It some times slip into my mind, but I belive in Nelson's era, he was the 2nd best lightweight, with Gans being number 1, though he did beat Joe Gans 2 out of 3. But Gans fought the better fighters(Which is not by much mind you.) With each fight being a war. Now one thing people have to respect for Nelson is he used no color bar in his title reins, he fought the best black 3 times in his era. Other thing, on film the guy just impresses the hell out of me, His non stop attack vs Britt in there rematch, is one of Nelson's best fights on film. By the time Al Wolgast got to Nelson, Nelson's best days were over, but he was STILL fighting the best out there. Freddie Welsh, is nothing to sneeze at. I have always rank Nelson in the lower half in the top ten about, but I know people go on and on about Duran, but I relly think Nelson could beat Duran, or at least give him hell. I also think Nelson could take on SRL and others head to head. He was one amazing fighter. One of the most unstopble fighters in his day.
Nelson looks crude on film but nobody can dispute the ferocity of his attack. It's easy to be astonished by how much energy Bat could expend in the ring, just a whirlwind of brutal aggression combined with an amazing ability to absorb punishment. I notice he liked to lead with the top of his head when he closed in, which was probably a pretty good strategy in the small-glove era and most likely lead to his opponent's breaking their hands on several occasions.
Perhaps, but I always felt Nelson was like Henry Armstrong, chest to chest, and thowing non stop punchings. Sure Nelson may not have the bob and weaving defenses compare to Armstrong, but Nelson was just as fast(If these old films are right of couse lol) Nelson would used his speed for the pressure, than they just fell apart from Nelson's power, I dont think looking crude on film, will have him lose to say Duran or SRL, because his attack will MORE than make up for it imo.
Disagree. Jack Blackburn was much better than Nelson. Nelson ducked Blackburn repeatedly. In A fight Blackburn would have outclassed him badly. I will post more later. Blackburn was 2nd best to Gans.
I think Gans was sick at least in one of the fights, though. Not to put my boy down, or anything, but I believe this to be the case.
"It has only taken one short season to prove that it is Jack Blackburn's extreme cleverness and ability to hit a knock-out blow with one punch that has caused nearly all the lightweights of the country to avoid meeting him in the ring, says the Philadelphia Ledger. He is the first American boxer to come out flatfooted and agreed to test his skill and generalship against jiu jitsu, about which there has been such a furor. He has driven Joe Gans to the woods, and Eddie Hanlon, Young Corbett, Jimmy Britt, Willie Fitzgerald, This content is protected ..have practically confessed they do not want any of his game.-Milwaukee Evening Wisconsin. April 29, 1905
Joe Gans was 34 years old and well past his prime when the 2nd and 3rd fights took place. He already beat nelson in the first fight. Both Gans and Blackburn in there primes outclass nelson. Nelson would get jabbed to death be blackburn, he would never find his way in. blackburn would murder him at long range and pile up the points with an assortment of punches at all angles with his faster hands.
Yeah, present some local nutcase opinion as the revealing truth. If I recall correctly some heavyweights tested their skills and generalship against jiu jitsu previous to that.
Nelson was one of those fighters you wouldn't think had the attributes to be a true great or HOFer, but managed to be a very accomplished fighter nonetheless.
