Has anyone actually seen any suggested footage of Griffo and Battling Charles Barnett, filmed in 1895 in New York???? Australian Boxing Historian, Arnold Thomas did inform me that whilst in New York, in 1995 visiting Steve Lott to negotiate the recovery of Johnny Famechons 'Ring Magazine" belt, Lott admitted to having a copy of this fight in his extensive film collection.... Yet, the existence of it, is still in doubt.....
Who is Arnold Thomas? Never heard of him. The aussies have some strage stuff. There is a very old and rare film around 1900 of a man boxing a kangaroo. Peter Jackson can be seen walking around in street clothes too. If a Young Griffo film exists, it would be ultra rare. I'd like to see it.
Mendoza.. and I assume the name is taken from 'Daniel Mendoza", Arnold Thomas is, in my view, Australias foremost boxing historian... Founder of the Australian Boxing Hall of Fame, and a man whos prime interest has been the survival of Australian Boxing history... a fantastic researcher, knowlegable and informative.. Unlike so many historians, he personally has aquired the wisdom for the betterment of all fight fans... Far too often, we see historians and collectors aquire assetts for no more than personal gain, rather than accepting the fact we are mere custodians........ Thankfully his personal collection of boxing memorabilia, including countless programs, photos etc of Griffo, Jackson etc is now being preserved by the Victorian State Library.. The value of the collection would have been approaching the 1/2 $Million mark. What would you consider half a dozen, mint condition Griffo programs to be worth??? ...and yes, I have seen the entire collection whilst still in his possession. They are simply the tip of the ice berg. Cheers Mendoza. P.S... google his name...
I wish all these blokes that had the 'best interests of the sport and the fans' at heart actually shared their material WITH the fans and educated them instead of keeping their rare historical artefacts kooked up in their own private collections. I know there is an issue of not cheapening things by introducing them to lay people that don't appreciate the worth of rarities, but really, I think they do more harm than good by hiding their goods from the world. Just my two cents. And I'll just throw in: **** anyone that has Greb-Walker, Robinson-Gavilan or Pep-Saddler II in their collection :good
Sweet_science, Arnold Thomas authored a fantastic book covering the late 19th, early 20th century of Australia boxing.. The book is well worth a look.. I agree with you regarding the material being shared for all to enjoy and learn from, but, its impossible to secure the longevity of rare items.... so, being put to print is the best option.
I hear ya flamengo... Though surely, if something like the Griffo-Barnett fight did exist, it would make sense to transfer it to some digital medium that can be copied many times over and shared with the world. Can't see much point in just holding it in some dank cellar. The written word is always appreciated of course, and historic accounts are worth their weight in gold, so long as you have a reliable person reporting...
Sweet_Science, once again, Im in total agreeance with you. Regarding "a reliable person reporting", I sincerely hope that any single item I post in subjected to scrutiny by all. Hence, offering me further knowledge and the ability to gain different views. The history of the sport is already penned... but open for a great deal of interpretation and arguement... I look forward to many more posts and views. Cheers.
Was Thomas the gentleman who wrote the Peter Jackson autobiography? I hear it was a great book. A top Aussie historian is something this board needs. Australia was something of a hot bed for prizefights in the 1880's to early 1900's. I do not think Young Griffo programs would be worth much today in general to 99% of boxing fans, however a collector with a lot of money dictates the market. I would like to see Griffos stunt where he placed his feet on a napkin, then dodged blows without moving is feet.
Mendoza, no, Arnold Thomas did not write any biography regarding 'THe Black Prince", although, Im sure his knowledge of Jacson is second to very few... Griffo was well known as a cheeky, clever fellow with amazing co-ordination, balance and timing who often stood on the hankerchief offering men to throw a punch, which he avoided. Consider the old fight films, and the average pub brawl... most drunken men could hardly pick their nose, let alone land a punch on a skilled boxer. Its not difficult to evade a single punch, even when sparring.... If the challenge was set today for a man to throw a punch at a trained fighter, its a simple matter of ducking a punch.. 99% of drunken men would throw a ridiculous right hand bomb.... Not exactly science. A straight jab may have caught him out??? Griffo is also credited with the ability of catching a fly between his fingers, then releasing it, to see it fly away... Perhaps he did???? In regards to the Griffo fight programs, Jerome Shochet had asked me on numerous occasions to "get hold of them...' as he considered the value to be any ones guess... Im talking in the years 94-97.
