Thanks mucker. I loved The Mands idea for this thread and felt it was a good way to get people to appreciate some of the great fighters of our sport that. Unless you're looking for them or taking an interest in history you genuinely might not have heard about. At the same time, some posters know a bit about them and want to learn more. Great thread, and all I try to do is make it interesting enough that people will want to see the fights, and will in turn get to experience some fantastic fighters. Sadly I failed on that front with my Harry Greb piece :rofl Not my fault of course and don't worry, I feel the pain of that fact more than anyone. One of the great ironies of being a fan of our sport. The greatest fighter in the history of our sport and has amongst the highest number of fights and we have 0 footage of him fighting. But plenty of his peers :rofl Most of whom he beat the **** out of
I'm doing Ike Williams tomorrow, and very much looking forward to showcasing some of his work. Cool as a cucumber, technically sound, and savage two fisted power in combination. A smart fighter and a great Lightweight champ. Hopefully Gaz will contribute Ray Leonard soon :deal ****, better check the glossary and make sure Ike ain't been done ...
:good Gaz will do a good job with Don Curry as well.....won't you Gaz? (he'll reply eventually ) I can't wait to get to Kid Gavilan. Another man I f'n idolise. Gavilan Vs Leonard? :yep
Glad you enjoyed it, do try and watch those fights (if you've not seen 'em already of course), you'd be denying yourself some absolute corkers mate :good
Name: Ike Williams Height:: 5 ft. 9in (175cm) Birth: 1923-08-02 Boxing record Total fights 155 Wins 127 KO's 61 Losses 24 (6 by stoppage) Draws 4 This content is protected One of the greatest lightweights of all time, Ike Williams was a great champion who also faced some of the best Welterweights of his era. Armed with a prolific jab, a blunt two-fisted assault and some of the best finishing skills ever witnessed at the weight, Williams was a truly formidable fighter. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrSYIY092n4[/ame] Johnny Bratton was a slick boxer, with a fair dig, fast hands and sublime movement. Known primarily for a series with Kid Gavilan (one of the ATG Welterweights) Williams won a hard-fought 10 round decision over him in what was essentially a light-welterweight fight (both men came in at 138 )The video above demonstrates Williams' ability to throw stiff shots, cutting off the ring well and working well with Bratton backed up. Bratton demonstrated his eye-catching combinations and fluid movement. Arguably, Williams' most impressive win was his first fight with Kid Gavilan. Fairly green at that stage but still gifted, durable and brilliant, Williams outpointed him and scored a very, VERY rare KD over the 'Kid'. This in itself is no mean feat. Supposedly a controversial decision (no surprise given that Gavilan was 'robbed' quite a few times) Ike was given the nod due to the knockdown (and him being more well known than The Cuban Hawk at that stage I imagine) However, with no footage surviving/existing of their series (Gavilan went on to beat Williams on points over ten when he had grown into his Welterweight physique), many historians points to Williams' stunning decimation of Beau Jack, without a doubt one of the most durable fighters of all time, as his best victory. Jack was the former World Lightweight champion, a powerfully-built beast who could outmuscle most, and could swing hooks with the best of 'em. Williams was not your average offensive fighter. The most pressure he would apply was wuith his jab. He could time shots well, but it was his economic movement (of foot and head) that gave him counter punching opportunities, which he would then use to set up his bludegeoning attack. Feel free to disagree, but the stoppage here is eerily reminiscent of Roy Jones' over Bryant Brannon (with a far superior and iron-chinned opponent) with Williams imploring the referee to stop the fight before ending it himself with crushing efficiency. Watch the exchange from 6:00 on. Williams using upper body movement to attempt to slip shots, and firing back off the ropes with accurate, powerful shots, Jack winging awy and looking every bit the dangerman. Then, at 6:40, Williams using deft head movements to set up another blistering assault. Very impressive, not 'old fashioned' in any sense, Williams really looks a beast here. The stoppage is well-known by most. Despite being very late, it is still impressive for how blisteringly fast, aggresive and deadly Williams appears. