep in his left fist during his fight.

Former Heavyweight contender Roland LaStarza had some strange ones. Including not brushing his teeth for several days before a fight. Not allowing anyone to kiss him on the day of the fight and in the dressing room before fight time have his father rub his back with a rusty nail!!!

Anyone heard of anymore?

Didn't Joe Louis always insist on having his left hand wrapped first?

I remember before his fights with Milton McCrory, Colin Jones didn't take a shower or shave for a few days before a fight - put him in a mean frame of mind apparently.

Not cleaning his teeth? Must have been bad news for the other guy during clinches.

Mentioned this before, but heard of a boxer laying for 30 minutes in a bath full of freezing cold water on the day of a fight.

I personally have not been compelled to carry out rituals before a fight, but I can see how such activites can help a fighter psychologically.

I know its not a superstition as such but apparently Marvin Hagler used to let his hair grow for a few days before a fight so his head was rough and stubbly. reckoned it was an "aide" to helping soften up his opponents skin when the infighting was going on!!

MightyWarrior wrote:I remember before his fights with Milton McCrory, Colin Jones didn't take a shower or shave for a few days before a fight - put him in a mean frame of mind apparently.

PETE GABATUS told me he use to do the same thing.... I use to work with him, he was pretty scary anyway :(

richter-scale wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote:I remember before his fights with Milton McCrory, Colin Jones didn't take a shower or shave for a few days before a fight - put him in a mean frame of mind apparently.

PETE GABATUS told me he use to do the same thing.... I use to work with him, he was pretty scary anyway :(

Peter Gabbitus? He was highly thought of till he got chucked in with someone good early (can't remember who it was now).
Tell us why he was scary, Dale?

You know some fighters have this ridiculous superstition that if you fight the better fight you will win....... how many points decisions have proven that isn't always the case over the years.

bennie wrote:

richter-scale wrote:

MightyWarrior wrote:I remember before his fights with Milton McCrory, Colin Jones didn't take a shower or shave for a few days before a fight - put him in a mean frame of mind apparently.

PETE GABATUS told me he use to do the same thing.... I use to work with him, he was pretty scary anyway :(

Peter Gabbitus? He was highly thought of till he got chucked in with someone good early (can't remember who it was now).
Tell us why he was scary, Dale?

BECAUSE HE WAS A SOLID 12-13 STONE, WITH EYE'S THAT MADE EAMONN MAGEE'S LOOK LIKE PUPPY'S.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Marvin Johnson didn't shower or brush his teeth during training camps before fights.

i can't remember if it was Marvin Johnson or one of the other lightheavy champs at that time, always wore the same shirt and shorts through training, never washing them. Apparently he stank by the end of a training camp.