BoxRec

After Peter Manfredo, Jr failed in his title bid against Joe Calzaghe, Larry Merchant was quick to say that this fight was a mere example of 'television made fighters' going up against 'real fighters', giving old Chuck Davey some 5 minutes reflection on how he failed against Kid Gavilan back in the 1950's.

This made me think of doing a thread on 'television' fighters. With Manfredo's mediocre performance against Calzaghe, it makes me, as well as others, wonder how will 'Contender' champion Sergio Mora do against Middleweight king Jermain Taylor. Would he fair a little bit better than what Manfredo did, or would it be a mirror of the Manfredo circus act?

John Duddy in recent memory, has become a sort of television marvel, being on Friday Nights Saint Patrick's Day special back before Kevin McBride fought Tyson, and now had his own little PPV special, the day before Saint Patrick's Day.

Joe Mesi also comes to mind, having been on Friday Night Fights against the likes of Jorge Gonzales and others. Peter McNeeley 'graced' the small screen quite a few times before facing Mike Tyson; must also note that McNeeley was originally cast to play 'Tummy Gunn' in Rocky V, so goes to show that the Boston-based boxer had some pull in the entertainment field as well.

Tommy Morrison comes up, his early fights against 4 round, 6 round and 8 round 'boxers' and blowing them away were always on network television, but was moved too soon against the likes of Ray Mercer.

well Steve Forbes might be added to the list because although he was once a 130 lb champ he fell from grace a little after moving up in weight and losing but The Contender helped put him back in the mix and he should've gotten the decision vs. Hopkins, the punchstats alone and even the looks on their faces afterward shows who truly won that night.

Might add Butterbean to a lesser extent, seeing as he has never really taken that next step up, just sticking to the four round circuit, but has always been a television favorite of sorts.

..chico vejar was a tv made star...and..oddly...lost that status when he was defeated by our friend chuck davey.

tommy collins was another.....until he was battered around by jimmy carter in a carter title defense.

Arturo Gatti
Tommy Morrison
Donny Lalonde

Decagon wrote:Matthew Saad Muhammad. He was a damn good light heavyweight, but the International Boxing Hall of Fame?!?!?!

Dec, I see here that you rate Saad in your top 25 ATG at light-heavy - so you don't consider that high enough for HOF status?

HomicideHenry wrote:Might add Butterbean to a lesser extent, seeing as he has never really taken that next step up, just sticking to the four round circuit, but has always been a television favorite of sorts.

How dare you besmirch The Bean? I'll have you know the Beanific One was victorious just this weekend in an MMA rules bout.



Following the Bean Bounce, Mr. Esch defeated his opponent with his new submission hold, the Bean Bender.

Decagon wrote:Matthew Saad Muhammad. He was a damn good light heavyweight, but the International Boxing Hall of Fame?!?!?!

Well if Ken Norton and Barry McGuigan made it then why not?

Flump wrote:

Decagon wrote:Matthew Saad Muhammad. He was a damn good light heavyweight, but the International Boxing Hall of Fame?!?!?!

Well if Ken Norton and Barry McGuigan made it then why not?

Drunken Bert Sugar voted himself (and some of his drinking buddies) into the "Hall of Fame" in the "writers" section.

At the same time all the great sports and boxing writers are omitted, including Grantland Rice, Hype Igoe, Tad, Bob Edgren, W O McGeehan,
etc etc etc

Charlie 'White Lightning' Brown - was given gift decisions over Frank Newton and Louie Burke with NBC hyping him heavily and working him into a title shot. Harry Arroyo exposed him and Harold Brazier closed the book on his made for TV career.

Scartissue