If you have any knowledge please comment on boxing in Montana and Idaho

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by The Mighty One, May 10, 2018.


  1. The Mighty One

    The Mighty One Well-Known Member Full Member

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    I acknowledge that it's a small pool but who were the greatest boxing figures (amateur, pro, coaches).


    Marvin Camel, Kenny Keene, Jerry Armstrong, Joe Hipp to name a few.

    Thank you.
     
    The Mighty One, May 10, 2018
    The Mighty One, May 10, 2018
    #1
  2. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Todd Foster from Great falls lost to Camacho for IBC WW tiltle
     
    surfinghb, May 10, 2018
    surfinghb, May 10, 2018
    #2
  3. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tex Colorado, the Arizona Assassin, was from North Dakota. That’s about as close as I can get to contributing to this thread.
     
    Saintpat, May 10, 2018
    Saintpat, May 10, 2018
    #3
  4. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    Roger Rouse from Anaconda was a pretty good fighter. Going back to the 1920s Joe Simonich of Butte. Doc Jordan was a noted amateur trainer in Butte for decades; the late Bob Lecoure promoted fights in Butte for many years and did everything he could to keep boxing alive in Montana.

    Currently the state of boxing in Montana is abysmal. There is no state commission so the "pro" fights are more like toughman competitions; people are literally brought out of the stands to fight. There are a suprising number of gyms and amateur events but the quality of the boxing is light years behind anything I have seen in other states. The quality of instruction is very very poor.
     
    greynotsoold, May 10, 2018
    greynotsoold, May 10, 2018
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  5. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Met Joe Hipp twice but I believe he was fighting out of Yakima by that time, tho he is a Blackfoot from Montana. Always thought he could have used a few breaks and better luck with his skin. Kenny Keene was very entertaining. The trilogy with Crabtree was fun watching. And Kenny has a sneaky good and quality resume. I know he's been battling with the effects of his damaging career, tho.
     
    Seamus, May 10, 2018
    Seamus, May 10, 2018
    #5
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  6. Unforgiven

    Unforgiven VIP Member banned Full Member

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    Staley Ketchel
     
    Unforgiven, May 11, 2018
    Unforgiven, May 11, 2018
    #6
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  7. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    Ketchel was run out of Butte for vagrancy, which offended him deeply. In reality he was a pimp and general all-around undesirable, even by the standards of Butte's redlight district. He lived in a brothel/saloon and that building no longer stands. There is a parking lot there with wrought iron figurines and a plaque memorializing the areas history and the people that worked there.
     
    greynotsoold, May 11, 2018
    greynotsoold, May 11, 2018
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  8. The Mighty One

    The Mighty One Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yes Joe Hipp could have used better training too. Especially when he fought Bruce Seldon for the WBA heavyweight championship. Joe was born in Browning MT on the Blackfeet Reservation. He also fought a few times in Montana but was based initially out of Eugene, Oregon and later from the Seattle area.
    Keene was tough and popular in Idaho. He really did not grow out of his home roots though and venture into the bright lights. THere was some talk of a bout versus Virgil Hill later in his career which would have sold out either of the two larger venues in Boise and probably made national television.
     
    The Mighty One, May 12, 2018
    The Mighty One, May 12, 2018
    #8
  9. surfinghb

    surfinghb Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Curious to know if you followed Foster at all? He made the Olympic team in '88.
     
    surfinghb, May 12, 2018
    surfinghb, May 12, 2018
    #9
  10. The Mighty One

    The Mighty One Well-Known Member Full Member

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    He completely slipped my mind.
     
    The Mighty One, May 13, 2018
    The Mighty One, May 13, 2018
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  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Its saying something if Butte decides you don't meet their standards of civility. That is a HARD town.
     
    Seamus, May 13, 2018
    Seamus, May 13, 2018
    #11
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  12. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    My grandfather came here from Croatia in 1906, my grandmother in 1913. It isn't as lively a spot as it once was. Great people and a beautiful location.
     
    greynotsoold, May 13, 2018
    greynotsoold, May 13, 2018
    #12
  13. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    The town that gave us Evel Knievel. What more needs to be said?
     
    Seamus, May 13, 2018
    Seamus, May 13, 2018
    #13
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