Why was Joe Louis vs. Abe Simon I scheduled for 20 rounds?

mrkoolkevin · Sep 24, 2021

SolomonDeedes said: ↑

I've read that Simon's manager insisted on the 20 round length, apparently because Michigan was one of the few states which still allowed bouts of more than 15 rounds and he just thought the novelty would be good box office. Obviously he may have also figured that the extra duration gave his man an advantage, since Simon was very durable and had supposedly never been off his feet.

It was a bit of a joke at the time since it was generally felt that Simon would be lucky to go four rounds. He was so lightly regarded that the local commission only recognised the bout as an exhibition.
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I just found an old article that claimed that Simon's manager (James Joy Johnson) originally asked to make it 100 rounds, for that same reason.

hhascup · Sep 24, 2021

IT MIGHT AS WELL BE FOR-100 ROUNDS
James Joy Johnston insisted the brawl be for 20 rounds. He at first demanded 100. You see, it really doesn't make any difference. Michigan is one of the few states which permits contests longer than 15 heats and Jimmy Johnston felt that the novelty of the thing would bolster the ballyhoo.

FrankinDallas · Sep 24, 2021

Bukkake said: ↑

Was there ever a time, when boxers were NOT real fighters?
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Sir, allow me to introduce you to the Paul brothers.

Pugguy · Sep 24, 2021

apollack said: ↑

I'm engaging in a bit of hyperbole, but what I mean is there are different levels. Guys back then who fought three or four pro bouts in a month, 10-rounders, some 15 rounders, 20-rounders, against anyone and everyone, sometimes in their first year or two as pros, are a little bit different than guys who are afraid to fight more than 4 or 6 rounds, carefully pick their foes for the first two or three years of their careers, and once they become contenders only fight once or twice a year and not against the breadth and depth of foes that guys in some of these bygone eras did, often not against the best. Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta fought six times, at one point twice in the same month, and Ray spotted Jake 16 pounds. Today we might be lucky to get the best two guys to fight at all, and it might be several years after their primes. So yeah, they all are real, but there are different levels of real.
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I think Adam’s post provides an excellent general guide as to how the old timers records/performances should be interpreted and analysed as compared to their mod. day counterparts.

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Why was Joe Louis vs. Abe Simon I scheduled for 20 rounds?

mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

hhascup Boxing Addict Full Member

FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member

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Why was Joe Louis vs. Abe Simon I scheduled for 20 rounds?

mrkoolkevin Never wrestle with pigs or argue with fools Full Member

hhascup Boxing Addict Full Member

FrankinDallas FRANKINAUSTIN

Pugguy Ingo, The Thinking Man’s GOAT Full Member