Monthly heavyweight rankings from 1882 onwards

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SimonLock, Aug 3, 2022.


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  1. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Yep, fixed, Slavin in England in November 1895!
     
    mattdonnellon, Feb 20, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Feb 20, 2023
    #91
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  2. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    There were alot of now forgotten fringe contenders in the latter half of the 1890's, Charley Stevenson was one such fighter. Born in Philly, 1876 he has a claimed 16 or so fights prior to 1898 with all won by ko except for one draw. This record appeared in the Trenton Times, April 17, 1899 and is accurate for all the 1898-on contests so may have merit as it generally includes venues but verification needed. He beat Walter Johnson (who beat Armstrong, and Steve O'Donnell and had a draw with Slavin) and Jack McCormick (who would put an over-confident Kid McCoy and an old Goddard on his win ledger). Stevenson stepped up in 1899 to tackle Maher and was wiped out in two devastating rounds. Denver Ed Martin reinforced Stevenson's position as a good second level fighter when he won a competitive battle later that year. Charley won some against the likes of old Joe Goddard, Morris Harris and Joe Butler but generally lost to the Dick Moore, Klondike level contenders, Still, a decent early black boxer.
     
    mattdonnellon, Feb 22, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Feb 22, 2023
    #92
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  3. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Frank Childs is about to come into view. Really only a middleweight but a massively underrated. Standing about 5-9 1/2 and rarely much over the middleweight limit he first made his name by defeating George LaBlanche back in 1892. Dan Creedon and Joe Choynski showed him the level he had to reach by hammering him but reach it he eventullly did, I have him top ten year-end 1897 to 1903. From his KO loss to Choynski until a loss in 1904, only George Byers(avenged) Jack Johnson, Denver Ed Martin and Choynski defeated him He flattened 6-3 contender Bob Armstrong twice, beat Klondike, Stockings Conroy, Joe Walcott, Pete Everett, the gigantic Ed Dunkhorst, Joe Butler, Fred Russell, Byers and many more. Jack Johnson gave him a pair of terrible beatings, apparently some issue over a woman!
     
    Last edited: Feb 22, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Feb 22, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Feb 22, 2023
    #93
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  4. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    There were a surprising number of big heavyweights around at the turn of the twentieth century. Denver Ed Martin, Bob Armstrong, Joe McAuliffe, Jim Jeffords, Fred Russell, Peter Felix were all around 6-3 and top fighters tended to be around 6 foot or more, Jeffries, Jackson, Corbett, Ruhlin, Fitz, Maher, O'Donnell, Griffin, Kennedy, Slavin, Goddard, Choynski,Kenny, McCormick, Everett, Stelzner, were all at least 5-11. There were exceptions of course, Tom Sharkey and Frank Childs spring to mind.
    However perhaps the most famous big man of the time was fringe contender Ed Dunkhorst. He was essentially a gatekeeper, think Chuvalo, Takam, Chisora, Bartley Madden, Carl Morris. Different claims on his height but he was probably at least 6-3 but his weight ballooned up to 270 at times. Ed may have started boxing as early as 1894 but records show him in action in 1897. He fought a draw with a fading Jim Hall, beat Stockings Conroy and held his own with Bob Armstrong. A December 1898 fight with Bob, listed in Boxrec never happened nor did he defeat that worthy in November 1899. He did defeat Frank Kellar but just once, not twice as per Boxrec. The first man to really lower his colours was Gus Ruhlin, then a top contender over 22 hotly contested rounds.
    The useful C C Smith was defeated before Peter Maher outclassed big Ed, sending him to the canvas multiple times. Mediocre fighters like George Lawler(himself 6-3), Charles Strong, Charles Lawler(6-2) were defeated but Choynski, Joe Butler, Maher again, Yank Kenny(6-1) Frank Childs(5-9 1/2) all put it over on "The Human Freight Train". Draws with Jack McCormick and Jack Stelzner showed his true level, a decent contender but not championship class as Fitzsimmons proved by giving him 90 pounds and knocking him out in two!
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Feb 23, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Feb 23, 2023
    #94
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  5. mattdonnellon

    mattdonnellon Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Just to bump this thread and highlight a man about to move to prominence in the ratings.
    Gus Ruhlin.
    There were about 13 great heavyweights at the close of the nineteenth century and the early twentieth, 1890 to 1905 and as far as I know, all but two have biographical books written about them. Champions Sullivan, Corbett, Fitzsimmons, Jeffries, and Hart are chronicled as are top contenders Slavin, Jackson, Choynski, Maher, McCoy, and Sharkey, the exceptions are Joe Goddard and my subject here, Gus Ruhlin. Gustave Ruhlin was born in Canton on January 8th 1872 of Swiss and French extraction but shortly was relocated to Akron, Ohio. He was an accomplished athlete, oarsman, footballer who stood around 6-2 and weighed 190 pounds or more. His resting heart rate was measured at 42 bpm in 1901. He played semi-pro football at left back for Akron until his boxing commitments became too much in mid-1898, The Akron Beacon said of Ruhlin that “He has a leather strap on his back to which the half back clings. You can count on him for a gain every time. He is the largest man on the team and he takes every bit of himself into the game.”

