I dont expect many answers to this one but Colin Bell is generally credited with a win over Gus Ruhlin but I reckon it never happened because of the time-frame involved and the fact that I cant find any primary or even secondary source?
I have a book titled 'Two Champs From Narrabri' by Max Ryan about Billy Squires and Colin Bell and on page 54 it says "Read's Boxing Records for 1930 has Bell commencing in 1910 for states that he also fought the following in that year with wins over: Dave Simpson 3 times KO 3 Gus Ruhlin KO 3 Charlie Cross KO 4 Fred Jones KO 3 Alf Hutton KO 1 Jim Clutter Brook KO 4 Con Anderson KO 3 Read also lists Bell as having KO'd teh following in 1913: George Gilmore KO 3 Bill Johnson KO 6 Mick McCarthy KO 4 Jim Carroll KO 16 George Starr KO 1" But in the authors own record of Colin Bell on page 55 he doesn't list any of the above fights. That was the only mention of Gus Ruhlin I was able to find in the book. I have three of those Australian boxing record books from different years, including the 1930 version. I'll take a look at those and if I can learn anything more about this issue from any of them post it here.
I have read a lot of contempory stuff recently on Colin Bell and prior to 1913 he was just a work in progress, losing a lot of crossroad fights and never is a Ruhlin fight mentioned despite the fact that it would be a gigantic coup for the young fighter- I conclude with some certainty that it never happened.
I see that Boxrec has the fight between the two listed as 7/7/1910, but with a comment that the exact date & location is unknown. No clue where they got the July date from. I have a bound volume of English 'Boxing' magazines from their inception in 1909 thru the March 5, 1910 issue. I found no mention of Bell in any of those 1910 issues up to March 5th, but if someone has the other issues for 1910 it's possible that they might be able to find something about this, if in fact it actually ever took place.
Matt.. I have the same book as Clay mentions.. If you'd like a copy, say the word mate and I'll contact Max for you over the weekend. I dont believe copies are readily available anymore though. Im happy to make the call for you. I do have an author signed copy of Gentleman Bruiser for you at hand also. Will trade for a copy of your own work.
