Though never a champion . My neck of the woods worshipped me, my parents managed me, and my motorcycle killed me...Who am I ?
Yes Stevie,U nailed it pronto. Young Stribling "king of the canebrakes" was revered by the South in the 1920s and 30s..Stribling was managed by his parents who were in circus vaudeville ,but from babyhood on wished their baby to be a boxing champion. Alas he never became a champion but beat the likes of Rosenbloom, Tuffy Griffiths, Jimmy Slattery, Mike McTigue. Stribling was killed at the age of just 29 when he had a motorcycle accident, 1 month after beating a tough Maxie Rosenbloom...
Stribling also beat Tommy Loughran twice; which I honestly still can't wrap my head around. Tuffy Griffiths, can you tell me something about him, Burt? If you can be bothered. I randomly came across a real nice photo of him and have been meaning to do some research on him. Thanks.
Tuffy Griffiths was considered a coming star winning 34 bouts in a row and was matched with Pete Latzo at MSG in 1928...Well Latzo couldn't go through with the bout and Griffith agreed to fight a journeyman fighter named James J Braddock. Braddock was a 1-8 underdog against Tuffy Griffith ,but Braddock pulled a great upset by koing the favorite Griffith in the 2nd rd. This fight made Braddock a big attraction and led to his eventual title. And Tuffy Griffith became a good "opponent" . If a Pete Latzo didn't pull out of the Griffith match, Jimmy Braddock most assuredly not have become a heavyweight champion...The hands of fate.....
I love these ones of yours,Burt :good It was the motorcycle accident that clinched it. My Dad used to talk about this guy.
He was coined "King of the Canebrakes" for a reason. From my understanding he, for the most part, fought hand-picked opponets from the South and was seen as just that -- a can crusher, by the Northern newspapers anyway. But for whatever reason (probably his insane win total) between his death and his induction unto the HOF his legacy grew to ATG status. Even though he was never viewed as so in his time.
