Tag: Mike Tyson

Rocky Marciano retired at 49-0 on this date 64 years ago

Rocky Marciano announced his retirement on this date in 1956. One of the most remarkable aspects of his career is that he never returned.

Rocky Marciano announced his retirement on this date 64 years ago. One of the most remarkable aspects of his remarkable career is that he never returned.

Marciano was heavyweight champion and only 32 when he walked away from the sport at the height of his earning power. Why did he do it? He said he wanted to spend more time with his family but then traveled extensively. Maybe it was his ire over the percentage of his purses claimed by manager Al Weill. Or maybe he simply wanted to preserve what he had built.

“I thought it was a mistake when Joe Louis tried a comeback,” Marciano said. “No man can say what he will do in the future. But, barring poverty, the ring has seen the last of me,” Marciano said, according to The New York Times.

“I am comfortably fixed, and I am not afraid of the future. Barring a complete and dire emergency, you will never see Rocky Marciano make a comeback.”

So what legacy did Marciano preserve? Depends who you talk to.

He’ll forever been known for his final record, 49-0 (43 KOs). No other heavyweight – and few fighters in any division – have retired with a perfect ledger.

He also is remembered for his unusual punching power for a man his size, 5-foot-10½ and around 185 to 190 pounds. His percentage of victories that came by knockout is almost exactly the same as that of legendary puncher Mike Tyson.

And those who followed him closely marveled at his work ethic and resulting stamina and durability. Rocky was a rock.

At the same time, he has critics. They cite his relatively crude skill set even though he was able to overcome every challenge. They point out close calls – a controversial decision over Roland LaStarza comes to mind – even though all great fighters have benefited from questionable decisions.

And, of course, they say his opposition was so-so at best even though foes Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Archie Moore (his final opponent) were still formidable when he fought them and all are Hall of Famers.

Was Marciano the greatest heavyweight of all time? No. That distinction usually goes to Muhammad Ali or Joe Louis. Was he a special heavyweight who deserves our respect? Absolutely.

“His streak doesn’t make him a greater fighter,” TV analyst Larry Merchant told ESPN, “but a larger figure.”

A figure that still looms over the heavyweight division.

Mike Tyson making a comeback at 53? Well, sort of

Mike Tyson, on a health kick of late, said he wants to take part in exhibitions to benefit charities.

Mike Tyson is on a health kick. And it could lead him back into the ring.

No, Iron Mike isn’t making a comeback at 53 years old. He is considering some exhibitions for charity, however.

“I’ve been hitting the mitts for the last week,” Tyson said on Instagram Live. “That’s been tough. My body is really jacked up and really sore from hitting the mitts. I’ve been working out, I’ve been trying to get in the ring.

“I think I’m going to box some exhibitions and get in shape. I want to go to the gym and get in shape to be able to box three- or four-round exhibitions for some charities and stuff.

“Some charity exhibitions, make some money, help some homeless and drug-affected motherf—–s like me.”

A video of Tyson shadow boxing with his dog makes it clear that he remains spry.

Tyson said he’s feeling good.

“I do two hours on cardio,” he continued. “I do the bike and the treadmill for an hour, then I do some light weights, 300, 250 reps. Then I start my day with the boxing thing. I go in there and hit the mitts, 30 minutes, 25 minutes, start getting in better condition.”

“… I’m starting to put those combinations together. I’m in pain. I feel like three guys kicked the s— out of me.’

Classic fight replays — led by Ali-Frazier trilogy — do strong ratings on ESPN

ESPN’s replay of the “Thrilla in Manila” was the sixth-most-watched sports-related show of the past week.

Fans are watching boxing even when there’s no boxing.

ESPN’s replay of the third fight between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975 – The “Thrilla in Manila” – was the sixth-most-watched sports-related show of the past week, according to ShowBuzzDaily. An average of 699,000 people watched the fight, Forbes reported.

As Forbes pointed out, that figure is higher than the 683,000 who viewed the Wednesday episode of the new professional wrestling outfit AEW Dynamite.

