How did boxers get paid in the old days?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by DavidC77, Dec 5, 2018.



  1. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Sorry if this is a daft question.

    Would they have been paid by cheque? I imagine this is the most likely option.
     
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  2. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I have been posting here since 2004 and can honestly say I've never seen this topic before.

    Points for originality.
     
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  3. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster I check this every now and then Full Member

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    Cold hard cash for lower end fights, usually by the owner of the pub they were fighting in. This is what I've usually heard from fights from Sullivan's time to Marciano's.
     
  4. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I'm not sure if that's a compliment or a criticism!
     
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  5. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    How about at domestic, international and world title levels?
     
  6. DonTyson

    DonTyson Active Member Full Member

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    Livestock and materials
     
  7. The Undefeated Lachbuster

    The Undefeated Lachbuster I check this every now and then Full Member

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    You mean fights outside of the US? Not sure. I'd have to assume it was the fighter's preference at the higher levels on whether or not it was cash or check. I'd imagine that during the 1930s, checks weren't being used. I know back in the bareknuckle-early boxing days fighters used to make under-the-table bets that would be in cash, so that was probably the favorite in payouts. Most people didn't trust banks back then
     
  8. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I was thinking of British fighters of the 1930's to 1960's fighting for British, Commonwealth and European titles and above.
     
  9. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Hahaha! That may not be a bad thing.

    Alfred Hitchcock, who was a very shrewd businessman, invested large amounts of money in owning huge herds of cattle.
     
  10. Berlenbach

    Berlenbach Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Before his fight with Fireman Jim Flynn in 1912, Jack Johnson received his purse in the form of a certified cheque for $31,100.
     
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  11. richdanahuff

    richdanahuff Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    The famous Dempsey-Tunney fight if I remember right was paid by check (American spelling)
     
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  12. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Ah yes, I remember reading that Tunney was to be paid just under a million dollars for the rematch with Dempsey and he paid the difference to the promoter so he would receive a cheque for a round million.
     
    Last edited: Dec 5, 2018
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  13. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    They got paid in marmite and beans.
     
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  14. DavidC77

    DavidC77 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yummy!
     
  15. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    This. When my grandfather used to box in the late 50’s he was paid in cash for all his fights except for the two fights he had against top competition. His good friend Jimmy Carter, who was the lightweight champion on the other hand always got checks.