Cocoa Kid/Herbert Hardwick of the Black Murderer's Row, how good was he?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Mandela2039, Apr 9, 2025.


  1. Mandela2039

    Mandela2039 Philippians 2:10-11 Full Member

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    Mar 8, 2025
    Over the past few days i've been intrigued by these group of men that were avoided like the plague and almost never got a title shot, despite being extremely talented and skilled

    The one that interests me the most is Cocoa Kid

    Is there any footage of him? If so, how good did he looked like? I guess he must've been legendary to beat Holman Williams that many times

    Where do you rank him on an all time list? And does he enter your top 10 greatest latino boxers?

    How good was Cocoa Kid? Who is he?
     
    Mandela2039, Apr 9, 2025
    Mandela2039, Apr 9, 2025
    #1
  2. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Cocoa Kid is an absolute awesome fighter. Apparently he was tall and rangy, with a great jab and a big right hand, I've heard him compared to Tommy Hearns on multiple occasions. His record is spotty but is a product of its time, he often fought with 'cuffs on', and was generally quite inconsistent anyway.

    The way he won the series with Holman Williams is awesome, but he came unstuck against other members of the BMR iirc.
     
    George Crowcroft, Apr 10, 2025
    George Crowcroft, Apr 10, 2025
    #2
    robert ungurean likes this.
  3. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    This series of articles about him from Springs Toledo should tickle any fancies you have about the Cocoa Kid. Plus, Springs is probably the best boxing writer I've ever read.
    https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-b...the-secret-journeys-of-cocoa-kid-introduction
     
    George Crowcroft, Apr 10, 2025
    George Crowcroft, Apr 10, 2025
    #3
    mcvey likes this.
  4. FThabxinfan

    FThabxinfan Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Other than Holman Williams and Eddie Booker,Cocoa is probably the third most interesting.
    I want to see..atleast a Zivic-Marteliano quality 10 min video of their matches.
     
    FThabxinfan, Apr 10, 2025
    FThabxinfan, Apr 10, 2025
    #4