Classic boxing shows made up eight of the 20 most-watched sports programs this past week. That also included Ali-Frazier I, Mike Tyson-Michael Spinks and Oscar De La Hoya-Julio Cesar Chavez.

An ESPN boxing analyst Tweeted: “Amazing numbers on ESPN Linear. … Boxing Library works amazing! Perhaps better than any other Sport.”

ESPN devoted 11 hours to boxing on Saturday, including the first time the first Ali-Frazier has been televised since 1991. That fight had an average audience of 641,000. The second Ali-Frazier fight averaged 607,000.

The only live card on ESPN this year — headlined by Eleider Alvarez vs. Michael Seals — averaged 704.000 viewers.

Live sports have been sidelined as a result of the corona virus pandemic.

Former referee Eddie Cotton dies at 72 from coronavirus

Retired referee Eddie Cotton was hospitalized for more than a week before succumbing to complications related to the coronavirus Friday.

Retired referee and judge Eddie Cotton, who worked many world championship fights, died Friday from the coronavirus, according to multiple reports. He was 72.

Cotton was hospitalized for more than a week before succumbing to complications related to the virus.

The Paterson, New Jersey native reportedly began working as a professional boxing official in 1992 while serving as a member of the Paterson  City Council. He worked dozens of title fights between then and his retirement in 2014, including the 2002 heavyweight title fight between Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson in Memphis, Tennessee.

“Paterson has lost a legend,” Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh told the Paterson Times on Friday. “Ed Cotton was an accomplished boxing referee, a respected community leader and a cherished friend.”

Cotton also was a member of the International Boxing Federation Board of Directors. The IBF was one of the outlets that announced his death.

“I gave him his license as a professional referee,” Larry Hazzard, the commissioner of the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board since 1985 who also has worked with the IBF, told ESPN. “I was his mentor. I thought he was one of the greatest referees who ever did it.”

Hazzard appointed Cotton to referee the Lewis-Tyson fight.

“I specifically selected Eddie to be the referee in that fight because I knew this was the type of fight you needed a referee like Eddie Cotton to officiate, and he did an excellent job,” Hazzard said. “He was a very friendly guy, very outgoing, very honest, greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word. It’s a great loss to humanity.”

Cotton also was the referee who disqualified Andrew Golota for repeated low blows in his second fight with Riddick Bowe in 1996.

Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier I to air on U.S. TV (ESPN) for first time since 1991

For the first time since 1991, the first of three fights between Muhammad Ali and arch rival Joe Frazier will appear on U.S. television.

ESPN has planned a special treat for boxing fans.

For the first time since August 1991, the first of three fights between Muhammad Ali and arch rival Joe Frazier will appear on U.S. television. The fight, labeled “The Fight of the Century,” has never aired on an ESPN platform.

The telecast highlights 11 consecutive hours of classic fights beginning at noon ET this Saturday (April 18). All three Ali-Frazier fights will be showcased, as well as Ali’s classic encounter with George Foreman.

These fights also will be available on ESPN+ beginning Saturday.

Here is the full lineup for Saturday (all times ET):

Noon — Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman
1 p.m. — Evander Holyfield vs. George Foreman
2 p.m. – Oscar De La Hoya vs. Julio Cesar Chavez I
3 p.m. — Oscar De La Hoya vs. Felix Trinidad
4 p.m. — Marvin Hagler vs. Thomas Hearns
4:30 p.m. — Mike Tyson vs. Trevor Berbick
5 p.m. – Mike Tyson vs. Larry Holmes
5:30 p.m. — Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks
6 p.m. — Sonny Liston vs. Cassius Clay I
7 p.m. — Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I
9 p.m. — Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier II
10 p.m. — Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier III

Mike Tyson: Deontay Wilder must put ego aside to succeed

Mike Tyson said that Deontay Wilder can beat Tyson Fury in a third fight only if he acknowledges his own culpability in their second fight.

Deontay Wilder will give himself a chance of beating Tyson Fury in a third fight only if he acknowledges his own culpability in their second fight and builds from there.

