Jimmy Bivins vs Ezzard Charles

Jimmy Bivins' career to me is defined by his amazing 1942-1946 run. It's unbelievable that he was able to go unbeaten for so long considering the names that he fought and beat.

You'll have a hard time finding a resume such as this: Charley Burley, Teddy Yarosz, Billy Soose, Gus Lesnevich, Joey Maxim, Tami Mauriello, Bob Pastor, Lee Savold, Ezzard Charles, Lloyd Marshall, Melio Bettina, Lee Q Murray, Archie Moore, Oakland Billy Smith, Turkey Thompson, Clarence Henry and Mike DeJohn, all beaten by Bivins. :good

 

Good Work GreatA. One must also give credit to jersey joe walcott for ending bivins incredible winning streak in 1946 by knocking bivins down and outboxing him over 10 for a decision. Walcott had a habit of ending fighters huge winning streaks...he did the same to Elmer Ray, Ezzard Charles and (arguebably joe louis)

 

Bivins was a quality fighter and would be tough for almost anyone especially at light heavy his reach and style would make him beat a lot of quality fighters. His resume is amazing so many top wins. I have him ranked at 14 at light heavy but could defiantly see an argument for a higher placing.

 

This is how I see it too. Around #14 at light heavy. I think Bivins would be in trouble vs a big puncher of talented swarmer type at light heavy, but he could out box the slower footed fighters with less reach in snoozes with the best of them.

 

Fitzsimmons may have won titles at middle,light-H and heavy But Jimmy Bivins would have too if he wasn't black. Bivins weighing in at 160lb just 14 fight novice beat top contender hall of fame Charley Burley. I would argue a win over Charley Burley was FAR GREATER WIN than any win fitzimmons EVER recorded at 160lb. The middleweight Champion Tony Zale drew the color line so Bivins had no shot even if he wanted a shot at the middle title. Bivins beat lightheavyweight belt holder anton christaforidas, and the other white champions like Gus Lesnevich wanted no part of Jimmy Bivins, and froze the title. Bivins won the duration light-heavyweight title by knocking out great fighter Lloyd Marshall. I would argue winning the duration light-heavyweight title belt is equivalent to winning any alphabet belt. Bivins also defeated lightheavyweights Archie Moore, Ezzard Charles and Joey Maxim during this time. I once again proclaim Bivins recorded FAR GREATER wins at 175lb than fitzimmons did. its not even close. the best lightheavyweight fitzimmons ever beat was george gardner. So right now, I think we can both agree that Bivins beat far better fighters at 160lb and 175lb than bob fitzimmons did. At heavyweight, Bivins was rated # 1 contender for 2 straight years and was duration heavyweight champion for 2 years, yet louis never gave bivins a title shot when he returned from the war. So Bivins never had a chance to win the heavyweight belt. Now we can both agree that Fitz beat better quality competition at heavyweight than bivins, but I would argue bivins beat much better depth. He beat about 3x the amount of heavyweight contenders that fitzsimmons beat. If fitzimmons were black, I doubt he would ever won a title cause he would have never got the chance, Like Bivins sadly didnt get.

 

only two rounds of Charles-Walcott 1 exist.

 

Yes Rounds 14 and 15. I own it. Charles looked as loose as a goose in Walcott I 1949 fight. Spectacular defensive counter punching and footwork.