The ESB British Forum Encyclopedia

Yeah, that vid is quality. That and the one where Benitez KO's Hope are two of my favourites. I'll be sure to include it when I write one of El Radar.

 

this thread has already delivered massively, good stuff lads

 

excellent post. found that video fascinating:good

 

IIRC a book on Burley came out a few years back....

 

Indeed. ''The Life And Times Of An Uncrowned Champion'' it's called. I've always meant to give it a read.

 

Same here, not got around to it yet. Great post BTW!!

 

Thanks mate.:good

Burley's always been an enigma to me(and everyone else I would imagine), always interested to learn more about fighters like him. I'll have to give the book a read at some point.

 

Its always hard to judge the "what ifs". Some times they can get too much credit for fights that never happened, if you know what I mean?

 

I get you. In Burley's case, it enhanced his legacy possibly more so than if any of those would-be fights came to fruition. Being supposedly ''ducked'' when it comes to big fights can do more for your standing than if those fights occured, and you are defeated relatively comfortably.

 

SANDY SADDLER

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WEIGHT- Featherweight, Super-Featherweight

RECORD- 114(103)-16-2

BIRTHPLACE- Boston, Massachusetts

The son of West Indian parents, after being born in Boston he moved to Harlem, New York, where he first took up boxing. He debuted as a professional in March 1944, losing his second bout by knockout, the first and final time he would suffer a stoppage defeat.

At 5''81/2, he was very tall for the weight, often fighting men 2 and 3 weights above him. Used his excellent jab to break opponents down before then going in for the kill with a variety of hooks and uppercuts, thrown in rapid clusters. What tarnished his reputation at the time, however, was his noteriety for using dirty tactics, in fact, even his sparring partners from the amateurs were not spared the roughhouse tactics. While being an undeniably ferocious puncher, many of his stoppage wins came by way of cuts, often as a result of the Sandler treatment.

He won the FW championship by knocking out the legendary Willie Pep in four rounds, only to lose it back to Pep via decision 4 months later(which was, subsequently, The Ring's FOTY for 1949). When there was difficulties in trying to materialise a rubber match with Pep, he had a stint as the champion at 130. After one defence, he moved back down to once again beat Pep for his old title. After making another defence of his 130 crown, he solidified his superiority over Pep in the rivalry by defeating him again, in a fight so foul-filled it resulted in a brief suspension for both from the NYSAC.

Serving in the army for most of '52 and '53, he was allowed to retain the title until he was discharged. Upon which he made two more successful defences(one against future HOFer Flash Elorde). However, he was forced to retire, while still champion, after being involved in a car crash, resulting in serious eye injuries. After his retirement, he was athletic director for the National Marine Union and also helped the young George Foreman in his first HW championship reign. Futhermore, The Ring rated him as the 5th hardest puncher of all time. These acheivements culminated in his Hall Of Fame induction in 1990.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9QB6HVTndw[/ame]

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

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XrH6OidTBe0[/ame]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57IbnD7Za3o[/ame]

 

Carlos Ortiz

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Weight: Lightweight
Birthplace: Ponce, Puerto Rico
Record: 61(30)-7-1

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[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2LKBbp3QUU[/ame]
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzgYHML5rbo&feature=related[/ame]

 

Great thread Mandanda :good

I was gonna pick Charley Burley too but heyho. Was gonna pick Hagler but if you don't know about him

SHAME ON YOU ALL! :yep

 

Laz clearly knows nothing about anyone else

 

Name: Bob Fitzsimmons

Height:: 5 ft. 11 1/2 in. (182cm.)

Birth: 1863-05-26

Death: 1917-10-22

Boxing recordTotal fights 99
Wins 71
KO's 61
Losses 8 (7)
Draws 5

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Bob Fitzsimmons was a true freak, and arguably the greatest practitioner of the Sweet Science to emerge from the early days of gloved boxing. A red-haired power-puncher born in Cornwall (but who made his name in Australia and New Zealand before conquering the U.S) it is hard not to find a source which doesn't proclaim him 'a master of the Sweet Science'. Built like an Ox at the torso but with slender legs, Fitz defied the odds regularly, rising from Heavyweight punches, and outspeeding the faster guys as well.

Using feints to lead much bigger foes onto precise and powerful counter blows, Fitz's resume reads like a who's who of late 19th Century pugilism. Weighing between 11 and 12 stone, Fitz fought (and beat) much larger opponents for fun. A controversial DQ loss to Tom Sharkey, in a matchup refereed by the bandit WYAT EARPP (!!!) was after Fitz had battered him around the ring, outmuscling, outpunching and outboxing the tough and heavier Heavyweight contender. He floored him with a head shot after a drubbing and Earp called foul, declaring a low blow. He then fled the ring.