    The first recorded fight I could find for Gus was in 1894 on May 10th against an S.Costigan over 3 rounds, no decision available, at the Excelsior, Akron. Then on June 9th at the Columbia Rink he edged out another promising local fighter, Jim Wood over 4 rounds. August 4th at Tracy Hall, Barberton saw a good 5 round ko win over Con Tobin, a big 215 pound veteran. Next up was a four round exhibition with Jack Cattonache(in reality Doc Payne) in which Payne was slightly better in the no decision affair at the Columbia Hall on September 13.This appears to be the Doss Payne fight in the records, normally shown as a win for Gus. On October 23 at the Excelsior Club he won a competitive 3 round contest with Pat Lewis which seems to have eluded the record keepers.
    On to 1895 and Peter Maher was barnstorming with his troupe when on January 7th he rocked up to the Academy of Music, Akron. Little did he expect that his opponent would become the other half of a fight considered one of the greatest heavyweight battles ever, four years later. The Akron Beacon gives us the detail; “Maher let Ruhlin hit him in the first two but then punched the Akron boy rather lively in the last round.” A May 15 date saw a win over Tony Gelter, KO2, weights 180 to 170 at the Excelsior, billed, optimistically for the State title. June 27 at the Bowling Green, Baltimore brought his first big test and it didn’t go well, Yank Kenney stopping him in 16. this one was for the Ohio championship.
    He regrouped and on January 27 at the Academy of Music, Tony Gelter was out classed in a four round no-decision bout. He again boxed Tony on February 4th in a three round exhibition before going to the Gold Mine AC in Cleveland to box a draw with Domnick Kane over four on February 10th. Reports suggest Ruhlin was hard done by a hometown decision. The date and result are usually recorded incorrectly. Finally in May of 1897 Ruhlin cracked the big time by defeating Steve O’Donnell over ten hard rounds. Steve maybe hurt his hand in the first but the fight was competitive until Gus pulled out a big last round that had O’Donnell hanging on at the gong. Aside from the win, a big plus came when O’Donnell’s manager, the famous Billy Madden, snapped up Gus, and later spells as a sparring partner of Steve and Jim Corbett brought him along greatly.
    The next move was a trip to California to tackle the new rage of the West coast, Jim Jeffries. Ruhlin was in trouble in the last round but boxed well enough to merit a 20 round draw. Tut Ryan and Texas Smith were easily defeated and at the end of December , four second-raters were defeated in one night, only McGibony getting stopped but by all accounts Gus could have stopped all four inside the stripulated three rounds if he wished, on his Saint Louis debut.
    The St.Louis Post-Democrat gave a great description of the Akron man; “Tall, standing 6 feet 2 inches in height, massive in frame, muscled perfectly and as shifty on his feet as fighters many pounds lighter than himself, he presents a perfect appearance in the ring. And above all, he is a clever ring general, never leaving an opening, and always following up his antagonist well.” The rest of his career is well documented, great highs and lows, a bit inconsistent, but boxing on for another eight years, always at the top tier. Beat Sharkey, a fading Maher, Choynski and a slew of fringe contenders, McCormick, Conroy, Big Ed Dunkhorst, revenge against Kenney, Jeffords, Carter, Stelzner, Goddard and Everett. Draws with Carter, Hart and Ferguson as he aged, were commendable and a close loss to McCoy likewise. Jeff, Sharkey and Fitz hammered him, his lack of a big punch holding him back from the ultimate award. There were also a couple of inexplicable losses to Jeffords and Joe Kennedy. Finally, a big hit against Gus was his refusal to meet a black opponent, even though his main sparring partner was Denver Ed Martin.

    A final mention on his famous draw with Maher, and an excerpt from “The Irish Champion” by this author. “Six thousand fans crowded into the Lenox Athletic Club, New York, to see the struggle. Ruhlin attacked at the opening bell, nearly closing one of Maher’s eyes but after a heavy exchange, a big right to the body sent the “Arkon Giant” to the floor. He regained his feet at the limit and a hard right cut his eye as they slugged to the bell. Ruhlin came back into it in the next as Maher played to the body. Peter regained the initiative in the next as he still pounded the body and Gus was still on the defensive in the fourth and fifth and in the sixth, it looked curtains for Ruhlin as he got caught with smashing right and left crosses. He rallied and cut and bunged up both of Maher’s optics and drew blood from his left eye in the eighth. Peter was still the stronger and worked the body well and also closed Ruhlin’s eyes. Maher was staggered by a straight left at the start of the eleventh and Ruhlin now forced the pace.

    Ruhlin was the stronger by the thirteenth, but a feint fooled him and he ducked into a hard left to the jaw. He almost put Peter through the ropes in the fourteenth but Maher was game and came back strong. He battered Ruhlin in the next round and contrary to all aspersions to his staying power, was the stronger as they faltered down the finishing stretch. He bloodied his opponent’s nose in the seventeenth and had his man cornered at the bell. The next was even as both men worked hard and the penultimate saw Gus cautioned for holding on as Maher found the target with uppercuts to the body. The last round saw them shake hands and as both strived for the win, Ruhlin stood off the aggressive Maher’s rushes. At the bell, referee White decided the bout a draw, and so ended one of the greatest contests of the nineteenth century."

    "John Sullivan was the night watchman for thirty-two years in Madison Square Garden until it closed down in 1925. He claimed to never have missed a night and on the occasion of his retirement he spoke of the Maher-Ruhlin struggle. “It was the bloodiest battle ever staged in New York,” declared the ancient caretaker. “The eyes of both men were closed in the middle of the fray and how they ever lasted it out, I could never understand.” Jimmy DeForest, too, perhaps the finest boxing trainer of the time, rated it the greatest heavyweight fight he had ever seen.

    Gus took a wife in Sarah Mulrooney who was to achieve fame with a mention in James Joyce’s epic novel “Ulysses” as Mrs Gus Rublin. Sarah, herself, had fame in her time, as a leading suffragette in America. Together Gus and his wife ran a saloon in Brooklyn, New York on Myrtle Street. They were not blessed with offspring and the former fighter died early in 1912 at his home in Brooklyn of a massive heart attack, aged only 40.
     
    Last edited: Mar 11, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Mar 11, 2023
    mattdonnellon, Mar 11, 2023
    #95
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  6. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    January 1895

    January 1895 was a quiet month, with no notable fights to report.
    On 16th January 1895, Charlie Mitchell issued a challenge to Peter Jackson (#2). He described Jackson (#2) and Corbett (#1) as “rival claimants to the Championship of the World”, and said that beating Jackson would help him obtain a rematch with Corbett.
    On 24th January 1895, Peter Jackson (#2) replied to the challenge from Charlie Mitchell. He said that he would box him at the National Sporting Club, but nowhere else. He said that Mitchell had drawn the colour line five years ago, and that he was no whiter now than he was then. The NSC refused to put up a purse, so the challenge was withdrawn.

    1) James J Corbett
    2) Peter Jackson
    3) Bob Fitzsimmons
    4) Joe Choynski
    5) "Denver" Edward Smith
    6) Peter Maher
    7) Frank Slavin
    8) Joe Goddard
    9) Jim Hall
    10) George Godfrey

    February 1895

    On 1st February 1895, it was reported that Peter Maher (#6) was to fight Jim Hall (#9) on 23rd February in a 4-round fight. Boxing World stated that beating Hall would “add much to his reputation, for the Australian is one of the cleverest heavyweights in the business”.

    In February 1895, Peter Jackson (#2) spoke to various reporters about his future plans. Although he said he could be tempted into one last big fight against Corbett (#1), he said that he looked upon his professional career as already finished.

