mickey walker v harry greb report by nat fleischer

All the evidence seems to point to it not having happened.

In a bizarre twist, there was an almost identical about Jem Mace and Tom King in the 1800s, which replicates every detail including the intervention of the policeman.

Perhaps Walker had read that story, and stashed it at the back of his mind?

 

Hi Buddy.
Over the decades that story has sort of been debunked, there were lots of myths and untruths surrounding Greb when he was active, for all the talk of " partying " he seldom drunk alcohol, and the womanising only started after the death of his beloved wife Mildred, apparently he was a devoted father to his daughter Dorothy.
stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

Probably yes.

 

Didn't know Nat Fleischer made a report about The Brawl in Montreal

 

Greb Walker is less known today due to lack of surviving footage. However, it was a massive event at the time, pitting two of boxing’s biggest stars together. The Brawl in Montreal benefits from modern media coverage.. It’s a cultural touchstone, especially for the rivalry’s drama.. which makes it a popular choice for greatest fight for many..

But Walker & Greb are consistently ranked in the top 10-20 pound-for-pound all-time.. Greb in particular is often placed (& rightly so) in the top 5 due to his dominance over multiple weight classes and victories over fighters like Tunney, Loughran, and Walker.. Walker’s ability to compete from WW to HW solidifies his elite status too.

If the metric for "greatest" includes non-stop action and two way competitiveness then Walker v Greb’s relentless pace and contrasting styles arguably outshine Duran v Leonard’s more calculated battle.. obviously I am only going on the fight reports themselves but from what I've read it was relentless non stop action.

If it's about who was greater P4P between the four then its Greb & Walker too.. The 1920s demanded more from fighters—longer fights, less protective gear, and more frequent bouts. Walker Greb exemplifies this grit, arguably making it a purer test of greatness than Duran Leonard in the modern era... also, fewer weight classes meant fighters routinely faced opponents 20-30 pounds heavier too.. Walker and Greb’s success against such odds highlights their versatility and toughness.

Consider too that SRL is taller & rangier than both Greb & Walker .. yet above MW he did very little by comparison.. He beat LHW Lalonde who’s whose certainly no legend & got a win and a draw against his old shopworn foes Duran and Hearns at SMW, neither of whom are considered close to being great SMWs..

Now compare that to Greb and Walker—5’8 and 5’7, no reach advantage, yet they were beating highly rated LHWs & HWs frequently.. Greb beat Tunney & Gibbons and fought 45 times in one year.. Walker went toe-to-toe with HWs Sharkey, Risko, Levinsky & Schmeling..

Duran and Leonard are legends, but their P4P shine fades above welter/middle. Greb and Walker proved it against bigger men their whole careers. That’s why I don't see any argument for those two fighters being greater P4P operators than Walker and Greb.

Greb Walker stands alone.

 

Hi Buddy.
A very detailed and informative post to the posters who know nothing or very little about Walker and Greb, kudos for the time and patience you put in, have you seen the photo of both sitting on chairs across a small table shaking hands, with the promoter in the middle, Jacobs I believe, Greb had such huge hands for a smallish man, his dwarfed Walkers, Harry looked so much bigger than Walker, both had the style off the period, 3 piece suits, and hair well oiled, Waker with that little boy grin he carried well, Greb more stern lipped and looking ready for battle, not sure if you know but recently there was a poll of the fights that were not filmed that you would love to see, this fight topped my list by a country mile, over my 55 years of following our beloved sport, I have read all I could get my hands regards both Greb and Walker, both are ATGs no arguments please,( not from you I know ) in my early teens I had a pictorial book sent from America called Boxania Review, bizarrely written by a guy called Harry Pegg, I kid you not, in the event he posted me 6 over the next couple of years, the photos inside were priceless, some I have never seen before or since, including Red Mason spitting water in Harry's face after a workout, and Greb standing next to Dempsey, both looking very dapper, suited and booted, both wearing the period hat, so yea, Greb doesn't need selling to me, nor to anyone I would argue.
As an aside, and I will not spare your blushes, I for one have been greatly impressed with both your knowledge of the sport and the way you convey that to the forum, you have become a valued and trusted poster, of which older and less polite posters would do well to learn from, long may you stay.
stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

Hi Mike, thanks for the kind words, that Greb-Walker handshake video is a classic, isn’t it? Greb’s big paws and stern look vs. Walker’s cheeky grin—pure 1920s gold. I’m with you on that fight topping the unfilmed list, it would be mine also.. what a war that must’ve been! & I've seen the red Mason photo , Greb looks huge in that photo.. talk soon pal.

 

In their respective primes, possibly.

At any stage in their respective careers, SRR vs Armstrong. Armstrong was obviously way past prime by then.

 

Hi Greg.
Good call re: SRR @ Armstrong, with your permission I will add Langford @ Gans, as an HM.
Stay safe buddy, chat soon.
Mike.

 

I'll add another.. Ross vs Canzoneri.. not quite on a par but still right up there

 

I had cell phone footage of the whole thing, but I deleted it after I learned people only wanted footage of Harry in the ring.

 

The Greb lore that is actually recorded on paper could be toned down 40% and still be unbelievable. Between his ridiculous record and first hand accounts such as this, it leaves the student of the game wanting so badly just to see a snippet of him in real action.

 

Terrific post ... Ali-Frazier 1 is up there too ..