SUMMER TIME FIGHTS: by brian zelley
*One of the fights that I remember from the good old summer time
was the Middleweight title fight between champion EMILE GRIFFITH
and JOEY ARCHER that took place on July 13, 1966. The fight went
the distance with Emile winning the decision, but there was plenty of
excellent boxer by both Griffith and Archer for 15 rounds.
Before and after that bout, there were plenty of other great and some
not so great summer time bouts.
HEAVYWEIGHTS:
The year was 1949 in the early days of the summer when
EZZARD CHARLES would win the vacant heavyweight
title with a victory of JERSEY JOE WALCOTT. But, in
the summer time of '51, old Jersey Joe was a great underdog
but he would shock the world with a one punch knockout of
the champion to win the heavyweight title.
In 1957, the then heavyweight champion FLOYD PATTERSON
would score a pair of victories over Tommy Jackson and the
recent amateur PETE RADEMACHER.
There would be other heavyweight summer bouts, and also
many of the other divisions.
THE LAST 100 YEARS:
*Stepping back 100 years ago, there were two title fights of note
that took place in the summer of 1912 including:
*A July 4th. victory by heavyweight champion JACK JOHNSON
over Fireman Jim Flynn, and
a July 4th victory by lightweight champion AD WOLGAST
over Joe Rivers. One year later it would be the new
lightweight champion WILLIE RITCHIE who would score
a knockout victory over Rivers in San Francisco, California.
and in 1914 during the month of July, FREDDIE WELSH
would earn a decision victory over Ritchie in London.
*It was in the summer of 1919, when JACK DEMPSEY
would begin his term as heavyweight champion when he
stopped Jess Willard in four rounds at Toledo, Ohio.
*** THE ROARING TWENTIES SUMMER MOMENTS***
*Welterweight champion JACK BRITTON would kick off
summer action with a 12 round draw with one Lou Bogash.
In July of 1921 champions Jack Dempsey would see Johnny Wilson.
Dempsey would stop George Carpentier and middleweight Wilson
would earn a victory over William Bryan Downey in Cleveland.
*in the summer of 1922, JOHNNY DUNDEE would earn a
two wins in the Jr. lightweight division and a victory in the
featherweight division.
*Fast forward to the summer of 1929 and some of the
champions in action were:
Tommy Loughran, Jackie Fields, and Sammy Mandell.
*** THE DAYS OF THE DEPRESSION ***
*It was the summer of 1932 and light-heavyweight champion
MAXIE ROSENBLOOM would slap and dance to a 15 round
victory over Lou Scozza in Buffalo, NY and TEDDY YAROSZ
would earn a piece of the middleweight title with a victory
over Vince Dundee in Pittsburgh. And, it was 1936 when
FREDDY STEELE won a piece of the middleweight title
with a victory over Babe Risko in Seattle.
*But, it was the summer of 1937 when TOMMY FARR
went 15-rounds with heavyweight champion JOE LOUIS
in New York. Louis had recently won the title from
JAMES J. BRADDOCK "The Cinderella Man" who
had given hope to many during those days of the
depression years.
*** beyond the war years ***
It was 1947, and one of the great fights took place in chicago
when the bout that triggered the movie
"Somebody Up There Likes Me" was the victory by
ROCKY GRAZIANO over TONY ZALE for the
Middleweight championship of the world.
*And it was 1948 in London, when FREDDY MILLS
won the light-heavyweight title from GUS LESNEVICH.
For England, it was one of those historical moments when
Mills would become the first British boxer to win the
light-heavyweight title since BOB FITZSIMMONS.
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
BOXING MOMENTS in JUNE
MOMENTS IN JUNE: by Brian Zelley
As we step back in time, there have been many interesting moments
in June. As we step back there are some names that are likely forgotten
or unknown by the boxing fans of 2012 such as Tommy West,
Willie Fitgerald, Johnny Reagan, Bill Squires and Tony Ross.
But, then again most of what happened in the distant past has long been
forgotten or overlooked.
The above named boxers all faced world champions, when there were
world champions in the sport of boxing. For instance, Tommy West
faced Joe Walcott in a welterweight title fight June 1902, and Bill Squires
faced heavyweight champion Tommy Burns in a title fight June 1908.
It was on June 9, 1914 when Kid Williams stopped Johnny Coulon
in a bantamweight title fight at Vernon, California. But one of the
great fights to take place was June 18, 1923 when Pancho Villa
defeated Jimmy Wilde.
