"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They": James "Cinderella Man" Braddock

James "Cinderella" Braddock, was a former World Heavyweight Champ from 1935-1937.  He turned pro at the age of 21, fighting as a light heavyweight and in 1928, pulled off a major upset by knocking out Tuffy Griffths, and in 1935, Braddock beat Max Baer for the title, earning his nickname "Cinderella Man" for his performance.
Braddock was known for his powerful right hand and strong chin, and three years after he turned pro, acquired a record of 44-2-2. Unfortunately, Braddock battled with chronic hand injuries and lost many bouts due to it. After losing a decision against Tommy Loughran, and fracturing his hand during the bout, Braddock became depressed and his career began to suffer from it. His record fell to 11-20-2 after his devastating loss. He eventually gave up boxing to take care of his family, working as a longshoreman.

 

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Randy Couture

Randy Couture, a former three-time UFC Heavyweight Champion, two-time Light Heavyweight Champion and Interim Light Heavyweight Champion, is the oldest title holder in the UFC and all of MMA. Born in June 1963, Couture is best known for his ground and pound, take down and wrestling skills. During his high school years, Couture won a State Championship in wrestling and from 1982-1988, served in the U.S. Army, reaching the rank of Sergeant, also wrestling and boxing.
Couture made his first MMA debut at UFC 13 in 1997, defeating opponent Tony Halme with his signature ground and pound in under a minute in the first round. At UFC 15, Couture went up against Vitor Belfort to determine who would become the number one contender for the UFC Heavyweight Championship, with Belfort being the favorite to win. Couture dominated Belfort, and beat him in one the biggest upsets in MMA at the time. He then moved down to Light Heavyweight and fought Chuck Liddell, again being considered the underdog. Couture defeated Liddell for the Light heavyweight Championship, and went on to fight  and win against other big names, such as Tito Ortiz.
After a short retirement, and becoming a broadcast commentator for the UFC, Couture announced his comeback in January of 2007. He went head to head against Tim Sylvia, defeating him by unanimous decision, and successfully defended his title against Gaabriel Gonzago at UFC 74. In his bout with Lyoto Machida, he suffered a knockout loss and eventually retired indefinitely in 2011 at the age of 47.
Couture has competed in fifteen title fights and is the fourth member of the UFC Hall of Fame. He is the first fighter to hold two UFC Championship titles in two different divisions and most recently, has starred in movies such as, Expendables 1 and 2, Setup, alongside 50 cent and Bruce Willis and many others.

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: B.J. Penn

B.J. Penn is a former Lightweight Champion in the UFC and is considered one of the best light and welterweights in the sport's history, having been a pioneer of mixed martial arts, helping to bring legitimacy to the sport. Born in 1978, Penn became an MMA and Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. Nicknamed the "Prodigy," Penn became a rising star in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning his black belt in under three years, and became the first American Gold Medalist of the World Jiu Jitsu Championship. He debuted and competed in the UFC, as well as a brief stretch in K-1.
In the UFC, Penn competed in the lightweight, welterweight, middleweight and light heavyweight divisions.  He was a former UFC Lightweight and Welterweight Champion, making UFC history, by winning titles in multiple weight classes. Penn ultimately unified the UFC Lightweight Championship against Sean Sherk, becoming the divisions first Undisputed Champion. Penn went undefeated for eight years, simultaneously holding the number one rank in lightweight and welterweight.
Renowned boxing coach Freddie Roach has described Penn as the best boxer in all of mixed martial arts. Penn's record at retirement stands at (16-9-2), holding notable victories over Matt Hughes, Kenny Florian, Matt Sera and Rodrigo Gracie.

"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Bob Foster

Bob Foster is one the greatest Light Heavyweight World Champions in boxing history. He has won in the WBA, WBC and The Ring bouts throughout his career. Foster won a silver medal at the 1959 Pan American Games as an amateur and would go on to capture fame in the Light Heavyweight division.
Born in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1938, Foster started his professional career against Duke Williams, winning the match up by knockout in the first two rounds of their bout. He then went on to campaign his boxing skills in the United States and Canada, in his first twelve fights, suffering his first loss to Doug Jones, by way of knockout in the eighth round. Foster fought both in the U.S. and  internationally, and obtained many of his losses through his quest to become a heavyweight contender. In the most memorable heavyweight bout, Foster suffered a famous loss against Muhammed Ali, who took home the NABF Heavyweight title. Despite these losses, Foster became a top ranked Light Heavyweight in 1967. He went on to beat competitors such as, Eddie Cotton, Eddie Vick and Sonny Moore. In 1968 at Madison Square Garden, Foster got his first title shot against Dick Tiger, knocking him out in four rounds and becoming the new Light Heavyweight World Champion.      
In his retirement, Foster joined the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department and became a well known detective in the Albuquerque area.  He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame,  named to The Ring magazine's list of 100 Greatest Punchers, and also to its list of the Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years, ranked at number 55.