That’s the take of Mike Tyson, who acknowledged in an interview with Yahoo! Sports that he played the blame game after his own setbacks and didn’t take personal responsibility.

Wilder was criticized after he blamed his seventh-round knockout loss against Fury this past February at least in part of a heavy ring-walk costume, which the former heavyweight champ said weakened his legs.

“Wilder’s stuff’s a lot of [the same] energy that I once had,” Tyson said. “We have to be able to accept our mistakes, stand up and say, ‘Hey, I messed up, the best man won.’ We can’t be consumed with our egos. Nobody was more consumed with their ego than me.

“We always look for excuses when we lose and say, ‘Well I couldn’t lose, there must’ve been a mistake, somebody had to cheat me.’ So we have to look at the perspective that a loss is a form of education.”

Wilder has exercised a clause in his rematch contract with Fury that allows for a third fight, although it’s not clear when that fight might take place given the uncertainties of the coronavirus pandemic.

Yahoo! Sports asked Tyson whether Wilder can beat Fury.

“I don’t know anything about beating Fury in the third fight,” he said. “In order for him to do that, he’s gonna have to beat himself in life. He’s his biggest opponent at this moment in life. He is not gonna stand a chance with Fury if he doesn’t beat himself.”

Tiny but mighty: Shortest heavyweight champions ever

Boxing Junkie presents in the special feature the shortest heavyweight champions of all time.

Boxing Junkie recently presented a list of the tallest heavyweight champions of all time, with the 7-foot skyscraper Nikolai Valuev at the top of the angular heap.

Now it’s the little guys’ turn. In this special feature, we give you the shortest men to hold one world heavyweight title or another since John L. Sullivan opened the modern era when he was recognized as champion in the mid-1880s.

Only eight men under 6 feet have won the sport’s greatest prize in 135 years and no one has done it since the 5-11 Roy Jones Jr. beat John Ruiz in 2003.

Note: The heights used for this feature come from BoxRec.com, the official record keeper for professional boxing.

Here is the list (by height, or lack thereof).

 

NO. 1 TOMMY BURNS

Height: 5-7
Active: 1902-20
Record: 47-4-8 (35 KOs)
Reign(s): 1906-08
Background: What Burns lacked in height he made up for with quickness and pluck. The French-Canadian, whose real name was Noah Brusso, defeated bigger men by moving inside to inflict damage and then getting out quickly to avoid it. That’s how he beat the sub-6-foot, but heavier Marvin Hart to win the heavyweight title by decision in 1906 in Los Angeles. Burns made several defenses and then took his championship belt on a successful world tour, finishing his title run with eight consecutive knockouts. Disaster loomed, though. Following him on much of that tour was Jack Johnson, whose goal was to lure Burns into the ring. Johnson finally convinced Burns to fight him on Dec. 26, 1908 in Sydney. A $30,000 payday for Burns, the most ever earned by a boxer to that point, made it impossible to say no. Police halted Johnson’s slaughter of Burns, who officially lost a decision. He still has the distinction of being the shortest heavyweight champion.

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Video: Mannix, Mora on who would win Muhammad Ali-Mike Tyson fight

Mike Tyson over Muhammad Ali? That was the result of a simulated heavyweight tournament conducted by the World Boxing Super Series. Tyson defeated Ali in the championship match of the competition, which raised some eyebrows worldwide. Most observers …

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Mike Tyson over Muhammad Ali?

That was the result of a simulated heavyweight tournament conducted by the World Boxing Super Series. Tyson defeated Ali in the championship match of the competition, which raised some eyebrows worldwide.

Most observers seem to believe that Ali, who defeated the likes of Sonny Liston, Joe Frazier and George Foreman during a golden era of heavyweights, could’ve handled anything Tyson threw at him and then some.

What do DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora think? They give their thoughts on the Jabs with Mannix and Mora show.

Listen to what they have to say.

 

Read more:

Video: Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora on feasibility of boxing in empty arenas

Video: Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora on whether Triple-G has declined

Video: Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora on a possible Floyd Mayweather comeback

Video: Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora on whether Tyson Fury-Deontay Wilder III is a mismatch

 

 

Tyson Fury surprised that Deontay Wilder wants a third fight

Tyson Fury said he beat up Deontay Wilder so badly in their rematch that he’s surprised Wilder wants more.

