I was a teen sensation with a punch, and looked a sure bet to one day become champ. But after 23 straight wins, when still only 18 years old, I was brutally ko'd for the first time. I was never really the same after that, was ko'd several more times, and never fought for a world title. Who am I?
Clue: Even though our man was born more than 100 years ago, and never made it to championship level, he's not forgotten. But when people today hear his name, they probably don't think of his boxing career - but something else!
Burt, I had a feeling you would get this one:good Yes, it's Ruby Goldstein, who seemed to have a great future ahead of him... until he ran into the tough Ace Hudkins, and suffered his first devastating defeat. Today he is of course best remembered as the referee who couldn't cope with the heat the night Robinson lost to Maxim - and for his handling of the 3rd Griffith-Paret fight.
He was outpointed, but Tiger Flowers sort of fits that description. All of his losses were either KOs or controvertial points losses.
B, I should get this one ! When i was a young boy my dad told me often how he and my uncle ,both who lived blocks away from ruby goldstein,bet their meagre savings on Goldstein to whip Ace Hudkins in 1926 at the old Coney Island Veledrome in Ny. well they along with others were shocked when Ace Hudkins was dropped on his back in the very first rd,. but the tough Hudkins got up and later kod Ruby for his first loss.. Goldstein was never the same...my dad and uncle were devastated... Many years later I met Ruby goldstein at a seminar in New England. After he gave a talk on boxing I talked to him alone for 30 minutes or so..About his career, and harry greb [who he saw ] vs Ray Robinson, etc...Interesting...:good
I asked him this question amongst other questions..I asked Goldstein, " who would win between Harry Greb and Ray Robinson " ?.Ruby took his cigar out of his mouth and replied, " it would be between a man and a boy ". I said "who was the man " ,and he said Greb ! People today do not realize fully the awe Harry Greb was held in by his generation...I was impressed, and never forgot the way he answered my question...i remember other things he said to me...Goldstein was a little baffled by my knowledge of his career ,as I was quite young. He asked me ", how do you know so much about my career" ?I told him that my dad lived in his area, and Ruby Goldstein was his idol, when Ruby was knocking everyone out. they called ruby then, "the New Benny Leonard ". Then Ace Hudkins shattered the dream...b.b.
