Met any boxers or fighters? Tell us your experiences.

[mozfonky]

I met Gene and his brother Don along with several members of their sizeable family who were involved in different aspects of boxing in Utah....he was approachable and courteous.

Jersey Joe was at an Atlantic City casino greeting guests and posing for pictures.....he was very congenial.

One of the nicest guys of the list is Earnie Shavers who currently has created a job at different sports memorbilia shops in Las Vegas posing for pictures and signing autographs.

Gene has a chip on his shoulder? Never heard that one, always had his own way of speaking, kind of hard to read in interviews, seemed distant or something but very unlike a fighter. I can't see him enjoying talking to strangers though.

 

[nac386]

don't know why these guys don't believe you but i do for what it's worth. I dunno, just because a fella has a different opinion people gotta put em down.

I have a bridge to sell you.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

I won't bore anyone with the details (again!!) but I met Oliver McCall outside of the Palace of Auburn Hills in 2000 (after Golota vs Tyson) and almost got beat up by him.

 

[mozfonky]

I have a bridge to sell you.

well nac, i know what it's like for people to not believe me, it's the reason i often don't mention some of the things I've done, seen, been around until i know a person somewhat well. For me, it's not a bragging point, from the time i was 13 to the time i was about 35 or 36 I was searching for a good situation and never found it, in that span of time, i just so happened to be around several different peoples, some of them had good careers but i don't think any of the guys I've known were happy with what they got. It always kills me when a rogan claims such and such is a great trainer or whatever, or sometimes in these threads people say so and so is a great businessman or whatever. My thoughts are, how would you know unless you're there consistently. I've been there and seen how little work gets done on many ends to the detriment of the fighter. Anyway, it's a lot different to see things from the inside than the outside. And i always feel good when one of the other fighters I've known validates what I've seen, but then, i feel bad too because those guys often paid a heavy price for the games of other men. As far as Actjac, he doesn't want to reveal his identity, and that's ok with me. These are just internet communications here, not anything really meaningful. I come here to relax myself.

 

[King Ghidorah]

I won't bore anyone with the details (again!!) but I met Oliver McCall outside of the Palace of Auburn Hills in 2000 (after Golota vs Tyson) and almost got beat up by him.

I always enjoy reading that story lol

 

[nac386]

Of course it's not bragging. Meeting a person is not an achievement, it's certainly not going to impress anyone. That is why it is bizarre that he refuses to explain any of his claims, then says something nonsensical like, "I don't have to justify myself, you're just mad that I have had these experiences," lol What? That's groupie talk. This thread is for stories, acting shocked that people expect stories with your claims is ridiculous.

I don't believe him because his posts sound like someone making stuff up, or greatly exaggerating. Not because of his claims, but because of his ridiculous refusal to support his claims, and his inability to supply any insight we all don't know already (king is smart, Camacho is short, etc). His attacks on other people's lack of experience meeting famous people makes it seem like he thinks these claims gain him some esteem, they don't. Nobody is impressed.

Some people enjoy meeting athletes, some have no interest at all. Both are fine. Whatever makes people happy is what they should do.

But he seems like the kinda guy that would see Randy Couture at a restaurant, then tell people he hung out with him. If that's not the case, it's his own fault it seems that way.

.

 

[aduriz]

I won't bore anyone with the details (again!!) but I met Oliver McCall outside of the Palace of Auburn Hills in 2000 (after Golota vs Tyson) and almost got beat up by him.

bore me please

 

[mozfonky]

well, for me it was the most important thing in my life along with music for a long time. It would be hard not to ever mention it. Not too many people who would really impress me, only my childhood idols, outside of that, I wouldn't go out of my way to talk to any celebrity.

 

[Seano]

I know he's itching to tell that story.

 

[Seano]

well, for me it was the most important thing in my life along with music for a long time. It would be hard not to ever mention it. Not too many people who would really impress me, only my childhood idols, outside of that, I wouldn't go out of my way to talk to any celebrity.

