Charley Burley's Lack of Popularity in His Hometown of Pittsburgh During the Early 1940s.

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Chuck1052, Jan 30, 2019.


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  1. Chuck1052

    Chuck1052 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I am doing some more research on professional boxing in California during the 1940s, which is of great interest. Charley Burley appeared to get better paydays in California than in any other place. It helped that almost all of the so-called Murderers' Row fighters had quite a few bouts in California during World War II.

    At the time, California was far less important than it is today, especially when compared to the eastern part of the United States. That was also true when it came to professional boxing. This proved to be very unfortunate for the Murderers' Row fighters, who generally had a great deal of trouble getting fights at major venues located in the East, notably in New York City.

    - Chuck Johnston
     
    Chuck1052, Feb 15, 2019
    Chuck1052, Feb 15, 2019
    #31
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  2. Boxscribe62

    Boxscribe62 New Member Full Member

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    Hey Chuck, I have been researching California boxing during the 40s myself. I just inherited a couple of complete years of The Knockout (early 40s) plus some random issues from the same period. They had quite the boxing industry out there during the war years. Happy to share information if you are looking for anything in particular.

    As you mentioned, several of the 'Murderers' Row' fought on the coast during that time. Burley even made a home for himself and his family out there.

    Liverpool came close last season - hopfully 2019/2020 EPL will be their year ;-)

    Did you read my book on the Hogue twins yet?
     
    Boxscribe62, Aug 18, 2019
    Boxscribe62, Aug 18, 2019
    #32
  3. Tonto62

    Tonto62 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Great little book, I thoroughly enjoyed it!
     
    Tonto62, Aug 18, 2019
    Tonto62, Aug 18, 2019
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  4. Chuck1052

    Chuck1052 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Harry, Liverpool does have a good chance to win the Premiership this season, but Manchester City with their "sugar daddy" ownership and the great depth in their squad has to be considered the favorite. By the way, I cannot understand how Manchester City is allowed to get away with their "sugar daddy" ownership on such a scale, which is absolutely unfair to an extreme. Here in the U.S., it isn't tolerated in major sports leagues with the possible exception of Major League Baseball. But even in MLB, the likes of the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers spend within their means. The mentioned baseball teams have a tremendous amount of revenue.

    With some money coming in, I am looking to buy some boxing books. I do have an interest in the Hogue twins, so I am going to buy the book.

    - Chuck Johnston
     
    Chuck1052, Aug 19, 2019
    Chuck1052, Aug 19, 2019
    #34
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  5. L.Everett

    L.Everett Member Full Member

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    From the footage we have I don't get the impression that Burley was a boring fighter. If you look at the black fighters that made it big back then they all had stellar win streaks complete with exciting knockouts, as far as I know Burley didn't tend to have these despite his monsterous punching power. Another factor is poor management, why did Burley's managers have him campaigning in Minnesota when he really needed to establish himself in New York? If Burley had put on a show there, fought those incredible fights being outweighed sometimes by 80 pounds, he'd have got his shot eventually. Charley Burley was the tragic instance of a perfect storm, unable to show his worth at the Olympics, racial discrimination against black fighters, frozen titles during WW2 and poor management and promotion.
     
    L.Everett, Aug 19, 2019
    L.Everett, Aug 19, 2019
    #35
  6. red cobra

    red cobra Loyal Member Full Member

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    As with Harold Johnson, perfection is never appreciated.
     
    red cobra, Aug 19, 2019
    red cobra, Aug 19, 2019
    #36
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  7. louis54

    louis54 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Counter punchers are often just too boring
     
    louis54, Aug 19, 2019
    louis54, Aug 19, 2019
    #37
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  8. prepasur

    prepasur Warrior Spirit Full Member

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    Mr Chuck can you tell us about the punching dynamo that was the middleweight-light heavyweigh Ezzard Charles??

    im obssesed with him

    Thanks in advance
     
    prepasur, Aug 19, 2019
    prepasur, Aug 19, 2019
    #38
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  9. Tonto62

    Tonto62 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Burley changed managers as often as he changed his socks,plus he was hampered by injuries on several occasions.He was a great fighter but nobody ever called him fan friendly, or a crowd pleaser.
     
    Tonto62, Aug 20, 2019
    Tonto62, Aug 20, 2019
    #39
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  10. Tonto62

    Tonto62 Boxing Addict banned Full Member

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    Explaining his reluctance to fight Johnson yet again, Archie Moore said," Harold cant draw his breathe at the gate."
     
    Tonto62, Aug 20, 2019
    Tonto62, Aug 20, 2019
    #40
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  11. Chuck1052

    Chuck1052 Well-Known Member Full Member

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    At the time that Charley Burley fought in Minneapolis, his listed manager, Bobby Eaton, and the Minneapolis promoter who probably had Eaton being a front, Tommy O'Loughlin, were essentially based in that city. Burley really didn't have much in the way of other options. Minneapolis was a good fight town at times, but it seemed to be in the doldrums on that front during 1941 and 1942. But Burley had all of his seven bouts in Minneapolis within only five months, which isn't a long time. California turned out to be a better place for him.

    Burley fought only one time in New York City. After knocking out Phil McQuillan in the first round at St. Nicholas Arena, Burley had an offer to fight at Madison Square Garden. But Burley had a squabble with Eaton and O'Loughlin after he had what turned out his last bout in Minneapolis. Burley had not been making much money fighting in Minneapolis, getting only a $150. purse in that last bout. He threatened to go back to Pittsburgh even though there were three scheduled bouts on tap for him, including the bout in Madison Garden and a bout in San Diego. But Burley seemed interested in going through with only the scheduled bout with Ken Overlin at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh. While serving in the U.S. Nayy at the time, Overlin couldn't get permission to go to Pittsburgh for the scheduled bout with Burley. As a result, Ezzard Charles subbed for Overlin and won a decision over Burley in a ten-round bout.

    - Chuck Johnston
     
    Chuck1052, Aug 20, 2019
    Chuck1052, Aug 20, 2019
    #41
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