No disrespect intended, but was he featherfisted ? [url]http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=059280&cat=boxer[/url]
There was a fighter named Joe 'The Chin' Grimm, he was an undistinguishsd pug who although never winning a fight, managed to do battle against most of the original greats including Jim Corbett. Joe's redeeming feature was his iron jaw, although knockrd down hundreds of times he was never knocked out! He was studied by medical experts of the time to establish why this was so without any result, however one medico declared his cranium to be of similsr thickness of that of a gorilla. Joe , tired of breaking other boxers fists moved on to Barnum and Bailey Circus where members of the public paid to do what the pro ranks couldn't, that is knock Joe out!
Slade was tough. Boxer on way up did not score as many kos as they do since 1970's, matches were way more competive, and a loss was no big deal if you gave good effort. At least we can see they were not taking dives.