By Simon Allen: A fighters heart. Commented and celebrated by fans and fighters alike. Often mentioned in our sport of boxing and its relevant circles as something that should be commended, respected.
But what is it?
Is it courage to stand and fight a losing battle, is it giving your all when you have been down twice and you’re bleeding profusely. Is it never quitting despite the overwhelming odds stacked against you. Is it your pride the refusal to lose in front of your fans and loved ones to avoid shame of defeat, to prove you’re tough. Or is it love, love for boxing for the challenge for the fight.
For me there are many fighters who have demonstrated the very definition of heart in conquests throughout the annals of history.
When I think of fighters displaying heart the irrepressible Juan Manuel Marquez comes to mind, the epitome of a Mexican warrior he has the determination and drive to pick himself up and regroup coming back from the edge of defeat. He showed this ability in spectacular fashion after being clattered to the canvas three times in the first round by Pacquiao, in their first memorable fight. Marquez fought that fight to a draw and many believe he deserved to win. In his fight against Juan Diaz, Marquez was being hammered from pillar to post before standing his ground, pride on the line and knocking out the versatile Diaz.
Arturo Gatti, another fan favourite who showed tremendous heart in the ring. Often coming back from the brink of disaster, fighter harder and faster when hurt. Always digging deep, Gatti would fight back with controlled ferocity.
Another boxer who meets the criteria for heart is Evander Holyfield, a fighter who always had a confidence and certainty in himself even when those around him faltered. With sheer determination he fought on no matter odds or circumstances. Who can forget the beating Riddick Bowe gave him in the tenth round, Holyfield close to losing the fight by stoppage only to come back and nearly knock out Bowe himself by the end of the round.
I often here the old time fighters had more heart, grit and determination. Different eras breed different fighters but they have a good case.
Take Battling Nelson (1896 – 1917), a fighter famed for his ability to take ridiculous amounts of punishment taking three or four punches to land one clubbing blow of his own. Nelson once suffered a broken arm in the middle of a 15 round fight and later stated “It made me somewhat cautious and kept me from winning by knockout.” Modern day boxers I fear would not be so blasé.
Barney Ross (1929 – 1938) was a boxer who feared no man, fighting whoever was put in front of him with abandon. In his last fight, well past it and taking a beating, his corner begged him to throw in the towel. Barney’s answer “I won my championship in the ring and I’ll lose it there . . . I won’t quit.”
Another legendary fighter, tough and fearless as they come was Mickey Walker (1919 – 1935). He knew no weight limits fighting light heavy and heavy weight bouts whilst defending his welterweight and middleweight titles in between. In his fight against Max Schmeling, Walker was battered unmercifully. His manager the charismatic Doc Kearns signaled to the referee to stop the fight in the eighth round telling Mickey “I guess this is one we couldn’t win,” Walker retorted “Speak for yourself . . . . you were the one who threw in the towel not me.”
It seems to me that heart is all of those attributes that I described at the beginning of this article but also more. It’s about attitude and having the will to win at all costs. A boxer needs heart before he even steps in the ring. It’s essential and can’t be learnt. You either have it or you don’t those that don’t . . . . Well they get found out real soon.
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