Where did the Shoulder Roll came from, really ?

I can't remember if it's Fitzsimmons or Jeffries whose defence was referred to as something similar to "a crouching crab"; I'd wager its place in modern boxing began to start there. Before Benton, guys like Charles and Moore used it albeit not quite the same as Benton/Mayweather. Without checking, I'm sure I have memories of the Murderer's Row using it.

But, as a different answer, I don't think it really has a traceable origin. The "Philly Shell is simply a combination of techniques which have been around since the beginning of gloved boxing. It's a bladed stance with the chin tucked behind the shoulder, the arm across the stomach to both keep the glove in front of the mid section and keeping the elbow in a position to frame off of an incoming opponent's body. All of these things have existed since boxing began, and I don't think it's really possible to accurately track who was the first person to use them together.

 

The cinnamon roll was invented in Sweden.

Jelly Roll Morton, the jazz musician, was from New Orleans.

The Tootsie Roll was invented in New York by an Austrian immigrant.

So I’d start my search there and work my way to boxing.

 

It’s impossible to track the literal first instance of anything in boxing - the best you can do is nominate when it was first broadly put on display, which is then likely followed by a sudden proliferation amongst all boxers.

Using another sport for a clear cut example, Dick Fosbury popularised and perfected the “flop” in high jumping at the ‘68 Mexico Olympics. However, the flop in some form did exist prior to that - but until Fosbury’s display on the worlds biggest sporting stage it was only practises by a minority of jumpers.

It was originally going to be called the Dick Flop but for some obscure reason that name was rejected.

 

Would not shock me if the likes of Mendoza or John Jackson used some form of it. But film wise, it seems to be around the 1900's.

 

We Aussies invented Lamingtons and Pavlova - don’t believe a word our little Kiwi bros try to tell you. They think Bob Fitz is theirs too! - lol, again. look no further than The Land Down Under.

 

The Tootsie Roll, Austrian?

Are you sure we Aussies didn’t have a hand in that too - an “a” and “l” somehow conveniently omitted from the actual country’s name at some point in history?

Pretty sure I recollect the original, more masculine name being The Dinkum Roll before they re-named it the Dorothy Michaels Roll.

 

I thought it was the 69 boyz

This content is protected

 

Go eat some vegemite and put another shrimp on the Barbie.

 

Shrimp on the Barbie?

Struth!

‘Ken oath I will.

 

Joe Gans? And probably before Joe as well.

 

Call me silly but it’s kind of a natural defence and has probably been done since people have been throwing hands - when I mock about with my little brother who is a child he hides behind his left shoulder and the intent is there lol.