The Black Press Salutes Harry Greb in Death

[brnxhands]

I was about to order "the fearless harry greb" today but it's so expensive for just a paperback. Is it really a good accurate book?

[he grant]

Originally Posted by Seamus

Of

Have you so thoroughly reviewed Greb's record to determine that only 3 men of color ranked among Greb's opponents? And further could it possibly be that Irish, Germans and Italians proportionately dominted the sport as African Americans did in later decades? Upon which philosophy do you base that the landscape of the sport would be drastically different?

And I'm no stating that I disagree with you.

No. I am responding to the fact that he is so highly praised for fighting Norfolk, Flowers and a shot Blackburn. He may have fought others whose greatness is lost to history but these are the three most often mentioned. The fact that he did is to his credit but to be praised because of it , to me, clearly demonstrates how many others used the color line to their advantage .. as far as what ethnic groups dominated when I buy it to a small degree ... there was a color line, it was not a level playing field and no doubt the history books are filled with champions and top contenders from the first half of the 20th Century who may not be viewed the same if they had to fight all the best fighters of their time. In addition, if the other ethnic groups were so dominant why did the vast majority hide behind the color line. The answer is obvious, to avoid tough fights they did not have to fight ...

[Surf-Bat]

More praise, this time from Pittsburgh's black sporting public:

[URL]********news.google.com/newspapers?id=xEobAAAAIBAJ&sjid=JUoEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4009%2C4330548[/URL]

[Mendoza]

I think the black newspapers of the times said something similar about Benny Leonard as he defeated most of the best black lightweights of his time.

Much of the black newspapers also felt Godfrey would defeat Harry Wills.