    There is an argument to treat Jackson as retired at this point, but I will wait for a more official report to remove him from my rankings, as he is still responding to challenges and being mentioned in discussions of championship fights.

    Jackson also gave his opinion of Corbett’s claim to the world title:

    “In a certain sense, perhaps Corbett is within his rights in claiming the championship of the world: but he must remember that when he met Sullivan the latter was in anything but his prime.”

    22/2/1895 Peter Maher (#8) drew with Jim Hall (#7) over 6 rounds. The decision was unpopular with the crowd, and it was reported that Maher had shown his superiority over Hall.

    25/2/1895, Joe Choynski (#3) beat Jim Douglass on points over 3 rounds.

    1) James J Corbett
    2) Peter Jackson
    3) Bob Fitzsimmons
    4) Joe Choynski
    5) Peter Maher - up by 1 due to win over Hall
    6) "Denver" Edward Smith - down by 1
    7) Frank Slavin
    8) Joe Goddard
    9) Jim Hall
    10) George Godfrey

    March 1895

    4/3/1895 Joe Goddard (#8) was beaten by Peter Felix on points over 10 rounds.

    11/3/1895 former NPG World Champion Frank Slavin (#7) beat Frank “Coffee Cooler” Craig by 1st round KO.

    11/3/1895 Joe Choynski (#4) beat Mike Madden on points over 4 rounds.

    On 12th March 1895, Frank Slavin (#7) challenged Peter Jackson (#2) to fight him anywhere but the NSC. Jackson stated he would only fight at the NSC, so the challenge was declined.

    18/3/1895 former NPG World Champion Jake Kilrain drew with Steve O’Donnell.

    21/3/1895 Joe Choynski (#4) fought middleweight Dan Creedon over 6 rounds. Choynski had the best of it, knocking Creedon down twice. It had been agreed before the fight that the official result would be a draw in the event neither man knocked the other out, but this was essentially a win for Choynski. Always a small heavyweight, Choynski weighed below the middleweight limit for this fight.

    On 25th March 1895, James J Corbett (#1) confirmed that negotiations were ongoing for a fight between him and Bob Fitzsimmons (#3). He said that he would be entitled to retire from the ring following this fight.

    1) James J Corbett
    2) Peter Jackson
    3) Bob Fitzsimmons
    4) Joe Choynski
    5) Peter Maher
    6) “Denver” Edward Smith
    7) Frank Slavin
    8) Jim Hall – up by 1 due to Goddard’s loss
    9) Peter Felix – new entry due to win over Goddard
    10) Joe Goddard – down by 1 due to loss

    April 1895

    16/4/1895 Bob Fitzsimmons (#3) won a middleweight bout against Al Allich by 3rd round KO.

    19/4/1895 Bob Fitzsimmons (#3) beat Mike Connors by 1st round KO.

    22/4/1895 Frank Slavin (#7) beat Jack McCarthy by 9th round KO.

    29/4/1895 Peter Maher (#5) beat Al Lawson by 1st round KO.

    No changes to the rankings.

    May 1895

    4/5/1895 Peter Maher (#5) beat Al Johnson by 1st round KO.

    6/5/1895 Joe Goddard (#10) drew with Tut Ryan on points over 15 rounds.

    6/5/1895 Steve O’Donnell beat former NPG World Champion Jake Kilrain by 21st round TKO.

    8/5/1895 Peter Maher (#5) beat Jerry Slattery by 1st round KO.

    10/5/1895 James Smith beat Ted Pritchard for the English Heavyweight title.

    On 13th May 1895, a meeting was held at the National Sporting Club in England. Peter Jackson (#2) made a speech begging the club to put up a purse for a fight between him and James J Corbett (#1). The club refused, the owners having taken offense at comments made by Corbett in the press. The Sydney Referee reported that Peter Jackson (#2) was retiring as a result.

    On 13th May 1895, Frank Slavin (#7) challenged James J Corbett (#1) to fight him in England.

    20/5/1895 Peter Maher (#5) beat Bob Marshall by 1st round KO.

    25/5/1895 Joe Goddard (#10) beat Dan Keeley by 2nd round KO.

    1) James J Corbett
    2) Bob Fitzsimmons – up by 1
    3) Joe Choynski – up by 1
    4) Peter Maher – up by 1
    5) “Denver” Edward Smith – up by 1
    6) Frank Slavin – up by 1
    7) Jim Hall – up by 1
    8) Peter Felix – up by 1
    9) Steve O’Donnell – new entry due to win over Kilrain
    10) James Smith – new entry due to win over Pritchard

    Joe Goddard drops out due to O’Donnell and Smith entering.

    June 1895

    3/6/1895 Joe Choynski (#3) beat Jack Cattanach by 2nd round KO.

    8/6/1895 Joe Goddard beat Bill Curran by 3rd round KO.

    15/6/1895 Peter Maher (#4) fought a 3-round no-decision bout with Dominick McCaffrey.

    22/6/1895 Joe Goddard beat Edward Rollins by 5th round retirement.

    No changes to the rankings.
     
    SimonLock, Mar 20, 2023
    SimonLock, Mar 20, 2023
    #96
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  7. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    July 1895

    2/7/1895 Steve O’Donnell (#9) beat Tom Burns by 3rd round TKO

    10/7/1895 Peter Felix (#8) beat Tom Ball on points over 10 rounds.

    15/7/1895 Bob Armstrong drew with Walter Johnson on points over 10 rounds.

    19/7/1895 Steve O’Donnell (#9) beat Billy Woods on points over 15 rounds.

    No changes to the rankings.

    August 1895

    1/8/1895 Peter Felix (#8) beat Joe Goddard over 10 rounds. Goddard was out of shape and showing his lack of condition by the second round.

    16/8/1895 Peter Maher (#4) beat Peter Johnson by 1st round KO.

    20/8/1895 Joe Choynski (#3) beat Dick Wilson by 2nd round KO.

    26/8/1895 Peter Maher (#4) beat Patsy Gregson by 4th round KO.

    On 27th August 1895, it was reported that Joe Choynski (#3) was scheduled to fight George Godfrey in a 20-round contest on the 30th. Choynski was described as the “light-heavyweight champion”. The fight was cancelled at the last minute due to a shortage of audience members.

    31/8/1895 Joe Goddard beat Owen Sullivan by 7th round KO.

