Memorable fights by our boxers overseas

There can't have been too many bigger crowds ever than that for a boxing match. I know Jack Dempsey drew some big crowds though. I doubt many would have gotten to see much of the action in large crowd in the old days. If only they had those large video screens they erect now back then.

 

It just goes to show how big the sport was back then. Im sure the majority of the crowd had no idea what was actually happening!

 

Hughie Mehegan fought the legendary 'Welsh Wizard' Freddie Welsh in London in 1912 losing a 20 round decision for the Commonwealth lightweight title.

 

Great win for Smith. But it was very early in Levinski's career. Levinski at the time had had about a dozen fights. By the time he'd hung the gloves up he had had just short of 300 fights.

 

Agreed, and it was only a six round newspaper decision but still a big win in hindsight.

 

I've been to plenty of fights where a fair proportion of the crowd had no idea what was happening. But it had more to do with how much they'd drunk than how good a vantage point they had

 

Haha you and me both. Theres been the odd occasion I was one of them!

 

Me too. But if it's a fight worth seeing I prefer just a couple of beers to a **** load

 

Trainer of the great Hector Thompson, Ron Short, has passed away. RIP Ron.

 

Lang wasnt overly dirty but I assume the rules of the time, which forbade any fouls, was his undoing. As far as Im aware, one low blow was enough for a referee to call a bout off and disqualify the culprit.

This particular fight is actually on film, highlights of it at least. I cant recall if the foul that ended the fight is on film but from all accounts Langford was certainly having his way with Lang before it happened.

 

When throwing a flurry of punches under extreme pressure it is easy to slip up and throw a low one occasionally. Back in those days I don't know how much protection they wore downstairs. But I bet it was fairly ineffective in cushioning a heavy blow down low.

These days referees are probably too lenient on low blows IMO.

 

Speaking of Hec Thompson. He gave the great Roberto Duran some grief for a few rounds.

 

I remember reading a quote from Duran years ago where he said he had never been hit harder than that aboriginal guy from Australia.