Willie Meehan

[RoccoMarciano]

That guy must have been somthin... any of you guys know much of anything about him?

[Sardu]

He was nicknamed 'Fat Willie.' Dempsey lost a couple early decisions to him. He said he could never catch the guy. I believe they were only 4-rounders.

[RoccoMarciano]

Originally Posted by Sardu

He was nicknamed 'Fat Willie.' Dempsey lost a couple early decisions to him. He said he could never catch the guy. I believe they were only 4-rounders.

What I got from boxrec as well. Based on the record from that site, he had a number of losses close to one of his wins VS Dempsey... something I found a little interesting.

[Russell]

Older fighters having seemingly random losses isn't suprising considering...

1) Fights being taken on shorter notice, less time to train

And

2) Them fighting far, far more often.

Just variables that contribute to some older fighters records.

[RoccoMarciano]

Originally Posted by Russell

Older fighters having seemingly random losses isn't suprising considering...

1) Fights being taken on shorter notice, less time to train

And

2) Them fighting far, far more often.

Just variables that contribute to some older fighters records.

What's your cut of point then regarding older boxers?

[mr. magoo]

Apparently, boxrec lists Dempsey's bouts with Meehan as actual fights that were sanctioned, but I've heard people here ( Janitor ) who say that they were exhibitions.

I wonder if Dempsey had pounded the living shit out of Meehan, if the same people ( Janitor ) would still call them exhibitions.

[RoccoMarciano]

Originally Posted by mr. magoo

Apparently, boxrec lists Dempsey's bouts with Meehan as actual fights that were sanctioned, but I've heard people here ( Janitor ) who say that they were exhibitions.

I wonder if Dempsey had pounded the living shit out of Meehan, if the same people ( Janitor ) would still call them exhibitions.

I only see losses to a relatively poor fighter, regardless of exhibition or not. If boxrec thinks they are real fights, who am I to argue with some GREAT boxing historians? For that matter who are you to argue with them? Unless of course through some odd planetary alignment they lower their standards and actually ask you to contribute Forget it, even the universe would never allow that one to happen - to say nothing of our little corner of it.

[Russell]

Originally Posted by RoccoMarciano

What's your cut of point then regarding older boxers?

Don't really have one.

What's the point even taking a concrete stance on the matter?

There is no right or wrong answer, just opinions, and most of them are wildly on one side of the spectrum or the other.

[RoccoMarciano]

Originally Posted by Russell

Don't really have one.

What's the point even taking a concrete stance on the matter?

There is no right or wrong answer, just opinions, and most of them are wildly on one side of the spectrum or the other.

I think Meehan had ALS when he fought Dempsey... that's why I am wondering.

[Russell]

You act like the notion to fight in that kind of condition is impossible.

Then again, you're not a very intelligent man, and considering how old you are I don't expect times done anything to contribute to that.

Miske fought Dempsey while he and everyone around him were quite aware that he was dying.

He fought up until TWO MONTHS before he died.

[RoccoMarciano]

Originally Posted by Russell

Then again, you're not a very intelligent man, and considering how old you are I don't expect times done anything to contribute to that.

I just know a huge amount more that you about a multitude of subjects. ALS just happens to be the obvious one at the moment. Care to give it a go with other areas of your own, presumed, expertise? I'm game!

[Jack Dempsey]

I'm sure Meehan was one of only 4 fighters to box at every weight

[UpWithEvil]

Originally Posted by RoccoMarciano

I only see losses to a relatively poor fighter, regardless of exhibition or not. If boxrec thinks they are real fights, who am I to argue with some GREAT boxing historians?

Why, you're a grown man with a mind of his own, of course!

Fresno Morning Republican, Sept 14 1918

MEEHAN HAS SHADE ON DEMPSEY IN 4 ROUNDS
SAN FRANCISCO.

Willie Meehan, local pugilist, now a seaman in the navy, outpointed Jack Dempsey, claimant to the world's heavyweight championship, in three of the four rounds of their bout at a patriotic boxing exhibition here to-night. Meechan almost took the count in the second round but rallied in the next and blanketed Dempsey with blows to the body.

The bout was witnessed by approximately 12.000 persons. It was one of a series of bouts given to obtain funds to puchase gymnasium equipment for naval training stations. Approximately $18,ooo was obtained.

The fight was a fundraiser exhibition for the Navy. The audience was largely comprised of naval men, and Willie Meehan was in the Navy. Dempsey had a "real" fight the *very next day* in a completely different state, which should give you some idea of the stakes assigned to this exhibition with Meehan.

Another report from the same fight:

JACK DEMPSEY DESERVED DRAW

By Leon Meyer

' SAN FRANCISCO. Amid the wildest enthusiasm that has greeted a pair of boxers in the local ring in several
years, Referee Eddie Graney awarded Willie Meehan the decision over Jack Dempsey after four rounds of rather
hard-fighting at the Civic auditorium, the other night. While the spectators, especially the gallery gods, cheered the decision
loudly, it did an injustice to Jack Kearns' fighter. Dempsey was at least entitled to a draw.
What little damage was done during the four rounds belonged to Dempsey. His punches had far more sting than
Meehan's and he came dangerously near scoring a knockout in the second round, when he sat Willie down with
a left hook to the jaw and pumped in some pile driving punches to the rolypoly heavy's head and body. Meehan
was in a wobbly condition at bell time.

Willie was an annoying little pest of a fighter perfectly suited to short 4-round bouts which helped to compensate for his mediocre stamina, but let's not go overboard and claim him as being in Dempsey's league.

[ChrisPontius]

Sounds a bit like Meehan was a slapper, or someone who throws quick, flashy shots to score points and the crowd which should work particularly well in a 4 round fight.

Does anyone have a picture of Willie Meehan? Tale of the tape?

[UpWithEvil]

[IMG]********i14.tinypic.com/8a0pmw2.jpg[/IMG]
vs. Al Norton, 1917