Was Charley Burley ever ranked number 1...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Nemesis, Jul 11, 2011.


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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Although Burley's people pushed hardest for Armstrong.
     
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    #76
  2. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I don't agree. In fact I think the exact opposite is true - when Burley tried to unleash his fastest punches, namely the overhand right over the top of Smith when he's missed with the left, he looks the fastest. Gavilan's handspeed looks best to me on quality film versus Davey, and although his fastest punch is a shorter version of the same shot, he doesn't look as lightning to me.

    Having just this second had another look though, maybe i'm wrong to call him clearly faster, I would still give him the nod though.



    I like journeyman better for Turner than bum. He turned in a decent performance against Conn and beat Beach when he was ranked and at 6'3 220 he's obviously going to be extremely tough for a WW. Burley did thrash him though.

    We can only speculate as to how KG might look against a fighter who knocked Harold Johnson out with one punch.

    [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIgUmCb5Td4[/ame]

    My guess is he would struggle.
     
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    #77
  3. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

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    Robinson earned $6,900 for Zanelli (and that was after being shorted by promoters). For Armstrong he got about $20,000, for Zivic around $15,000, for Motisi he got $10,000, he made $6,000 for Angott.

    So Robinson, in his first ten rounder, was being paid as much as some Burley's largest gross gate reciepts.
     
    klompton, Jul 14, 2011
    klompton, Jul 14, 2011
    #78
  4. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Do you make anything of the fact that he made 15k for fighting Zivic despite the fact that Zivic was also part of the very low gate with Burley?

    Six grand for Agnott is a bit grim.
     
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    #79
  5. klompton

    klompton Boxing Addict banned

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    You have to keep in mind that at that point both angott and zivic could demand a large percentage of the gate while robinson, despite being very well paid was still not getting the lions share. I don't know what angott or zivic were paid but id wager it was more than robinson due to their status at the time.
     
    klompton, Jul 14, 2011
    klompton, Jul 14, 2011
    #80
  6. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yeah, that's what i'm saying though - Zivic-Burley II was a dismal gate.

    I take your point at Sugar getting a shot at Angott rather than Angott getting a shot at Sugar though.
     
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    #81
  7. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    nice, give us a shout if you end up reading it mate
     
    teeto, Jul 14, 2011
    teeto, Jul 14, 2011
    #82
  8. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Nemisis fair play to you for reading up on Burley like that. I know you're a Robinson man. I'm a Burley man. I've thought you wrong about a fair dunt of stuff. But fair play to you for actually reading the books and the press instead of just googling and parroting like some people do.
     
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    #83
  9. My dinner with Conteh

    My dinner with Conteh Tending Bepi Ros' grave again Full Member

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    Is there a new one out or do you mean "I Conteh"?
     
    My dinner with Conteh, Jul 14, 2011
    My dinner with Conteh, Jul 14, 2011
    #84
  10. Nemesis

    Nemesis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    Yep it was I Conteh, I tried to purchase a few months ago but it never came.

    I take it you've read it, is it any good?

    My knowledge of Conteh is pitifully low.
     
    Nemesis, Jul 14, 2011
    Nemesis, Jul 14, 2011
    #85
  11. Nemesis

    Nemesis Well-Known Member Full Member

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    My major issues with Burley does not relate to his abilty or his record (neither should be questioned), but more his apparent lack of desire.

    He held part time jobs whilst fighting in his peak years :patsch. He seemed happy enough, to just pick up regular pay cheques.

    After gaining a good reputation in Pittsburgh he decides to up sticks, where does he move to? Minne(fecking)apolis! and then the relatively dorment fighting region of California.

    If you were a top contender in the early '40's, who happened to be black, you would look at where black fighters were earning big paydays. You would go straight to NY(Louis, Robinson, Armstrong, Jack etc.).

    If his desire to win a title was as it should've been, he would've moved to NY, chased the big names in his weight range, fight more entertaining fights and gain the support of the influention NY press (and thus gain a fanbase).

    I struggle to think of an occurrence where he came from behind to win, which leads back to my point about his desire (or lack thereof).

    I am also not keen on people revising history and painting him as the most talented unlucky fighter in history. He was very rarely rated near the top of the contender charts for any continuous length of time.

    Thats not to say I dont rate him, I do. I think he would pose major problems to any of the top welterweights & middleweights in history (barring Hagler, IMO)

    You may lay the blame squarely at his management's door. But I think Burley has to take his fair share of responsibility for how never got the opportunity to fight for the title.
     
    Nemesis, Jul 14, 2011
    Nemesis, Jul 14, 2011
    #86
  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    So did Hagler.
    Well he fought Lloyd Marshall to a razor thin decision with a fractured hand. Marshall was a huge MW.

    He fought 15 rounds with Williams unable to use one arm for the final six.

    Not reading you on the "no desire" thing, at all.
     
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    McGrain, Jul 14, 2011
    #87
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