The greatest collection of heavyweight champions in one building in boxing history?
Posted: 01 Sep 2015, 23:22
On Saturday night in Hollywood, Fla., 20 former heavyweight champions will come together for “World Heavyweight Champions — Saturday Fight Night” at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Wladimir Klitschko, the current lineal heavyweight champion, and his brother and the current mayor of Kiev, Ukraine, Vitali Klitschko, will be among the greats and near greats on hand for the celebration.
They will join former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones Jr., Larry Holmes, Michael Moorer, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Hasim Rahman, Tony Tucker, Tony Tubbs, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Michael Bentt, Lamon Brewster, Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks and Bruce Seldon.
Michael Buffer, the man who made the phrase, “Let’s get ready to rumble!” famous, will host the event.
And, yes, there will be a heavyweight fight, featuring former lineal and WBO world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs against Mike Marrone in a 12-round heavyweight bout.
“I think it’s an amazing event that happens once in a lifetime,” said Klitschko following his workout at the Lucky Street Boxing Gym in Hollywood, Fla., as he prepares for his Oct. 24 title fight against Tyson Fury in Germany. “I’m not sure if an event like this has ever taken place in the history of boxing when all of the heavyweights, former heavyweight champions, come together. It’s something amazing.
“I’ve seen a picture of Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton together and it was an amazing shot — it was a great shot for history. I think this Friday and Saturday is going to be really exciting. It is going to be a time where everybody is going to get a piece of memory, and that is the reality. It is a tough event to put together, I am happy that it is taking place, where all of the heavyweights can come together, have conversations and ask questions – and get some answers.
“It shows that we are all one community – one family, actually. There are some times in history where we didn’t like each other because we were fighting in the ring, but in a way we respect and love each other. It is definitely something that is going to be an historic moment.”
http://boxingjunkie.com/2015/09/01/heav ... ght-night/?
Wladimir Klitschko, the current lineal heavyweight champion, and his brother and the current mayor of Kiev, Ukraine, Vitali Klitschko, will be among the greats and near greats on hand for the celebration.
They will join former undisputed world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones Jr., Larry Holmes, Michael Moorer, Riddick Bowe, Ray Mercer, Hasim Rahman, Tony Tucker, Tony Tubbs, James “Bonecrusher” Smith, Michael Bentt, Lamon Brewster, Chris Byrd, John Ruiz, Mike Weaver, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Leon Spinks, Michael Spinks and Bruce Seldon.
Michael Buffer, the man who made the phrase, “Let’s get ready to rumble!” famous, will host the event.
And, yes, there will be a heavyweight fight, featuring former lineal and WBO world heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs against Mike Marrone in a 12-round heavyweight bout.
“I think it’s an amazing event that happens once in a lifetime,” said Klitschko following his workout at the Lucky Street Boxing Gym in Hollywood, Fla., as he prepares for his Oct. 24 title fight against Tyson Fury in Germany. “I’m not sure if an event like this has ever taken place in the history of boxing when all of the heavyweights, former heavyweight champions, come together. It’s something amazing.
“I’ve seen a picture of Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Norton together and it was an amazing shot — it was a great shot for history. I think this Friday and Saturday is going to be really exciting. It is going to be a time where everybody is going to get a piece of memory, and that is the reality. It is a tough event to put together, I am happy that it is taking place, where all of the heavyweights can come together, have conversations and ask questions – and get some answers.
“It shows that we are all one community – one family, actually. There are some times in history where we didn’t like each other because we were fighting in the ring, but in a way we respect and love each other. It is definitely something that is going to be an historic moment.”
http://boxingjunkie.com/2015/09/01/heav ... ght-night/?
I believe Sullivan,Corbett (in Jeffries' corner),Fitzsimmons, and Burns were all there with of course Jeffries and Johnson. Not sure about Marvin Hart. I think even a young Jack Dempsey was even there in the crowd.