Maybe the most memorable image in boxing history is that of Ali standing above a prone Liston, imploring him to get up. Everyone has seen the picture. Many even have the image on a rec room or gym wall. But on some level it is pretty odd that maybe boxing's most famous image is not of men fighting, but one of men who have finished fighting. The fight was over.

Boxing is not unique in that aspect. The representative video for football in the 70's and the Steeler dynasty is not of the impossibly real immaculate reception, but one of Terry Bradshaw running off the field wagging his finger in the air. So it's not uncommon for the lasting image of a sporting event not to be the action of the sport itself, but something on the periphery of that contest. So in that spirit, my scrapbook for the last 30 years of boxing will consist of the five most unforgettable images that are not actually the action of fighting.

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Andre Dirrell is talented enough, but is he tough enough? Andre Dirrell can be cute, but can he crush? Andre Dirrell has the slickness, but does he have the stamina? Those questions will be answered if he and his buddy ever decide on a location for their facin'. Though it seems clear, they would both like the whole thing to just go away...Anyway, the most important question for Dirrell to answer will be...Andre Dirrell is mannerly, but is he mailable?

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Doppelganger = any double or look-a-like of a person.

Everyone out there has a twin somewhere. 

Have you ever heard...darn, you look just like my friend so-and-so?  Or maybe you have been told you look like a certain celebrity. 

So here's a little silliness.  A few of my favorite boxing and boxing related doppelgangers.  I even took the liberty to add my picture and a picture of the name I always hear.  Anyone have any other favorite boxing look-a-likes?

 Shane Mosely                                 Eric Allen.  14-year NFL career.  Current ESPN on-air talent.

 Evander Holyfield                                         Lee Woodall.  Super Bowl champion. 

Paulie Malignaggi                                        On the left, Carmine Gotti.  Reality TV Personality, son of John.

 George Clooney.                 John Genco, at home last week thinking about the Super Six.

Zab Judah                                        Fomer NBA champion Sam Cassell.

Boxing Critic, Dana White                                          Tennis great, Andre Agassi

Kelly Pavlik                                                                                  A young Yul Brynner, movie star.

In many ways boxing is different than team sports when it comes to fandom. If you went to college at Penn State or live in Pennsylvania then most likely Penn State is your favorite team. If you live closer to Philadelphia than to Pittsburgh you root for the Eagles and Phillies instead of the Pirates and Steelers. And vice-versa.

In teams sports the teams stay and the fans pass on. In boxing the fans stay and the boxers move on. Fans have the opportunity to have more than one guy. You can have a heavy, a middle and a welter. As opposed to teams sports, you can have the Braves. You can't have the Braves and the Yankees. But in team sports, allegiances are often passed down, especially for passion teams like the Steelers, Red Sox or Celtics. Because of that, it can be very special to root for the same team your father and grandfather jumped out of their seats for.

In boxing, it is not possible to have the same guy your father had. (Holyfield joke here) So due to allegiances being passed through generations you can have giant Steeler fans living in Georgia or Florida. But by in large, region is the number one and only determining factor on which sports franchise a fan is fanatic for.

Boxing is different. Yes, region place a part. But no more than say... nationality. To venture a guess on what motivates every boxing fan or even most boxing fans in chosing a boxer as their guy, would be foolish. So, I'll be a case study. I'll be honest and frank, and you will have to deal with it. And I'll have to deal with how you deal with it.

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George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln have had their iconic faces carved out of the Black Hills of South Dakota. The four former United States presidents were chosen to represent American history and America’s cultural heritage in a monument known as Mount Rushmore.

What four boxers would be on the world of boxing's Mount Rushmore? A Mount Punchmore if you will. It is not limited to just Americans or even just champions or even just boxers. It can be trainers, promoters, TV execs and so on. Who should represent boxing history and boxing's cultural heritage?

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Mike Tyson and Charles Barkley have more in common than you may think. Both men were undersized yet excelled in sports designed to benefit size. Tyson at 5'10 became the shortest heavyweight champion in the last 20 years using a ferocious attitude and glaring intimidation. He was also the shortest to hold the Ring Heavyweight Championship since his days as the baddest man on the planet.

