How often did late 1800s/early 1900s fight people see the greats of their eras?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by mrkoolkevin, May 5, 2018.


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  1. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Edit: wrong post
     
    Last edited: May 8, 2018
    Bukkake, May 8, 2018
    Bukkake, May 8, 2018
    #16
  2. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    Anyone else have any thoughts or info?
     
    mrkoolkevin, Sep 10, 2018
    mrkoolkevin, Sep 10, 2018
    #17
  3. cross_trainer

    cross_trainer Liston was good, but no "Tire Iron" Jones Full Member

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    My opinion, for what it's worth:

    If somebody cites a famous sports writer as an authority that Fighter X was the best of all time, onus is on the poster to demonstrate that the famous sports writer had actually seen any boxing matches and knew what he was talking about.

    If somebody cites a fighter's opinion, on the other hand, they just need to demonstrate that the fighter actually saw the guy he's opining about. Professionals have an automatic claim to credibility when assessing other professionals.
     
    cross_trainer, Sep 10, 2018
    cross_trainer, Sep 10, 2018
    #18
  4. mrkoolkevin

    mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

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    A couple random tidbits:

    Kid McCoy was apparently present at Corbett-Jackson. From a January 22, 1894 article with predictions on Corbett-Mitchell I forgot I'd saved:

    "Kid McCoy of Boston--Corbett in 30 rounds at 100 to 75 in his favor. I saw the fight between Jackson and Corbett. Peter could not land on Jim, although the colored boxer had a longer reach than Corbett. I don't see how Mitchell can hope to land on the American hard enough to hurt him."

    Incidentally, in the same article a line from Mitchell's trainer makes me believe that Mitchell and his trainer had not seen Corbett fight before. "From information received in regard to Corbett's ducking, I feel certain that a few of Mitchell's uppercuts will have his neck so sore that he will have to resort to some other method than ducking to have a chance of success."
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2019
    mrkoolkevin, Nov 22, 2019
    mrkoolkevin, Nov 22, 2019
    #19
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  5. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    When Sam Langford and Tommy Burns were introduced to each other neither had seen the other in the flesh,yet both were born in Canada.
     
    mcvey, Nov 22, 2019
    mcvey, Nov 22, 2019
    #20
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  6. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    If you read the write up on the big early fights, they often contain a list of prominent ringsiders, boxers, boxing men, politicians, gamblers, newspapers people, criminals, and they regularly repeat.
     
    mattdonnellon, Nov 22, 2019
    mattdonnellon, Nov 22, 2019
    #21
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  7. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I feel the exact opposite is the case. Nearly all boxers/trainers/journalists will say whatever it takes to make themselves, or their era, look good.

    There are some very knowledgeable "non-professionals" on this forum, whose opinions I value much more.
     
    Bukkake, Nov 22, 2019
    Bukkake, Nov 22, 2019
    #22
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  8. Rumsfeld

    Rumsfeld Moderator Staff Member

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    I generally tend to agree where I embrace a "trust the art, not the artist" outlook.
     
    Rumsfeld, Nov 22, 2019
    Rumsfeld, Nov 22, 2019
    #23
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  9. Sting like a bean

    Sting like a bean Well-Known Member banned Full Member

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    A minor nitpick, but mass transportation was readily available in the nineteenth century, and arguably more comfortable than traveling by modern automobile. You just had to plan ahead a little more.
     
    Sting like a bean, Nov 22, 2019
    Sting like a bean, Nov 22, 2019
    #24
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  10. mcvey

    mcvey VIP Member Full Member

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    McCoy was a huge fan of Corbett's, I wouldn't look for objectivity is his opinion.
     
    mcvey, Nov 22, 2019
    mcvey, Nov 22, 2019
    #25
  11. Mendoza

    Mendoza Hrgovic = Next Heavyweight champion of the world. banned Full Member

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    I would say the promoters, referees, news paper writers and managers saw the most of the old time fighters.

    In the early filmed era of boxing, sparring partners who fought the opponent was highly sought after.
     
    Mendoza, Nov 23, 2019
    Mendoza, Nov 23, 2019
    #26
  12. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    Excellent question because the far majority of most did not .. not only that but when Joe Louis fought Ezzard Charles there was a window of time when Louis's stock went down because the overwhelming majority had never , ever seen Louis fight before this televised bout and the word was he really wasn't that good .. so much of the auras around so many of the fighters is based on newspaper coverage and we all know how reliable that can be even today.
     
    he grant, Nov 23, 2019
    he grant, Nov 23, 2019
    #27
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