12.05.06 – By James Slater: Well, there were a few comments left with regards to the ten quirky facts of boxing history that I featured in my last article on Eastside Boxing. However, only one person correctly picked the answer to the question I posed. As those who read the piece know, there was one “fact” amongst the ten that was nothing but a fabrication. Well done whoever it is who goes by the alias of “Good Right Hand”- as you were spot on when you thought fact nine was the fictitious one. This “fact” claimed there was once a top rated welterweight who would only fight when there was either a full, or half moon!
As for the other nine, genuine facts- quite a few named the boxers involved correctly. I list the answers below for all of those who are curious.
Fact One: There was once a fighter who, while challenging for the heavyweight championship of the world, was given Champaign to drink instead of the usual water! Boxer in question – Jean-Pierre Coopman – whilst fighting Muhammad Ali.
Fact Two: There was once a fighter, good enough to have fought for a world title- who only had one leg! Boxer in question- Craig Bodzianowski
Fact Three: There was once a bout (in modern times) where both guys were knocked to the canvas, as in the movie Rocky II – at the same time! Boxers in question- Leroy Murphy and Chisanda Mutti
Fact four: Once upon a time an ageing heavyweight, while coming towards the end of his career, fought whilst wearing corrective lenses to aid his eyesight! Boxer in question- Larry Holmes, whilst fighting Ray Mercer.
Fact Five: There was once a world class light heavyweight boxer who took to the practice of never washing or bathing for weeks prior to entering the ring for a bout! Boxer in question – Marvin Johnson.
Fact Six: There was once a fighter who was in such desperate need for the toilet during a fight that he had to quit and leave the ring! Boxer in question – Andrew “Six Heads” Lewis.
Fact Seven: There was once a heavyweight champion who claimed that when a dear friend/relative, who was sat at ringside, screamed to the referee that he was using illegal tactics, he was unable to land the blow that was certain to have finished off his hurt opponent! Boxer in question – George Foreman – in his fight with Muhammad Ali ( as recounted in his auto-biography “By George”)
Fact Eight: Once upon a time there was an amateur boxer who, when fighting for a local title, was TKO’d by the doctor before the very first bell when his Marvellous Marvin Hagler copied warm-up technique, of hyping himself up by hitting his own face and head, caused a severe nose bleed! Boxer in question – The unfortunate Wayne Hicks ( as reported in Boxing Illustrated magazine many years back)
Fact Nine: There was once a world class welterweight boxer who would only fight when there was either a full or a half moon! False “Fact”
Fact Ten: There was once a heavyweight who made a frequent habit of taking a disguise to wear upon leaving the arena, should he lose! Boxer in question – The recently departed and sadly missed Floyd Patterson.