Tyson Fury was surprised that Deontay Wilder wants another go at him.

Fury beat up and then knocked out Wilder in the seventh round of their rematch on Feb. 22. Still, Wilder exercised a clause in their contract that allowed for a third fight. The two drew in 2018.

“Yeah, I was surprised because it was a one-sided fight,” Fury told talkSPORT. “He didn’t win a second of that second fight, but in this game it’s a short game and a short career, and there’s an old saying: ‘We’ve gotta make hay while the sun shines.’

“And for Deontay Wilder at the age of 34, how many big fights out there are left for him after a domination like he had? So I understand where he’s coming from. I understand that he has probably a lot of bills to pay.

“I don’t know the man’s personal circumstances, but from what I’ve seen of these American fighters and sportsmen, they always live a rock star’s lifestyle, even though they’re not rock stars.

“They go through a lot of money quite quickly. Just look at Mike Tyson. He went through like a billion dollars or whatever he went through. So I’m sure that the money side of it is the tempting thing.

“I don’t think it’s too tempting to go in there and get an absolute beating like he did before, but he would be tempted by the amount of money that he would receive because they go through it quite quickly.

“I think that’s the reason he’s taking the fight, for the money.”

Fury said he expected more from Wilder in the fight.

“To be honest I was quite disappointed in the challenge that Wilder brought,” he said. “Because I did train for 12 rounds at any pace and put myself through hell and back for 10 weeks in the training camp.

“And I prepared for the best fighter on the planet, I prepared for the most vicious puncher on the earth that there’s ever been. And I was quite disappointed because it wasn’t the challenge that I expected.

“Although it was a fantastic victory for myself and it was a great fight, it just did seem that Wilder maybe wasn’t himself. Maybe all the excuses he made, some of them were true. Maybe his legs were sore from the costume, maybe he did have the flu, maybe he did have a broken arm or a bone in his back or whatever.

“I’m not sure because that wasn’t the Deontay Wilder that I prepared for. That wasn’t the animal I put myself through all those hours in training for.  Like I said, it would be one of my easiest fights, and it was. I believe that was one of my easiest fights apart from the early knockovers that I had.

“And on this level you don’t usually get that sort of easy victory, with heavyweight champions of the world. The guy’s been heavyweight champion of the world and made 10 title defenses, knocked out every single person.

“And to go in there with me, who’s usually a boxer, counter-puncher, master-skilled boxer, and get absolutely destroyed in a few rounds. I trained for an absolute battle royale and I didn’t get that, so hopefully there’s a couple of fighters out there that, when I do go into training camp and I do serious training, that they will be worthy of the challenge.

“I’m not in boxing to be heavyweight champion or win some belts or anything. I’m here to give the fans what they want, battle royales, and the best fights that can be made. From what I’m seeing, if that’s the best out there, then I’m not gonna get the worthy challengers that I crave.”

The tentative date for the third Fury-Wilder fight is July 18 at the MGM Grand, the same venue at which the second fight took place.

The internet had some hilarious responses to a question about fighting Mike Tyson for $2,500

That won’t even cover the funeral.

Honestly, it’s a question that shouldn’t have even been asked, but, in a sense, we’re glad that it was.

Would you be willing to get in the ring with Mike Tyson and not even get $3,00 in return?

Here are the terms: You have to box for 15 minutes (MINUTES … and no gloves?!) with the 53-year-old Mike Tyson for a payout of $2,500.

It was just a preposterous hypothetical scenario that no person in their right minds would ever consider taking. But we’re at a stoppage in the sports world right now, so a Twitter video of the former heavyweight champ air-sparring with his dog had one Twitter user wondering if there would be any takers.

This could be an all-time bad hypothetical.

Let’s just say that Twitter wasn’t exactly jumping at this (made-up) opportunity.

You’re gonna need to add a few zeros there … and gloves. And the answer is still a resounding no.

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