Which decade in boxing was the most corrupt?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by newurban99, Sep 7, 2025.


  1. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Some of the stuff I’ve seen coming out of Africa in recent times is closer to pro wrestling than boxing.
     
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  2. ron davis

    ron davis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Naturally! And so was the Armstrong vs. Ross fight. Mike Jacobs owned Armstrong, and that is who won.
     
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  3. ron davis

    ron davis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Armstrong was offered o fight Davey Day the # 1 lightweight contender, who was suppose to fight Lou Amber's for his lightweight title, Mike Jacobs, owned 25% of Armstrong, allowed Armstrong to jump past the lightweight division to fight Davey's stablemate Ross. As Armstrong had no guarantee he could beat Davey Day. Fat Eddie Meade, Armstrong's manager and Mike Jacobs czar of all Championship fights in NY, both knew, Day was too dangerous, who, hit harder than Ross and more clever. He was Barney Ross's policeman, and had to beat Davey to get a shot at Ross. By the way, here is a little tidbit for you, " Davey introduced Eddie Meade'swife to him. Barney Ross overshadowed Davey Day from 1934 to when he lost his title to Armstrong 1938. Which, is really a shame. Did you know that Davey was prepared to fight Jimmy McLarnin, before Ross, as Barney had to give up his Lightweight title to fight McLarnin for the Welterweight Title. The NYSAC suspended Barney Ross for not Fighting Lou Amber's for his title. That is when Barney challenged McLarnin. Both Armstrong and Lou avoided Davey, to fight Ross. That's how it was.
     
  4. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hi Ron.
    Soooo, how can I put this.... right, have you ever met someone..... Ron, lean in a bit..... we like you and all that..... sometimes in life......
    Errrr...... have a nice day buddy, chat soon.
    Mike.
     
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  5. PrimoGT

    PrimoGT Active Member Full Member

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    Boxing gets more "corrupt" each decade.
    Things that were considered scandalous 50 years ago are accepted as normal now.
     
  6. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    It is hard to see how a fight where the loser scored a KD on the winner can be fixed. What if loser puts winner to sleep by accident? What happens then? Braddock very clearly tried to win that fight.
     
  7. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    That is what I mean!

    But with Braddock or his management having signed to make a lot of money from Louis' defenses afterwards, it is tangible.
     
  8. HistoryZero26

    HistoryZero26 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    This is more of a bribe to get the oppurtunity over the other guy who beat Louis and was recognized as champ by some. Thats very different from throwing the fight.

    If Braddock won he was the champion and if he beat Louis would probably continue being the champion for a bit. He gets all the purse because hes the champ.

    Joe Louis breaking the defense record is something with hindsight that skews the incentives towards throwing the fight. In 1937 no one knows thats going to happen. Yeah getting a piece of the guy with 25 title defenses is an amazing deal but that was all speculative at the time.
     
  9. ron davis

    ron davis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Hi Mike, I would be very happy to accommodate your request in the next couple of days. T
    Mike Jacobs did attempt to muscle in on the ratings, wanting to make his fighters #1 contenders, whether he was successful I don't know.
     
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  10. ron davis

    ron davis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    H
    Hi Mike,
    I met quite a few fighters, and boxing historians, is this of interest?
     
  11. Mike Cannon

    Mike Cannon Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Hi Ron.
    It most certainly is Ron, nothing I like better than hearing or seeing a post where a poster recalls a meeting with a fighter of the past, I don't know if you have read any or some of my posts over the years I have been a member of this fantastic club, but I have written dozens of accounts of my chats and conversations with boxers of yesteryear, if you have met fighters, then please tell the forum about such.
    Always enjoy your contributions buddy, stay safe Ron, chat soon.
    Mike.
     
  12. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Top answer.
    It's people+money,so take your pick.
     
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  13. GlaukosTheHammer

    GlaukosTheHammer Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I'm just gonna hit the notes and if anyone wants to know more we can chat


    Starts as part of a secular pushback against puritanism and all the bias one should assume from that

    Then there is the period where James Figg simply owns boxing and all the corruption that comes with

    After that is the inquisition era, super anti-Jewish and such

    Then there is the tools of civilization British Empire propaganda

    Just as that is dying down there's the super famous colorline very much headed by American racism

    Then we have the era of fascism, yes the political movement was in boxing too, fascists controlled the IBU vote/ranks by the 30s

    Then you have the promoters era. Not to say all the era before did not have them just that I'd say the 40s to now promoters have only gained power in boxing. 20s promoters are super powerful, but, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, promoters are really, really, pushing their station in the industry, still are.

    Now we got Turki not even hiding his use of boxing for political means. Us not knowing the local politics of Saudi, we can only guess atm how that plays and will learn after the fact what was truth ... maybe




    I say a better question is when was boxing ever as a whole on the up and up or at least comparable in regulation and corruption to any other world sport?
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2025 at 8:37 AM
  14. Jackomano

    Jackomano Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Corruption is a natural part of professional boxing, so it's impossible to say one decade was more corrupt than another. Everybody, who is successful in professional boxing isn't above manipulating things in their favor if they can. Being too nice or too honest won't get you far in boxing whether you're a fighter, manager, trainer, promoter, etc...
     
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  15. Homericlegend03

    Homericlegend03 Member Full Member

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    Not true.