Then there was MAX BAER who made history in 1937 and 1935
in the month of June when he defeated Primo Carnera for the
heavyweight title and about one year later lost it all to the one
that became known as the "Cinderella Man" James J. Braddock.
Then fast forward to 1955, and it was ARCHIE MOORE victory
over JOEY MAXIM in the light-heavyweight division.
As we step back in time, there have been many interesting moments
in June. As we step back there are some names that are likely forgotten
or unknown by the boxing fans of 2012 such as Tommy West,
Willie Fitgerald, Johnny Reagan, Bill Squires and Tony Ross.
But, then again most of what happened in the distant past has long been
forgotten or overlooked.
The above named boxers all faced world champions, when there were
world champions in the sport of boxing. For instance, Tommy West
faced Joe Walcott in a welterweight title fight June 1902, and Bill Squires
faced heavyweight champion Tommy Burns in a title fight June 1908.
It was on June 9, 1914 when Kid Williams stopped Johnny Coulon
in a bantamweight title fight at Vernon, California. But one of the
great fights to take place was June 18, 1923 when Pancho Villa
defeated Jimmy Wilde.
Then there was MAX BAER who made history in 1937 and 1935
in the month of June when he defeated Primo Carnera for the
heavyweight title and about one year later lost it all to the one
that became known as the "Cinderella Man" James J. Braddock.
Then fast forward to 1955, and it was ARCHIE MOORE victory
over JOEY MAXIM in the light-heavyweight division.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
TELEVISION and BOXING
THE BEST YEARS OF TV BOXING: By Brian Zelley
Introduction:
It was 1964, and the end of my first year
of amateur boxing in Nanaimo, but on
August 21, as I waited for my second
year of training in September '64
that day would also be the the end of
another boxing journey
weekly boxing on television.
I was just a pre-teen back in 1955,
when I first watched the black and white
boxing matches on a neighbor's house on
friday nights. At that time, I had no real understanding of the sport
but it was interesting and then there were those Gillette razor ads
and the little jingles set to music.
BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN:
Looking back to past years of boxing on television, the golden years
would be 1944 to 1964 when Madison Square Gardens was the focal
point for the Friday Night fights with Gillette the sponsor.
The very first televised bout from the Gardens took place on
September 29, 1944 and it featured a return match for the
featherweight champion Willie Pep and the former champ
Chalky Wright. And the very last was a light-heavyweight
bout between Johnny Persol and Henry Hank. And for
twenty great years the fights were popular events in many
homes and pubs across North America from New York City
to Nanaimo, B.C, Canada.
Some of the folks involved in Professional boxing in the USA
expressed a positive note with the end of televised boxing,
but for many who could not afford to stage or attend regular
boxing matches it was a sad end to a great era.
GREAT BOUTS and FAMOUS BOXERS GALORE:
*The first major star was Willie Pep, and his bout against Wright
in the Gardens would not be his last. Fast forward to 1949,
and Willie was the former champion but he would make a great
comeback when he defeated champion Sandy Saddler for the
featherweight title on February 11, 1949.
It was 1964, and the end of my first year
of amateur boxing in Nanaimo, but on
August 21, as I waited for my second
year of training in September '64
that day would also be the the end of
another boxing journey
weekly boxing on television.
I was just a pre-teen back in 1955,
when I first watched the black and white
boxing matches on a neighbor's house on
friday nights. At that time, I had no real understanding of the sport
but it was interesting and then there were those Gillette razor ads
and the little jingles set to music.
BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN:
Looking back to past years of boxing on television, the golden years
would be 1944 to 1964 when Madison Square Gardens was the focal
point for the Friday Night fights with Gillette the sponsor.
The very first televised bout from the Gardens took place on
September 29, 1944 and it featured a return match for the
featherweight champion Willie Pep and the former champ
Chalky Wright. And the very last was a light-heavyweight
bout between Johnny Persol and Henry Hank. And for
twenty great years the fights were popular events in many
homes and pubs across North America from New York City
to Nanaimo, B.C, Canada.
Some of the folks involved in Professional boxing in the USA
expressed a positive note with the end of televised boxing,
but for many who could not afford to stage or attend regular
boxing matches it was a sad end to a great era.
GREAT BOUTS and FAMOUS BOXERS GALORE:
*The first major star was Willie Pep, and his bout against Wright
in the Gardens would not be his last. Fast forward to 1949,
and Willie was the former champion but he would make a great
comeback when he defeated champion Sandy Saddler for the
featherweight title on February 11, 1949.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
SHORT TERM BOXING CHAMPIONS
LOOKING BEYOND THE TOP TEN CHAMPIONS: by Brian Zelley
Much of the discussion about boxers of the past tends to get stuck on
a select number of all-time greats such as Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali,
Archie Moore, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong and others.