    No changes to the rankings.

    September 1895

    On 11th September 1895, Peter Maher (#4) said he wanted to fight the winner of the upcoming fight between Corbett (#1) and Fitzsimmons (#2), should he beat O’Donnell (#9) in his next bout.

    30/9/1895 Steve O’Donnell (#9) fought a 3-round no-decision bout with Jim Dwyer.

    No changes to the rankings.

    October 1895

    On 11th October 1895, Ed Smith (#5) declared himself to be Champion of the World, and said he would take on all comers.

    On 21st October 1895, Peter Jackson is described as “on the retired list”.

    On 22nd October 1895, the fight between James J Corbett (#1) and Bob Fitzsimmons (#2) was declared off, with the men being unable to agree on a date for the contest.

    No changes to the rankings.

    November 1895

    In November 1895, it was reported that Peter Maher (#4) would fight Frank Slavin (#6) over 20 rounds, and that articles had been signed.

    11/11/1895 George Godfrey beat Billy Woods by 9th round disqualification.

    In early November 1895, James J Corbett (#1) announced his retirement and said he would award his title to the winner of the upcoming fight between Peter Maher (#4) and Steve O’Donnell (#9). This was clearly a formal retirement, and despite it being unclear whether a champion is able to name his successor, his attempt in doing so demonstrates the seriousness of his retirement. No champion who wished to retain his title would willingly nominate another fighter to take it from him.

    11/11/1895, in a bout billed as for the World Heavyweight Title, Peter Maher (#3) beat Steve O’Donnell (#8) by 1st round KO. James J Corbett nominated Peter Maher as his successor, bestowing the championship upon him.

    While some accepted Maher as champion, it was generally thought that titles must be won in the ring, and that he must prove himself better than Bob Fitzsimmons (#1), the other top contender for the title, before calling himself champion.

    Mike Donovan was quoted as follows: “Maher is a wonder. He can come pretty near defeating any pugilist in the world. He is not the champion yet, however. Corbett has no license to give him the championship. Fitzsimmons is the man who he should have named as his successor as champion. Fitz defeated Maher, and nobody has ever got a decision over him. Until Maher defeats Fitz he cannot claim the championship, Corbett to the contrary notwithstanding.”

    15/11/1895 Joe Choynski (#3) beat Frank Childs by 3rd round KO.

    On 16th November 1895, Charles “Parson” Davies, the manager of Joe Choynski (#3), suggested a tournament to decide who should be the new champion following the retirement of Corbett. In addition to Choynski, he suggested that entrants should include Fitzsimmons, Maher, O’Donnell, Hall, Slavin, and Creedon.

    23/11/1895 Joe Goddard (#10) drew with Tut Ryan for the South African Heavy Title on points over 13 rounds.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons – up by 1
    2) Peter Maher – up by 2 due to win over O’Donnell
    3) Joe Choynski
    4) “Denver” Edward Smith – up by 1
    5) Frank Slavin – up by 1
    6) Jim Hall – up by 1
    7) Peter Felix – up by 1
    8) Steve O’Donnell – up by 1
    9) James Smith – up by 1
    10) Joe Goddard – new entry due to Corbett’s retirement

    December 1895

    On 14th December 1895, in answer to a question from a reader, Boxing World stated that “there is no real champion of the world heavy-weight belt”.

    14/12/1895 “Denver” Edward Smith (#4) beat Mike Queenan by 1st round KO, and beat Jerry Slattery over 4 rounds.

    15/12/1895 “Denver” Edward Smith (#4) beat Eugene McElroy over 4 rounds.

    On 21st December 1895, Boxing World gave their opinion of Maher’s championship status. “The ‘frosts’ which Peter has so far encountered since he went on the stage after his defeat of O’Donnell go to prove that people are not satisfied that Peter holds the championship, or that he is capable of winning it. People are easily fooled at times, but one of the times when they are not is when a man who has knocked out two ‘stiffs’, each inside of half a round, claims to be a champion. It is quite evident that Maher must do something besides whipping third or tenth raters, and being whipped by first and second raters, before people will shell out their coin for the benefit of a fighter and a manager, neither of whom has ever done anything to deserve any great amount of public attention.”

    28/12/1895 Peter Maher (#2) fought a pair of 4-round no-decision bouts with Billy Woods and Peter Burns.

    No changes to the rankings.

    My rankings at the end of 1895 are therefore as follows:

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons - Aged 32 – Top Heavyweight contender (beat Maher in ’92, Hall in ’93, Choynski in ’94, unbeaten in ‘95)
    2) Peter Maher – Aged 26 – World Champion Claimant (lost to Fitz and Goddard in '92, beat McAuliffe in '93, Godfrey in ’94, O’Donnell in ‘95)
    3) Joe Choynski – Aged 27 - American fighter (beat Smith and Godfrey in '92, lost to Fitz in ’94, beat Creedon in ‘95)
    4) "Denver" Edward Smith - Aged 30 - English fighter (lost to Choynski in '92, beat Goddard in '93, unbeaten in ’94 and ‘95)
    5) Frank Slavin – Aged 33 - Former NPG World Champion (beat Kilrain in '91, lost to Jackson in '92, lost to Hall in '93 (fix?), unbeaten in ’94 and ‘95)
    6) Jim Hall - Aged 27 - Australian fighter (beat Slavin in '93 (fix?), unbeaten in '94, lost to Maher in ‘95)
    7) Peter Felix – Aged 29 – Australian fighter (beat Goddard in ’95)
    8) Steve O’Donnell – Aged 29 – Australian fighter (drew Godfrey in ’93, beat Kilrain and lost to Maher in ’95)
    9) James Smith – Aged 32 – English Champion (beat Pritchard in ’95)
    10) Joe Goddard – Aged 34 - Australian fighter (beat McAuliffe and Maher in '92, lost to Ed Smith in '93 and Laing in ’94, lost to Felix in ‘95)
     
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2023
    SimonLock, Mar 20, 2023
    SimonLock, Mar 20, 2023
    #97
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  8. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    For 1895, @mattdonnellon and I agree on 8 names. He has Jackson and Creedon, whereas I have Smith and Goddard.

    Jackson had been reported as retired, hence his removal from my list, and Creedon was still a middleweight in my eyes, although he would fight for the English heavyweight title in 1896.

    Neither Smith or Goddard were setting the world alight, but Smith had regained the English title and I think Goddard was just about hanging on to a ranking.