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z01Ph7YkQY&feature=related[/ame] Williams' succeeded more often than not in his series with top Lightweight Bob Montgomery, by all accounts a fast-handed boxer, I can't find any footage of him and have to profess to not having seen anything of him. But he was the World Lightweight champion in the time of one belt-holder ;-) Williams was dropped three times in the final stanza of their first bout, when went on to stop him. Williams got the better of a series with Sammy Angott, despite being stopped after a six-round drubbing (injury). Angott himself was known as a master boxer-mover. Williams' primary stylistic foil seemed to be movers. Willy Joyce (decent, not amazing) outmanouvered Williams in all their fights. Like Alexis Arguello, it seems Williams' jab, and the offence that came off of it, was stunted by those who were unwilling to engage him, although Williams' was far less lead-footed than Alexis. However, the Johnny Bratton (and aforementioned Angott series) fights suggest otherwise, and Kid Gavilan was not the kind of fighter to just stand in front of you incessently, despite his great chin. I would say Williams was susceptible to 'slicksters' (that is the truth) but not exactly useless. Enrique Bolanos, who had a few victories over Chalky Wright (legendary featherweight), was a good contender during Williams' lightweight reign. His notable loss beforehand was to ATG Bantamweight Manuel Ortiz via stoppage. Williams, bigger, stronger and a murderous hitter, won a SD in a 15-round title fight, but stopped Bolanos twice, sandwiching the title fight. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ByQnTlv5VHw[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tauQ3iKsxY&feature=related[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eseoeLTHnWk&feature=related[/ame] Bolanos appears the kind of tricky customer that Williams supposedly struggled with. Williams mixes up between jab and heavy shots throughout; in terms of mixing up his offence he is truly a master IMO. There is other footage of their 2nd fight on youtube, but it appears to get cut off halfway through with the Beau Jack fight. The above is a good account of how their series must've went. In short, Williams was not infallible. He was however, a dangerous, canny and tough fighter, who was the man during a time where it was hard to be the man. Wins over Montgomery, Jack, Gavilan and Angott are of the highest calibre. Movers might've given him some hassle, but only those willing to come through what Williams had to offer. Not too many could.
I'll do one about Ted Kid Lewis a little later if I have time. Interesting fella in and out of the ring.
Cheers, it looks **** in comparison to others, I wasn't aware we could use aids. That was just whatever basic knowledge of him I had with Wiki being used to get his record etc.
I prefer doing it off the top of me head. Might make a few mistakes but more interesting that way IMO :good
Rocky Marciano World heavyweight champion 1952-1956 Real name: Rocco Francis Marchegiano Nickname(s) The Brockton Blockbuster, The Rock from Brockton Height 5 ft 10½ in Reach 67 in Born 1st September 1923. Brockton, Massachusetts Died 31st August 1969. Newton, Iowa Boxing record Total fights 49 Wins 49 Wins by KO 43 Losses 0 Rocky Marciano is the only heavyweight champion to retire undefeated. In his remarkable career he was only knocked down twice & on both occasions went on to win the fight by KO. His record in title fights is 7(6)-0 & his record against fellow hall-of-famers is 6(5)-0. Rocky was a relentless swarmer & a unique physical specimen. Only 5'10 & short-armed Rocky never weighed more than 190lbs for a fight. He fought from a distinct crouched stance from which he exploded with ferocious power. He was as tough, determined & competitive as anyone who ever stepped into the ring & though he was crude there were very few could stand up to his continual pressure. A modest gentleman outside of the ring Marciano was also one of the dirtiest fighters on film & would do anything to win. His mother prayed before all his fights, not for Rocky but for his opponent! Rocky didnt box until he was drafted into the Army in 1943 where he won the 1946 services tournament. After leaving the army he competed in the Golden Gloves & Olympic trials, having his final amatuer bout in 1947. Rocky's first sporting love was baseball, in 1947 he had a trial with the Chicago Cubs & lasted 3 weeks before being cut from the team. Rocky then began boxing training full time & began his professional career (apart from 1 earlier fight) in 1948 aged 24. Campaigning around New England Rocky won his first 16 fights by KO & veteran Ted Bowry became the 1st man to last the distance in a 10round fight in Rhode Island which