But, there were some former champions that get overlooked in fan polls
such as Max Baer, Rocky Graziano, Luis Rodriguez, Al Singer,
Harold Dade, and many others.
Harold Dade, and many others.
Regardless of the limited recognition, one thing that cannot be forgotten
is in a brief they were the best in the world for their weight division.
THE FORGOTTEN OR OVERLOOKED CHAMPIONS"
*Over time this story will focus on some of those champions from
heavyweight to flyweight champions of the world.
AL SINGER:
JIMMY BRADDOCK
MAX BAER
WILLIE PASTRANO
ROCKY GRAZIANO
MARTY SERVO
*In 1967, Lew Eskin of "Boxing Illustrated wrote and article
about Marty Servo titled: "Marty Servo - Fate Dealt Him
A Cruel Blow" - Boxing Illustrated, January 1967.
JOHNNY BRATTON: (1927 - 1993)
*Johnny won the NBA welterweight title with a victory
over Charley Fusari for the vacant title but several months
later he would lose the title to KID GAVILAN.
MARTY SERVO
*In 1967, Lew Eskin of "Boxing Illustrated wrote and article
about Marty Servo titled: "Marty Servo - Fate Dealt Him
A Cruel Blow" - Boxing Illustrated, January 1967.
JOHNNY BRATTON: (1927 - 1993)
*Johnny won the NBA welterweight title with a victory
over Charley Fusari for the vacant title but several months
later he would lose the title to KID GAVILAN.
LUIS RODRUGUEZ
HAROLD DADE
SUGAR RAMOS
TERRY DOWNS
LEON SPINKS
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
1963 BOXING HISTORY: upsets, tragedy and magic scales win the day
THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS: By Brian Zelley
Introduction:
The year 1963 will always be important
for me as that was the year I became involved
in boxing when I joined the newly formed club
in Nanaimo by George Nepper which
was called the Newcastle Boxing Club.
But, beyond the local amateur world, the
professional boxing scene was
an exciting sport to follow and watch.
(photo: brian zelley in my early days of a boxing journey)
1963: UPSETS, MAGIC SCALES and TRAGEDY
== Joey Giardello ==
*Joey Giardello had been fighting for
about 15 years and had one previous
title fight, but when he stepped into the
ring with middleweight champion
DICK TIGER, Joey was the underdog.
But, someone forgot to tell Giardello.
Joey used all his experience to box
Tiger and not get into a banging war.
At, the end of the bout, Joey reminded
us of Rocky Graziano when Rocky
was an underdog against the
"Man of Steel" Tony Zale. In 1963,
Joey would become the middleweight champion of the world.
== Willie Pastrano ==
In light-heavyweight division, champion
Harold Johnson had worked hard to
get universal recognition after the
great Archie Moore was ending his
last years as an active fighter.
That recognition for Harold came in
1962, but before the glory had
evaporated to a regular role, it
all was lost by a split-decision
when the classy boxer
Willie Pastrano edged the skilled
and experienced Johnson with the perfect combination of
speed and foot movement for one of the big upsets of 1963.
Another round of tragedy strikes in the featherweight division.
Sadly, champion Davey "the Springfield Rifle" Moore would
lose his title and his life in his bout with Sugar Ramos. Unlike
the Paret tragedy of 1962, the cause of the loss of Davey
appeared to be one of those accidents that just happen.
Davey was knocked down but hit the base of his skull on a
tight ring rope that caused the fatal blow.
== Flash Elorde's magic scales at weigh-in ==
Johnny Bizzarro from the USA had his shot for
'the junior lightweight title held by the slick
Flash Elorde. In that contest, the strangest
event was the weigh-in where the Flash did not make
the weight, then faster than a flash when he jumped
on and off the scales for a second shot, there was
some sort of magic in the room when the watcher
called out the right weight to allow the fight. Johnny
lost the fight, but to some it wasn't only Elorde's
fists that won the day, it was those magic scales.
Introduction:
The year 1963 will always be important
for me as that was the year I became involved
in boxing when I joined the newly formed club
in Nanaimo by George Nepper which
was called the Newcastle Boxing Club.
But, beyond the local amateur world, the
professional boxing scene was
an exciting sport to follow and watch.
(photo: brian zelley in my early days of a boxing journey)
1963: UPSETS, MAGIC SCALES and TRAGEDY
== Joey Giardello ==
about 15 years and had one previous
title fight, but when he stepped into the
ring with middleweight champion
DICK TIGER, Joey was the underdog.
