Early gloved Boxing was still more of an art like fencing at top level. Those gloves were tiny. And in the UK they were not allowed to use so much tape (if any) so the preservation of one’s hands meant that the evolution of the gloved code maintained the earlier pace and style of bare knuckle prize fighting. Parrying, fencing and feinting for openings. One shot at a time. Less weight on the front foot. Less room for error. That was was the way it had to be done within that code. Making comparisons with modern fighters campaigning in a different sport probably isn’t possible. Athletes can afford to miss a soft target. They can afford to throw full weighted blows without smashing the bones of their hands to smithereens.
So I remember reading about him and this footage more or less bears out what I read. Apparently Wells had some big power and good timing but tended to get discouraged if an opponent could take the incoming. He apparently did not have a very good chin himself. Basically a worse version of David Price, 1910 edition.
How cool is that? I’ve known for a good many years now but for a good many years prior to that gaining that knowledge, I thought the gong guy was…well, just the gong guy - lol. Brilliant branding for Rank pictures.
Now there was a ref who was not seeking to be the star of the show, letting the fighters go about their business.
