The Olympics Blog » Boxing

Nicolae Linca, Gold Medalist, 79

bill — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:02:00 +0000

Our condolences to Nicolae Linca’s family and friends. Here’s a report from the AP about his death.

AP via CBS: BUCHAREST, Romania — Nicolae Linca, Romania’s only Olympic gold medalist boxer, died at his home Saturday. He was 79.

Fighting with a broken right wrist, Linca beat Irish boxer Frederick Tiedt to win gold at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. Linca was awarded the victory by three of the five judges.

Linca died in his hometown of Feisa in Transylvania, northwest Romania. Daily Pro-Sport reported the former welterweight had been suffering from Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease for several years.

“He left a legacy which even now we have the duty to try and equalize, and why not, even to do better,” said Rudel Obraja, president of the Romanian Boxing Federation.

Photo: gov-sport.ro

Fight Watch: Golden Boy Oscar de la Hoya vs. Steve Forbes

bill — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:58:00 +0000

When Olympic gold medalist, boxing icon, and pretty boy Oscar de la Hoya goes home to East LA to fight Steve Forbes, will he finally get the respect (if not the love) of his town mates who rejected him years ago? We think he will.

But don’t worry Oscar, even Jesus was rejected by his town mates. If you still get boos rather than cheers, just stomp your feet and say, “I’m outta here.” We believe though that your people will love you this time around.

To read Oscar de la Hoya’s complex relationship with his fellow Latinos in East L.A. click here.

PHOTO SOURCE: LA Times

Amir Khan: Looking For a Trainer?

bill — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 10:54:00 +0000

Briton Amir Khan is apparently looking for a trainer after he split with Oliver Harrison. Amir won the silver medal (lightweight division) during the 2004 Athens Olympiad. He turned professional in 2005.

Photo source: Skysports

Kostya Tszyu vs. Jackie Chan

bill — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 04:52:00 +0000

Here’s something to look forward to: boxing world champion Kostya Tszyu and martial arts great Jackie Chan have agreed to fight in an exhibition match to promote Beijing’s Olympic boxing tournament. Who do you think will win between this two?

Initially, we were leaning towards Kostya because he’s younger (38 years old vs. Jackie’s 54 years) and because fighting in real life is his profession.

But then again, Jackie is also the real deal. In fact, he doesn’t use any stunt doubles in his movies so all that fighting, kicking, and jumping you see him do on screen are for real.

So who will win? We guess it depends on the kind of bout they agree to do — whether it will be purely boxing (in which case Kostya wins) or whether it will include other martial arts disciplines (Jackie wins).

From a public relations standpoint, we think Kostya will emerge a winner (but it doesn’t mean that Jackie loses) as more people will be aware of him because of this exhibition. Jackie Chan is more or less universally known since he joined Hollywood so public awareness for him won’t increase that much.

However, Jackie and Kostya will gain much public goodwill if this exhibition pushes through. Props to both of them for agreeing to do this bout. It should be fun.

Links to other sites:
Kostya Tszyu-Jackie Chan Exhibition At 2008 Olympic Games
Kostya Tszyu agrees to fight Jackie Chan