Earliest filmed bout that you would actually watch for fun because it's entertaining?

It may be heresy around these parts, but I find most boxing matches from the early period to be deathly dull and almost unwatchable.

What would you consider the earliest bout that you could sit back with a tub of popcorn and watch not as research, and not to analyze technically or historically, but as entertainment?

 

Canzoneri vs Kid Chocolate 1

 

I agree with you on this. Most pre 1940's boxing isn't that fun to watch.

 

Just speed it up 50% and get a slugfest and put on some Bennie Hill theme music. I guarantee entertainment

 

To be fair I found Dempsey very entertaining

 

This is my pick, though I've seen relatively few pre-1040.

Another good one is Schmeling-Louis 1.

 

I don’t mind the really old stuff but I know where you’re coming from.

I would’ve thought perhaps that many might’ve opted for Dempsey v Willard as the earliest film to poke its head in as being actually entertaining. Maybe I’m wrong.

 

Sugar Ray Robinson at 147.
Some Luther McCarty stuff.
Dempsey during his murderous run before Willard.

 

there is some Australian footage from 1938, which is perfectly 'normal' looking featuring Archie Moore, Auz fighters - Fred Henneberry, Ron Richards and Ambrose Palmer... the Best Part about these 'early' pieces of Good & Proper Footage is, it shows that Fighters of the Past fought EXACTLY as you would expect, just the same as people today... except, they did it EVERY 3 - 6 weeks, UNLIKE Fighters today.

there is also Footage of Frankie Glick vs Tony Canzoneri from the 20s or 30s which is Normal Looking too.

So there are Rare Gems out there, and you have to remember, just cause these bits of Film shows the fighters normal, it wasn't 'just them' it was ALL of their Opponents and Contemporaries too.

as I always Stated, "it's NOT the fighters that were poor, it IS the Film FOOTAGE!!!

 

We have quite a bit of WW Ray.

Now while it may not be exactly what you want we have sparring prior to Big Jess?

 

I'd have liked to see Barbados Joe Walcott, Kid Chocolate, Joe Gans and more of Sam Langford.

No specific fights, anything in or around there primes would make me happy.

If we aren't going THAT far back I have too many fighters and fights to count I wish I could see but I'd settle on a few complete Burley fights... Maybe Holman? honestly, more of any of the row and there fights between one another.

 

The oldest fight I enjoy is Jack Dempsey vs Luis Angel from 1923, after that it's not until Louis vs Schmelling in 1936.

 

Ok, here's one for you:
Barbados Joe Walcott vs Joe Choynski. By all accounts Walcott brutalized Choynski, who was a heavy hitter and was in there with some
by heavyweights, including knocking Jack Johnson through the ropes when Lil' Arthur was a youngster. A shocking win.

 

I like the Brennan and Sharkey fights .. for real humor watch Guns diving vs McGovern ...