Top 3 Inspirational Sporting Figures

When it comes to sports, inspiration figures are truly sights to behold. When riding solo, they emulate brave knights, talismanic in battle. When part of a team or squad they resemble army generals, victorious due to their war conduct. Here is a celebration of sport’s most inspirational figures over the years.

Muhammad Ali

The first sportsman to coin the quote ‘I am the greatest’, Muhammad Ali owns this phrase because he simply is the greatest ever boxer to had lived. In fact it wouldn’t even be possible to begrudge Ali claiming he meant the greatest ever ‘sportsman’, when he uttered what was to become his infamous catchphrase.

His speed was incredible, precision tremendous and power mind boggling. Ali was a man of extraordinary talent and charisma. The most entertaining in and out of the ring, Ali’s title as ‘the king’ is hard to dispute.

Sportsmen are often appreciated for their worth away from the actual sports cameras and in front of the interview cameras. Ali also excelled tremendously in this aspect, giving viewers limericks, poems, banter and some truly memorable quotes.

Arkle

Three Cheltenham Gold Cups, Two Hennessy Gold Cups, the Whitbread Gold Cup, Irish Grand National, King George VI … Read more at FryingPanSports

Public Displays of Terrible Sportsmanship

Credit: bc-fotografie

Throughout history, many professional sports personalities have taken their competitive edge to the next level, by not being able to keep their frustrations and anger sealed. Usually, such unsavoury acts of sportsmanship are witnessed by the public eye and, as a consequence, their careers are forever tarnished. Here’s a look at the sporting personalities who have committed foul play, a heinous hack, or generally flipped out in front of the cameras for the viewing world to see.

 

Mike Tyson

This is perhaps one of the most notorious displays of terrible sportsmanship – the infamous WBA heavyweight championship match between Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield. It was to be a fight which was expected to see an end to Mike Tyson’s career, and one which neither fighter nor referee, Mills Lane, will ever forget. The first two rounds were like any other heavyweight title fight, with both men looking very hungry for the big shots and the even bigger win. There was an accidental, stray head-butt from Holyfield in the second round, cutting Tyson just above is right eye, which he didn’t take kindly too. In retaliation, Tyson resorted to feasting on of Holyfield’s ears in the third … Read more at FryingPanSports