Bert Lytell. "The Beast of Stillman's Gym"

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Stonehands89, Jan 4, 2012.


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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Bert’s long-awaited rematch with Jake LaMotta was set for May at Madison Square Garden with the winner to meet Tony Zale for the middleweight championship of the world. It fell through and was rescheduled for September. That date was cancelled after a physician from the New York State Athletic Commission examined LaMotta’s hands, which had been badly bruised in a bout only a few days before. Finally, a date in January 1948 was reserved, again at Madison Square Garden. It too was cancelled after LaMotta was suspended during an investigation into his suspicious loss to Billy Fox.

    :-(

    He was like bitter coffee that no one wanted to drink; too black, too strong, and as it turned out, too honest.

    :lol::goodbit brave with "honest" tagged on the end there, but I like!
     
    McGrain, Jan 30, 2012
    McGrain, Jan 30, 2012
    #76
  2. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Lytell and his managers at the Aaronson office were asking for a fight against Ezzard when Ezzard was bombing the light heavyweight division, and before Baroudi's death. They went public with their offer to fight him for free -and did the same with Cerdan. I found nothing suggesting that Ez was avoiding him and would tend to doubt he was -Ez fought anybody. I can't say the same for Cerdan, though.

    When Lytell fought Futch's fighter Bob Amos (see story), Ezzard attended the bout as a "very interested spectator." By then, he was the HW Champ. Zale was the referee...
     
    Stonehands89, Jan 30, 2012
    Stonehands89, Jan 30, 2012
    #77
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  3. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    LaMotta wasn't eager for a rematch, but he did try to fight him a couple of years later. I see those unfortunate cancellations as bad luck more than Robinson-like evasions.

    LaMotta, I think, comes out looking pretty good in this series. Particularly in his willingness to come up strong like he did without those connections that were the privilege of many white fighters. Sure, he sold out, but it was understandable even if it was dishonest to throw a fight.

    --You'll see why I call Bert "honest" early in the next section. It will stand as a contrast with LaMotta.
     
    Stonehands89, Jan 30, 2012
    Stonehands89, Jan 30, 2012
    #78
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I agree. Horrible luck.
     
    McGrain, Jan 30, 2012
    McGrain, Jan 30, 2012
    #79
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    And the NY press hated LaMotta. Ironic.
     
    McGrain, Jan 30, 2012
    McGrain, Jan 30, 2012
    #80
  6. Lester1583

    Lester1583 Can you hear this? Full Member

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    Thanks for info:good
     
    Lester1583, Jan 30, 2012
    Lester1583, Jan 30, 2012
    #81
  7. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    (Correction --Lytell offered to fight Ezzard directly after Baroudi's death.)
     
    Stonehands89, Jan 31, 2012
    Stonehands89, Jan 31, 2012
    #82
  8. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Stonehands89, Feb 2, 2012
    Stonehands89, Feb 2, 2012
    #83
  9. Lester1583

    Lester1583 Can you hear this? Full Member

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    Though for different reasons Booker and Lytell retired in their 20's. :-(
     
    Lester1583, Feb 2, 2012
    Lester1583, Feb 2, 2012
    #84
  10. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Stonehands89, Feb 6, 2012
    Stonehands89, Feb 6, 2012
    #85
  11. SLAKKA

    SLAKKA Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Getting goose bumps now!!
    This was also mentioned by Sinatra in "The Man With The Golden Arm"!!

    Great stuff Stony!!
     
    SLAKKA, Feb 6, 2012
    SLAKKA, Feb 6, 2012
    #86
  12. john garfield

    john garfield Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I saw TMWTGA, S. One of my favorite movies. Have no recollection of Sinatra mentioning that Lytell killed Darthard in the ring.

    Have a DVD. Will have to look again.
     
    john garfield, Feb 6, 2012
    john garfield, Feb 6, 2012
    #87
  13. SLAKKA

    SLAKKA Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Im afraid im throwing out i kibitz
    Whats my punishment?
    I will except 40 lashes with a wet noodle
     
    SLAKKA, Feb 6, 2012
    SLAKKA, Feb 6, 2012
    #88
  14. Stonehands89

    Stonehands89 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Stonehands89, Feb 9, 2012
    Stonehands89, Feb 9, 2012
    #89
    George Crowcroft likes this.
  15. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Also one of my very favorite movies. (In fact, my wife painted for me a portrait of Frankie from that movie when we was courtin'). Don't remember the reference either.

    Frankie Machine!
     
    Seamus, Feb 9, 2012
    Seamus, Feb 9, 2012
    #90
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