I have a biography about SRR, it goes into detail about how Ray wanted to fight LH Moore ,he invited him and his Wife to dinner ,and they talked about a proposed match ,but as Archie said,"Ray wanted all the money", so it didnt come to fruition.
yeh they was in talks but Moore was a LHW so it wasnt exactly ducking it was an agreeed not to fight really
I don't know how anyone can say that about Bert at any time, never mind only meeting him once. I know most of the big time boxing historians and experts and none of them say he is a phony. You can name any top historian and I would bet you wouldn't agree on everything they say either, BUT that doesn't make them a phony. I agree with you on respecting Bert Sugar, as I feel the same way. There was talk on a match between those 2 in the late 1950's, early 1960's. I agree with you when you say that Ray wanted most of the money because he did.
Maybe later on I will get the magazine out telling the story about the suppose bout between Moore/Robinson. Right now I have to go to an affair (Lou Costello Club) honoring people like Emile Griffith and my wife. I have to make the presentation to both of them. By the way, "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY" to all the Dad's.
Yep, as others have said, a great raconteur or mythologist if you will, but an average historian. When it comes to pub talk I'm sure he's a great guy to have around.
How dare you question the truth of that story! Next you will be telling us Willie Pep didn't win a round without throwing a punch!
Most would disagree with you when you say "average historian." I have been to countless amount of functions that he was asked to speak at and he also took countless amount of questions, and answered them all.
I'm sure he gets his ass kissed no matter where he goes hhascup. Doesn't mean he's a good historian. Would others disagree? Well, I'm sure they would, but I'm guessing most of them don't know much boxing history.
yeh i know the fight was touted and SRR wanted the money but Ray hardly ducked him as he was in the higher weight class. :rofl I would say hes an average historian but thats not why hes famous and respected IMO. As you said his strengths lie in story telling and enthusiasism. He tells wonderful stories many true but with added myths thats why hes so respected
Ross was down a few times, it happens when you have over 80 fights, but he was never knockout which in the long run is the true judge of a chin imo. And Ross face some amazing punchers.
I've always liked him, always liked his attitude towards ratings and the amount of copy he'd spent having a go at the sanctioning bodies. One of my favourite boxing people.
Of vourse we can speculate but while we have only seen the public face of the man it is speculation. Talking with him man to man would answer a lot of questions about what sort of historian he is.
A lot of the big time historians are phonies too. They perpetuate the same myths that Bert does. There shouldn't BE any disagreement with a historian. The whole point of his job is to deal in FACTS and TRUTH. If he claims a guy was never knocked down when eyewitness reports say he was, or if he says a guy's corner shoved cement up his nose when the actual footage shows otherwise, then the guy is not doing his job as a historian, simple as that.