Five golden oldies of boxing
With Hector Camacho flying the flag for veteran fighters last weekend, it might be nice to pay tribute to some current Methuselah’s of the ring.
Bernard Hopkins: Age 45
“The Executioner” is still delighting audiences by crossing his arms into an “X” while performing his ring walk, although contrary to some beliefs this is not to signify what year he was born.
Of all the veterans Hopkins has adapted to ageing the most, all be it will slightly sandman-summoning results. It might not be enthralling but it’s certainly effective, and, since hitting 40, Hopkins has beaten some fine boxing alumni in the form of Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright, Kelly Pavlik and fellow veteran Roy Jones Jnr as the pair had a rematch that was 17 years in the making.
He also ran undefeated Joe Calzaghe close and continues to call out the Welshman for a rematch claiming he was robbed in their initial bout. Like the fine wine of boxing Hopkins seems to get better with age and he will probably still be hauling his creaking bones around when he’s well into his 80s.
Evander Holyfield: Age 47
While some boxers return for the love of the game “The Real Deal’s” return is a matter of necessity as he has somehow spent his millions on moustache maintenance and the biggest house in the world.
The four-times heavyweight world champion has never really left the sport in which he made his professional debut in 1984. Despite nearing 50, Holyfield has decided he can become heavyweight champion of the world once again George Foreman-style. Many would argue he did enough to secure the WBA strap when he out boxed giant Nicolay Valuev two years ago, but the cards didn’t go his way that night.
Lately his fights have included a battle of the dinosaurs with Francois Bortha that secured him the lesser caredabout WBF title so he is sort of world champion if you squint your eyes slightly.
Glen Johnson: Age 41
Despite coming from a land of fine rum, beautiful beaches and stunning sunshine “The Road Warrior” refuses to take life easy. The likeable Jamaican is still a major force in the light-heavyweights and nearly did for one of America’s top prospects in the form of Chad Dawson in their first fight. Johnson arguably beat the WBC champion, but like many of these old-timers he was once again let down by the judges and not for the first time in his career either.
He built his reputation on taking tough fights at short notice and coming out on top. A proper have-gloves-will-travel fighter, a crowd favourite and like Bernard Hopkins he has beaten some class fighters, including Tarver and Jones Jnr.
He finds himself in world title contention again in August when he faces Tavoris Cloud for the IBF belt.
Hector Camacho: Age 47
Its Macho time! The colourful Hector Camacho is still proclaiming that, despite the fact it might sadly now be quarter-past Macho time.
Camacho beat some legendary 1980s’ fighters including all-time greats Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and he continues to fight to this day, despite the fact his son now has 51 fights under his belt.
Sadly Camacho lost a heavy point’s decision on the weekend to Saul Duran, but just like that funny twist of hair that runs down his forehead it doesn’t look like Camacho will be giving up on boxing any time soon.
Oliver McCall: Age 45
Boxing was more than a crying game for this tearful fighter.
McCall made his debut in 1984 with a first-round knockout over Lou Bailey and the highlight of his career was beating Lennox Lewis and taking the WBC heavyweight title in 1994. However he will always be best remembered for the rematch in which he bizarrely burst into tears. This led to the most peculiar incident ever to be seen in a boxing ring as a baffled Lewis pursued a tearful defenceless heavyweight champion around the ring not knowing whether to punch him or hug him.
McCall is due to fight later this year; hopefully he’s turned off the water works these days.
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