Was Gunboat Smith a good fighter?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Eye of Timaeus(2), Nov 18, 2020.

  1. Eye of Timaeus(2)

    Eye of Timaeus(2) Member Full Member

    122
    88
    Nov 6, 2020
    Faced 12 hall of famers 23 times. Anybody know if he was highly regarded?
     
    Eye of Timaeus(2), Nov 18, 2020
    Eye of Timaeus(2), Nov 18, 2020
    #1
  2. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker Full Member

    21,744
    3,807
    Jul 15, 2008
    He clearly was a very good puncher .. had several good years and good wins .. had to be somewhat decent ..
     
    he grant, Nov 18, 2020
    he grant, Nov 18, 2020
    #2
  3. The Slaps

    The Slaps Win or lose, as long as you get the decision Full Member

    142
    196
    Apr 8, 2018
    He was one of the top boxers in the early teens, mixed it with the best and beat a s##t load of them. He was athletic, technically sound and could punch, seemed to have everything. Except for 1912, 1913 and early 1914 (when he won the White Heavyweight title off a broken Arthur Pelkey) his record is inconsistent, although back then fights were coming hard and fast, but he has a few bad losses, especially after a massive win. Probably one of the best not to get a title shot around then. I think he was scheduled to fight Jack Johnson for the world title at some stage, someone else might back that up. Jack Johnson did use him as a sparring partner and they had exhibitions while he was champion.
     



    • Click here to register a FREE forum account and REMOVE ADS



    The Slaps, Nov 18, 2020
    The Slaps, Nov 18, 2020
    #3
    louis54 likes this.
  4. WAR01

    WAR01 In the 7.2% Full Member

    1,604
    1,340
    Aug 19, 2019
    One of the best H2H fighters ever.
     
    WAR01, Nov 18, 2020
    WAR01, Nov 18, 2020
    #4
  5. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,091
    3,726
    Feb 10, 2013
    He fought in an old fashioned style. Very awkward and uncoordinated looking. All knees and elbows. He reminds me of a smaller Willard.
     
    klompton2, Nov 18, 2020
    klompton2, Nov 18, 2020
    #5
  6. FrankinDallas

    FrankinDallas Boxing Junkie Full Member

    7,543
    5,412
    Jul 24, 2004
    Didn't he kill Luther McCarty, who seemed like a pretty good boxer?
     
    FrankinDallas, Nov 18, 2020
    FrankinDallas, Nov 18, 2020
    #6
  7. Chuck1052

    Chuck1052 Well-Known Member Full Member

    1,918
    480
    Sep 22, 2013
    Luther McCarty sustained a fatal injury during his bout with Arthur Pelkey.

    - Chuck Johnston
     
    Chuck1052, Nov 18, 2020
    Chuck1052, Nov 18, 2020
    #7
    FrankinDallas likes this.
  8. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Ii6 Full Member

    4,967
    5,092
    May 30, 2019
    Do we have any footage of him?
     
    70sFan865, Nov 18, 2020
    70sFan865, Nov 18, 2020
    #8
  9. BitPlayerVesti

    BitPlayerVesti Boxingoholican Full Member

    6,490
    7,153
    Oct 28, 2017
    There's footage of him sparring Bob Armstrong online.
    This content is protected
     
    BitPlayerVesti, Nov 19, 2020
    BitPlayerVesti, Nov 19, 2020
    #9
  10. 70sFan865

    70sFan865 Ii6 Full Member

    4,967
    5,092
    May 30, 2019
    I can't watch videos from this site because I'm not from UK... :(
     
    70sFan865, Nov 19, 2020
    70sFan865, Nov 19, 2020
    #10
  11. klompton2

    klompton2 Boxing Junkie Full Member

    10,091
    3,726
    Feb 10, 2013
    Yes, two clips of him sparring.
     
    klompton2, Nov 19, 2020
    klompton2, Nov 19, 2020
    #11