But, someone forgot to tell Giardello.
Joey used all his experience to box
Tiger and not get into a banging war.
At, the end of the bout, Joey reminded
us of Rocky Graziano when Rocky
was an underdog against the
"Man of Steel" Tony Zale. In 1963,
Joey would become the middleweight champion of the world.
== Willie Pastrano ==
Harold Johnson had worked hard to
get universal recognition after the
great Archie Moore was ending his
last years as an active fighter.
That recognition for Harold came in
1962, but before the glory had
evaporated to a regular role, it
all was lost by a split-decision
when the classy boxer
Willie Pastrano edged the skilled
and experienced Johnson with the perfect combination of
speed and foot movement for one of the big upsets of 1963.
Another round of tragedy strikes in the featherweight division.
Sadly, champion Davey "the Springfield Rifle" Moore would
lose his title and his life in his bout with Sugar Ramos. Unlike
the Paret tragedy of 1962, the cause of the loss of Davey
appeared to be one of those accidents that just happen.
Davey was knocked down but hit the base of his skull on a
tight ring rope that caused the fatal blow.
== Flash Elorde's magic scales at weigh-in ==
Johnny Bizzarro from the USA had his shot for
'the junior lightweight title held by the slick
Flash Elorde. In that contest, the strangest
event was the weigh-in where the Flash did not make
the weight, then faster than a flash when he jumped
on and off the scales for a second shot, there was
some sort of magic in the room when the watcher
called out the right weight to allow the fight. Johnny
lost the fight, but to some it wasn't only Elorde's
fists that won the day, it was those magic scales.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
1962 - boxing moments
1962 BOXING HISTORY: by brian zelley
Beyond the tragedy of the Emile Griffith vs Benny Kid Paret,
the year 1962 produced a wide variety of interesting boxing
stories with new champions and a wide variety of challengers.
It was the year SONNY LISTON would stop FLOYD PATTERSON
in one round with his explosive power. In other divisions there were
some suprises such as big underdog flyweight FIGHTING HARADA
winning the title from PONE KINGPETCH.
EMILE GRIFFITH would bounce back from the tragedy when he
regained the welterweight tile from Paret and defend against
Ralph Dupas and Jorge Fernandez. And, light-heavyweight champ
HAROLD JOHNSON would get universal recognition after his
defeat of the young and capable Doug Jones. And, the Pacific
Northwest would get a world champion when Portland's
DENNY MOYER won the vacant jr. middleweight title
with a victory over Joey Giambra.
It should have come as no great shock, but a young CARLOS ORTIZ
won the lightweight title from JOE "Old Bones" BROWN. And,
bantamweight champion EDER JOFRE and featherweight champion
DAVEY MOORE held onto the titles with wins. Moore travelled
to Helsinki to defeat one Olli Macki.
Not to be overlooked was the
Jr. lighweight victory by FLASH ELORDE over Auburn Copeland.
In the middleweight division we had the two champions with
PAUL PENDER regaining the title from TERRY DOWNES
and DICK TIGER defeating GENE FULLMER.
Beyond the tragedy of the Emile Griffith vs Benny Kid Paret,
the year 1962 produced a wide variety of interesting boxing
stories with new champions and a wide variety of challengers.
It was the year SONNY LISTON would stop FLOYD PATTERSON
in one round with his explosive power. In other divisions there were
some suprises such as big underdog flyweight FIGHTING HARADA
winning the title from PONE KINGPETCH.
EMILE GRIFFITH would bounce back from the tragedy when he
regained the welterweight tile from Paret and defend against
Ralph Dupas and Jorge Fernandez. And, light-heavyweight champ
HAROLD JOHNSON would get universal recognition after his
defeat of the young and capable Doug Jones. And, the Pacific
Northwest would get a world champion when Portland's
DENNY MOYER won the vacant jr. middleweight title
with a victory over Joey Giambra.
It should have come as no great shock, but a young CARLOS ORTIZ
won the lightweight title from JOE "Old Bones" BROWN. And,
bantamweight champion EDER JOFRE and featherweight champion
DAVEY MOORE held onto the titles with wins. Moore travelled
to Helsinki to defeat one Olli Macki.
Not to be overlooked was the
Jr. lighweight victory by FLASH ELORDE over Auburn Copeland.
In the middleweight division we had the two champions with
PAUL PENDER regaining the title from TERRY DOWNES
and DICK TIGER defeating GENE FULLMER.
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