Boxing Fans Come in All Shapes and Sizes – Former Adult Movie Star Legend Vanessa Del Rio Proves that with RSR
Exclusive Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt (Reposted for Archive purposes)
“His (Muhammad Ali) confidence was unlike anyone’s I have ever seen.”–Vanessa Del Rio
When the name Vanessa Del Rio is mentioned, I have no doubt that many thoughts come to the reader’s mind. I’m sure that over half of the male population have seen her many adult movies in the late 1970’s and early 80’s if they are willing to admit it. She gained her success in the many movies that she made, and still to this day, they generate a huge revenue for the adult movie industry which she retired from in December 1985/January 1986.
Well, as you know, RSR tries not to do the obvious interviews. Both Seka and now Vanessa show they are in that elite group of boxing fans who love to talk about their love of boxing and show their support to it.
In this interview, Vanessa had me laughing many times with her New York accent and witty one liners. She truly speaks her mind.
Ladies and Gentlemen, RSR welcomes MS Vanessa Del Rio…
BB: How long have you followed boxing?
I can remember when I was like in the sixth grade going to Catholic School and we had this Franciscan Black Nun who was crazy about Cassius Clay. I can remember her bringing all the news clippings to class and she would be so very excited reading to us about him.
In addition to this, I really followed it when I was dating an ex-fighter back in the early 1970’s named, John Rotondo. He trained up in the Catskill Mountains with the legendary, Cus D’Amato. After that timeframe, I was on and off with watching boxing. However, I always kept up with it through the news.
BB: Who are your top three favorite fighters of all-time and why?
Number one hands down is, Muhammad Ali for the obvious reasons. His confidence was unlike anyone’s I have ever seen. I looked at him as a role model because everything he set his mind to do he always did. He exemplifies what you can do when you put your mind to it and for that, I truly respect him.
I really liked Prince Naseem Hamed. He is so cocky with his pre-fight act and the funny thing is, he pulls it off. I like the skills and showmanship he provides in the ring.
I know you only said three, but I have to add one more. Sugar Ray Leonard. He was just so fast and schooled in the ring. Each time you would see him fight you got your fill of excitement.
BB: Being a fan of boxing for many years, what changes have you seen in the sport?
I think at one point in the late 1980s through the early 1990s, it kind of went down. It now seems to be getting back to when I first started watching it. As of late, there have been so many great matches that I have watched. Brad, you should hear me rooting for the fighters. The neighbors probably think I am nuts, especially when the fight comes on late and they can hear my yelling.
BB: What divisions today do you find the most exciting?
The Heavyweights and the Middleweights.
BB: Would you like to see boxing go back to the days when you had 15-round championship fights vs. the 12 they have today?
I would have to say yes because watching the Mosley vs Delahoya fight, which had that great 12th round, makes me wonder what 13-15 would have brought us. I think we would have seen some really great action in there.
BB: What fighters excite you enough as a paying customer to order their PPV matches?
To be honest , I pay to see them all the time even when the price tag is at $50.00.
BB: Do you think fighters should have a mandatory retirement fund and if so, how would you like to see it accomplished?
Yes I do. Actors have their unions that take care of them when they get older. Boxers put so much into the sport and should have some type of fund when they finally hang up the gloves.
BB: What is the greatest fight you have ever seen and why?
Hands down, The Thrilla in Manilla. I love watching it time and time again, which they show on the Sports Classic TV show here. In this legendary match, you had two men who fought with every ounce of energy they could muster up.
It was a back and forth war, and when I saw Frazier at the end unable to come out for the 15th round, I saw the greatness of Muhammad Ali. He persevered throughout a fight that almost saw him retire in his corner, as well. You have to respect a man like Ali for not giving up in a true rumble, such as this was.
BB: What do you think of females in boxing?
It’s ok as long as they get in there and fight. I actually made a documentary movie in the 1970s about a female fighter named Cathy “Cat” Davis.
They filmed me in the ring boxing and I wasn’t bad with my fists because as I told you earlier, I was friends with that boxer and he taught me a couple of moves.
BB: Finally, what is the saying you live your life by?
“Never Give Up and Never Take No For An Answer”
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