WHEN & WHY IS SEX FORBIDDEN IN FIGHTING?
San Francisco, CA- For as long as I can remember, “sex & boxing” came together like oil & water. My old man, his prior generation, they told him that a man only had so many happy endings before the good times would come to an end. In addition, you had old boxing guys at the gym telling you that sex could get you knocked the **** out!
SOME BOXERS HAVE DIED FOR SEX!
The great Salvador Sanchez, who died when his car rear ended a chicken truck on a Mexican road going nearly 100 MPH, old sly Sal was returning to his training camp in the early morning hours after a “booty” call.
SEX, GOOD OR BAD FOR FIGHTERS?
According to the experts there is no scientific research that says that sex will impair and or restrict an athlete’s performance. I remember asking my boxing MD, Dr. Smith Ketchum, San Francisco renowned surgeon, if sex would hurt my performance and Smith was sort of in the middle on it.
LAMOTTA AND HIS ICE CUBE DAYS
In a scene from the epic fight flick “Raging Bull,” Jake LaMotta iced up his testicles in an attempt to thwart off having sex during training with then sizzling wife Vickie. While Jake’s era was against sex throughout training, there were fighters who “took it anytime” sex was presented.
MUHAMMAD ALI, CHAVEZ, DE LA HOYA, FOSTER!
Muhammad Ali, he was known as the “Pelvic Missionary,” as Ali was as active as a union plumber when it came to laying down pipe. Julio Cesar Chavez, during one training camps in Mexico and fighting at 140 lbs., Julio had two women staying in the same hotel but on different floors. Being beautiful chicks aside, Chavez told me, “I don’t like sleeping alone.”
LEONARD HAD HIS CURRENT WIFE IN CAMP!
Although there were not yet married, and Ray Leonard was still having issues with future ex-wife Juanita Leonard, his current wife Veronica, she shared a condo with Ray during his 1989 training camp for Tommy Hearns II.
OSCAR’S LAWYER SAID OVER 250 CHICKS SINCE…
When a young lady accused Oscar De La Hoya of being sexually inappropriate in A Mexican resort many ears ago, his defense was that he “had sex with over 250 women since their alleged encounter, and that Oscar didn’t remember her.” The Hall of Fame light heavyweight champ Bob Foster, he never had sex during training, but he had one beer a night!
DOCTOR LAUGHED OFF THE QUICKIE!
“I don’t think that a quick encounter in the midst of a training camp would hurt an encounter,” said Dr. Ketchum. I do think that sweating up the sheets throughout camp would hinder a fighter both physically and emotionally. A little yes, to excess no. I don’t like if a fighter is shedding weight and weak already, but the quickie is not a major problem. Depends on the individual.”
THE SEX CAN COME BACK & HAUNT HIM!
Some fighters would sit down to get their hands wrapped and at that point and time, all the negative s*it they had done in training, or in some case not done, it toys with your mind. The late Alexis Arguello, a true 15-round fighter didn’t partake in any sex while training until post Aaron Pryor. On the other hand, Alexis smoked cigarettes every day of his boxing life.
LITTLE MAN TALKING SMACK ON MY SHOULDER
In closing, I know that sex had relaxing features while your gearing up for a fight. But at the same time, I hated that imaginary little man who would sit on my shoulder during the ref’s instructions and ask me, “was it f*****g worth it?” I never answered him!
Pedro Fernandez