Nothing in boxing can quite match the unpredictability and danger of the pre-fight press conference. Whether it’s the weeks of intense training, verbal sparring or just for fun the fighters involved seem to love causing chaos at these events. Indeed, there can be more action and fisticuffs at the pre-fight meet up then at the actual bout later!
There have been many infamous examples over the years involving all the usual suspects like Mike Tyson and Muhammed Ali. Fans just loving going to these things as the never know exactly what will happen. These pre-fight hype boxing events are a fusion of fiery confrontation and crafty marketing. Here’s the ten most off the hook of all time:
10 – Danny Williams v Audley Harrison
09 – Joe Frazier v Muhammed Ali
This was not so much at a press conference but went down after both men appeared on a TV show to discuss highlights of their first fight. I’m sure it was a good idea to the TV producers at the time but what they didn’t count on was that both fighters genuinely hate each other. After a heated argument broke out between the two, Frazier stood up to confront Ali with only one thing on his mind. Cue Ali grabbing Frazier and absolute carnage following while both fighters rolled on the floor. The funniest moment of the whole thing is when Ali’s bodyguard tries to step in at the start to keep Frazier away from his boss and Joe offers him out too!
08 – David Haye v Dereck Chisora
What a classic confrontation this was! Although it happened at a press conference, it wasn’t one for a fight involving them. Chisora had just fought Vitali Kiltschko and was conducting the post-fight interviews for that. For reasons best known to himself, Haye arrived in the audience and caused major hassle by shouting his mouth off at Chisora and demanding a fight against Klitschko himself. Running out of patience Chisora went into the audience to sort Haye out and a fight broke out with both exchanging punches. This then escalated into a near riot as both entourages jumped in to help their man.
07 – Fernando Vargas v Ricardo Mayorga
Taking place in 2007, before their scheduled fight, this came about mainly due to Mayorga’s insatiable thirst for trash talking. Vargas had gone on record before the press conference as saying he would not tolerate any such behaviour there so only one thing was ever going to happen! Mayorga started mouthing off in his speech to the press which led Vargas to respond and a heated argument to ensue. Crazily, Mayorga then gave Vargas a massive back handed slap and all hell broke loose.
06 – Bernard Hopkins v Felix Trinidad
How do you upset a Puerto Rican quickly? If you’re not sure, then ask Bernard Hopkins because he managed to enrage a whole nation with his antic before his fight with Felix Trinidad. Hailing from Puerto Rico, Trinidad was very proud of his roots. Hopkins, feeling aggrieved that the American national anthem had been booed at a previous Trinidad fight by Puerto Rican fans, decided to use that to get his own personal revenge. This culminated at the Roberto Clemente stadium where B-Hop threw the Puerto Rican flag on the ground. Cue numerous bottles and objects being thrown in his direction and a quick exit while Trinidad and his fans tried to catch up with him.
05 – Marco Antonio Barrera v Erik Morales
2002 would be somewhat of a vintage year for pre-fight dust-ups and this was another one. Having already fought, tensions between the two fighters was high due to a very close decision in that initial bout. A lot of trash talking was done in the lead up to the second fight and it all culminated in a brutal exchange when they came face to face. Started by Barrera, who caught Morales with a sly hook out of the blue when facing off, Morale replied with a flurry off his own.
04 – Larry Donald v Riddick Bowe
Along with Mike Tyson and Mitch ‘Blood’ Green, Riddick ‘Big Daddy’ Bowe is one of the craziest boxers of recent times. Once a promising fighter with big expectations on his shoulders, he seemed destined for greatness. In Larry Donald though, he was up against a quality opponent with a 16-0 record. Tensions between the two bubbled over at the press conference though and Bowe landed a solid left hook-right cross combination on Donald to kick off a huge melee.
03 – Mike Tyson v Mitch ‘Blood’ Green
Before we go on, I know I have cheated a bit with this one. It’s not actually a press conference brawl but is so good i have to talk about it. The two fighters had met in the ring previously though with Tyson gaining the points decision to win. Green, apparently still upset at what he considered an unfair decision and claiming to be owed money from the fight still, confronted Tyson two years later at a clothes shop in Harlem. After a fierce row broke out, both men squared up with Tyson unleashing a straight right that split open Green’s nose and completely shut his left eye!
02 – Trevor Berbick v Larry Holmes
This is an absolute classic and runs the Tyson v Lewis one close in terms of pure craziness. The background to it was that Larry Holmes had been less than complimentary about Berbick’s wife in the weeks leading up to their fight. Berbick, incensed by this and wanting to defend his wife’s honour, showed up at a Holmes press conference and berated him from the audience. Much shouting and pushing followed before everyone made a quick exit. The best part of this story is the end though – Larry Holmes, not wanting to let it go, ran outside after Berbick and dropkicked him off the roof of a car, like a pro-wrestler.
01 – Mike Tyson v Lennox Lewis
Occurring before their much-anticipated fight in 2002, this is the absolute mother of all press conference bust ups! It is important to note that by this point Tyson was at the end of his career and had been through many troubles such as stints in prison and biting Evander Holyfield’s ear off in the ring. As a result, he probably wasn’t in the best frame of mind coming into this.
The boxing authorities, knowing this, did what seemed a sensible thing and kept them at each end of the room on separate podiums, far apart. After all, if they weren’t next to each other, surely nothing could go wrong? Unfortunately this was so far from the truth, it’s living in a different country!
Tyson, apparently upset that Lewis had made him wait before coming on stage, stormed over to the opposite side of the room with aggressive intent. Seeing this, Lewis and his bodyguards got ready for trouble and tried to stop Iron Mike once he got too close to Lewis. What ensued was a massive on stage brawl, Lennox Lewis getting his leg bitten and a now notorious post-riot speech from Tyson to the assembled press watching.
As you can see, while there have been some amazing fights through boxings rich history, sometimes the best action happens out of the ring. I guess whenever you have testosterone fuelled men whose sole purpose is to fight, then you will always get tempers flaring as in these cases. One thing’s for sure, boxing fans will be hoping it continues for years to come yet!
Unmasking the Reality: The Real vs. The Show in Boxing Press Conferences
How often have you watched a boxing press conference and found yourself questioning its authenticity? The stage is set, the cameras are rolling, and suddenly, a verbal disagreement erupts into a physical brawl. It’s a scene that sparks headlines and skyrockets the hype for the impending match, but one can’t help but wonder – is this the reality of the sport, or just another publicity stunt?
Well, the truth might be a little of both. Often, fighters genuinely despise each other, fuelled by competitive spirits, and sometimes, personal animosity. Yet, in other instances, the conflict might be deliberately magnified for the sake of drama. In the lucrative business of professional boxing, controversy sells. The pre-fight press conference fights that break out are part of a well-oiled promotional machine designed to captivate audiences and generate interest.
However, it’s essential not to dismiss these theatrics as entirely negative. They serve a purpose beyond just boosting pay-per-view numbers. For one, they provide a psychological battleground for the fighters. It’s a chance to test their opponent’s mental mettle, a precursor to the test of physical strength that follows in the ring.
Yet, boxing, in its essence, remains a sport of respect. Despite the hullaballoo and histrionics of the press conferences, once the final bell rings, you will often see a mutual admiration between the fighters, affirming the reality that the sport, in its heart, values honor above hype.