TOP LISTS
Counting down the best and worst of everything

Top 10 Best Ringside Entrances that are better suited for Broadway than they are for Boxing.
In boxing, the pre-fight hype and build up to the match is as important as the fight itself. These days, promoters are using reality specials like HBO's 24/7, staged brawls at press conferences, and smack talking at the weigh-in's adding some much needed drama. But the ring entrance is the fighter's last chance to get an unsolicited word in before actually getting down to business. With the Mayweather vs. Cotto fight around the corner, we look at the Top 10 Ring Entrances, some funny, most of them cocky, and one that's downright intimidating.
Fun Fact
In Newark, New Jersey, in 1942, Timmy Larkin entered the ring intensely focused on his bout with Tommy Cross... so much so that Larkin took off his robe and found himself standing buck naked in the ring.
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Manny Pacquiao Karaoke's To The Ring
April 14, 2007 - For those who follow Manny Pacquiao, you wouldn't normally associate the humble Filipino with a grandiose ringside entrance. Entering to the Philippines' national anthem? We can see that. Walking down to a softer song that doesn't get the adrenaline running? Maybe. But entering the ring with your own recorded song blaring in the background? That's what us cynics like to call humbly cocky. That's right, that's Pacquiao's own song pre-facing the beat down he is about to put on Jorge Solis. And with that, Manny makes the top 10 in this listing, and also the top 10 in karaoke celebrities known to the world.
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Usman Ahmed Shows Up To Get Knocked Out
January 22, 2010 — This video went viral in 2010, and if you haven't seen it yet, we don't blame you. I mean, who really is Usman Ahmed? He's a Pakistani-English boxer with an unimpressive 12-6 professional record. He's also the proud owner of dance moves that you usually only see during the reception introductions of the bride and groom at weddings. And his original entrance song was by Fergie. That's the bad news. The good news is it turns out the video was pieced together to show one of Usman's past entrances, then matched with the Ashley Sexton bout where he got knocked out in the first round. No need to thank us for clearing that up, Uzzy.
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Floyd Mayweather Came, Saw, Conquered
June 25, 2005 — Fact: not many people would stride into someone's hometown as if he were already the emperor. Another fact: no one else is like Floyd Mayweather Jr. Floyd took the 'Money' show right into Arturo Gatti's backyard at the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, buoyed by Roman gladiators. In true emperor form, the rain of boo's were met by smiles and kisses from Floyd, and you have to love his prediction of the fight playing in the song choice. He came, he saw, he conquered.
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Apollo Creed in Rocky 4
November 27, 1985 — Technically not a real professional bout, but who are we kidding? The Rocky movies have influenced not only the people in boxing but have served as inspiration to the underdogs of the world. Though even for the movies, this introduction isn't just over the top; it's overflowing, spilled, and has a baby crying over it. Capped off by James Brown, we're actually glad Apollo made a grand entrance here, since it would be the last time he ever stepped into the ring. If you're going to go down, might as well go in flames.
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Bernard Hopkins' 17-Year Revenge in the Making
April 3, 2010 — During the early days of his career, Bernard "The Executioner" Hopkins was only decisively beat once- by Roy Jones Jr. After conquering the middleweight division, and being ducked for a rematch by Roy Jones Jr. for years, "The Executioner", at 45 years old, got his revenge against his one time nemesis. Although Hopkins has always come down to the ring dressed as an executioner, considering the revenge factor, and the Frank Sinatra-esque "My Way" entrance song, Hopkins gets ranked for beating the point home on what his mission was that night. Beating the point home. Get it? Because he won by decision? Never mind.
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Prince Naseem Hamed's Magic Carpet Entrance
March 11, 2000 — If Prince Naseem Hamed wasn't the influence for Floyd Mayweather's braggadocio nature, than he certainly is cut from the same cloth. The former lightweight champ finished his career with a 36-1 record, and was 35-0 before his first loss. Funny thing is, his boxing skills are only the fourth thing that makes him famous. Prince Naseem Hamed was known for the pride in his Arabian culture, cocksure attitude during interviews, and his elaborate ring entrances before big fights. What better way to express that than flying in on a magic carpet? The last time anyone else even entered the ring through the air was Shawn Michaels in the WWE, but that one just didn't have that royal, Aladdin, effect.
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Cinco De Mayweather
May 5, 2007 — Fighting Oscar De La Hoya on Cinco De Mayo, Floyd Mayweather Jr. walked into a pro-De La Hoya crowd rocking Mexican colours and wearing the sombrero backwards for that extra bit of salt on the wound. The guy singing the song beside him, that's 50 Cent. No biggie. Although other fighters may have flashier introductions, Mayweather scores high points here simply on the insulting factor. We know the scorecards say it was close, but Oscar was embarrassed that night. To top it all off, this was actually the fight that launched Floyd into mainstream popularity. Thanks, Oscar.
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Sharif Bogere Killed A Lion
August 7, 2009 — The date says August 7, 2009, but this is how Sharif "The Roaring Lion" Bogere enters the ring EVERY TIME. If you show up to the ring like this, you better have the skills to back it up. Well, how about fighting your way out of poverty in Uganda, being only 23 and having a 21-0 record, recently winning the WBO Lightweight title, and killing a lion with your bare hands at the age of 15. Ok so we made that last one up, but everyone lies on his or her resume from time to time. The only thing that could make this introduction better would be if James Earl Jones introduced Bogere in his ghost of Mufasa voice. "Bogere, Bogere."
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Prince Naseem Hamed Wins in a Thriller
October 31, 1998 — Considering the fact that Halloween is not a big event in England, the Prince did well here choosing a song that would appropriately fit the day. But true to form, Naseem went all out in putting forth a Tales from the Crypt setting that would rival any of The Undertaker's Wrestlemania appearances. "Thriller" by Michael Jackson was the obvious choice, as he probably wouldn't get that same ghoulish presentation if "Monster Mash" were playing in the background.
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Baddest Man on the Planet: Mike Tyson
June 27, 1988 — Although he punched as if he had loaded gloves, the intimidation factor had always been a big part of 'Iron' Mike Tyson's arsenal. Where other boxers put on fancy robes, in his early years Tyson strode to the ring without one, and approached it already in a full sweat, as if he knew the fight was going to end early. In this particular bout with Michael Spinks, you can tell the way he walks down is already making Spinks nervous. And his nervousness was well justified. The grim reaper silence and clang of chains from Tyson's entrance music officially makes this the most bad-ass introduction of all time.
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