Lennox Lewis
I’m a woman who enjoys a well aged single malt scotch (neat, in a chilled glass), a Cohiba cigar and watching a heavyweight title fight. Most sports bore me, but there’s something about the pugilistic arts that speaks to me on a primal level. It’s a sport that doesn’t run around after a ball on a grassy field. Boxing takes place in a smoke-filled, indoor arena where two well muscled, sweat soaked men beat each other senseless for the blood thirsty crowd.
It’s the heavyweight boxers that capture my attention most, but I have a lot of respect for boxers who can win in multiple weight classes like Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr., and Oscar De La Hoya.
Bernard Hopkins
Roy Jones Jr.
Oscar De La Hoya
I remember seeing Muhammad Ali fight when I was a little girl. To this day I can’t recall who his opponent was. Ali had so much charisma in the ring. His footwork and speed were unparalleled for man his size. he may have been arrogant in interviews, but I suppose it was tough not to be when you can back it up like he could.
Muhammad Ali
Over the last 20 or so years, boxing has been the only sport I look forward to watching.
In the 1990’s I rooted for Evander Holyfield, “The Real Deal” is still the only 4 time heavyweight champion to this day. I liked his style in and out of the ring. He was a boxer, not a brawler. Built on talent and not on hype. His behavior was that of a sportsman and a gentleman, even as he was pummeling his opponent.
Evander Holyfield
In this millennium, there have been some stand outs as well. I love watching the Klitschko brothers in the ring. Both Vitali and Wladimir are awesome sights to behold. Add to that, they made history by being the only brothers to hold all of the World Heavyweight Titles collectively. Also, they’re pretty easy on the eyes.
The Klitschko Brothers
My all time favourite boxer is a career athlete and, in my opinion, the most interesting to watch, Lennox Lewis. A true student of the sport, Lewis is one of only 3 boxers to retire with no unavenged defeats. Watching him in the ring was like watching a master at work. He was a chameleon in that he could alter his style in order to best beat his opponent, which made him almost impossible to defeat. Lennox Lewis came off as a real fan of boxing from the beginning of his career right up til the end in 2004. You could tell he really loved every minute of every fight.
So that’s a little bit more about me. Atheist, Feminist, Single, Childless, Drag Lover, Occasional Scotch Drinker and Cigar Smoker and Boxing fan.
I can’t help but agree to everything you’ve said. Iron Mike Tyson can be considered as an all-time great as well. It was his own fault why his career slowly declined. I watched the movie about his life and it showed all of his wrongdoings. I will never forget the time Mike faced Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis as it was the fights that proved Tyson’s lack of dedication and discipline played a big part on his way down.
I’m not much of a boxing fan, but I sure do appreciate all that eye-candy you’ve posted… YUM!
Yet another reason why I love the sport so much 😉
Seeing Holyfield and Ali in their prime brings back some cool childhood memories indeed. Even Lennox Lewis brings back some cool memories not to mention his spectacular career. Who could forget the whole news conference brawl where Tyson bit the man.
Once MMA became a real sport boxing became irrelevant in my mind.
I don’t mind seeing that corrupt sport going down the tubes, even though I did enjoy it in the late 80’s – mid 90’s.