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Every sports fan has their unique story that is really so common it unites us all. Whether it was a poorly planned wedding of a close friend or relative, that falls on the same Saturday Ohio State plays Michigan. Or a camping trip that a wife planned months and months out, where you end up staring into a fire pit while listening to the creek babbling by. Not too bad, unless the Yankees are playing the Red Sox to decide the winner of the American League or Kessler is fighting Froch, and Adamek and Arreola are brawling, and you're tempted to knock on the nearest and fanciest, loaded RV to ask if they get Showtime and HBO.

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Alright, I'm about to "come out swinging"...ready to "take a swing" at boxing idioms.

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The greatest party I've ever been to was my friend Hank's 2010 New Year's Eve party. And I can prove it. Hank had 10 different kinds of beer. 10 different vodkas and 10 whiskeys. For most of us, it lasted 10 hours. There was an Irish TENor making the girls swoon. It had 10 girls to every guy. And the party kicked off with a TENnis tournament for those of us interested. (Hank has always love a theme)

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Sometimes perception-wise in boxing and sports in general, athletes can be put in tough situations. They are up against somebody they are expected to beat easily. And if they do, fans are unhappy with the competition. And if they lose, well, they lose. Paul Williams was kind of in that situation against Kermit Cintron. Almost all expected Williams to beat him and look good doing it.

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The myth of a lucky punch is often retold when a long-shot contender ends a fight with a big shot... against a bigshot. The punch seems to come out of nowhere like the contender himself. Or the fable gets trotted out when a night-ending shot comes at the very end of a night, when up until that point, the fight wasn't going the eventual winner's way. Or even if the punch comes from an awkward angle or with unsound technique, cries of luck ring out to diminish the outcome.

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It is often said of baseball players that they die twice. Once when they retire from the game and once when they actually pass. The same can be said about boxers, but a fighter's first death seems to be exponentially harsher and more dramatic than of their professional athlete peers.

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Statement 1.
Floyd Mayweather would not be willing to put 40 million on the line if he didn't know he could handle Shane handily.

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It is no secret that athletes can have delicate psyches. Baseball players need constant reminders of their adequacy. Constant reinforcements that they are good enough. Baseball's highest paid player, Alex Rodriquez is notorious for his life coaches, spiritual advisers, kabbalah and mind coaches. Fighters are notorious for needing giant entourages to tell them how great they are. But Pavlik has not been one of them.

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The good news for fight fans is Mikkel Kessler vs Carl Froch is one of the many match-ups in the Super Six that in-itself makes Showtime a bargain for any fan paying the dollars for the premium channel.

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In modern times a fighter must do everything well to be elite. But just doing everything well doesn’t make an elite fighter. They must also do at least one thing great. Sure there are some who did not do everything well that have made it to the fringes of the elite and could be argued actually achieved it. But for the most part, that is the exception, not the rule.

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There's been a lot of talk that Sergio Martinez will beat Kelly Pavlik on April 17th. The theory is the Martinez has the same kind of movement that Bernard used to render Kelly so helpless. This theory is insulting to both Pavlik and Hopkins, and focuses on the least important aspect of the movement that Hopkins used last October.

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Disclaimer: The following topic is more sensitive than Floyd Mayweather himself. It also comes with a request...those of you (far fewer than some want to acknowledge) with malice in your heart please stay out!

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Remember those out of focus pictures that were so hot in the late 80's? The ones that looked like a random design of shapes and colors. Then if you stared long enough while looking deep into the picture a pirate ship or cityscape or unicorn in a meadow suddenly appeared. That is what the Arthur Abraham vs Andre Dirrell fight seems like. Give it a chance...

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All the outrage over Barry Bonds or Mark McGuire, all the disbelief and scorn heaped upon Roger Clements, over what? Some records that only a few poindexters, who have never actually played baseball because every time they've attempted to go outside in the sun their nose bleeds, obsess over.

Where is that same outrage or senate hearings for men involved in sport's noblest endeavor?

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In light of the soon-to-be James Toney fiasco...

