Who was the greatest fighter from each of the 50 states?

Will Jess Willard get Kansas???
I cant think of other fighter?? Sure he may not be a legend, but he is pretty well known in Kansas.

 

Joe Louis: Detroit, Michigan.

 

North Dakota: Charley Retzlaff. Born in Leonard, North Dakota on October 28, 1904. Heavyweight. 6'2." 200 Pounds.

Comeback Charley boxed from 1928 to 1940.

W 63 (KO 54) + L 8 + D 4.


Wyoming: Cowboy Eddie Anderson. Born in Cody, Wyoming on October 10, 1904. Lightweight. 5'5".

Cowboy Eddie boxed from 1920 to 1936.

W 127 (KO 25) + L 84 (KO 9) + D 38.

In this thread, at least one male professional boxer born in each of the 50 states has now been identified.

ESB Classic Forum Posters KO 50 ESPN

 

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As for California, Jim Corbett is so crucial to the evolution of boxing that I thought he should be named to the list. Ditto for the Galveston Giant where Texas is involved.

Benny Leonard was an obvious choice for New York, although I briefly contemplated Bronx native Wilfredo Benitez.

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Al Tribuani
2. Pennsylvania- Harry Greb
3. New Jersey- Marvin Hagler
4. Georgia- Sugar Ray Robinson
5. Connecticut- Willie Pep
6. Massachusetts- Rocky Marciano
7. Maryland- Joe Gans
8. South Carolina- Joe Frazier

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10. Virginia- Pernell Whitaker
11. New York- Benny Leonard
12. North Carolina- Ray Charles Leonard

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15. Kentucky- Muhammad Ali
16. Tennessee- Tommy Hearns
17. Ohio- Jim Jeffries
18. Louisiana- Tony Canzoneri

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20. Mississippi- Archie Moore
21. Illinois- Packey McFarland
22. Alabama- Joe Louis

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Joey Gamache
24. Missouri- Henry Armstrong
25. Arkansas- Sonny Liston
26. Michigan- Stan Ketchel
27. Florida- Roy Jones, Jr
28. Texas- Jack Johnson

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Jim Corbett
32. Minnesota- Mike Gibbons
33. Oregon- Denny Moyer
34. Kansas- Jess Willard

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37. Nebraska- Max Baer
38. Colorado Jack Dempsey
39. North Dakota- Charley Retzlaff

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Shawn Hawk
41. Montana- Marvin Camel
42. Washington- Freddie Steele
43. Idaho- Kenny Keene

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46. Oklahoma- James Tillis
47. New Mexico- Bob Foster

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50. Hawaii- BoBo Olson

51. Washington, D.C.- Winky Wright

52. Puerto Rico- Carlos Ortiz

 

Scott LeDouix from Minnesota was a pretty decent fighter.

 

I think Harry Matthews was actually the best fighter born in Idaho.

 

Jersey-hagler Pride!!!!!!

 

Just a thought, But how much of a difference would it be for fighters representing which State's they fought out of, Irregardless of where they were born? Louis-Detroit, Robinson-Harlem,N.Y., Charles-Ohio, Ect...

 

Making synonymy a criteria could result in endless debate. Robinson could be claimed by Detroit as well as Harlem. Place of birth is strictly objective however.

I understand the argument that where one actually developed as a fighter is more relevant, but this can still be subjective. Dempsey might be designated for NYC (including Harlem), Salt Lake City, and Hollywood, where he lived during the latter portion of his reign as champion.

For some of the more difficult states to name a candidate for, going by place of birth might also be more feasible than finding somebody who fought out of a particular location. Everybody's more than eager to name fighters from states with a bountiful boxing legacy, but sometimes disappear into the woodwork when the challenge comes to offer nominations for the last few states to have a representative identified for them.

 

No objection here. Kenny Keene got Idaho on the board, but I do agree that Kid Matthews was more accomplished. Good call!:good

 

Yes your right. It is a big enough task to complete the list as it is.

 

Scanning the filled list now, I think a strong case can be made for Mickey Walker also. Hagler may or may not have been able to trash top heavyweights, but Walker did get the best of Bearcat Wright, Paulino Uzcudun, Jack Sharkey King Levinski and Arthur DeKuh. He was no slouch when it came to dealing with first rate lightheavyweights either.

 

Minnesota had a list of great fighters that were world class.

Mike Gibbons
Tommy gibbons
Mike O'dowd
Jock malone
Glen Flanagan
Del Flanagan
Billy Miske
Jackie Graves
Jimmy Delaney
Johny Kewpie Ertle