From M. Pullen: “What the hell was Cuba Gooding Jr. on? Was that (pre-fight) interview with James Brown not a perfect 100 on the Unintentional Comedy Scale? I’m getting the giggles just thinking about it. Cuba all hopped up, bouncing off the walls, he was like one of those comedians on BET who bomb, just running off, being loud and not making one bit of sense. Watching Brown try to keep some semblance of sanity during that segment was hilarious, especially when Cuba got up, went behind the seats and started shadow-boxing, and Brown said, ‘Hey, there’s no railing there,’ and he had to try and pull Cuba back into his seat before he fell to his death. Kudos to Brown for a heroic performance, considering next he had to deal with a punch drunk and incomprehensible Joe Frazier! I can’t believe no one has mentioned this Cuba Gooding Jr. thing.”
(Note: I mentioned Cuba in the Tyson column, but couldn’t find the right place to give the incident its proper due — one of the goofiest interviews of all time, right up there with the time the “Cheers” cast appeared on the “Tonight Show” when they were all sauced. You really had to see it. Either Cuba was on something, or he’s completely insane. There’s no middle ground.) -Bill Simmons ESPN Page 2