Have I asked you before about music? I've played guitar for 25 years. What do you do?

 

[MC Paul Barman]

I always enjoy reading that story lol

Thanks

 

[mozfonky]

Have I asked you before about music? I've played guitar for 25 years. What do you do?

keyboardist but i'd say composition is something I'm proudest of, my keyboard skills I think will always be limited by a late start and who knows what I've done to my fingers over the years hitting stuff. The thing about music is, unlike being an athlete, you can actually improve until you're old. Some people think older musicians lose relevance and creativity, I don't think it's always true, I think Prince and Springsteen still put out incredible work that rivals and in some ways surpasses what they did in the past. That's the way to get old, not with busted up knees and brain damage. I'm blessed.

 

[mozfonky]

ya i think you told that story before, sorry dude, makes you sound like a complete wimp. I wouldn't tell that story too much if i was you.

 

[nac386]

keyboardist but i'd say composition is something I'm proudest of, my keyboard skills I think will always be limited by a late start and who knows what I've done to my fingers over the years hitting stuff. The thing about music is, unlike being an athlete, you can actually improve until you're old. Some people think older musicians lose relevance and creativity, I don't think it's always true, I think Prince and Springsteen still put out incredible work that rivals and in some ways surpasses what they did in the past. That's the way to get old, not with busted up knees and brain damage. I'm blessed.

My man! Two of my favorites. I have Greetings From Asbury Park hanging in my living room above my amp right now, next to Jimmy Cliff's The Harder They Come album (oddly enough).

Didn't know you were a musician. I was just telling Robjenkins the other day that there is a lot of non-sports related talent floating around this forum.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

I know he's itching to tell that story.

I know if I tell it you'll be rolling your eyes saying "here we go again".

 

[mozfonky]

Yup, i cover many springsteen songs, he will always hold a special place in my heart (as long as we're talking heroes) even though I like to think I've outgrown the need to look up to guys. I sought out Charles Cross, a guy who hounded Bruce for years and he seems to have come to the conclusion that Bruce is some kind of phony, that's his opinion, it won't stop me from covering his songs or eagerly listening to his new stuff. Saw a review recently where another writer came to the conclusion "the bullshitter got me again" as some sort of positive musical review. I always think of that when the issue of celebrity comes up, how I was dissapointed when I was young when I heard anything negative about my heroes, now, I don't even worry about, they're just people.

 

[Seano]

ya i think you told that story before, sorry dude, makes you sound like a complete wimp. I wouldn't tell that story too much if i was you.

He should have thrown the left hook. Thats what I say.

 

[nac386]

Yup, i cover many springsteen songs, he will always hold a special place in my heart (as long as we're talking heroes) even though I like to think I've outgrown the need to look up to guys. I sought out Charles Cross, a guy who hounded Bruce for years and he seems to have come to the conclusion that Bruce is some kind of phony, that's his opinion, it won't stop me from covering his songs or eagerly listening to his new stuff. Saw a review recently where another writer came to the conclusion "the bullshitter got me again" as some sort of positive musical review. I always think of that when the issue of celebrity comes up, how I was dissapointed when I was young when I heard anything negative about my heroes, now, I don't even worry about, they're just people.

Yeah I don't pay attention to that stuff. Love the art, not the artist. The art will never let you down, it's written in stone. Bruce's art is anything but phony, he's the real deal as an artist. I honestly don't care too much what he's like as a person, it's not really any of my concern.

Do you have any favorite Springsteen songs you cover? MCPB has a good Springsteen quote in his signature on here from Dead Man Walking.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

ya i think you told that story before, sorry dude, makes you sound like a complete wimp. I wouldn't tell that story too much if i was you.

Tough luck, rookie.
I'll tell it if I want.

