119 years ago today: James Jackson "The Boilermaker" Jeffries vs. Gustave "The Akron Giant" Ruhlin

There are a lot of claims he was overtrained in his fight with Fitz, which generally seems to have contributed to his bad state after that fight (which nevertheless I think has been pretty exaggerated). FItz actually gave him a good deal of credit after the fight.

There's footage of Ruhlin sparring Denver Ed Martin IIRC, but I've not seen it.

 

Film says fight took place at Mechanics Pavillion in San Francisco

I believe but am not 100% certain, that this is where present day intersection of 14th street and Division Street, where Potrero Hill and Mission districts meet

On a side note, this same pavilion was used as a makeshift morgue 5 years after this bout to store the dead from 1906 earthquake.

For all the tourist crap in SF it's a damn shame theres not much on the city's boxing history. It was a major fight hub in the early 1900s on through about the 1950s. But those pre earthquake years were the peak. Many legends from the past fought there, and the Jeffries vs Jack Johnson fight was held in Colma I believe, which lies just outside the city limits to the South.
Sadly most of these pavilions are long gone, however the Cow Palace on Geneva Avenue is still there today and used as a regular venue. Both Joe Louis and Rocky Marciano fought there, as did many others.

Many people dont realise it, but SF was the boxing mecca long before Vegas

 

I'd like to see that!

 

It's not that hard to find.

The full five rounds of Jeffries vs Ruhlin also exists, now that isn is hard to find,

Regarding Ruhlin vs. Martin sparring, it's an outdoors event in the streets. They are not in the ring. Neither is going at it real hard, but Martin looks the better. After it ends, Ruhin gives Martin a rubber chicken. Martin thinks its very funny,

 

Most people who sell films can get you this, and there is always you tube. If you want to but this film I can PM you where to obtain it.

PS: 117-112 for Hagler score card?

 

Then upload it online!

 

I thought Mechanics Pavilion was at the current location of Union Square?

I think the Fitz fight was somewhere on 14th, right near where the Zeitgeist is now. I researched this at one time and don't remember the exact location.

A boxing history of SF could be a great read if done by the right person.

 

I need to know more about the rubber chicken incident.

 

In that case discovery is better than disclosure.

 

I usually don't do uploads of DVD films. Not really sure how.

 

You can share them either on streamable or on YT.