Fitz's most impressive run sees him most comfortable at around the modern super middleweight limit of 168lbs. Starting off with a win over ATG Middleweight champion 'Nonpareil' Jack Dempsey (when the limit was 11 stone) and going on to beat the likes of Peter Maher (one of the biggest hitters of the era; 180lbs from most sources), Joe Choynski (along with Fitz and Maher renowned as one of the most fearsome hitters of the era who stopped a young Jack Johnson), Jim Hall, 'Sailor' Tom Sharkey, and eventually claiming THE World Heavyweight title with a win over 'Gentleman' Jim Corbett, where, outweighed by about a stone and a heavy underdog, Fitzsimmons' cagey style allowed him to overcome a heavy knockdown and fell Corbett with a single body blow.

Fitzsimmons also gave 200lb+ behemoth James J. Jeffries a very stern challenge, until the iron chinned 'Great White Hope' (as he would later come to be known) wore Fitz down and forced a stoppage, claiming his World Heayweight Championship. Well past his prime, Fitz was stopped by the great Jack Johnson inside a few rounds. However, well into his forties, Bob Fitzsimmons became the first ever World Light Heavyweight Champion.

A personification of 'Pound-for-pound', 'all-time great' and 'puncher', Bob Fitzsimmons is arguably the greatest fighter born on English shores, and with 4oz gloves is arguably the hardest puncher from the early days, and any day.

An interesting look and the ins-and-outs of the famous 'Bob Fitzsimmons Vs Jim Corbett' matchup, the first sporting event captured on film.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOFdL5VkcQM[/ame]

Fitz and bullish Heavyweight Champ Jim Jeffries

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Name: Harry Greb

Height: 5'8

Birth: 1894-06-06

Death: 1926-10-22

Boxing recordTotal fights 299
Wins 260
KO's 48
Losses 20 (2)
Draws 17

Dead at 32, and with no footage of the man fighting known to exist, Harry Greb is truly Boxings greatest enigma. Without a doubt the most prolific fighter to have ever lived, his resume is packed from top to bottom with all time greats and useful fighters. Stopped only twice, in an early bout and later due to injury, Grebs style, due to no footage existing, remains a puzzle. The wide range of styles he vanquished lend itself to a truly formidable fighter; supposedly with the offensive tenacity of Henry Armstrong and the defensive radar of Roy Jones, using very quick reflexes and sheer instinct to avoid blows and land shots in return. From all descriptions of Greb, his style is completely indescernible. It seems unfathomable that a fighter could conquer Middleweight to Heavyweight, relying on an iron chin for the times his radar didn't quite suffice.

He was a true iron-chinned punching machine. Insanely ferocious, but consistently brilliant. From a young Tommy Loughran, to battering Gene Tunney to his only defeat, outfighting renowned hardman Mickey Walker (at that time THE World Welterweight champion) over 15 rounds and running the gauntlet of Heavyweight contenders and often defeating them more impressively than iconic Champion Jack Dempsey, Greb was a true phenom. He could grit it out and trade punches with sluggers, outbox wiley operators, and puzzle even the shrewdest tactitians. But he was always just Greb. And we'll never know what that truly was but the ATG's he beat revered him. Tunney said he only got better and traine harder so he could figure out Greb. It's no surprise. In their first outing, over 15 rounds, Greb almost killed him.

With 299 fights in a 12 year span, including half a year where he went undefeated with a broken arm, Greb was truly a marvel. His resume is truly intimidating, and his run of victories, against the opposition he faced and with the size discrepancy he often fought against, will (most probably) never be repeated. Footage of his awe-inspiring opponents is readily available, maybe that is the best way to gauge what an animal Greb was. A true contender forthe title of GREATEST FIGHTER OF ALL TIME.

Jack Dempsey avoided him for years, fighting Grebs scraps instead. After a days sparring with him, he was very worried about Grebs handspeed and workrate, claiming it was like 'having shelves of gloves fall on top of you' and sending Greb away after only a few days work. The fearsome Heavyweight champion wanted nothing to do with the man who had already conquered 160 and 175lbs. Like French native (and World Lightheavyweight Champion) Georges Carpentier, Jack Dempsey was one of the very few who managed to avoid Grebs wrath during arguably the most competitive era in the history of the sport.

The only known footage of the greatest fighter that ever lived.

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQIx3Thz9Fc[/ame]

Greb with Jack Dempsey

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Greb and ATG Lightheavyweight/World Heavyweight Champion Gene Tunney

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