 

[mozfonky]

Yeah I don't pay attention to that stuff. Love the art, not the artist. The art will never let you down, it's written in stone. Bruce's art is anything but phony, he's the real deal as an artist. I honestly don't care too much what he's like as a person, it's not really any of my concern.

Do you have any favorite Springsteen songs you cover? MCPB has a good Springsteen quote in his signature on here from Dead Man Walking.

Well, I love so much of his work but I choose to cover songs from Darkness on The Edge of Town (my favorite album all time by anyone) Atlantic City and several others. I don't do anything from the Born to Run era or before, but that's not because I don't like it, that stuff is insanely difficult to play, Jungleland, Backstreets, Roy Bittan, his pianist, is a top pro and I'm nowhere near that level of musicianship. I also think that before Jon Landau got ahold of him and convinced him to shorten up his lyrics and stick to traditional song writing, his music changed radically. I love the madman poetry of the pre Darkness era as well as the florid production and epic storytelling. He's still great today, Land of Hope and Dreams is up there with his best work and he can still come up with a lyric that'll just choke me up.

 

[Seano]

Tough luck, rookie.
I'll tell it if I want.

I enjoy the story.

 

[mozfonky]

and coincidentally, I'm listening to a Prince track "way back home" which is a recent Prince classic. It's when you hear those kinds of songs, not only do we seperate the artist from the art, true art comes from the divine and it helps me overlook some of my heroes serious shortcomings.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

bore me please

well...

ahem........


Fight lets out early, bunch of people are just standing around. I see Oliver McCall standing off to the side by himself (with a Hawaiian shirt unbuttoned).
It's just me and my friend, we go up to him and I shake his hand, tell him I always liked watching his fights.

He's grateful.

Then I say something like, "When are you going after a belt again?" and he gets mad. He starts poking me in my chest, marching me backwards. I put my hands up and say something like, "however you took that, I didn't mean it that way". He yells at me, "put your hands down, bitch". He starts marching right into me, his chest to my neck area (mind you, I'm 5'8... and weighed about 155 lbs at the time).
The crowd that was gathered outside forms a circle around us. I was sticking out like a white thumb. My first thought was, "they're going to think I'm some white punk that just went up to McCall and started fucking with him".
Thankfully some security guard comes running out and pushes McCall back.


Then I found MozFonkey and beat the shit out of him to prove a point.

 

[nac386]

Well, I love so much of his work but I choose to cover songs from Darkness on The Edge of Town (my favorite album all time by anyone) Atlantic City and several others. I don't do anything from the Born to Run era or before, but that's not because I don't like it, that stuff is insanely difficult to play, Jungleland, Backstreets, Roy Bittan, his pianist, is a top pro and I'm nowhere near that level of musicianship. I also think that before Jon Landau got ahold of him and convinced him to shorten up his lyrics and stick to traditional song writing, his music changed radically. I love the madman poetry of the pre Darkness era as well as the florid production and epic storytelling. He's still great today, Land of Hope and Dreams is up there with his best work and he can still come up with a lyric that'll just choke me up.

You should watch the Darkness on the Edge of Town documentary, about the making of the album. It's fantastic, and you get an awesome view into his insane song writing process at that time. He'd write like 50 songs, and only record 8 or so.

Land of Hope and Dreams is a great song, very touching lyrics, and has that great "this train..." outtro. Backstreets is one of my favorites, but pretty much anything from Nebraska or before is really great. After that there's some really great stuff, but it's hit or miss for me.

Hey, you should check out Springsteen doing Spirit in the Night and Incident on 57th street solo on piano from the Barcelona concert dvd. He is not the master that Roy is on piano, so it's a bit simplified so even a hack like me can play it a bit.

 

[Seano]

Why'd you have play Oliver like that Tim?

 

[mozfonky]

You should watch the Darkness on the Edge of Town documentary, about the making of the album. It's fantastic, and you get an awesome view into his insane song writing process at that time. He'd write like 50 songs, and only record 8 or so.

