Who are the fighters that you would consider most underrated(all time)

These are for me fighters who are either underrated or unappreciated;

Ike Williams
Vicente Saldivar
Masao Ohba
Hilario Zapata

tiozzo (Laurent Boudouani Ten years since Laurent Boudouani left the light ring. Remember, his last confrontation ended with a defeat on points against American David Reid in Atlantic City, for the WBA super-welterweight was March 6, 1999. Yet, objectively, Laurent Boudouani is still in the collective memories of boxing as he has impressed us with its technical ease and speed. The winners of the Savoy is impressive: 42 fights, 38 wins including 32 by KO, 3 losses and 1 draw. The value of this record is all the more significant when one lingers longer on the quality of his opponents. Laurent Boudouani is simply a champion who has beaten the best in its class: Guillermo Jones, Terry Norris, Carl Daniels, Julio Cesar Vasquez, Javier Castillo ...
It was therefore necessary to Netbox to reconnect with the former champion to the intrinsic qualities. For that, we went to meet him at his home in Sallanches, in his company: La Brasserie du Palace. True to himself, Laurent Boudouani we received between shyness and humility.



NB: Ten years after your retirement from the sport, which is the new Laurent Boudouani?
LB: I am now a married man, I have four lovely children, a boy and three girls. I became manager of the brewery for five years (editor's note: La Brasserie du Palace / 110, Quai de l'Hotel de Ville / Sallanches 74700). For its operation, I use two employees.

NB: Why the conversion?
LB: Because I primarily want to work for myself. I mean, I wanted to look after. After my defeat against David Reid, I took some years off. When you have experienced the highest level, it's hard to find. I have known for years intense emotions, I had to find new motivations. And actually, I was a professional boxer, I had no other qualifications than those of a boxer, I did not do anything but boxing.

NB: Always faithful to Sallanches ...
LB: Yes, this is where I have all my family, my friends, all my bearings. I feel good in Sallanches, look around you, the environment is ideal. I see no reason to leave the Savoy.



NB: Seven championships EBU, six WBA championships, you're known. What is your favorite boxing?
LB: Unquestionably the Olympic Games in Seoul! It was just amazing! More than the result is the atmosphere that I remember (editor's note: Laurent Boudouani won the silver medal in the Seoul Olympics in the welterweight category).

NB: Your response is amazing because it highlights a period in amateur boxing.
LB: Yes, but the Olympics are a series of first impressions, the first hymn, the discovery of very high level, the first title, the first exchanges with athletes from around the world ...

NB: And in professional boxing, what is your best memory?
LB: My first world title against Julio Cesar Vasquez (editor's note: Win by KO in the fifth round). At that time I was physically, I felt unbeatable, I was 110%. To put everything in context, the Argentine had to play twelve WBA world championship, it was considered the best, was a fighter able to carry a decision on a sudden, I had no right to I miss it. But I grew mentally, I could handle the pressure, I was really ready for world title, I was at the top and I wanted this title! At this point, I knew that I had nothing to reproach myself because I was ready.



NB: What was your most difficult opponent to box?
LB: The Panamanian Guillermo Jones! This guy was a basketball player with tentacles. I think I've never drooled all to achieve my target, it was impossible to box. "The super-welterweight" was not his natural category, Guillermo Jones has always been a heavy light. As if this were not enough, Don King has done everything that I face a second time in less than a year.

NB: Early on, you were considered "the great French hope." What was the trigger to realize these hopes?
LB: Well, I am considered a truly professional boxer until 1989, years before I left on Echirolles (editor's note: Rhone-Alpes). At this point, I just changed my coach, my gym, my environment ... I get that from Echirolles professional. I had no choice, we had to move a break, a radical change for me to realize my ambitions. You know, boxing is a sport that does not cheat, it's a sport that does not support the poor, particularly in terms of preparation. To win, I had to concentrate on boxing.

NB: Why did you stopped boxing after your defeat on points against David Reid, at the age of 33 years?
LB: Because I had the "urge". As I said, boxing does not tolerate mediocrity, if the urge is gone, it's no use continuing.

NB: You've experienced the best years of boxing in France, which are now contacts with the world of noble art?
LB: I kept the same contacts with promoters, trainers and journalists.



NB: What is your current vision of boxing in France, and what boxers do you follow?
LB: Honestly, I watch a lot of fights on TV, but I stopped shivering. I think there is a shortage of locomotives, boxers "spectacular." But I followed the last Olympics, and it seems that this generation can give us that.