Old School G: Greg Haugen
Old School G: Greg Haugen
When I was a little Baby G, I watched two fights that blew my dome piece: Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza VS Greg Haugen I and Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza VS Greg Haugen II.
The first fight Greg Haugen went to Pazienza’s backyard Providence, Rhode Island and dropped a 15 round decision in a fight that he should have won. A full slugfest for 15. Both fighters showed more heart that a triple bypass patient.
In the return, Haugen went to “neutral turf”, Atlantic City and dominated Vinny Paz, over 15 rounds, in a fight no less exciting.
He went on to beat Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and beat and lose to Hector “Macho” Camacho. He took losses to two greats Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker and Julio Cesar Chavez. But always showed an iron chin and heart.
Haugen was a guy who even if overmatched with talent always gave 100%. G Manifesto Certified on the real. They just don’t make them like Haugen anymore.
Here is an interview from the “Where are they now?” file.
(SM) What were paydays like back in the early years of your pro career?
(Greg Haugen) Pretty bad, like $100 a round if you were lucky. I started out fighting ten rounder’s instead of the usual four. Money was bad back then.
(SM) What about the decision in the first Pazienza fight.. Did you think you won that fight?
(Greg Haugen) I know I won that fight! I didn’t have hardly a mark, a little cut over my eye from a head butt. He had a broken nose, eye was shut. There was no doubt in my mind I won. I was disgusted that they robbed me of my title, my first loss. He was obviously the favorite, in his town.We had a rematch clause that he would go to my town for a rematch and he wouldn’t honor it. So I beat him in New Jersey instead.
(SM) You won the title back in a rematch, why were things different?
(GH) I was in better shape, just beat him up. I was still real mad about the first fight and went after him big time. I just took out my anger on him.
SM: What about the first Camacho fight, winning the WBO title. Did Camacho give away the decision by refusing to touch your gloves?
(Greg Haugen) The rule is that you only have to touch gloves in the first round. I was the one who refused in the final round. I said a lot of derogatory things to him during the fight, got under his skin. He got mad about me not wanting to touch his gloves and tried to sucker-punch me. They took a point away and he lost by a point. Doesn’t matter how I won, I won the fight!
SM: How good was Chavez, he is always ranked highly pound for pound?
(Greg Haugen) I can’t really judge that, I know he was one of the better fighters I fought. When I fought him I was training on cocaine and vodka, going through a bad divorce. My mindset was in no place it should have been. When you fight a guy like Chavez, you have to be 100%. He took my legs out quickly because I wasn’t in shape. He wasn’t unbeaten for no reason. I still consider Whitaker the best skilled I fought though, Chavez number two.
SM: What is the Greg Haugen Foundation I have heard about?
(Greg Haugen) Were up and going now, the website is up and going to, it’s www.greghaugenfoundation.com. Were having a dinner in August to benefit autism. We have a lot of great fighters signed up: Norton, Foreman, Frazier, Duran, etc. Ali and Mancini are not committed yet. Twenty ex-champions so far. It’s dear to my heart because it has affected my family also. So many people out there are directly or indirectly affected by autism. About one in every eight people I talk to are affected. I’m trying to make enough money to build a hospital or somewhere families can go to get all the help they need, under one roof. It’s a great cause to get involved with, please go to the website.
SM: What’s the future hold for you?
(Greg Haugen) Just hanging in there! Every day you wake up is a good day! Just going to try and get the foundation going and would like to open a community center where kids can go to box or to hang out. We need to keep them off the streets. A lot have parents, one parent, that needs to work, and the kids are left alone. If I can use my name or celebrity to help them then why the hell not!
The Rest is Up to You…
Michael Porfirio Mason
AKA The Peoples Champ
AKA Your favorite International Playboy on the Rise’s favorite International Playboy on the Rise
The Guide to Getting More out of Life
http://www.thegmanifesto.com
Pernell Whitaker vs. Greg Haugen
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