    As Matt noted, a weak year-end.
     
    SimonLock, Mar 22, 2023
    SimonLock, Mar 22, 2023
    #98
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  9. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    1895 was an interesting year in that there were multiple possible answers to the question “Who is the world heavyweight champion”.

    If you check the normally established lineages, it will list Corbett as champion, despite his retirement and despite him nominating a successor.

    Some people (including @mattdonnellon ) will list Peter Maher as champion, on the basis that Corbett gave him the title and he beat Steve O’Donnell in a match advertised as a World Title fight.

    Some people (like me) will say that there was no champion, as Corbett had retired and the top contenders (Fitz and Maher) had not fought each other to settle the matter.

    Some people at the time considered Peter Jackson to be champion, but he was inactive and was reported to be retired. His claim was arguably as strong as Corbett’s in previous years, but a lack of activity had damaged any claim he once had to the title.
     
    SimonLock, Mar 23, 2023
    SimonLock, Mar 23, 2023
    #99
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  10. Omega74

    Omega74 Member Full Member

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    Correct me if im wrong, but wasn't Mitchell (instead of Greenfield) the english champion before he faced Sullivan in 1883? Some say, that that was the fight where Sullivan became the world heavyweight champion, because he unified the american and british title.
     
    Omega74, Apr 15, 2023
    Omega74, Apr 15, 2023
    #100
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  11. djanders

    djanders Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Excellent work, as always! Very interesting!
     
    djanders, Apr 15, 2023
    djanders, Apr 15, 2023
    #101
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  12. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    It’s a good question, and honestly there isn’t an easy answer.

    Certainly Mitchell was advertised as being the English champion by American promoters, and he had a claim on the basis of winning an open-weight tournament.

    However, this was a very confusing time and we have limited information in the surviving sources. In years gone by, the Champion was decided in the prize ring under bare knuckle rules, but these days had mostly ended and Queensbury rules were the new fashion, mostly for legal reasons. There was no governing body or sanctioning organisations, so the press and public opinion ruled.

    Jem Mace was champion of England until 1871, when he retired. Tom Allen then won the vacant title in 1873 by beating Tompkin Gilbert. Allen made a couple of defences, then fought to a draw against Jim Stewart in 1879.

    Allen retired and relinquished the title, giving Stewart a reasonable claim to be champion based on their draw. Stewart beat Gilbert in his next fight and then agreed to face Alf Greenfield in 1880. At this point Stewart was calling himself the Champion of Scotland.

    Alf Greenfield was coming off a strong performance against Denny Harrington, in a fight for the middleweight title. Greenfield had dominated the fight, but was judged to have hit his opponent while down and disqualified in what some reported to be a fix. In any case, his stock rose following this fight and he was considered a real contender.

    Greenfield and Stewart fought in 1880 for a cup. Despite breaking his arm early in the fight, Greenfield managed to keep fighting and won the battle after 20 rounds when Stewart resorted to wrestling tactics.

    At this point Greenfield had a claim to being the Champion of England and Scotland, and he fought Joe “Tug Wilson” Collins in 1881, once again breaking his arm but this time earning a draw after 28 rounds.

    Following this injury, Greenfield was out of action for a couple of years, and missed the tournament organised by Billy Madden which was won by Mitchell.

    Greenfield returned from injury in 1883 and won a tournament organised by Jem Mace. He beat Jack Burke in the final, and was awarded with a belt.

    Greenfield would travel to America following this win, coming off worst against Sullivan but competing at the highest level against other contenders.

    In 1886 Greenfield fought with bare-knuckles against James Smith for the English title, and lost. By this time, Mitchell was generally seen as the gloved champion, and Smith as the bare-knuckle champion.
     
    SimonLock, Apr 17, 2023
    SimonLock, Apr 17, 2023
    #102
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  13. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    Nov 15, 2018
    January 1896

    20/1/1896 Joe Choynski (#3) beat Jim Hall (#6) by 13th round KO. Both of these men weighed in light, and this would not normally have been considered a heavyweight fight were it not for the fact that both men had been campaigning successfully in the top division. Hall demonstrated his superiority for much of the fight, knocking Choynski down twice, but failed to finish his opponent off when he had him at his mercy in the 9th round. Choynski rallied, and knocked Hall out in the 13th round.

    27/1/1896 Noted middleweight Dan Creedon beat James Smith (#9) for the British Empire Heavyweight title, and in doing do entered the heavyweight ranks. Creedon was much too fast for the overweight Smith, and scored a knockout in the second round.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) Peter Maher
    3) Joe Choynski
    4) "Denver" Edward Smith
    5) Frank Slavin
    6) Jim Hall
    7) Peter Felix
    8) Dan Creedon – New entry due to win over James Smith
    9) Steve O’Donnell – up by 1
    10) Joe Goddard

    James Smith drops out due to loss to Creedon

    February 1896

    On 1st February 1896, Peter Maher (#2) was quoted as follows with regards to his upcoming fight with Bob Fitzsimmons (#1):
    “It is conceded on all sides that the winner of that battle will be the champion pugilist of the world beyond cavil, and I am delighted at the opportunity afforded me to win that proud distinction. I want no presents, and although it was very kind of Mr Corbett to relinquish the title in my favor immediately after my defeat of his sparring partner, Steve O’Donnell, I would rather fight for it than obtain it by forfeit or gift. That is the way every great gladiator from the days of Tom Cribb and Dan Donnelly down to those of the renowned John L Sullivan attained that proud eminence, and that is the way I want to get there. To emulate the example of the great Bostonian is my highest ambition.”

    In February 1896, the San Francisco Call published an article arguing that Peter Jackson was entitled to the honour of World Champion. They argued that he had won the Australian title, then could claim the American title as a result of Sullivan refusing to fight him, then had won the English title by beating Slavin. They called Corbett’s claim to the title by beating Sullivan “a very empty claim all things considered”.

    21/2/1896 World Champion Nominee Peter Maher (#2) was beaten by Bob Fitzsimmons (#1) by 1st round KO. By winning this fight, Fitzsimmons became the World Heavyweight Champion, ending any claim Maher had to the title. He was awarded the National Police Gazette Championship Belt, and Boxing World stated “No one can dispute Fitz’s claim to the world’ championship”.

