Christmas homework for i961pie.

[Romanis]

My good man, since we've been talking boxing, 1 of the many sports I really enjoy. Come to think of it, I was a super huge sports fan when I was younger, I would watch even alpine skiing, volleyball, basketball and many others. Show sports on TV and I'm all gooey. But now maybe interest has waned in a number of those sports. I used to be a big hockey fan too (both field and ice), but now only the former for the WC or Olympics.

Anyway I digress, your Christmas homework, is something I got think about my fave boxers of all time. So I'll give you my list and you tell me yours. But first what are your current fave sports? Mine are:

1) Football
2) Tennis
3) Boxing
4) Golf
5) Athletics
6) Swimming
7) Rugby (mainly WC)
8) Field Hockey (WC or Olympics)
9) Cricket (50 overs WC and the Ashes, not much of a Test fan or 20/20)
10) Last but not least - the Olympics, and a lot of its events, when the Olympics are one, it supersedes everything, even the footy.

Strangely I'm not much an F1 fan the

[Romanis]

And now for the main event, your list of fave boxers through the ages. I wasn't much of a fan of other classes/divisions, only the heavyweight division, but then came the Magnificent 4 in the 1980s, and now once more with FM/Pacquiao. And you'll be surprised that I did not actually like or was interested in many UK fighters.

Anyway here it is;

Heavyweight:

1. Muhammad Ali (my no 1 in any class, probably might even be my fave sportsman of all time.)

2. George Foreman (the way he dismantled Frazier, was shockingly exciting!) But it was his famous win over Moorer, 20 years after losing his crown, that's my greatest impression of him. I consider that victory 1 of the greatest sporting feats of all time.

3. Ken Norton - a shockingly good fighter but unfortunate to be around during the halcyon days of Ali, Foreman and Frazier. But he maybe he was lucky, to be around then, because we could truly see how good fighter he was. Broke Ali's jaw and gave him good fights in all 3 bouts. Was u

[Romanis]

7. Cont: I remember when asked at age 21 on becoming the youngest ever heavyweight champion, what he hoped to be - Ans: 'the oldest!' He was truly impressive back then, taking out opponent after opponent. But after the loss to Douglas and his personal conduct outside the ring, I soon switched allegiances and would root for his opponents more. What he did to Holyfield was disgraceful.

8. Evander Real Deal Holyfield - a truly great champion. Already good at cruiserweight, he stepped up a division like Spinks, but unlike Spinks, he excelled and became better. Stopped an out of shape Buster Douglas to become champion. He was an exceptionally intelligent fighter, and although he would lose, he always kept coming back. Lost then beat Moorer, avoided Foreman's heavy punch to win unanimously. Too smart for Tyson, but the 1 boxer he always had trouble was Bowe. I never liked Bowe much, but he could be excellent on his day. He beat Holyfield, then lost and then won again. Eventually bowed out t

[Romanis]

Other divisions:

1. Thomas Hitman Hearns - of the 4 I liked him best. Never gave up, very aggressive. v Hagler, how can words describe this? Thought he won v Leonard but biased judging = draw = Leonard retaining his crown.

2. Marvelous Marvin Hagler - A great champion, unlucky to lose his record breaking defense with a split decision to Leonard. He could fight in any era and still be champion.

3. Roberto Duran - Just liked the guy, but I think he threw the fight v Leonard II. Never the same fighter after that though he did beat the useful Iran Barkley before losing to Leonard again. But he began the Leonard series with a unanimous decision win.

4. Joe Calzaghe - His record speaks for itself. A pity he didn't fight enough in the US.

5. Oscar de La Hoya - I think the phrase 'Golden Boy' should suffice to describe him. A special champion.

6. Julio Cesar Chavez - a record holder and breaker. Virtually unstoppable until he met de la Hoya. Considered Mexico's best ever fighter.

7. Mi

[Romanis]

So what's your list like. It's hard for me to rate them all position wise, just that Ali was No 1, Foreman No 2, I can't split the rest.

So enjoy your Christmas and let me know.

[i961pie]

[quote="Romanis"]My good man, since we've been talking boxing, 1 of the many sports I really enjoy. Come to think of it, I was a super huge sports fan when I was younger, I would watch even alpine skiing, volleyball, basketball and many others. Show sports on TV and I'm all gooey. But now maybe interest has waned in a number of those sports. I used to be a big hockey fan too (both field and ice), but now only the former for the WC or Olympics.

