Without a doubt. He must have stepped it up for the camera. Obviously a pro, had the tights on and everything. There must have been so many good pros back then and not enough places for them to go.
Must have watched this ten times already. Walked seems content to be working light and putting alot of emphasis on his foot work while his sparring partner really came to bring it!. A real pro. Would like to know who the heck he is!.
Robert, the sparring partner was Tom Moore http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/10622 They introduced the sparring partners as Tom Moore and I can't remember the other name, but I think it was Moore too, maybe Tom's brother? Anyway, Tom was the one in the tights and he mentioned that he had fought Hudkins before and Hudkins was who Walker was preparing for. EDIT: Just went back and watched the introductions, the other guy is Roy Moore, there is no mention of him being related to Tom. Go to about 1:45 for the introductions.
Mickey Walker trained for his second bout with Ace Hudkins at Pop Soper's Training Camp, which was located near Ojai, California. For a number of decades, Soper's was a popular training camp for fighters who usually were preparing for bouts that took place in Los Angeles. After losing the world heavyweight title to Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey went to Soper's to get into some semblance of shape. Then Dempsey went back East where he had a full-fledged training camp in preparation for his bout with Jack Sharkey. After defeating Sharkey, Dempsey had another full-fledged training camp for his rematch with Tunney. - Chuck Johnston
The sparring partner was Roy Moore, one of two fighting brothers. He was a respected middleweight at the tail end of a six-year pro career. As I recall, he even said a few words at the end of the full newsreel. Mick, I think, refers to him as "Roy." They were really workin' hard, weren't they! Walker always played and worked hard.
Video of Walker's bout against the aforementioned Ace Hudkins. October 29th 1929. This content is protected