    Following the fight, retired champion James J Corbett challenged World Champion Bob Fitzsimmons (#1). Boxing World described this as “windbag oratory” and called Corbett “the retired actor-fighter”. Corbett placed a deposit at the office of the Associated Press, saying he would fight Fitzsimmons “for any amount in any place on earth”.

    Note – I have been unable to find evidence that Corbett challenged Fitzsimmons before this date. He made some comments that he intended to challenge the winner of the Fitzsimmons-Maher fight, but I cannot see that he actually issued a challenge or deposited a forfeit until the 21st February. Corbett would later claim the title on the basis that his challenge had stood without being accepted for exactly 6 months on 26th July 1896, which appears to be false.

    27/02/1896 Steve O’Donnell (#9) beat Jim Dwyer by 7th round KO.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) Joe Choynski – up by 1
    3) Peter Maher – down by 1 due to loss to Fitzsimmons
    4) "Denver" Edward Smith
    5) Frank Slavin
    6) Jim Hall
    7) Peter Felix
    8) Dan Creedon
    9) Steve O’Donnell
    10) Joe Goddard

    March 1896

    5/3/1896 George Godfrey drew with Nick Burley on points over 15 rounds.

    World Champion Bob Fitzsimmons (#1) was interviewed about his future plans following his victory over Maher. He said that he intended to take a brief rest, having spent 4 months training for the cancelled fight with Corbett followed by a further 2 months training for the Maher fight. He described Corbett’s demands for an immediate fight as “hysterical shrieks”, and said he would not pay them “the slightest attention”. He said he intended on giving some exhibitions in England, and said “I may fight some good man over there; but that, of course, is problematical, as the chances are no man over there could get my strong backing, now that Peter Jackson has retired from the ring”

    He said that after his rest he would return to America and accept any “honourable challenge for the world’s championship”. He said he did not regard Corbett as an honourable challenger, calling him “an arrant pugilistic humbug who never means to fight anybody unless the body be a soft mark, a sick man, an old man or a cripple”. He said that he would treat Corbett now in the same way he himself had been treated when Corbett was champion, insisting that he clear out the competition before getting a title shot. “I tell him to go and whip Choynski, Maher, Jackson or Slavin before he talks to me”.

    No changes to the rankings.

    April 1896

    4/4/1896 Peter Felix (#7) was beaten by Australian Champion Mick Dooley by 2nd round KO. Felix was described as being “completely outclassed”.

    On 12th April 1896, it was reported that Peter Maher (#3) and Frank Slavin (#5) had agreed to fight 20 rounds on 29th May.

    16/4/96 Joe Choynski (#2) fought Tom Sharkey. This was an 8 round contest where Choynski had undertaken to knock his opponent out or lose the fight. Despite knocking Sharkey down at least a dozen times, he could not stop him and Choynski therefore lost the official decision. It seems clear that Choynski would have received the decision if the fight were to be judged normally, as he dominated the fight.

    20/4/96 Steve O’Donnell beat Owen Sullivan by 10th round KO.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) Joe Choynski
    3) Peter Maher
    4) "Denver" Edward Smith
    5) Frank Slavin
    6) Jim Hall
    7) Dan Creedon – up by 1
    8) Steve O’Donnell – up by 1
    9) Mick Dooley – new entry due to win over Felix
    10) Peter Felix – down by 3 due to loss to Dooley

    Joe Goddard drops out due to Dooley’s entry.

    May 1896

    25/5/1896 As part of a day of varied sports arranged by Billy Madden, Steve O’Donnell (#8) fought a 3-round no-decision bout with Charlie Mitchell. According to Sporting Life, “Mitchell was the hero of the hour and distinguished himself in a really splendid series of rounds”.

    Retired champion James J Corbett is reinstated into my rankings in advance of his comeback fight against Tom Sharkey in June. As it had been over 3 years since his win over Sullivan, and his only win since then was against Charlie Mitchell, he is reinstated at #2 behind Bob Fitzsimmons, who had won the title in his absence and won fights over higher ranked opposition.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) James J Corbett – reinstated due to return from retirement.
    3) Joe Choynski – down by 1
    4) Peter Maher – down by 1
    5) "Denver" Edward Smith – down by 1
    6) Frank Slavin – down by 1
    7) Jim Hall – down by 1
    8) Dan Creedon – down by 1
    9) Steve O’Donnell – down by 1
    10) Mick Dooley – down by 1

    Peter Felix drops out due to Corbett’s return.
     
    SimonLock, Jul 21, 2023
    SimonLock, Jul 21, 2023
    #103
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  14. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    Nov 15, 2018
    June 1896

    3/6/1896 Tom Sharkey beat Jim Williams, the heavyweight champion of Utah by 8th round TKO. James J Corbett (#2) was in attendance.

    In the days following the fight, it was reported that a Corbett-Sharkey fight was being arranged for late June. There was some surprise at Corbett’s choice of opponent, as although Sharkey had won a good number of fights, he was untested against high level opposition with the exception of Joe Choynski, against whom he came off decidedly worse. As one newspaper put it, “Corbett is regarded mainly as making a ‘bad break’ in accepting any proposition from a man so far in the pugilistic fog as Sharkey. There is nothing but the few dollars for him to win and he is taking chances of losing a reputation, which is worth a fortune to him, by some accidental blow”.

    Corbett didn’t seem to be taking the fight too seriously, saying “I’m on a pleasure trip here and I do not propose to go into severe training for the purpose of permitting Sharkey to stand up before me for four rounds or less”.

    18/6/1896 Peter Maher (#4) beat former NPG World Champion Frank Slavin (#6) by TKO in the 4th round. Maher had the better of the first 3 rounds before practically knocking out Slavin in the 4th, causing the referee to stop the fight. It was reported that Maher had shown himself to be the cleverer boxer, and that he could hit Slavin when and where he pleased.

    On 22nd June 1896, World Champion Bob Fitzsimmons (#1) visited the offices of Boxing World with his manager. He stated that he would fight Corbett (#2) on the condition that he first defeat Peter Maher (#4). He did not comment on the argument that he would forfeit his title by not accepting the challenge.

    24/6/1896 Former champion James J Corbett (#2) fought Tom Sharkey over 4 rounds. Corbett was introduced as “the undefeated champion of the world” and dominated the first round. The second round was more even, both men landing good punches and both finishing the round looking tired. The third round was apparently Corbett’s best, in which he did effective work and seemed to be going for the knockout. In the fourth, Corbett was tired and Sharkey had the best of it. Corbett clinched regularly in this round to avoid punishment. Corbett was described as having shown superior science and generalship in the early rounds, but reportedly ran out of steam and most observers believed Sharkey would have stopped him if the fight had continued past the scheduled 4 rounds. The fight was declared a draw.

