Who was the first "modern" heavyweight champion?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by cross_trainer, Jul 28, 2022.


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  1. cross_trainer

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

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    By modern, I mean the first heavyweight champion whose approach and technique you would recognize as relatively normal by later standards. Separated from the old bareknuckle and early mauling gloved boxing.

    Who is it, in your opinion?
     
    Last edited: Jul 29, 2022
    cross_trainer, Jul 28, 2022
    cross_trainer, Jul 28, 2022
    #1
  2. populistpugilist

    populistpugilist New Member Full Member

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    I'll bite: Jack Johnson.
     
    populistpugilist, Jul 28, 2022
    populistpugilist, Jul 28, 2022
    #2
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  3. White Bomber

    White Bomber Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hell no.
    It's Patterson.
     
    White Bomber, Jul 28, 2022
    White Bomber, Jul 28, 2022
    #3
  4. billyb71

    billyb71 Member Full Member

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    Jack Johnson or Jeffries. Jeffries fought in a crouch similar to today's boxers.
     
    billyb71, Jul 28, 2022
    billyb71, Jul 28, 2022
    #4
  5. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Tunney gets my vote.
     
    Bukkake, Jul 28, 2022
    Bukkake, Jul 28, 2022
    #5
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  6. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think it's way too general to make a clear choice.
     
    70sFan865, Jul 28, 2022
    70sFan865, Jul 28, 2022
    #6
  7. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Jack Dempsey
     
    Cecil, Jul 28, 2022
    Cecil, Jul 28, 2022
    #7
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  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Dempsey vs Tunney looks about right.
     
    McGrain, Jul 29, 2022
    McGrain, Jul 29, 2022
    #8
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  9. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Think this is about right, Cecil.
    Dempsey was definitely a step up from the one s before.
     
    Fergy, Jul 29, 2022
    Fergy, Jul 29, 2022
    #9
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  10. FastLeft

    FastLeft Well-Known Member Full Member

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    ok. this means on the films, right?

    Jim Jeffries is it.
     
    FastLeft, Jul 29, 2022
    FastLeft, Jul 29, 2022
    #10
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  11. Cecil

    Cecil Boxing Addict Full Member

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    He just looks modern in all his facets, then of course we moved on to Tunney who simply took it on.
     
    Cecil, Jul 29, 2022
    Cecil, Jul 29, 2022
    #11
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  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Yep that's true, mate.
    But I will say, in defence of Jack Johnson, he was pretty advanced for his time.
     
    Fergy, Jul 29, 2022
    Fergy, Jul 29, 2022
    #12
  13. Rope-a-Dope

    Rope-a-Dope Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Tunney
     
    Rope-a-Dope, Jul 29, 2022
    Rope-a-Dope, Jul 29, 2022
    #13
  14. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Dempsey had way too much holding, fouling and general roughness. Though his highlight reel, when made by modern fans who like modern things, looks modern.

    Tunney is a good pick. Tommy Burns looks pretty modern, though he wasn't anything that great.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 29, 2022
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 29, 2022
    #14
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  15. Bukkake

    Bukkake Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Even though I went for Tunney, I was also thinking of Burns - who looks surprisingly "modern" for his time.
     
    Bukkake, Jul 29, 2022
    Bukkake, Jul 29, 2022
    #15
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