I've read a little about Abe, and how highly the old-timers rated him, but does he hold up as well after nearly a century since his career ended. Would you rate him in the top ten featherweights, or does he fall just short?
Doc Kearns maintained Abe was the greatest fighter he ever saw. That covers a hellva lot of ground needless to say.
cant say cos of lack of footage Made more money when his career was over thru his connection to a mister rothstein
Oldtimers used to rate Attell #2 after Terry McGovern as a featherweight...My memory of Abe Attell is watching the bouts on our small tv set and seeing Abe Attell in the audience rolling and ducking punches...He must have been about 60 years of age,but on tv he seemed to be in the ring once again...Never forget it as the camera would always capture Abe in the audience...As a youngster I saw Abe Attell in his bar on Bwy about 7 or 8 blocks uptown from Dempsey's restaurant, peering through the front window....
I remember hearing that a film of Abe has been found, and is being cleaned up. It's his loss of the title to Johnny Kilbane in 1912. Not sure when it will be ready for release to the public, as it was found a few years ago, but nothing has come up.
I could get a copy of Kilbane vs Attell but right now I am not sure I can afford it. So close to Christmas.
If you think 'generally' he was on the level, then you have to rate him as one of the finest Featherweights ever. A lot of people think he was bad for boxing. Weighing it up, I give the benefit of the doubt; just, as I quite understand those who do not.