Land of Hope and Dreams is a great song, very touching lyrics, and has that great "this train..." outtro. Backstreets is one of my favorites, but pretty much anything from Nebraska or before is really great. After that there's some really great stuff, but it's hit or miss for me.

Hey, you should check out Springsteen doing Spirit in the Night and Incident on 57th street solo on piano from the Barcelona concert dvd. He is not the master that Roy is on piano, so it's a bit simplified so even a hack like me can play it a bit.

ya, that's an excellent docu and I've caught the odd piano performance by him, not bad considering he's not really a pianist. What struck me about the Darkness sessions,which the docu pointed out, was how he intentionally ditched songs like Talk To Me, Fire, Save my Love which were likely commercial hits because they didn't fit the album. He also hid away "The Promise" one of his more potent powerful works, because it was barely a step away from the tone of the rest of the album. The album was about overcoming and the Promise was a look back at those that couldn't, so it didn't fit. That was bruce at the top of his game, incorruptible and pure. I don't think he's the same man today and that's ok with me, he's still great.

 

[MC Paul Barman]

Why'd you have play Oliver like that Tim?

I was itchy that night..... rrrreeeeeaalll itchy.

I saw him as an easy mark. Someone I could easily leave a mark on his face with my left hook.


Truth be told - I wrestled up until college. I didn't want to get in a fight with McCall and embarrass him. And then have everyone say, "boxing?! that stuff just doesn't cut it no more!"

 

[nac386]

ya, that's an excellent docu and I've caught the odd piano performance by him, not bad considering he's not really a pianist. What struck me about the Darkness sessions,which the docu pointed out, was how he intentionally ditched songs like Talk To Me, Fire, Save my Love which were likely commercial hits because they didn't fit the album. He also hid away "The Promise" one of his more potent powerful works, because it was barely a step away from the tone of the rest of the album. The album was about overcoming and the Promise was a look back at those that couldn't, so it didn't fit. That was bruce at the top of his game, incorruptible and pure. I don't think he's the same man today and that's ok with me, he's still great.

Jon Landeau had an effect on what he chose to record later in his career. For example, he wrote "Hungry Heart" for Joey Ramone to record with the Ramones and Jon Landeau convinced him to keep it and record it himself. In the past he would have given that song away in a heartbeat like he did with Because the Night.

The Promise is heartbreaking. It sounds like Thunder Road, 20 years later, when the dream failed.

 

[mozfonky]

Tough luck, rookie.
I'll tell it if I want.

he must have really scared the shit out of you, you seem traumatized still. We all have our awkward, cowardly moments, even great champions. Ali ran away from Sonny Liston in a casino before their first fight, some people think he also was truly a coward and that's why he didn't want to go to vietnam. Sugar Ray Robinson was nearly the victim of a shooting, he didn't fight back or anything but he did walk away. Some people say Hector Camacho got beat up by Teddy Atlas, and I heard a story that Tommy Hearns spoke to him threateningly. So, I guess it's ok MC, go ahead and tell your story.

 

[Queen B]

Calzaghe, RJJ, Shane, a few others. Shane was nice but most were pretty forgettable moments. Joey Gamache was probably the most humble guy I've ever met.

 

[King Ghidorah]

Ah the OPEN Hawaiian shirt.....so cocky.

 

[ironfist05]

Yeah, last year. Briefly. They have a cocktail hour where you dress up nice and go hang out with them in this like castle. It's beautiful. Unfortunately, there are a lot of autograph seeking whores whore there to make money off of getting shit signed. Most of the fighters keep their calm through it all but Joe got overwhelmed and spent most of the event in a back room with his people. It was too much for him.

Luckily after it was over we were walking to my car and I saw him and his people coming out of the back door to his limo. I felt bad because I knew he had had a tough time in there but he was very gracious anyways and posed for a picture. I told him he would've schooled Froch and he got a good laugh out of that.

