Former Champ Chris Eubank Arrested !

[H2O Man]

Former WBO middleweight and super-middleweight champion Chris Eubank was arrested on 2-22-07, for protesting British involvement in the Iraqi war. Boxing fans will recall the eccentric, extremely talented boxer for his two outstanding wars against Nigel Benn. On 11-18-90, Eubank won a 9-round TKO over Benn; then on 10-9-93, they fought to a draw in 12 rounds. In 10-97, at the end of his career, Eubank lost a 12 round decision to tough Joe Calzaghe.

Eubank was arrested for a "breach of the peace" when he drove his truck, with a large banner reading, "Blair, don't send our young prince to your catastrophic illegal war to make it look plausible," and tooting his truck's horn at people who waved.

The 40-year old was born in Brighton. He was suspended from school 18 times, before being expelled. After a series of failed social services interventions, he became a homeless youth for almost two years. Eventually, he found boxing. He ended up with a record of 45-5-2, with 23 KOs.

After boxing, Eubank became a British reality TV show star, and also did a one-man show in 2004 at Swindon's Wyvern Theater. Over the years, he also became popular for doing a citizen's arrest on an armed robber who was leaving a jewelry store. Eubanks himself was arrested for moving a beer delivery truck that was blocking the street as he was attempting to drive his two children to school.

A decade ago, Eubank converted to Islam. He has said that he believes that Islam and Christianity teach the same message of peace and love. Thus, he has protested the British involvement in the Iraq since the war started.

[Bluzmann57]

1. That's cool.

I wish some American athlete or other well known celebrity had cajones enough to do that. But not Mike Tyson. Some athlete with at least a modicum of credibility.

[H2O Man]

2. I can remember when

Ali was preparing to refuse to be drafted. A group of top athletes from other sports got together and met with him. Guys like Jim Brown and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. It was a powerful group.

[Bluzmann57]

3. I remember that too

Sort of. I was sort of young, but a neighbor kid worshipped Ali. I also remember Tommy Smith and John Carlos and their Black Power salute in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

[H2O Man]

4. Tommy Smith and John Carlos ....

That was one of the outstanding moments from the 1960s. And, of course, 1968 was the strangest year of the decade.

There was the curious moment that followed Smith and Carlos, when young George Foreman carried the little American flag around the ring. despite what some writers claimed at the time, Big George was not doing it to counter or disrespect the other two. He was actually doing something similar to Cassius Clay in Rome, when he told the Soviet reporters that while there were serious problems in the USA, people were working towards solutions. Of course, in '68, the Champ wasn't allowed to earn a living, due to his religious beliefs!

In the Reagan-Sush1 era, George Foreman spoke out against their policies that cut social programs, such as the one that saved him from a life in jail, and helped make him an Olympic Champion.

It would be great to see some young athletes take a brave stance on the Iraq war. And to see some of the old-timers from that by-gone era to stand up with them.