This is My List of My Top 5 Favorite Fighters
- George Foreman. The 2-time heavyweight champion of the world grabbed my attention when he began his comeback in March of 1987 vs. Steve Zouski. I was on board the whole way, and was privileged to see him train in person for his fight with Evander Holyfield in person at Trump Plaza in 1991. Four years later, I was live in Las Vegas when he made his first title defense against Axel Schulz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. He remains my all-time favorite fighter, and his death in March of 2025 moved me deeply. Rest in peace, ‘Big’ George.
- Sugar Ray Leonard. Sugar Ray was the face of boxing after Muhammad Ali’s retirement, and he brought excitement back to professional boxing. I traveled to 3 of his training camps to see him train in person, the most memorable being in 1987 for his historic comeback bout vs. Marvin Hagler. His amazing comeback performance on April 6, 1987 remains one of my favorite moments as a boxing fan, and just one of the many Ray provided for me.
- Michael Spinks. The best all-time light heavyweight of all time, Michael became a favorite of mine in late 1980, and remained so until his retirement in July of 1988. It was a thrill to see him train in person in September of 1985 at the Riviera in Las Vegas while he was preparing to face Larry Holmes in his heavyweight debut. Two years later, I saw him a bunch of times over a two week period at Trump Castle in Atlantic City while in training to fight Gerry Cooney. I met and spoke with him on a number of occasions, and he was nothing but kind and gracious to me. Whenever I think of Michael Spinks, a smile comes to my face.
- Larry Holmes. The heavyweight champion when I first became a boxing fan in the late 1970’s, his fight with Ken Norton in June of 1978 changed my life forever. His 7 and 1/2 year reign as champion is a remarkable feat, and I was in his corner the entire way. Disrespected by many after following in the footsteps of Muhammad Ali, Larry is in the top 5 of all-time great heavyweights ever, and in my top 5 of my favorite fighters period.
- Lennox Lewis. Lennox Lewis is in many ways the best heavyweight to ever live, despite his two knockout losses, which he avenged by knockout. Always professional and respectful, the ‘Pugilist Specialist’ provided me with many great moments, my favorite being his destruction of Mike Tyson on June 8, 2002. When he retired in early 2004, the heavyweight division went in the toilet, and it’s been there ever since.
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