Enemies for Life

Carmen Basilio on Sugar Ray Robinson. “When he died, I didn’t give a shit. Why lie about it, like I felt sorry for the guy or something. He’s the most arrogant person you’ll ever meet.”

HBO has recently relived the Ali – Frazier rivalry from a different perspective (Frazier’s point of view.), however theirs is not the only heated competition that has left at least one combatant with a life long hatred for their opponent. While some wars have somehow mellowed into friendship or at least a mutual respect (Leonard – Duran: Zale - Graziano: Gatti - Ward ) some fighters would love to take just one more swipe at their former opponent. Maybe it’s jealousy, or a feeling of humiliation. Some fighters also feel like their legacies were stunted by certain fighters (See Marvin Hagler on Ray Leonard.). You can almost see it on their face: “If it wasn’t for that guy, I’d be known as the best that ever did it.” Regardless, nobody can deny that boxing rivalries bring out the worst in some people. What are some wars that come to mind that will probably be fought forever?

basilio is one of the most honest guys i have ever met and knew...his hatred for ray stems from many things and yes ray was greedy and very arragant..especialy with carmen..thrust me as great as ray was in a street fight carmen would clobber him.basilio was that tough..but also believe outside the ring he was very kind sincere and a wonderfull family and people person...frank this was boxings longest most fierce rivalry in history...carmen is great personal friends with tony demarco and gene fullmer outside the ring..ditto was marciano -walcott and rocky and charles louis-smelling .these are some examples of what you said...also the war that will be fought forever you gave the best example..basilio-robinson...all the rest take a back seat...

Barerra vs Morales

dmar, when I heard Carmen say that about Robinson, I started laughing hysterically. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. It was said at the beginning of a "Ray Robinson documentary" by HBO. The more I saw of Carmen, the more I saw he was just a down to earth, decent guy. The more I hear about Ray, the more I hear about spouse abuse, greed and arrogance. Regardless, that doesn't make him less of a fighter, however I agree with your judgements on Robinson and Basilio.

I always think of Hagler and Leonard (mentioned above). When Hagler is 70 years old, someone will say the name Ray Leonard, and he will still want to beat Ray's ass.

James J.Corbett Bob Fitzsimmons did not like each other.

maybe im wrong but i dont think Leonard likes Duran to this day all the Leonard stuff i have he says Duran was basically just a shithead and bad guy

Bird, when I hear Leonard talk about Duran, it's with admiration. Maybe you heard a different interview. Every time the two are near each other, they hug and exchange kind words. Leonard knew that he was an arrogant asshole and is looking to make amends with everyone. Let me re - state that. He was arrogant for his time. He, in no way, had the personality problems Floyd Mayweather seems to have.

Leonard got a little too full of himself. But at heart I don't believe he is/was a bad person.

captainanddew wrote:

Leonard got a little too full of himself. But at heart I don't believe he is/was a bad person.

I can tell you he was cool. I met him as a kid and he made me feel like the star. Of course, this was right before the Benitez fight, not after the Hearns fight, which is when the arrogance started. I think the drug use had a lot to do with it too. Regardless, Leonard was my fav fighter and a class act. Yeah, he's always been a decent guy.

the stuff I had Leonard basically ays he hated him for calling his wife a bitch and kid a faggot

and ya my pops was in The Palm in Dallas alone and Leonard was alone and invited my dad to eat with him said he was nice as it gets