Muhammad Ali was known not only for his greatness in the ring but also for his motivational speeches. One of my favorite quotes of his is, “You don’t lose if you get knocked down. You lose if you stay down.” How many of us can relate to this quote? Life can be cruel at times. It can knock you down, but we don’t have to stay there. Keep getting up. Proverbs 24:16 says, “The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.” One of my favorite fights, one that I can still watch till this day, is the first fight between Diego “Chico” Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo. This fight is straight out of a Hollywood script. Both fighters going at it, back and forth in a thriller. Castillo was known for his come-forward, Mexican-style boxing. Corrales was known for having power and the heart of a warrior. The fight was a war. Then came Round 10. This round could easily go down as one of the best rounds in boxing history. Both fighters come out. Castillo lands a monstrous left hook that drops Corrales! Corrales finds his way back to his feet, only to get dropped again. Everyone who is watching this is thinking the fight is over. Yet Corrales gets back up. He pushes forward, landing a right hook that stuns Castillo a bit. They both keep fighting. Corrales lands two left hooks that stop Castillo in his tracks. Castillo backs up against the ropes and Corrales lets out a barrage of punches, to which Castillo has no answers. The referee steps in to stop the fight, and Corrales comes out the winner. Think about it: After being knocked down twice, Corrales comes back and gets the TKO win. Our mind can be our worst enemy at times. When we are down in life, we can choose to stay down and take the loss, or we can get back up and keep fighting. This fight will forever be one of my favorites. But it can also teach us a thing or two. Keep getting up. Remember those famous words from Ali: “You don’t lose if you get knocked down. You lose if you stay down.” Joey Garza COME OUT WRITING
Haney vs. Norman feels like experience versus hunger. Haney is calm, surgical and composed, but Norman is fearless and relentless. That fight will test Haney’s maturity more than his
crown means nothing. Get real. The idea that America does not have a heavyweight champion or top contenders due to the NFL, NBA and MLB is bogus. The truth is that other nations have better heavyweight
heavyweight I’m building went from lifeguarding at his local pool at night to sparring with champions by day, proof that boxing is still a working man’s sport built on sacrifice most will never see. The beauty of boxing isn’t only in the knockout, it’s in the grind: the 5 a.m. roadwork, the lonely sacrifices, the mental battles fought in silence. That’s where
Build a brand with it. And create a name that inspires yourself and others – that will drive you to greatness. N. Sharpe I’ve always found the criticism of fighters who “quit” to be extremely harsh and unfair. After all, they are the ones risking their lives (for our entertainment), while we are merely the ones watching. So I ask this to everyone reading: Who are we, the viewers, to judge a boxer for making such a decision? It constantly surprises me that I am of the minority opinion. We know how dangerous boxing is and always will be due to its inherent nature. If the recent set of tragedies in Japan reinforced anything to me, it’s that boxing fans will mourn our departed warriors, yet also be so quick to berate those who prioritize their health and well-being just because we feel cheated out of a proper spectacle. In a sport where one punch is so often the difference between life and death, why do we have any right? Is Roberto Duran remembered as a “quitter” or as one of the greatest fighters who ever was? How can we criticize those who choose to live in a world where so many die? When all is said and done, maybe we are the ones who should quit being so callous in our judgments. Raven Aussie One concept unanimously agreed upon by boxing enthusiasts is the restoration of the one-belt era; only one champion per division can be recognized. As an aficionado myself, naturally I’m a strong proponent of the Ring Magazine belt, the only title that matters, being the official and sole, hard-earned championship symbol proudly crowning a deserving warrior in their respective class/classes. Rendering all other sanctioning bodies (and their fees) obsolete. My “letter to Santa” would not be complete without proposing an agency
skills. These fights aren’t just matchups – they’re proof that boxing is alive, unpredictable and unstoppable. Omotayo Ridwan
boxers. From the end of WWII until the fall of the USSR, boxers from Eastern Europe and those from the Soviet Union could not go pro. Same with those from Cuba (unless they defected) and China. America has many good boxers. There is no need for a Great American Hope. Walter Zabicki
Haney’s technical
mastery meets Norman Jr.’s raw
power. Haney has the edge in experience and ring IQ, but Norman’s explosiveness and confidence make him dangerous. If Haney can avoid big shots and control the pace, he wins on points. If not, Norman could score a career-defining KO. Trey GIVE UP HOPE (IN A GOOD WAY) In the July 2025 issue of The Ring, Thomas Gerbasi used the term “Great American Hope.” You would think that there are not any good American boxers today. A quick look at The Ring ratings shows that is not the case. There are two American Ring champions. There are 19 different alphabet titleholders from the U.S. It is true that from light heavyweight to heavyweight there are no American champions and only one rated fighter. When I first started reading The Ring in July 1971, Americans held only the light heavyweight and heavyweight titles. Most of the other titles were held by Asians, Latin Americans and a few Europeans. It was not until the late 1970s that more Americans won titles in the lower weights. It seems that if an American is not the heavyweight champion, the
Haney vs. Norman is an excellent clash of styles.
boxing’s soul lives, where greatness is created long before the crowd roars. Emmanuel Blessed Boxing has always been more than just a sport to me – it’s a living story of resilience, discipline and legacy. Growing up in the Philippines, I witnessed how Manny Pacquiao became more than a champion; he became a symbol of hope, uniting a nation every time he stepped into the ring. His story continues to inspire not only Filipinos but also boxing fans worldwide, proving that greatness can rise from humble beginnings. Looking back, legends like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard defined eras, and today, fighters such as Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury and Naoya Inoue carry the sport forward. What excites me most is boxing’s growing global stage, where talent from all over the world earns recognition. Still, I believe the sport must work harder to unify titles and ensure the best fight the best, just as Pacquiao always pursued throughout his career. Boxing’s past teaches us its greatness, and its present shows us its limitless potential. Ian Raynel Ralf Orito
that can challenge a judge’s scorecard should it radically fail to reflect the cumulative perception of the outcome of any given round(s). Taking to task a judge’s reasoning to deem their results approved or egregious. Approved: results stand. Egregious: decision overturned and judge suspended. But much like Martin Tupper, I suppose I too can dream on. A.V. Julian BOXING’S SOUL Boxing isn’t just a sport, it’s a daily test of character. I spend my days shaping fighters from raw potential into champions, and I’ve learned the real stories of boxing are rarely told. Fans see belts, highlight reels and big purses, but they don’t see the cost. They miss the quiet mornings, the meals weighed to the gram, the pain masked behind calm eyes and the relentless discipline it takes to push when your body begs you to stop. I often think of Jersey Joe Walcott, a man who clawed through setbacks and losses before finally becoming champion. That same spirit fuels today’s fighters, yet so much of it remains hidden. One young
DON’T FORGET THE LITTLE GUYS The Ring has been putting on amazing cards lately. With that being said, I think small tournaments with fights being scheduled would really make the sport more exciting, as it also gives a road map for the fighters who lose to be in great matchups as well. Armaan Shaikh A fighter’s chosen name is as important as the career that makes the name resonate throughout the world when spoken. The likes of The Raging Bull, Sweet Pea, Sugar, Hitman, Gypsy King, GWOAT and The Greatest can not only create a persona but can also become a huge financial revenue stream to help ensure a secure future for the fighter and their family. Some boxers are never lucky enough to be given sound advice, and sometimes the best advice costs nothing at all. To any young, up-and- coming professional boxers: Take a lesson from these historic names, guard it, trademark it and market it.
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