Gene Tunney's decision to fight Heeney instead of Sharkey in finale

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by SuzieQ49, Jul 14, 2022.


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  1. janitor

    janitor VIP Member Full Member

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    I think that the situation on the ground at the time, was that Heeney, Sharkey and Risko were seen as being more or less equally deserving of a title shot, and none of them was expected to have much of a chance.

    The important thing to remember with historic fighters, is that they can see the past, but they can't see the future.

    They can only respond to how fighters are rated at the time.

    It might be constructive to remember, that we were briefly quite high on Sergei Lyakovich.
     
    janitor, Jul 16, 2022
    janitor, Jul 16, 2022
    #76
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  2. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Tunney had also already beaten Risko, though Risko did put up a good fight.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    #77
  3. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    The book Sundowners has a bit from both sides admitting it was fixed. Do you read books?
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #78
  4. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    "I can lick Tunney too. Three years ago, when I was just out of the amateurs, Tunney beat me to a decision. I'm experienced now and I'd do better. He's a great champion, but I can whip him." -Johnny Risko 1928
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #79
  5. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Gains's autobiography is called 'the impossible dream' for a reason. You really think that racism wasn't at play in heavyweight boxing during the 1930s?

    People that know way more about boxing than you or I believe Godfrey was one of the most handcuffed fighters of all time. Godfrey's manager and Manager's son (Who traveled on the road) gave an interview during retirement to Philly Boxing History discussing all the fixed fights, foul outs, carrying opponents that was forced upon them
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #80
  6. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Always there's a lot of guys who say they can beat the champion.

    Few of them actually can.

    1928 was around the time he started becoming really inconsistent, and generally viewed as not as good as when he fought Tunney, so I don't think him saying he was at his best holds much weight.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    #81
  7. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Well they were all white and no black heavyweight was going to get another shot at the title, even poor Harry Wills couldn't muster one
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #82
  8. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    So when Risko was 20-7 and Tunney beat him, Risko was at his peak. But Gains at 29-7 when Godfrey kicked the crap out of him wasn't in his prime yet, got it.
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #83
  9. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Jack Sharkey-George Godfrey Fight was fought in The Mechanics Building, in Boston. (Near Me)

    Larry Gaines stated he was offered a fight in Boston against a white heavy (Jimmy Maloney), in the same the location of the Sharkey Godfrey bout, he was told the only way he got the fight was if he went into the tank.
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #84
  10. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Wow, a dumb strawman and asinine boxrec warrioring all in such a short post.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    #85
  11. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    I have extreme doubts that Good Time Charley Friedman, Owney Madden ,and Frenchy Demange would let Carnera into the same town as Godfrey, unless Godfrey was "on the cuffs" . Now Leon See listed the fight as on the level (he listed many that weren't) but I believe Godfrey was paid to do business.


    As for the fight, Yes I have it in HD. In the first two rounds, A very overweight (250lb) Godfrey can't miss Carnera with his right hand. Then from Round 3 onward, he stops throwing right hands. Then goes low with the left hand in round 5. I think it was a pre arranged fix.


    Everything I've been about Godfrey, in his prime he was big, powerful, very athletic, and fast. He was trained by Jack Blackburn. I doubt Carnera would outfight a full throttle Godfrey.
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #86
  12. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    This is what you said not me. When you crapped over all the quality black opponents Godfrey defeated, which were probably a lot more than you realized. In case you didn't know, Godfrey is a Hall of Famer.
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #87
  13. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    It's really lucky that I'm actually a time traveller with powerfull connections in the late 20s and early 30s so I can go back in time and create comments in newspapers to back up my agenda.

    The Standard Union- 1929 Jan 30
    It is a reasonable deduction that Mr. Risko is not the man he used to be—if he ever was. Being outpointed by Mr. James Maloney did Mr. Risko's reputation no good at all.

    The Brooklyn Daily Eagle- 1929 Feb 01
    Whether Risko's deterioration is of a permanent nature or something still open to repair is still something of a qurstion. Tonight's battle should furnish the answer.
    Betting Men Fear One More Good Showing.
    Risko's lapse appear of too long standing to argue he can yet regain his old fighting form.

    The Brooklyn Daily Times- 1929 Dec 28
    Griffith returned to the scene of his most discouraging defeat and won over a man who has never been known to dog it, Risko, althought past his peak, is no prancing pelican.

    The Brooklyn Daily Times- 1931 Mar 31
    Vetreran Risko Shadow of Former Self

    The Standard Union- 1931 Mar 31
    The Risko, whose two-fisted body artillery made Gene Tunney wince before the latter ascended to the world heavyweight throne only to utterly abandon the sport and to turn completely Shakespearean later; the Risko who humiliated Jack Sharkey when the garrulous ex-gob was at the apex of his form, and the Risko who mocked and chastised nearly all rivals who crossed his path, is no more.
    A HOLLOW SHELL
    Risko after ten years of campaigning, has gone the way of all fistic flesh. He is through—at least, as a top-notcher.
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    #88
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  14. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxing Drunkie Full Member

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    Why is there any reason to think the black opponents he beat weren't forced to throw the fights?
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    BitPlayerVesti, Jul 16, 2022
    #89
  15. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    Nice Articles Bill Nye. What do you make of Risko himself stating he was better a few years after the Tunney fight? And his 4-4 record heading into the Tunney Fight?
     
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    SuzieQ49, Jul 16, 2022
    #90
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