Where Does Fireman Jim Flynn rate?

IIRC Smith has a legit win over Langford, though he wasn't in condition

 

Real name Andrew Chiariglione. It's a total and complete disgrace for anyone of Italian descent to take on an Irish name.
What was he thinking? Che schifo.

He looks completely awful on the film that we have. Basically no skills except for the ability to take punches.
His KO of Dempsey was a fluke...he got KO'd quickly the next time they met. Same with Langford. Also got KO'd badly
by the tragic Luther McCarty.

He'd be a UFC HW champ today.

 

I know about Flynn's fights with Dempsey but didn't know about the other victories listed above. Very interesting! I remember reading in Alexander Johnston's "Ten and Out" book about Tommy Burns' reign - it referred to something Burns did as a 'stunt' but went on to say that it was no stunt when he knocked out "Fireman" Jim Flynn. His career spanned many years. With wins over such as listed, he must have been pretty good in his peak years. If he had an autobiography it would be interesting to read his recollections of his career and those he fought.

Another strange career that immediately comes to mind is that of Joe Grim but his record is devoid of wins and really does not compare with that of the Fireman. But definitely strange!.

Pete Rademacher deserves a shout. An Olympic champion whose first professional fight was for the heavyweight title and while he lost he did manage to floor champion Patterson. Most of the top heavys of the late 50s and early 60s list Pete in their resume, usually as a defeated opponent. He did have a few good wins, but I always felt that he was thrown to the wolves much too soon!

 

I see him as being a bit like Johnny Risko as a contender.

He was not one of the best talents around, but he was a tough and experienced guy, who fought everybody and often.

He ended up beating some of the top names, based on level of activity, and experience.

 

You may well be right,I just wonder how many of these"against the grain",results were ,perhaps,"business decisions"

 

Didn’t even Rocky Marciano use the name “Rocky Mac” early in his career?

 

I’ve never understood this habit of American boxers of mixed European decent deciding on a completely Irish identity... but it is very well established.

 

For two reasons, Irish fighters were more highly rated and as a consequence generted more money and fights, Economics.

 

Yeah I get that. According to Wikipedia German Americans are the single largest ethic group within the white population of America yet very few American Fighters have publicised having this ancestry. I guess this is understandable given the two world wars yet really, the German impression upon American culture has been far greater overall than Irish, Italian or Jewish influences in creating an American identity especially when you think of things like hamburgers, hotdogs or kindergarten.

 

He used it when he first fought pro ,so as to not lose his amateur status, then reverted back to amateur.
Not entirely honest.

 

I would say slightly above Mike Tyson, and a few ranks below Carnera.

 

Flynn, who was about 5'9 1/2 165-188 pounds with a 69" reach is best described as a game journeyman who fought everyone. On film he shows little skill.

His long suits were power and stamina. He could punch some. He was also KO'd 26 times.

 

Flynn was 5 feet ten and a half.His reach was an inch longer than Marciano's.

 

He rode a motorcycle too.

 

Not at the same time as when he was driving his Buick.