    At the end of the fight, in an apparent put down of Corbett, Sharkey claimed that Joe Choynski (#3) was the greatest fighter he had fought.

    The next day, Corbett (#2) and Sharkey (#7) met and agreed to fight within 6 months for the championship of the world. Corbett claimed he was still champion “technically and actually”, on account of Fitzsimmons (#1) having refused to cover his deposit of $1,000 for 6 months.

    Joe Choynski (#3) challenged both Sharkey and Corbett following their fight.

    27/6/1896 In their second meeting of the year, Mick Dooley set out to knock out Peter Felix within 8 rounds. Felix showed up in good shape, and Dooley was described as being “in very poor fix indeed”, perhaps overconfident after defeating Felix so easily in their previous meeting. Condition showed, and it was reported that Felix would likely have knocked Dooley out had the fight continued. As he lasted the distance, Felix was awarded the victory.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) James J Corbett
    3) Joe Choynski
    4) Peter Maher
    5) "Denver" Edward Smith
    6) Jim Hall – up by 1
    7) Tom Sharkey – new entry due to draw with Corbett
    8) Dan Creedon
    9) Frank Slavin – down by 3 due to loss to Maher
    10) Steve O’Donnell – down by 1

    Mick Dooley drops out of the rankings due to Sharkey’s entry.

    July 1896

    3/7/1896 Peter Maher (#4) beat George Shanky by 1st round KO.

    13/7/1896 Former NPG World Champion Frank Slavin (#9) beat Joe Butler by 1st round KO. Butler was reportedly unconscious for several minutes.

    20/7/1896 Frank Slavin (#9) drew with Henry Baker over 6 rounds. Baker reportedly had the better of the contest, making Slavin look like “a big ungainly animal with as much grace and skill as an elephant”. The judges could not agree on a winner, so the referee declared the contest a draw.

    On 26th July 1896 Corbett (#2) claimed that his challenge to Fitzsimmons (#1) had expired. Corbett claimed the title and was recognised by the American press as champion once more. He wrote a letter to the press as follows:

    “By the time this reached you I am sure that I will again be the heavyweight champion, by reason of Fitzsimmons’ default. The six months’ limit will have expired on July 26, and the title will be justly mine again. As you know, I am matched with Tom Sharkey for the championship; but you can say this for me, if Fitzsimmons will make a match with me and post a big first forfeit, I shall be glad to forfeit to Sharkey and give Fitzsimmons first chance. While I am confident that I can beat Sharkey, after a thorough training and reaching condition, still, no mistake must be made about Sharkey. He is a very tough lot, and one that will take a big beating. What is more, he is a very dangerous one, for he has a punch like the kick of a mule, and anyone he hits is going to get hurt.

    Yours very truly,
    James J Corbett, Heavyweight Champion of the World."

    It should be noted that Corbett’s use of this rule was arguably hypocritical, given he said the following in 1892 when his challengers attempted to apply the same rule to him: “The talk … that I must fight within 6 months from the date of a challenge, backed by a forfeit, is ludicrous. That was the rule, I admit, in days gone by when the London prize ring was in its glory. That rule, however, like the “London Prize Ring” institution, is obsolete.”

    Given Corbett’s previous statement that this rule no longer applied, Fitzsimmons could perhaps be forgiven for not taking Corbett’s insistence on this rule completely seriously. On the other hand, Corbett was ultimately pressured into accepting the challenge of Charlie Mitchell to avoid losing his belt, so could perhaps be forgiven for changing his stance and accepting the 6-month rule as still being in effect.

    Former champion John L Sullivan agreed with Corbett’s interpretation and stated that Fitzsimmons had forfeited all rights to the title by refusing all challenges for 6 months. He stated that Corbett would practically be the World’s champion once more if he were to win his upcoming battle with Sharkey (#7). The Police Gazette declared their title to be vacant and said that the upcoming fight between Corbett (#2) and Sharkey (#7) would be for their championship belt.

    No changes to the rankings.

    August 1896

    1/8/1896 In their third fight of the year, Mick Dooley fought Peter Felix. Dooley was reported to have the best of the fight but had undertaken to knock Felix out in 10 rounds. He failed to do so, and Felix was awarded the official win despite looking the worse of the pair.

    15/8/1896 Steve O’Donnell (#10) beat J Cusick by 3rd round KO.

    20/8/1896 Joe Choynski (#3) beat Joe McAuliffe by 4th round KO. McAuliffe had been retired for nearly 2 years, and had to lose around 55 pounds to get in shape for the fight. Even so, he still outweighed his smaller opponent by a similar amount. Choynski dominated the fight before knocking McAuliffe down for a 10-count in the fourth round.

    31/8/1896 Bob Armstrong drew with Fred Morris on points over 4 rounds. On the same day, he beat Tommy Forrest by 2nd round KO.

    No changes to the rankings.

    September 1896

    On 1st September 1896, New York State introduced the Horton Law, legalising boxing.

    On 12th September 1896, Bob Fitzsimmons (#1) and James J Corbett (#2) signed articles to fight for the championship. Both men claimed to be champion, and the Police Gazette claimed the title was vacant. It was universally agreed, however, that the winner would have the undisputed right to call themselves champion. The men were described as “the two great claimants for the heavyweight pugilistic championship of the world”.

    14/9/1896 former NPG World Champion Frank Slavin (#9) beat former NPG World Champion Jake Kilrain by 1st round KO. Kilrain was very fat, weighing in over 250 pounds, whereas Slavin was described as “in the pink of condition”.

    21/9/1896 Steve O’Donnell (#10) beat Frank Slavin (#9) by 5th round TKO. Slavin entered the ring as the favourite, but O’Donnell had much the better of the fight and the referee stopped the contest in the 5th round when it became clear that Slavin was in a helpless condition.

