Freddie Little was a beast!

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, Jun 24, 2010.


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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Little was an avoided - supposedly - light-middleweight puncher in the sixties. From memory (I have a Ring Magazine article on him from before he came to the title somewhere), he was a school-teacher who trained basically part time, even for his eventual title shot against Ki Sool Kim in Seoul. Little lost by SD in a supposed robbery, but hung around until Mazzinghi was stripped, only after Little was again supposedly cheated out of the title. Having opened up the Italian's face, the equally Italian referee inexplicably ruled the contest an NC.


    Any details on either of these fights woul be greatfully recieved!


    Once Mazzinghi was stripped, Little picked up the titles (WBA and WBC) against Hayward in Vegas. Here is his first defence, against the underqualified Minami. Keep your eyes skinned because this is a blink and you'll miss it brutal one punch KO:

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_h2J8FywlSU[/ame]

    The almost congenial atmosphere in the ring before the fight bellies the brutality of the KO...Little seems to have been a really nice guy and all round gentleman, it seems a shame to me that history has forgotten him. He's close to the welterweight limit in this fight and looks absolutley ripped to shreds, and clearly had some punching power. Underexposed fighter.
     
    McGrain, Jun 24, 2010
    McGrain, Jun 24, 2010
    #1
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Bump-ti-ty.
     
    McGrain, Aug 27, 2010
    McGrain, Aug 27, 2010
    #2
  3. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Did you use the term "Beast" on purpose? That was Mugabi-like power. But this guy is slicker, has a great jab and is quicker than the beast. Have to admit I'd never heard of him until you posted this. Impressive.
     
    natonic, Aug 27, 2010
    natonic, Aug 27, 2010
    #3
  4. Meast

    Meast New Member Full Member

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    Never heard of the chap.

    He looks like a very patient, intelligent fighter. That KO was terrifying.
     
    Meast, Aug 27, 2010
    Meast, Aug 27, 2010
    #4
  5. natonic

    natonic Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Anybody else reminded of Jersey Joe a little with the subtle footwork?
     
    natonic, Aug 27, 2010
    natonic, Aug 27, 2010
    #5
  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Nope. Happy accident!

    Exactly the right word.
     
    McGrain, Aug 27, 2010
    McGrain, Aug 27, 2010
    #6
  7. Boxing&Blues

    Boxing&Blues Member Full Member

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    wish there was more film of him :-(

    would love to see his fight with george benton
     
    Boxing&Blues, Mar 18, 2012
    Boxing&Blues, Mar 18, 2012
    #7
  8. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Jr. Middleweight in the 60's seems to have featured some really underrated fighters, and based on this fight, it seems that Little was among the best of them. The way he figured out a Minami that wasn't boxing too badly was really impressive.

    Thanks for the feature!!! :good
     
    Drew101, Mar 18, 2012
    Drew101, Mar 18, 2012
    #8
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Funny you should bump this, there is some interesting traffic on this vid in the comments section, loads of kids telling me that Fred Little is their PE teacher...wouldn't he be in his seventies now?
     
    McGrain, Mar 18, 2012
    McGrain, Mar 18, 2012
    #9
  10. Boxing&Blues

    Boxing&Blues Member Full Member

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    I wish he was teaching boxing lol. he had a great old school style, his stance looked just like jack johnsons. he came from the same gym as willie pastrano and ralph dupas yet he has a completely different style than anyone else that came from that gym.
     
    Boxing&Blues, Mar 18, 2012
    Boxing&Blues, Mar 18, 2012
    #10
  11. Garrus

    Garrus Big Boss 1935-2014 Full Member

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    :think:think
     
    Garrus, Mar 18, 2012
    Garrus, Mar 18, 2012
    #11
  12. Flea Man

    Flea Man มวยสากล Full Member

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    His fight with Benton sounded a good one.
     
    Flea Man, Mar 18, 2012
    Flea Man, Mar 18, 2012
    #12
  13. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Longhhorn71, Mar 18, 2012
    Longhhorn71, Mar 18, 2012
    #13
  14. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    This photo says Little a gave Champion Mazzinghi a terrific beating, but the ref declared the match No Contest.....and Little never got his
    promised rematch with Sandro.

    This content is protected
     
    Longhhorn71, Mar 18, 2012
    Longhhorn71, Mar 18, 2012
    #14
  15. DaveK

    DaveK Vicious & Malicious Full Member

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    It's cool how that fight unfolded; Little began to land that jab with increasing regularity and power.... I could tell he was setting up that right hand, but he didn't unleash it until the second, when he really was busting him up with that jab.... Hard jabs...

    Once he knew how the guy would react to those jabs, which was simply to take it, he knew he could fire that right behind it and he wouldn't see it... That's how it went down. Real patience and confidence...
     
    DaveK, Mar 18, 2012
    DaveK, Mar 18, 2012
    #15
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