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Where have all the blockbusters gone? There are still a few every year. Many more to those that follow boxing closely. But why isn't boxing headlining the way it use to? Why don't today's starts shine as bright as those from yesterday? Can the current lineup compare to any one of the golden ages of boxing? Could it be the lack of star power or just the lack of good scripts? Some argue simply, without a compelling heavyweight champion, boxing lacks The Right Stuff.

But here's some Weird Science... The early 80's certainly fall into the category of a golden age. And there are many similarities to then and now. Both eras are topped by heavyweight champions that don't garner much attention or praise. Larry Holmes then, and Klitschko now, are both viewed more by what they aren't than what they are, and what they're opponents haven't been instead of what they have. It is clear that the heavies didn't rule then, and they aren't ruling now.

Is there just not enough star power today to fill the gloves of the legendary leading men of the early 80's? The burgeoning 80's were ruled by the a fab four who made their fame in and around the welterweight division. Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns and Mavin Hagler certainly supplied some Big Chills and are now considered Untouchables.

But what if it was possible to remake those Fast Times today? The casting call would go out to Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquio, Paul Williams and Shane Mosley. What are the major differences? Is there something these stars lack that the royal four didn't? Why are the guys from the 80's considered Raging Bulls and today's formidable four considered Odinary People?. How close could they come to fitting the bill?

"Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather as the original pretty boy, Sugar Ray Leonard. Both men are known to be huge draws with charisma to spare. Floyd talks faster and brasher, but Leonard was what was called back then "well spoken." Equally great talkers in their own way, blessed with fast smiles and faster hands. Neither was ever known for their toughness and their manliness is often questioned by fans and opponents.

Sugar Ray and Money stand as big time money makers for their time. Both men known to be fast and quick movers inside the ring, and excellent boxers with an eye towards opportunities outside the ring. Sugar had some of his biggest, and biggest grossing fights after his initial retirement. Floyd has the same opportunity after his early retirement in 2008/09. They are the biggest name of their bunch.

Manny Pacquio as Roberto Duran. Both come from incredibly poor environments that make American ghettos seem like The Hills. Duran and Pacman started out as very rough diamonds with relentless styles. Manny initially trained in Muay Thai. Duran was initially void of any specialized training. Both turned pro at 16, and each man ran through weight classes like Holyfield through baby mammas, starting at lightweight and willing to top out where the fight was. Both men earned their victories as huge punchers with great chins.

Paulie Williams as Tommy "The Hitman" Hearns. Nobody could believe that Tommy could fit into a welterweight's robe. He was 6'1 with a 78 inch reach. He was always willing to fight anyone. And was a tough fight to take for everyone. Easily and willingly moved up to light heavy. Williams is 6'1 with a 82 inch reach. Nobody can believe that he fits into a welterweight's trunks. He chases fighters in many divisions, willing to fight anyone and a tough fight for anyone to take. Could even one day see him at light heavy.

Shane Mosely as Marvelous Marvin Hagler. While Hagler was the dominating force of his time, Shane is not quite there. Hagler dominated the middleweight division and was champion for seven years. Shane did hold a belt at middle. And totaling all his championships, he's been a belt holder for almost six. They also are both African American fighters, who have often been over shadowed by contemporaries. Forgive a little artistic license with this one.

The current quartet should all be headlining shows in multiplexes all over the world. Instead, some are relatively confined to art houses and dollar theaters. This macho cuatro has big names, some even in mainstream America. They have the styles to make some epic, all-time clashes. Why is it so different now?

The Oscars and Viewers Choice goes to the 80's Smack Pack for one Shining reason.
They fought each other a total of 9 times. Dozens and dozens and dozens of rounds spent together.

The modern version of the unfocused four fought a total of zero times. Zero and zeros and zeros of rounds spent together.

Good movies in Hollywood make your name. Blockbusters make your fame. In boxing, winning belts makes your name. Inside the pound-for-pound list makes your fame.

To today's fractioned four, do you want to be famous? Well, do ya?

Fighters can be fascinating for reasons that are as different as their styles in the ring.  Many of them have given fight fans several nights that they won't ever forget, but often the men themselves get forgotten.  Here are few to catch up with. 

