Joe Jeannette is considered one of the top HW's of the 1910-20's, maybe top 25-50 all-time. He got a decision over Georges Carpentier in Europe when both were at or near their best. I allways read that the decision was a just one until now. In his auto-biography(available on line, thanks to Don Koss-IBRO for the tip) Carpentier was convinced that he was robbed. In his book he comes across as a very fair-minded individual and I was wondering does anyone out there have information on this fight or indeed views. IF Carpentier did indeed best Jeannette (and also Gunboat Smith) then our rankings of the 1910-20's need serious re-evaluation
I read somewhere that French newspapers thought Carpentier was robbed. But I was reading a second-hand english-language account. A French boxing historian, or someone with French language and access to the reports would be able to elaborate. Then again, there were a lot of American and English writers in France at that time, so there may have been reports in English or American papers. It's a question I'd like answered too. The French press might be biased in favour of the French fighter but the boxing crowd admired the black American fighters, so bias on the basis of race would not necessarily play a part. It those days fights were usually judged by a single man (the referee) and crooked - or simply wrong - decisions were probably even more common than in later years.
The irony of a black man fighting a white man and the black guy getting an undeserved decision in those days of the color ducking line. I wouldn't really trust Carpentier's word on it though. Unless Toney changes his opinion, his autobiography will say that he thought he won the second Peter fight in which he won one round at best.
Jeannette carried the fight to Carpentier in most rounds, piling up enough points to finish the winner even after he was in trouble in several rounds. Smith's loss should have been a win for Gunboat. His last punch barely landed on Carpentier's shoulder when the latter was down.
In his autobioghraphy Carpentier,by Himself Carpentier,claimed he floored Jeanette in the first round and won the fight comfortably,the referee was Frantz Reichel a German,Carpentier said the only round he backed off was the last one ,because he was so much in front he went on the defensive.
