How much film footage was lost because the costs to transfer films were too high?

Plenty I'm sure. I am also certain that there have been many cases where someone has died and a relative puts footage in a box and it eventually got thrown away cause they had no idea what it was.

Now, I can't tell anybody what they should or should not do with their things, but that is why in my opinion people should be vocal about what they have and willing to share it. This way more people get copies and the fights don't get lost in the garbage. As for transferring film I along with many others, I am sure, would be willing to donate in order to help preserve and transfer these film. Only problem is that we do not know about them and people want to keep them in their collection. But, it's their stuff, so what's lost is lost and there is nothing we can do about it.

 

I wish we could get something going like the Film Noir Foundation has, where you can donate to help fund the preservation efforts for old films. If something like this existed for old boxing footage, I'd be in line to donate:

http://www.filmnoirfoundation.org/contribute.html

 

Same, but you have got to many greedy individuals when it comes to boxing film. None want to let other see what is in their collection.

 

I'd guess that more films have been lost due to this reason than anything else. Most people wouldn't have a clue about the historical significance of "some old boxing match" that grandpa had in a closet. If we're lucky they'll take it to an antique store, library, or at least give it to Goodwill, rather than burying it in a trash heap.

Jim Jacobs used to put small ads in the back of The Ring to the effect of, "Looking to buy old fight films. Check your closets, attics, and basements." Great, but some middle-aged housewife who only reads Reader's Digest and her local newspaper is never going to see that. And that middle-aged housewife is the one who's going to be cleaning out grandpa's house when he passes on.

I'll bet collectors of historical items in every field can relate to this...

 

Where was the recently discovered Wills/Madden/Firpo footage found?

 

Only way to console yourself for the losses of the past is with the hope of a brighter future.

 

I am transfering some prime Ottke footage to 3D.

 

could you do prime butterbean while you are at it

 

Wills Madden is not recently discovered. That film has been widely available for over 50 years. It was included in GFOTC or one of the other documentaries like that.

 

Thanks Klomptom it must of been under the radar for awhile. Shame so many films have been lost over the years, I believe Wills Sharkey was also recorded but footage has never Appeared.

 

Wills Sharkey was definately filmed.