When Louis met Burley

In July/August of 1945, full-time cornerman and part time Burley manager Carl Hatfield got Burley some work with some amatuers, as a trainer and mentor. This work, no doubt welcomed by Burley, took him to Long Beach California where Joe Louis was apparently putting on an exhibition (though it may have been that Joe was doing some work with amatuers too). When Joe heard that Charley was around he insisted that Hatfield bring him around.

According to Hank Kaplan, who spoke with Hatfield before he died, Louis told Burley: "I am the heavyweight champ of the world. But you are the best fighter i've ever seen." I like that.

He's also meant to have said:

I wouldn't fight you Burley, you want to know why? Because i'd knock you on your ass.

OR

I wouldn't fight you Burley, you want to know why? Because you'd knock me on my ass.

Louis and Blackburn were both confirmed admirers, and Williams is a close associate of Holman Willaims (Burley's constant opponent in these years) but I think this may have been the only time they met privately.

Anyway, I know this is a longshot but does anyone have any idea what else these two talked about? Anyone read or heard anything? I love both these guys but these two tiny morsels are all i've ever turned up from their conversation.

Of course, that might have been it, neither was what you'd call a blabber mouth.

 

I'll bump this one a couple of times just on the of chance that something turns up.

Cheers.

 

Indeed. I think about it most days. :twisted:

Williams and Cocoa Kid would also clean house.

 

Williams astonishes me - weirdly the best measuring stick for his (potential) success was a loss, rather than a win in my opinion. His split decision loss to LaMotta right at the end of his career - and Williams fought a lot - was booed by the capacity crowd, according to what I have.

You can only imagine what he would have done to these guys if he was placed in with these guys at peak, baring in mind that a peak LaMotta is probably his nightmare opponent, all time.

I rate Williams just below Burley, hairs breadth.

 

Yeah, he was a throwback (in more ways than one) - did you know Charley was waring 160z gloves when he ko'd Ray? He also stopped JD Turner in a proper fight in 5.

LaMotta apparently remarked of Burley: What do I need him for, I have Zivic?

No way did LaMotta fear Burley, or any other man, but he knew he was in for a horrible nights work. Aprrantley it nearly came of just before Burley "retired", though that would have been to late for him.

You've hit the nail on the head though; everyone talks about Burley's defence and his ring smarts. If there were ten more powerful welters I can't name them.

 

Of course; fighteres are notorios for waxing lyrical on this guy and that guy. Joe was no different I think. But it should also be said that this happened before SRR had come to do domnate the MW division - that is, it's perfectly possible that Joe considered Charley the best fighter in 46 and SRR the greatest fighter whenever your footage is - and as we know there is a difference between "best" and "greatest".

Not sure what you mean by this though...

 

Indeed. I think that Burley was not a great finisher. He tend to punch people out rather than knock them out. Turner was one of those. Burley just hammered him really.

 

Yeah, i agree in principle with both of these statments.

Though it's worth noting, I feel, that most people that saw, say, Burley and LaMotta, seem to think that Burley was indeed better.