Boxing. Just because someone gets punched in the face doesn’t mean it always has to be serious — at least not for the people outside the ring. Two-time NYC Golden Glove Champ, four-time National Amateur Champ and Olympic Team Alternate Eric Kelly showed the world via a viral YouTube video that when it comes to the sweet science, there’s a lot to laugh at. But he’s not the only one to tap in to the funny side of boxing.
Funny men from Richard Pryor to Gary Owen have made friends with icons of boxing, partied with them, and most of all, found ways to humanize them and their feats through comedy. Check out how some of the pros have turned the gym wars and knockouts of boxing into comedic gold.
(Ed's Note: To the kids and others with sensitive ears, these eight video clips coming up might not be for you. Or, this might be the perfect time to let those chaste and virtuous ears be ruined. Regardless, the following material contains adult language.)
CONTINUE TO READ THE 8 HILARIOUS ROUNDS OF BOXINGS AND COMEDIANS DOING BATTLE.
Chris Rock - The Great White Hope
Do you remember the old Chris Rock Show? This is probably one of the two best skits he ever put together, and it just happens to be about boxing. The other was about how to avoid an ass beating, but not the kind that happens in a ring. Check out Chris Rock's view of how race plays a role in boxing.
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Aries Spears - Keeping Mike Tyson Employed
Aries Spears is one of the funniest comics you probably haven’t spent enough time listening to. This short bit on Africans, Indians and Mike Tyson will get you searching YouTube for all his work.
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Saturday Night Live - Evander "The Real Deal" Holyfield v. Buster Douglas
A boxing prediction as only Chris Rock can deliver. Damn, he looks young.
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Eddie Murphy - Rocky
Rocky might be the greatest boxing film ever made. At the very least its the most iconic. But as Eddie Murphy points out in his classic standup RAW, it also warped some people’s sense of reality.
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Earthquake - Knockouts are Funny
(Move to 6:00 mark of the clip) If you haven’t heard of Earthquake, you need to up your comedy game. His appearance on HBO’s standup comedy series “One Night Stand” is definitely worth a listen. In this short clip, he hits home with sharp jabs at Roy Jones Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya.
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Eddie Murphy - Tyson & Holmes
Eddie Murphy said Mike Tyson is one of the greatest sportsmen out there; Larry Holmes is a soup-eatin’ fool. How could that not be funny?
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Jamie Foxx - He's Loose!
Mike Tyson's antics outside the ring are as epic as his accomplishments inside it. That's why Jamie Foxx and probably hundreds of others reacted like this when they saw Tyson walk into a party.
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Richard Pryor - Boxing with a Legend
The legendary Richard Pryor on the legendary Muhammad Ali. Enough said.
