The sport of boxing is known for its athletes being some colorful characters. Many of the most controversial athletes of all time have been boxers, after all; it’s pretty safe to say that it’s not exactly something for the faint of heart!
And, naturally, controversial personalities and lifestyles often produce some juicy drama and gossip, making boxers fascinating characters to follow… both in and out of the ring. In this article, we’ll be delving deep into the lives and controversies of some of the most notorious boxers ever.
Background: Boxing, the Cult of Personality
It’s fair to say that boxing, as a sport, has long attracted athletes and enthusiasts with, shall we say, slightly more eccentric characters than other sports have. Beyond this, boxing seems to have real appeal among celebrity amateurs who wish to test their mettle against their rivals, professional fighters or not. And plenty of fans tune in to watch – KSI fighting with Fournier, for example, was a bonafide cultural event for many of us.
But what is it about boxing that appeals to the more extreme personalities out there? The violence inherent to the sport is almost certain to be part of it, at least; given that boxing is probably one of the most full-on sports in the world, it makes sense that the personalities that enjoy it would be similarly intense.
What’s more, for those at the top of their game, boxing is probably one of the most lucrative sports in the world. Like tennis and golf, it’s not a team sport; so, all the focus is on the individual athlete, for better or for worse. This seems to result in a pressurized environment, where boxers are praised or absolutely trashed for their performances.
Combine this with the amount of money and fame that can be won in boxing, and it’s probably not surprising that the sport has almost something of a corrupting effect on its athletes. Indeed, plenty of boxers are, like other celebrities, notorious for taking their spending to the next level.
In addition, the brain damage accumulated by boxers across their careers probably has some impact on their conduct and mental health, too. Diseases like CTE have been known to permanently change sufferers’ personalities, and, with no effective treatments or diagnostic tests available, tend to go undiagnosed until they’re picked up postmortem.
So, boxing seems to create something of a perfect storm for less conventional and palatable personalities to run rampant – probably for better and for worse. But, if you’re less familiar with boxing, you might be wondering just what it is that these notorious fighters get up to outside of the ring.
Our List of the 5 Boxers with the Most Shocking Private Lives
While plenty of boxers have become controversial figures during their professional careers, the following 5 men really took the cake:
Mike Tyson
‘Iron’ Mike Tyson is easily one of the most famous and, frankly, scariest athletes of all time. His antics never seemed to get in the way of his success – Tyson is one of the best-paid athletes in history – but they certainly haven’t helped his reputation.
Tyson has been through multiple marriages, imprisoned for sexual assault, fathered multiple children, and admitted to beating one of his ex-wives, the actress Robin Givens. Fortunately, Tyson seems to have become far mellower in recent years, which is just as well for everyone who knows the madman personally.
Muhammad Ali
It really doesn’t get much more controversial than Muhammad Ali. Compared to Mike Tyson, though, Ali has been scandalous in separate ways; he’s especially well-known for his conversion to Islam, for example, as well as his stark opposition to the Vietnam War.
Ali refused to be drafted into the War, which led to him being stripped of his boxing titles and refused a license, effectively putting his career on ice. Still, the boxer held strong in his convictions and became a counter-cultural icon as a result.
Tyson Fury
The loudmouth Tyson Fury has made a name for himself in the UK as one of the brashest and most incendiary professional athletes in the nation’s history. Fury is something of a complex character; he’s attracted criticism in the past for expressing homophobic views, as well as stating that abortion was the work of the Devil and should be illegal.
But Fury has also used his public platform for good; he’s openly discussed the racial abuse he’s received as a result of his Irish Traveler heritage. Curiously, Fury has three sons, all of which are named Prince; that must be a bit confusing!
Ricardo Mayorga
A wildman to end all wildmen, Ricardo Mayorga has been described by many as the craziest man in the sport of boxing. He chain-smokes publicly, denigrates his opponents, and is known for being a wild drinker outside of the ring.
Floyd Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather has as many hardcore fans as he does haters. He’s been to jail for domestic abuse and has been accused of planning for two of his employees to be kidnapped. Regardless, he’s also one of the most successful boxers in history and has still never lost a single fight.
