YOU CAN'T TELL THE FIGHTERS WITHOUT LOOKING AT THE BROKEN NOSES

By Roger Esty

Being with fighters is like blending in with the wall. If you didn't know any better you would think you're in an elevator with a full load of passengers. Let me put it simply. Fighters are so unassuming(to use Randy De La O's adjective),you wouldn't know that these guys made their living as modern gladiators. They're standup guys. Modest to a point,but straight forward to that point at the same time. No pretentions. Down to earth grounded with politeness,but with a record of standing alone half naked in a ring testing their manhood fighting another man. Oh they do it for the money,but it's a real macho test anyway you look at it.

You don't have to be in the Ring Record Book to hang out with them. They're the most approachable athletes around. They don't whine about not getting enough attention. They got a gravitation of all sorts when they fought. Some characters that wanted to cash in on their fame and money. Those thieves were better any pick pockets on earth.

At the boxing banquets they're fans that gather around still. Aside from the creeps that want to get the fighters' autographs to sell on EBAY,the genuine boxing fan will have their old heros to rub shoulders with.

Sometimes the old pugs have changed appearances. The toll of the sport has rearranged their outsides and sometimes what is underneath their skins. If you've lost touch with them,you can't tell who they are. I guess you have to look for the broken noses.