What can you tell me about Gene Fullmer?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by PhillyPhan69, Feb 26, 2010.


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  1. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I just got a set of some Fullmer fights and watched 3 today (Turner II, Lausse and castellani) and was wondering a few things about him... There was a thread about 2 weeks ago saying he was overrated, is that your opinion as I see very few threads (I did a search) about him and even fewer calling him great. How come he isn't talked about more? he holds a 2-1-1 advantage over SRR, wins against basillio, castellani, webb, turner, giardello etc.

    1. Anyone else see Turner II and does he remind anyone else of a larger Ricky Hatton (reminded me of Hatton vs tszyu at points)...I don't mean that as an insult to either guy!

    2. Anyone see the castellani fight? if so how did you score it...I can't believe it was a split decision 1 judge had it 95-92 for castellani...I can't even envision calling it a draw and had Fullmer winning this comfortably!

    3. Anyone have any stories about Fullmer?

    4. Anyone have any insights about him as a boxer?

    5 What can I excpect and/or look for as I watch further fights (I have the 4 with Robinson, 2 with basillio, 3 with tiger, miceli, greaves, giardello, fernandez and paret)?

    6. What is the deal with the 3rd SRR fight and the wide scores? was it difficult to score or is there a major controversy around it (11-4 and 9-5 the other way are pretty wide scores...combined with a 3rd judge who calls it a draw)?

    Any input would be appreciated!!!!
     
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 26, 2010
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 26, 2010
    #1
  2. Longhhorn71

    Longhhorn71 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    From 1957 until 1962 Fullmer was the one of the best MW's with Paul Pender not far behind.

    Tiger then came on the scene and Fullmer was faded at that point.
     
    Longhhorn71, Feb 26, 2010
    Longhhorn71, Feb 26, 2010
    #2
  3. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He's Mormon.
     
    Seamus, Feb 26, 2010
    Seamus, Feb 26, 2010
    #3
  4. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Thanks...this is clearly one of your more intellectual and informative posts!!!
     
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 26, 2010
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 26, 2010
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  5. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Heard he was a massive guy who cut a lot of weight, boiled down to 160.

    Similar in that regard to LaMotta. A poster on here said Fuller must "have no bones" because of how big he looked in a suit.
     
    Russell, Feb 26, 2010
    Russell, Feb 26, 2010
    #5
  6. Bill1234

    Bill1234 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    When I saw him in person he walked/stood right next to me and He didn't seem all that big. Obviously he isn't that solid chunk of muscle that he was back when he was fighting, but he still didn't seem all that big. Seemed like he was find at middleweight. His brother Don looked to be naturally bigger than Gene.
     
    Bill1234, Feb 27, 2010
    Bill1234, Feb 27, 2010
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  7. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    PhillyPhan69, I saw Gene Fullmer ringside 1954,when he was 23 years old...Saw him many times on TV,later on....He never impressed me technically,awkward and built lihe a wrestler...But he got the job done...The BEST vsummary I ever heard about Fullmer was Floyd Patterson,s one...He said " Gene Fullmer does EVERYTHING WRONG, but for him it is RIGHT".He did'nt punch, Fullmer clubbed...Tough bird though....
     
    burt bienstock, Feb 27, 2010
    burt bienstock, Feb 27, 2010
    #7
  8. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    He was and is very handsome.
     
    Seamus, Feb 27, 2010
    Seamus, Feb 27, 2010
    #8
  9. Son of Gaul

    Son of Gaul Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tough guy, skilled fighter, on most peoples top 10 ATG greatest list for MW.
     
    Son of Gaul, Feb 27, 2010
    Son of Gaul, Feb 27, 2010
    #9
  10. TheGreatA

    TheGreatA Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    He was strong but he also had a plan B, as showcased in the Basilio I & II and Tiger II fights. At times he could turn into his brother Don and box if his opponents were as strong as he was.

    I did think that Robinson clearly won their third fight.
     
    TheGreatA, Feb 27, 2010
    TheGreatA, Feb 27, 2010
    #10
  11. PhillyPhan69

    PhillyPhan69 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I watched the first SRR fight last night, and thought that Fullmer clearly won and deserved his decision. He controlled the early part and SRR came on late mid-way, but overall Fullmer did enough to deserve his decision. I don't see an unskilled boxer, although he is clearly not a text book example. I do see a mauler (Like Hatton many people don't like/appreciate this style or the skill that it takes to impose yourself on an opponent...IMHO) who when able to get inside was a terror if he got going. He has incredibly thick legs and a stout build, so his style of crowding and pressuring an opponent seems to me his best recourse. I though that when SRR employed his jab he had the skill and technical ability, to dominate the action at various points..but he was to lazy with his jab in this match-up. Had SRR at age 35 been able to use his jab, he probably wins this easily, but he did not or could not and Fullmer took advantage!
     
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 27, 2010
    PhillyPhan69, Feb 27, 2010
    #11
  12. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Looked kind of rough around the edges/fugly to me? :think
     
    Russell, Feb 27, 2010
    Russell, Feb 27, 2010
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  13. he grant

    he grant Historian/Film Maker

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    He looks like the strongest middle you've ever seen until you see Tiger knock the crap out of him ... all of a sudden he's old before he's 30 ... still, a bull ...
     
    he grant, Feb 27, 2010
    he grant, Feb 27, 2010
    #13
  14. brando18b4h

    brando18b4h Active Member Full Member

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    Fullmer was a beast, Yes he was unconventional but always in shape and tough as nails. Its been said he was a bigger version of Basilio. Personally i think Carmen was just as tough and had better skills. I did see a documentary several years back that had Carmen and Gene in it and when they interviewed Fullmer he said "I just liked to fight and would do it for free". You could see in his eyes it was no B.S and he still looked good and he still looked mean as hell.
     
    brando18b4h, Feb 27, 2010
    brando18b4h, Feb 27, 2010
    #14
  15. OLD FOGEY

    OLD FOGEY Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I remember seeing him on the Johnny Carson show "Who do you Trust" in 1962 or so. He raised minks. Carson asked him if his wife had a mink coat, and Fullmer replied that if she wanted to feel mink fur she could pet them in their cages any time.
     
    OLD FOGEY, Feb 27, 2010
    OLD FOGEY, Feb 27, 2010
    #15
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