Why was Chuck Davey always dismissed as a joke...

He just looked so awkward, as if he was tapping instead of punching.

 

He was a joke. Id be willing to bet more than a few of his fights were fixed. They were trying to build him up as the all American boy for TV.

On his run to the title he beats guys like Basilio, Graziano, and Williams (who all looked like they werent trying to hurt him). Then suddenly he gets in with the relatively light hitting Gavilan and isnt even competetive. It was beyond that. The gulf in class was huge. Then his career falls apart.

It was just like the Billy Fox situation. You watch the guy fight and you cant help but wonder how he is beating the fighters he fights. Then you see his fight with Gavilan and its pretty obvious.

 

How many times did you see him box live, JG?

Guesswork on my part here. As a sounding board, you have the qualifications to accept or reject the ideas and suggestions I offer in the way of speculation.

I wasn't there, but certainly am well aware of how stridently prominent college coaches like Haislet and Walsh looked down on the professional ranks. Is it your sense the reverse was true, that collegiate boxers were conversely disdained by punch for pay fans?

Maybe it had something to do with the fact he was seen as a wimpy looking guy with a wimpy style. Maybe there was a clean cut WASPish element to the perception of him which defied the stereotype of hardscrabble ethnic toughness enjoyed by those of Irish, African, Italian, Native American, Jewish and Hispanic extract. Slapsie Maxie Rosenbloom at least looked like a fighter. Davey looked like a white collar accountant or banker from the world of grey flannel suits. [So did Minter, but Alan certainly didn't fight like one, or bleed like one.]

There's also a notion I have that being southpaw was then seen by many as inherently inferior to the orthodox stance. Guys like Tunney definitely could have contributed to this perception.

You were there. You may be best able to answer your own inquiry. [I'd also be interested in reading what your peer Burt Bienstock might have to contribute about this attitude towards Davey.]

From what I gather, Chuck was also built up by the new television media. If he was seen as a product manufactured and imposed on fight fans by the establishment press, that might not have played well with the rank and file. He wasn't a representation of tough times, having to fight through to the top.

 

Plus he was a southpaw. No one likes a southpaw.

 

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Did you type that with your left hand you lefty? :verysad

 

I'll cut your left hand off for that remark! Then what will you do, eh?!


NOTHING! :fire