Anyway I digress, your Christmas homework, is something I got think about my fave boxers of all time. So I'll give you my list and you tell me yours. But first what are your current fave sports? Mine are:

1) Football
2) Tennis
3) Boxing
4) Golf
5) Athletics
6) Swimming
7) Rugby (mainly WC)
8) Field Hockey (WC or Olympics)
9) Cricket (50 overs WC and the Ashes, not much of a Test fan or 20/20)
10) Last but not least - the Olympics, and a lot of its events, when the Olympics are one, it supersedes everything, even the

[i961pie]

[quote="Romanis"]And now for the main event, your list of fave boxers through the ages. I wasn't much of a fan of other classes/divisions, only the heavyweight division, but then came the Magnificent 4 in the 1980s, and now once more with FM/Pacquiao. And you'll be surprised that I did not actually like or was interested in many UK fighters.

Anyway here it is;

Heavyweight:

1. Muhammad Ali (my no 1 in any class, probably might even be my fave sportsman of all time.)

2. George Foreman (the way he dismantled Frazier, was shockingly exciting!) But it was his famous win over Moorer, 20 years after losing his crown, that's my greatest impression of him. I consider that victory 1 of the greatest sporting feats of all time.

3. Ken Norton - a shockingly good fighter but unfortunate to be around during the halcyon days of Ali, Foreman and Frazier. But he maybe he was lucky, to be around then, because we could truly see how good fighter he was. Broke Ali's jaw a

[i961pie]

Don't know what happened but I replied andd my ten fav. boxers then it went off to content trimmed on your post. I will try again.

1-Ali by a mile-had many an argument at school in his early days because he was disliked mainly because of his mouth. My dad (who could remember watching Gene Tunney beating Jack Dempsey) and I seeing beyond that and realising he would become something special.

2- Marvellous Marvin Hagler-A true warrior, the best and most savage 3 rounds of boxing you will ever see against Hearns.

3-Joe Calzaghie-11 years unbeaten his display against the supposed American new golden boy Jeff Lacy was the finest boxing exhibition I have seen.

4-John H Stracy- went to the great Jose Napolese back yard and stopped him. I stayed up into the early hours listening to it.

5-Oscar De La Hoye--same reason as you.

6-Sugar Ray Robinson-Only saw the end of his career when he was an old man but went the distance with Gene Fullmer (or was it Don) for the world title but seen m

[i961pie]

7-Packman--His interest in politics spoilt his career a bit but imo he would have beaten Mayweather when both fighters were at their best.

8-Chris Finnegan- Won Olympic gold and I had the good fortune to see him win the light heavyweight European title at the ice stadium in Nottm in the 70's. He had some great fights and lost to Bob Foster (one of the great light heavies off all time) for the world title.

9- Evander Holyfield- Not many step up from light heavy to win world titles at heavyweight. I always remember him singing to Tyson when the ref bought them together in the centre of the ring before their first fight. It was the first time that a Tyson opponent didn't look scared and he even seem to relish what was coming.

10-Dave Needham-(a strange one I know) But his brother in law was my boss at the time and we went to 3 of his fights at Nottm. He was a cracking little boxer and if it wasn't for suffering cuts easily would have gone on to greater things.

These are all my FAVOURI

[Romanis]

Cor blimey 861, I forgot entirely about the Sport of Kings, which I also like.

But I've given up on gambling on it. 1 day out in the Far East, with 2 of my mates we went to the racetrack. Due to scratchings etc, the next race only had 4 runners, so the betting was only open to getting the winner, no place bets etc.
And yet none of us could pick the winner, out of just 4 runners! So we said if football was already so difficult to bet and the Chinese even simplified it, no European style betting of getting the correct result and scoreline, just the Asian Handicap, where you just take 1 team and either give or take the handicap.
Eg: Chelsea v West Ham - the AH might be Chelsea - 1.5, meaning the match starts as Chelsea 0 West Ham 1.5, so if you took Chelsea, they had to win by 2 clear goals, a 2-1 win would count as a loss as the final result would be on the AH as: Chelsea 2 West Ham 2.5. If you took West Ham, all they had to do is not lose by 2 or more goals, any other result would mean