16.09.07 – By Ron DiMichele: Boxing legend Archie Moore ruled the light heavyweight roost from 1952 to 1959. He fought at least 220 professional bouts and recorded a mind-bending 145 knockouts, an all-time record. At 39 years of age, Archie Moore was the oldest fighter ever to win the light heavyweight crown. Additionally, the Old Mongoose is the only fighter to have faced both Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali.
When Archie Moore passed away in 1998, he left behind more than a sterling pugilistic legacy. Despite a minimal education, Moore had also built a reputation as a world traveler, philosopher, and articulate man of wisdom and overflowing charm.
Former title contender and now highly regarded boxing trainer Iceman John Scully forged a friendship with the late, great Archie Moore through mail correspondence beginning in 1983. They exchanged numerous letters over a period of ten years. Archie Moore shared insights and experience with John Scully to be utilized not only in the arena of boxing, but in the arena of life.
“It’s almost surreal,” says Scully. “It’s hard to believe it was actually him giving me advice.”
The Iceman has been kind enough to share some of the venerable Archie Moore’s pearls of wisdom:
ON THE 28-0 MADNESS:
“The opponents to consider really experienced are the ones who somewhere along the way know what defeat is and that winning isn’t everything. These so-called champions with the 28-0 records are soon due to face an angry youngster that couldn’t care less what his record is. He’s come to fight.”
ON ATTITUDE:
“A perceptive attitude is needed…Be grateful, graceful, and courteous at all times. You will avoid many unpleasant moments being a straightforward man, unafraid to face the known enemy.”
ON TRAINING:
“Be sure your mind is made up to go all the way. Get the great teachers; use only the advice that fits into your system. Give your undivided attention to your instructor.”
“Study your craft as you would a dictionary; know the full meaning and implications.”
ON THE JAB:
“From afar I notice you like dancing and much movement. Well, that is OK. You must also develop your jab so stiff that anytime you make contact, therein shall ensue tiny fractures and after a small continuation certain telltale signs of a broken proboscis, necessitating the referee to halt your exhibit of fisticuffs.”
ON THE LEFT HOOK:
“Hard left hooking should bring about unexpected break dancing from any of the opponents [to whom] your hard whistling hooks land within regions of their nerve centers.”
ON TIME:
“The days have a way of vanishing before our very eyes. Perhaps this is why one ages very quickly or at least notices the days scurrying by.”
ON A FIGHTER’S DEVELOPMENT:
“John, you are an eaglet…at this time in your career. You will grow into an eagle, with eyes so sharp as to spot an opponent’s opening as quickly as the eagle can spot a field mouse from nearly a mile high to the field where he scurries to find shelter from his enemies. These are components as natural as eating, but can be highly developed as part of an armamentarium [group of skills or techniques – author’s note] that all champions need to become outstanding in a chosen endeavor.”
ON SUCCESS:
“Taste, but don’t get drunk from temporary success. Don’t take success for granted.”
ON CONDITIONING:
“Treat your body as a great athlete should because you will have this one until death calls you home.”
“Condition mind and body for as long as you live, it will function above average.”
ON SPORTSMANSHIP:
“Be a good sportsman at all times. Play the game fair and square at all times.”
ON INEPT TRAINERS:
“At this point in time my specialty as a boxing analyst serves me very well. There are times I visit a gym and in a few seconds have sorted out nearly all of the mistakes that are traditionally passed on to the youths who are putting their lives into inept trainers’ hands.”
ONE FINAL WORD OF BOXING ADVICE:
“…teach the real John Scully how to put ten or more punches together…but know this, it can be done and has been done after you jab your opponent’s head into position.”
Many thanks to John Scully for sharing the letters and insights of the great Archie Moore.
Ron DiMichele’s email address is rondimi@yahoo.com