Buster Douglas-48, ate his way to 450 pounds. In 1994 he fell into a diabetic coma. He has since lost 200 pounds. He is still married to his first wife and has 3 sons. He took home 7 million for the Holyfield fight. Lives on a 58-acre ranch. It is being foreclosed upon for lack of payment, but Douglas claims he still has millions, but much of it is tied up in a 14 million townhouse/retail development deal. He's confident he won't lose the ranch.

Roberto Duran- is almost 60. He has released a salsa CD. In 2000, he was almost killed in a car crash in Argentina while promoting that CD. Life-saving surgery was needed. Duran claims he would still be boxing and could beat Mayweather if his lungs were not wrecked from the car wreck. His daughter Irichelle and son Roberto Duran Jr. both boxed professionally. Duran was a part of DRL Promotions which at one time had 30 boxers, including Joel Casamayor. DRL has seemingly disappeared since 2007. Duran now considers Sugar Ray Leonard a close friend.

Gerry Cooney-Married with 3 children, none are boxers. Started F.I.S.T. (Fighters' Initiative for Support and Training). He closed the organization several years ago do to lack of time and money, but currently is looking to restart it. He was also involved in the first boxer's union, but most of his time is spent making the rounds as a celebrity golfer. He and Larry Holmes are now close friends.

Marvelous Marvin Hagler-which is his legal name, sells everything from his own cologne to clothing on his website. Has done some fairly successful movies in Italy. Has also been a British boxing commentator. Splits his time between Italy and New Hampshire.

Tom Zbikowski-(Played safety and kick returner for Notre Dame, fought on the undercard of Miguel Cotto-Paulie Malignaggi in 2006)
Now plays special teams and safety for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. Owns a training center called Pure Speed Sports Clinic. Has one fight left on the 3 fight deal he signed with Bob Arum's Top Rank.

Ebo Elder-(from the 2nd Season of The Contender)retired from boxing in 1997 to focus on what he believes the Lord has called him to do. The calling has become the Ebotribe ministry. The non-profit organization is heavily involved in youth conventions and men's conferences. Elder remarried his wife and together have several kids.

Riddick Bowe-entered the Marines, but refused to wake up in the mornings. He quit after two weeks. Went to jail for kidnapping and assault. He briefly restarted his boxing career and is still willing to fight. Bowe is broke, over 300 pounds and 41 years old. He is still married to his first wife, and they have 1 daughter together. Bowe can often be found at flea markets and swap meets in the New York area hawking his autograph and pictures.

Meldrick Taylor-still lives in Philadelphia. He is 43 and works as a personal trainer. He has undeniably slurred speech, but it has not discouraged him from giving interviews which he eagerly does. He is also a brain damage awareness supporter. Taylor claims Don King still owes him 2 million, and has feared King has put out a contract on his life. Meldrick has released a tell-all book titled, 2 Seconds to Glory.

Michael Nunn-his real trouble started around 1993. After some gun and drug possession charges, he earned a harassment warrant. Police found him at his sister's house, hiding in her dryer. Things only go worse, much worse. In 2004 he was sentenced to 24 YEARS for trying to purchase a 1 kilogram of cocaine. Not 24 months. 24 years! He is doing his time in Leavenworth, United States Penitentiary. Currently he is looking at being released in 2024.

If you have any info to add to any of these fighters, or have an interesting where are they now for somebody else, lets see it. Or if there is somebody you are wondering about, put that down also.

On Nunn...
This started off as a fun where are they now. After learning about Michael Nunn's sentence, it has become more than that. He is doing 24 YEARS for trying to buy a street value of $24,000 worth of cocaine. Drugs are bad. People who sell drugs need to be punished. Nobody wants that stuff around their neighborhood. And anything else that doesn't need to be said about drug dealing, but come on.

24 years is disportionately server. Please check back to this blog in the comments section to find out who to call or email if you want your voice heard on this ridiculous sentence. Or if you think the sentence is just, lets hear that also.

A rising tide lifts all boats…
John F. Kennedy popularized the maxim way back in 1963. He was explaining that the improvement of the general economy will improve individual economy. In other words, the more money made overall will bring more money into your household, what is best for America is what is going to be best for your family.

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Believe it or not Big George Foreman was no taller than Muhammad Ali.

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