Rocky won by UD. Rising steadily up the rankings Rocky faced fellow prospect Carmine Vingo (16-1) in 1949. Rocky won by a 6th round KO & gave Vingo a savage beating in a toe-to-toe war, dropping him 3 times & after the fight the unconscious Vingo was rushed to hospital suffering from a brain hemorrhage. Vingo was in a coma & in critical condition for some time but he did recover, though he never fought again. Rocky was very upset at the outcome of the fight & was talked out of retiring by Vingo's family, fellow Italian-Americans who wanted him to go on & succeed. Next up for the Rock was another New-Yorker, the highly regarded Roland La Starza (37-0). Rocky won a very close SD over 10 rounds against his skilled opponent who he knocked down in the 4th. This was Rocky's first fight that was captured on film (apart from a brief clip of the Vingo fight) & its on Youtube. Rocky kept busy & had a notable win over Rex Layne but his biggest fight so far came in 1951 against the legendary former champion Joe Louis, who had retired 2 years earlier but was fighting again due to financial problems. Though Louis was 37 he was the slight favourite at the bookies but the young challenger Marciano, aged 28 & 36(31)-0 won via brutal KO in the 8th. After dropping Louis for an 8 count Rocky knocked him through the ropes & on to the apron. The ref immediately stopped the fight & Louis never fought again. Rocky continued his winning streak, all by stoppage and in 1952 he fought the champion Jersey Joe Walcott. Although Walcott was 37 he had a late prime, was in excellent shape & Rocky again was the underdog against the bigger & more skillfull champion. In the first round Walcott landed a beautiful left hook, knocking Rocky down for the 1st time in his career. A classic fight followed & whilst behind on all 3 scorecards Rocky landed one of the most famous punches in boxing (his trademark Suzie-Q right hand) in the 13th round flush on Walcott's chin leaving Jersey Joe unconscious & Rocky the new world champion. A rematch followed in 1953, with Rocky winning via 1st round KO. His next defense was another rematch, this time against Roland LaStarza. There was to be no repeat of their extremely close first fight & Rocky gave LaStarza a sustained & brutal beating eventually knocking him through the ropes & winning via TKO in the 11th. Rocky was relentless & Roland was left requiring immediate surgery to both arms. In 1954 Rocky faced the great Ezzard Charles & won via UD. Charles started strongly but Marciano fared better as the fight went on. Charles is the only man to ever last 15 rounds with Marciano. In a rematch 3 months later Rocky suffered a horrific cut on his nose & the fight was close to being stopped but in the 8th round Rocky dropped Charles for the 3rd & final time to win by knockout in the Ring magazine's fight of the year. In 1955, Rocky defended his title against the British challenger Don Cockell. Rocky gave Cockell a terrible beating which eventually was stopped by the ref in the 9th. Rocky praised Cockell's toughness stating he never hit anyone as hard & as often as he did in their foul-filled fight. Marciano's next fight against the ATG Archie Moore was his final defense. Moore dropped the Rock with a great right hand in the 2nd but Rocky came roaring back, knocking the durable Moore down 5 times & winning by KO in the 9th. In April 1956 Rocky announced his retirement, stating he wished to go out whilst still at the top. He sadly died in a plane crash in 1969. The Ring magazine rated him as the 6th best ever heavyweight champ, 12th on the list of the best 80 fighter from the last 80 years & 14th on the 100 greatest ever punchers list. Marciano was named fighter of the year by Ring Magazine three times. His three championship fights between 1952-54 were named fights of the year by that magazine. In 2006, an ESPN poll voted Marciano's 1952 championship bout against Walcott as the greatest knockout ever. My personal favourite ever heavyweight & a true legend. Rocky Marciano, 49 fights, 49 wins, 43 knockouts & no losses. [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMBfW1rkc6U[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4fWf4jtQWU[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMzb-6q_syc[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0er2lGRYqX8[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoRg7oty4wc[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soMGNeqDJEA&NR=1[/ame] [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVt11BC1WNs&feature=related[/ame]
Quality mate :good LP; different eras for different weights, I have a soft spot for most (up until now, and even this one has some redeeming features) :good