    29/9/1896 Peter Felix drew with Dan Keeley on points over 10 rounds, although most observers felt Felix deserved the decision.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) James J Corbett
    3) Joe Choynski
    4) Peter Maher
    5) "Denver" Edward Smith
    6) Jim Hall
    7) Tom Sharkey
    8) Dan Creedon
    9) Steve O’Donnell – up by 1 due to win over Slavin
    10) Frank Slavin – down by 1 due to loss to O’Donnell
     
    SimonLock, Jul 21, 2023
    SimonLock, Jul 21, 2023
    #104
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  15. SimonLock

    SimonLock Member Full Member

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    Nov 15, 2018
    October 1896

    10/10/1896 Peter Felix beat Edward Rollins on points over 15 rounds for the Australian Coloured Heavyweight Title.

    On 19th October 1896 it was reported that Corbett (#2) and Sharkey (#7) were struggling to agree articles for a fight, with Corbett not believing that the National club could raise sufficient funds. It was reported that Fitzsimmons (#1) may agree to fight Sharkey instead, as a warm up to his scheduled title fight with Corbett.

    24/10/1896 Walter Johnson won a 4 round Newspaper decision over Steve O’Donnell (#9). Johnson apparently made O’Donnell look “like a novice”

    31/10/1896, Peter Felix beat Dan Keeley by 5th round retirement.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) James J Corbett
    3) Joe Choynski
    4) Peter Maher
    5) "Denver" Edward Smith
    6) Jim Hall
    7) Tom Sharkey
    8) Dan Creedon
    9) Mick Dooley – new entry due to O’Donnell & Slavin dropping out
    10) Peter Felix – new entry due to O’Donnell & Slavin dropping out

    O’Donnell & Slavin drop out due to O’Donnell’s loss and Slavin’s loss to O’Donnell in September.

    November 1896

    7/11/1896 Joe Goddard beat “Denver” Edward Smith (#5) by 4th round KO for the South African Heavy Title. This fight was billed as being for the World Heavyweight Title, although very few serious observers considered it anything more than a regional title fight. Smith was reported as being overconfident and had apparently neglected to train. Following this fight, Mick Dooley (#10) challenged Goddard.

    14/11/1896 Following his win over O’Donnell, Walter Johnson beat Frank Slavin over 4 rounds.

    16/11/1896 Peter Maher (#4) beat Joe Choynski (#3) by 6th round KO. Choynski was knocked down for a count of 9, then sent back to the canvas and knocked out upon regaining his feet.

    In November 1896 it was confirmed that Sharkey (#7) would fight Bob Fitzsimmons (#1) instead of James J Corbett (#2), due to the club being unable to convince Corbett that they had sufficient funds. Corbett was asked for his opinion and said “Fitz ought to whip him quick as he is a hard hitter”.

    23/11/1896 Bob Armstrong beat Frank Slavin by 4th round retirement.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) James J Corbett
    3) Peter Maher – up by 1 due to win over Choynski
    4) Joe Choynski – down by 1 due to loss to Maher
    5) Joe Goddard – new entry due to win over Smith
    6) "Denver" Edward Smith – down by 1 due to loss to Goddard
    7) Jim Hall – down by 1
    8) Tom Sharkey – down by 1
    9) Dan Creedon – down by 1
    10) Mick Dooley – down by 1

    December 1896

    2/12/1986 World Champion Bob Fitzsimmons (#1) fought Tom Sharkey (#8). Before the fight began, Fitzsimmons’ team said they would accept any referee except for Wyatt Earp, because they had heard that a fix was planned where Earp would give the decision to Sharkey. Earp denied this, and Fitzsimmons eventually relented. Fitzsimmons dominated the fight and knocked Sharkey down and out in the 8th round. While Fitzsimmons was celebrating, the referee awarded Sharkey a controversial disqualification win due to an alleged low blow. Fitzsimmons vehemently denied that he had committed any foul, and the decision was hotly criticized as it appeared to most observers that the result was fixed.

    The fix was later confirmed by the testimony of the ring doctor, who said “I fixed Sharkey up to look as if he had been fouled. There is no doubt Fitzsimmons was entitled to the decision and did not foul Sharkey. I got $1,000 for the part I played in the affair”.

    Due to the confirmed fix, and the fact that Fitzsimmons was clearly the better man, I have treated this bout as a knockout win for Fitzsimmons, and consider his title claim to be untouched. Whether he was the true champion is up for debate, with some at the time considering Corbett to have reclaimed his title. Observers at the time were split on the issue.

    Any claim Sharkey now had to the world title was largely ignored due to the controversy around the result. As Fitzsimmons had already been stripped of the Police Gazette title, their belt remained unclaimed.

    21/12/1896 Bob Armstrong beat Charley Strong for the Coloured Heavyweight Title by 19th round KO.

    25/12/1896 Peter Maher (#3) beat Steve O’Donnell by 1st round KO.

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons
    2) James J Corbett
    3) Peter Maher
    4) Joe Choynski
    5) Joe Goddard
    6) "Denver" Edward Smith
    7) Jim Hall
    8) Bob Armstrong – new entry due to win over Strong
    9) Tom Sharkey – down by 1
    10) Dan Creedon – down by 1

    My rankings at the end of 1896 are therefore as follows:

    1) Bob Fitzsimmons - Aged 33 – World Champion (beat Hall in ’93, Choynski in ’94, Maher and Sharkey in ‘96)
    2) James J Corbett – Aged 30 – Lineal World Champion (beat Sullivan in ‘92, beat Mitchell in '94, drew Sharkey in ’96)
    3) Peter Maher – Aged 27 – Irish Fighter (beat Godfrey in ’94, O’Donnell in ’95, lost to Fitz and beat Slavin & Choynski in ‘96)
    4) Joe Choynski – Aged 28 - American fighter (lost to Fitz in ’94, beat Creedon in ’95, beat Hall & Sharkey and lost to Maher in ‘96)
    5) Joe Goddard – Aged 35 – Australian champion of South Africa (beat Ed Smith in ’96)
    6) "Denver" Edward Smith - Aged 31 - English fighter (beat Goddard in '93, lost to Goddard in ‘96)
    7) Jim Hall - Aged 27 - Australian fighter (lost to Maher in ’95, close loss to Choynski in ‘96)
    8) Bob Armstrong – Aged 23 – World Coloured Champion (beat Slavin & Strong in ’96)
    9) Tom Sharkey – Aged 23 – Irish fighter & World title claimant (drew Corbett and lost (fixed win) to Fitz in ’96)
    10) Dan Creedon – Aged 28 – British Empire Heavyweight Champion (beat James Smith in ’96)
     
    SimonLock, Jul 21, 2023
    SimonLock, Jul 21, 2023
    #105
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