After Marciano retired, and Floyd and Archie ultimately fought for the vacant title... Does anyone know the exact participants that were involved prior to that? Tommy Jackson. Was it anyone else? From what I've been reading, several sources have cited it was a 6-man event, but I'm having difficulty finding more details on this. Any light that can be shed on this would be appreciated.
Rummy, Baker v Holman appears to be a part of it (see below) but I'll have to do a bit more research to see if any others were involved. 1956-05-09 : Bob Baker 211 lbs beat John Holman 206 lbs by UD in round 12 of 12 Location: Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, USA Referee: Jimmy Peerless 119-114 Judge: Eddie Thal 117-114 Judge: Stuart Winston 117-112 This fight was part of elimination tournament to crown new heavyweight champion. Baker's most important fight! "Bob Baker claimed today that his unanimous-but-dull victory over Johnny Holman has earned him the right to meet the Hurricane Jackson - Floyd Patterson winner in the next step toward the heavyweight championship. However, indications were strong that Wednesday night's nationally-televised fight here was so lacklustre that it eliminated both men from title contention. Baker and Holman both moved heavily and slowly throughout their bout at Miami Beach Auditorium. Baker, the No. 3 contender, jarred Holman, No. 4, with a hard right in the 5th round when the crowd of 3,000 was hollering for action and opened a cut in Johnny's mouth. Baker did the most damage in the 12 round bout, especially with a 6th round blow that opened a big gash over Holman's left eye, but there was not the slightest hint of a knockdown in the bout opening the tournament to find a new heavyweight king." -United Press Baker's manager, Dusty Bettor, claimed he had a verbal agreement with IBC President Jim Norris that Baker would be rewarded for this victory with a shot at the winner of the June 8th meeting between Jackson and Patterson. However, another IBC official stated that that promise hinged upon not only beating Holman but doing it in an impressive manner. Something which the IBC official felt Baker failed to do.
Rummy, did a bit more research on this and it appears it was a 5-man tournament and it was conducted by the powerful IBC. It was #1 Archie Moore, #2 Hurricane Jackson, #3 Bob Baker, #4 Johnny Holman and #5 Floyd Patterson. Patterson v Jackson and Baker v Holman winners were to meet. But as what was stated in my previous post, it looks like they just decided to forget Bob Baker's win over Holman and match Patterson (after he beat Jackson) direct with Archie Moore. Baker got screwed here. Not saying he would have beaten Patterson in the second leg, but he deserved his chance, regardless of his outcome with Holman was a bit of a bore. But that says a lot about boxing back in the day. You were there to entertain. Today it would have all been in the contract. Anyways, hope this is a help.
@scartissue THANK YOU! This clears up a lot, as I was growing more and more convinced that if it started as a 6-man tournament, that some step must have been skipped. Appreciate you sharing this!