That's my Joe Calzaghe story lol

that's still really cool. Calzaghe's one of my favorites, wish I could meet him. He always seemed like a pretty cool guy, even if a bit cocky.

 

[Sunfish]

So the reason we have no definitive proof mma is better than boxing is you Barman? Saviour!

 

[mozfonky]

Jon Landeau had an effect on what he chose to record later in his career. For example, he wrote "Hungry Heart" for Joey Ramone to record with the Ramones and Jon Landeau convinced him to keep it and record it himself. In the past he would have given that song away in a heartbeat like he did with Because the Night.

The Promise is heartbreaking. It sounds like Thunder Road, 20 years later, when the dream failed.

two schools of thought on landau, some people think he was a bad influence on Bruce, it's true that he never wrote lyrics as daring, creative (and poetically wrong sometimes too) and that he wouldn't use seventh chords or write 9 minute spectaculars anymore. That's undeniable, he didn't write those knockout lyrics anymore, I still think he was a better poet than dylan in the early years even though his lyrics just often plain made no sense. His later work, the lyrics are almost like american vernacular, about the farthest thing away from poetry you could get and the songs are cut way, way down. By the time of Born In the USA landau had bruce singing a "prince thing" Dancing in The Dark, the song and video had his longtime fans deriding him as Disco Bruce but the gamble paid off and the album still had enough of the old imagery of the factories and cars and dreams just with a nice sheen that made it a bit subversive for the pop world he had finally conquered. Personally, I like just about all his albums, I think Tunnel Of Love is actually, maybe close to being as good as Born to run or Darkness. I'd say the early 90's when he screwed around with studio musicians and fired the e street band were my least favorite albums but even on those there are sparks of magic. I loved the Seeger Sessions, wasn't too crazy about "working on a dream" that might be my least favorite album, i dunno.

 

[Someone88]

Will list just the champions and top contenders that I have actually shook hands with and spoken to:

Larry Holmes
Michael Spinks
Leon Spinks
Sugar Ray Leonard
Hector Camacho
Alexis Arguello
Roy Jones Jr.
Bobby Chacon
Marvin Camel
Bruce Seldon
Dwight Muhammad Qawi
Mike Tyson
Joe Mesi
Roger Mayweather
Virgil Hill
Gene Fullmer
Jersey Joe Walcott
Earnie Shavers
Gerry ****ey
David Tua
Peter Quillan
Greg Page
Joe Frazier
Muhammad Ali
George Foreman
Vassiliy Jirov
Bobby Czyz

Wow that's quite a list. How was Frazier, Foreman,RJJ, Ali, Tyson and Tua?

 

[Strange King]

Just met the best boxer ever at aftershock in Sacramento tonight.

Nick muthafukin diaz. Concert was sick

Marilyn Manson n slipknot put on a show

Just found out Chester from Linkin Park is the lead singer of stone temple pilots. Hella random

 

[M o A]

he must have really scared the shit out of you, you seem traumatized still. We all have our awkward, cowardly moments, even great champions. Ali ran away from Sonny Liston in a casino before their first fight, some people think he also was truly a coward and that's why he didn't want to go to vietnam. Sugar Ray Robinson was nearly the victim of a shooting, he didn't fight back or anything but he did walk away. Some people say Hector Camacho got beat up by Teddy Atlas, and I heard a story that Tommy Hearns spoke to him threateningly. So, I guess it's ok MC, go ahead and tell your story.

I think it was in the four kings that I also read Duran was also a bit intimidated by Hearns, something about how Hearns playing a prank on him and when Duran realizing it was the Hitman he kept quiet, the Hitman then started yelling 'NO MAS NO MAAAS' and then left.

Wow that's quite a list. How was Frazier, Foreman,RJJ, Ali, Tyson and Tua?

Thats it? I want a paragraph on every individual fighter on that list!

 

[Sunfish]

You want a paragraph on what it's like to meet Peter Quillian?