Dennis Kweku Moore
Am sure this issue has thrived for so many years in this country? But it has been very difficult getting to the very bottom.
I took it upon myself to do a random sampling on this particular episode and it was amazing the kind of responses that i got.
Now, I interviewed over a 100 people and 67 believed there is clear juju/superstition in the pugilist sport.
Well, boxingghana.com has done a few researches on this subject quite extensively and has come out with this reading analysis. We believe you would enjoy the deliberations.
Now, do you recall this African American boxer Joe Gans( 145-10-16 )of blessed memory who was a lightweight contender and always puts his lucky silver piece which he won in his first mill into his belt any time he enters the ring? Then believe it.
Again, Irish American boxer john Lawrence Sullivan wore in all his fights a pair of green trunks with a talisman which was given to him by his mum when he first entered the professional arena.
In all his 60 Professional fights former heavyweight great, Jack Dempsey wore his black trunks throughout his fights.
Charley Mitchell had a mortal fear of seeing a cross eyed woman before his fistic encounter. He met one before his second fight with Sullivan and he almost collapsed.
Bob Fitzsimmons(61,8,4,57Kos),who was ranked as the third greatest heavyweights of all time believed in dreams and won all fights after dreaming. He again had a lucky charm that protected him from injury. It was the tip of a Kangaroo’s ear and he wore it beneath his belt in all ring battles.
In fact many boxers refuse to sign agreements to fight on Fridays. Example Tommy Burns, Jimmy Brit,Kid Goodman, Hugo Kelly and Battling Nelson.
Tommy Burns
Some even hate to see funerals before a fight a typical example is Sullivan who met a funeral the day before his fight and was beaten by Corbett at New Orleans.
Some boxers too are superstitious about their corners in the ring. Some try to enter the ring first and choose the seat to sit on. Apparently, to them, it’s a sign of good luck that’s why now the favourite corner matters are being decided by the toss of a coin.
Celebrated ring legend and Filipino Congressman Emmanuel Drapidran Pacquio even believed he will lose a fight if blood samples were taken out of him few days before a fight.
Shocking isn’t it? And indeed we saw what happened before his meeting with moneyman-Floyd Mayweather where the rich American pugilist called him to show off his blood before he takes him on.
Since losing his first fight against Rustic Torrecampo, in 1996 Pacqauio lost after every 16 fights. In 1999, 16 fights after his first loss, he suffered a third round knockout against Thailand’s Medgoen Singurat losing the flyweight title.
He faced Morales for the WBC and IBA Super featherweight titles. Morales won. Pacqauio told pundits after the fight he was weak and dizzy before the fight and would not consider his blood samples taken few days before any of his fights and that he preferred it during his training.
The Congressman last loss was against Erik Morales in 2005. And his match against Timothy Bradley was a 16th fight. That mystery was broken.
Mexican idol Juan Manuel Marquez drunk his own urine before facing off Floyd Mayweather believing that would make him feel healthy and better. Against Pacman he didn’t…and fared better.
Back home in Ghana, many Ghanaians believe the fight between Azumah Nelson and Jeff Fenech 2 was a rare breed of a refined superstition ahead of the bill. Do you recall Azumah was wearing a shining crown? Interestingly some believe the moment Fenech watched it, he got mentally dazed and confused.
Bukom Banku recently dismissed the perception about juju in boxing; adding his defeat to Bastie Samir was not due to the former. But I think before that fight there was an interview with the Bukom boxing Lord and he said he had some juju he had imported from Benin or so.
In fact the recent Technical knockout win over Cesar Juarez by Isaac Dogbe is receiving same whispering sweeps.
Many have the perception that the blow was accompanied by some divine force that subsequently sent the visiting Mexican flat on the mat.
If you were by the ringside you would have noticed the huge thick of smoke that emerged from where the Ghanaian was coming from. What was the smoke for? These are all superstitions-aren’t they?
I was told many boxers do not even brush their teeth for months; some wear same panties for months, some do not shave for months and even refuse to greet any woman before ring engagements.
Boxingghana is still confused on when this debate will get to its logical destination. Science and religion are two important ingredients in our daily lives. And for that matter very difficult to judge. But in any case lightning inevitably precedes thunder. Every rumour has a bitter taste.
The editorial team of boxingghana will continue to pursue this subject to the fullest and get to the base of it.
Enjoy more gripping stories from this writer on www.boxingghana.com