By Matt Bozeat
10) RENDALL MUNROE
‘The Boxing Binman’ from Leicester was one of Sky Sports’ best stories before Eddie Hearn took over and they went all big time. Munroe wore a high-visibility jacket, sunglasses and the toon of choice was . . . ‘My Old Man’s A Dustman.’
9) WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO
Once they heard the opening bars of ‘Can’t Stop’ by Red Hot Chilli Peppers, the crowd cheered. They knew the best heavyweight of his generation was on his way. His most spectacular entrance was for the Eddie Chambers fight in 2010.
8) SHANE MCPHILBIN
The British cruiserweight champion walked to the ring for his defence against Enzo Maccarinelli wearing a pork pie hat, sunglasses – and accompanied by Mr. Blobby wearing boxing gloves.
7) CHRIS EUBANK SR
For his first fight with Steve Collins, Eubank appeared sitting on a Harley Davidson, then realised he wouldn’t be able to steer it with his gloves on, so jumped off and once he heard the opening bars of ‘Simply The Best,’ he set off to the ring, jumping over the top rope when he got there.
https://youtu.be/ANKzd7Tbe4g?t=10m56s
6) USMAN AHMED
‘Uzzy’ milked every moment of his walk to the ring to face Ashley Sexton. He draped a huge medallion around his neck and danced every step of the way. He looked like Prince Naseem Hamed – until the fight started. Ahmed was knocked out in the first round.
https://youtu.be/XQn8YI1_RrQ?t=37s
5) FLOYD MAYWEATHER Jr
Doing his best to get under everyone’s skin, Mayweather jr walked to the ring for his fight with Mexican rival Oscar de la Hoya wearing Mexican colours and a huge white sombrero – backwards! 50 Cent was a couple of steps behind him, rapping.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzscDz3iKf8
4) BERNARD HOPKINS
Before he morphed into the eccentric, one-off ‘Alien,’ Hopkins was the hugely intimidating ‘Executioner’ who made his way to the ring wearing a mask. For his rematch with Roy Jones Jr in 2010, Hopkins was joined on his ring walk by an ageing crooner who sung a rewritten version of ‘My Way’ that told the story of the fighter’s career.
3) PRINCE NASEEM HAMED
The showman of all showmen, Naz was driven to the ring, carried on a throne and sometimes, he just danced his way there before vaulting over the top rope.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGpJHq5OUxE
2) RICKY HATTON
Or should that be ‘Ricky Fatton.’ A man of extremes, Hatton was either pushing his body to the limits in the gym or ordering a pint and a pie, then another, then another, then another . . . He would emerge from his dressing room wearing a fat suit, then rip it off and bounce to the ring to the rhythms of ‘Blue Moon,’ anthem of his beloved Manchester City.
https://youtu.be/zpd6GxzZkp8?t=3m14s
1) Mike Tyson
Tyson would say that walking to the ring wearing only black shorts, black boots and a white towel made him feel like a gladiator. It made his opponents feel very nervous. Tyson was all business.