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Gina Carano

Gina Carano is a former Middleweight MMA fighter. She began her training in Muay Thai, eventually crossing over to mixed martial arts. Born in Dallas County, Texas, Carano was always athletic, leading her high school girl's basketball team to a state title.
Carano started her career competing in Muay Thai events, and after going 12-1-1, was extended an invitation to the World Extreme Fighting, to face Leticia Pestova. She then faced Elaina Maxwell at Strikeforce Triple Threat on December 8, 2006, winning the bout by unanimous decision. This was the first female bout in Strikeforce's history. In February 2007, Carano defeated Julie Kedzie during a televised event on Showtime, the first of its kind. Her most notable bout came on August 15, 2009 at Strikeforce, going head to head against Chris "Cyborg" for the first Women's Middleweight Championship. Carano lost by TKO in the first round. Her MMA record stands at 7-1.

Gina Carano can be credited with being the face of women's MMA and has used her accomplishments to land on the cover of ESPN magazines' cover, and starring in films such as Haywire in 2009 and most recently, Fast and Furious 6.

"Critiquing the Cage" Who Are They: Chuck Liddell

Chuck Liddell is a former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, with a vast striking, kickboxing, and grappling background.  Along with Randy Couture, Liddell is widely credited for bringing mixed martial arts into the mainstream. 
Born on December 17, 1969 in Santa Barbra, California, Liddell was raised by a single mother, and his grandfather who taught him boxing techniques.  Liddell made his UFC debut in 1998 during UFC 17, with a decision over Noe Hernandez. In his next bout, he faced the Brazilian fighter, Jose "Pele" Landi-John, which was bare-knuckle. Liddell was the heavy underdog in the fight and won the match by decision.  Liddell began establishing his reputation as a top contender with victories over MMA greats Vitor Belfort and Tito Ortiz. Liddell was also the first UFC fighter to fight in Pride.
Liddell finished his career with the second most knockouts in UFC history, behind Anderson Silva, and in 2009, Liddell was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame and is currently an actor in advertising by Miller Light.

"Critiquing the Cage" UFC 165: Jon Jones vs Alexander Gustafsson

On Saturday, September 21, 2013 the reigning UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Jon Jones (18-1), will defend his title against Alexander Gustafsson (15-1) at UFC 165.  Jones is currently the youngest UFC fighter to capture and defend a title.  He also holds the record for the longest winning streak in lightweight history.  With a win on Saturday, Jones will surpass Tito Ortiz with the most successful wins in the lightweight division.  So this match up promises to be a great one, with so much on the line for Jones.

Alexander Gustafsson is currently ranked as the number one contender for the light heavyweight division championship title.  Just like Jones, he has experienced only one loss and is looking to prove himself with a win, breaking Jones’ winning streak and catapulting him into the top echelon of MMA fighters. 

Jon Jones is a versatile fighter,using strikes, submissions and his ground game to overcome his opponents. Gustafsson uses his striking to dismantle his competitors, but he will need to have a well rounded game plan if he wants to get a win over Jones.

This bout promises to be action packed and exciting.  Both fighters are fighting for notariety, with Gustafsson taking on the taxing role of beating the unbeatable and becoming the new champ, and Jones, retaining his title and making UFC history.

"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They

So we've decided here at FightNite101, to honor and remember past boxers, MMA and many other of our favorite sports figures, not only for their talent, but the legacy they've left behind, paving the way for future athletes.

Our featured fighter today is, Virgil Akins. Known as "Honeybear," Akins was born in St. Louis on March 10th, 1928. He began his boxing career as Lightweight, eventually moving up to the Welterweight division. Akins was the first World Champion hailing from St. Louis, winning the undisputed Welterweight Championship in 1958.

He was considered a "lanky" fighter, but had tremendous punching power. In 1955, he ended Ronnie Delaney's forty seven fight winning streak, by KO'ing him. Akins retired in 1962.

He was honored by The Ring magazine as the Progress Fighter of the Year in 1958, and elected to the Gateway Classic Walk of Fame. Akins passed away in his hometown of St. Louis on January 22, 2011.

"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Henry Armstrong

Henry Jackson Jr., better known as, Henry Armstrong, was born in Columbus, Mississippi in 1912. Armstrong can by far be considered one of boxing's greatest athletes, hailed by critics and other professional boxers alike. He is one of many elite boxers that have won boxing championships in three or more different divisions.  This was especially unique, because at the time, there were only eight recognized World titles. Armstrong also has the honor and distinction of being the only boxer to hold three World Championships at the same time, Batamweight, Featherweight, and Welterweight. He has also defended the Welterweight title more times than any other boxer.
Armstrong started out as a professional on July 28, 1931, getting knocked out by Al Lovino in the third round of their bout. His first win came later that year, beating Sammy Burns by way of decision in the sixth round.
In 2007, The Ring ranked Armstrong as the second greatest fighter of the last 80 years as did Bert Sugar, proclaiming him to be the second greatest boxer of all time. Armstrong was also inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame and became a member of the International Boxing Hall Fame.
After boxing, he became a Baptist minister and youth advocate.  He passed away on October 22, 1988 in Los Angeles, California.

"Logic Behind the Leather" R.I.P Tommy Morrison

Earlier today, boxer Tommy Morrison passed on at the age of 44. During his career, Morrison experienced highs and lows. He stunned the boxing world by defeating George Foreman, and had famed matches against Lenox Lewis, Michael Bentt and Ray Mercer.  Morrison also starred beside Sylvester Stallone in the fifth installment of the Rocky series. His personal life was something of a roller coaster ride, and in February of 1996, announced that he had contracted HIV.

He will truly be missed.