This content is protected Yea yeah i know the gans fight was probably fixed but it's also the only footage we have of Terry so its best to make use of it and get atleast some sort of idea of what he looked like. I didn't include the knockdowns due to not wanting to divert the video's focus onto whether or not they were legit, just exchanges.
The Gans footage has always looked convincing to me, though I understand those who have thoroughly researched the details believe it was likely a fix. McGovern didn’t have anything like the longevity of Henry Armstrong, but his 1899-1901 run was equal to any c.3-year period Hank had, imo.
I read it was a fix before I saw the footage. When I saw the footage, I thought to myself "if was a fix, Gans was almost as good at acting, as he was brilliant at boxing".
Honestly based on what’s known of the betting irregularities leading up to the fight it seems like everyone’s that done research is certain on a fix. It is pretty difficult to see a blown up bantamweight knocking out a guy who would later take shots from giant killers like Langford and Walcott.
On the balance of probability, I agree, the apparent authenticity of the footage makes it uncertain in my own mind, though.
Also worth noting that Gans is fighting nothing like Gans from the opening bell; compare Gans here to Gans in the opening round against Nelson and it feels like a different level of fighter. That said, McGovern’s style also seems like the type that’s so erratic and unorthodox that it would make great fighters look ugly.
Regardless of whether Gans was giving his best, watching McGovern, I can see how he went on that abosulte tear, arguably the GOAT, from 1899-1901. He looks like the destroyer you'd imagine him to be studying his record.
I can believe the people who lived to see later eras that said that McGovern was a once in a lifetime type of fighter. Rarely do you see someone truly go for broke like that, the closest person I can think of that’s comparable to him stylistically today is Navarrette.
