Words from my grandfather...the greatest......

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010.


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  1. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    A couple of weeks ago before I left home again for college, I was doing my boxing routine in my basement when my grandparents walked by and saw me doing an uppercut. My grandma called it an "undercut" and I immediately stopped, knowing that it was a term not often used anymore... I asked her about how she knew this word and she started telling me about my family's love for boxing... I am of indian descent with my mother and father coming from Fiji and Kenya respectively so it was interesting for me to find out that my distant family are, and were boxing fans..

    My grandpa and grandma went on to tell me about their childhoods and boxing, how they would sit around a ham radio in fiji with their entire family and listen to Louis, Marciano, Sugar Ray, and many more fight.. My grandfather has alzheimer's now, and he is starting to succumb to it more and more but his memory was razor sharp as I asked him about the fighters of his youth. He knew ezzard charles, archie moore, and all of their respective weight classes.... I was overjoyed, not just because I now knew that boxing was a family pastime, but because he was able to recount these stories of boxing's past so accurately, and intensely(moore-durelle being an example)...

    He said to me at the end, "But Kavi, do you know who the greatest fighter ever was?"

    I shrugged and asked him, Sugar Ray Robinson?

    He shook his head and said "No, the greatest was Joe Louis... He had the power, the speed, accuracy, and the smarts...nobody was a better boxer, ever!"

    I just thought I'd share that with you, Classic.
     
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    #1
  2. Bummy Davis

    Bummy Davis Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I agree with your Grand-pops...Ray was great but Joe Louis was the Greatest Heavyweight ever, Fought all sizes, shapes and colors and re matched his tough fights. Joe also had killer instinct and the best power combination puncher ever. Also Louis was the sole Champion in that division and fought all. Walcott was the elimination champion from Murders row and Galento also beat a lot of those dangerous avoided black heavyweights.

    If I had to pick the best fighter ever SRR would be up there but Louis may be my number 1
     
    Bummy Davis, Sep 6, 2010
    Bummy Davis, Sep 6, 2010
    #2
  3. SuzieQ49

    SuzieQ49 The Manager Full Member

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    There is not a man in history who I would pick to beat Joe Louis in a boxing match.
     
    SuzieQ49, Sep 6, 2010
    SuzieQ49, Sep 6, 2010
    #3
  4. tommygun711

    tommygun711 The Future Full Member

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    not even Ali or Liston ?
     
    tommygun711, Sep 6, 2010
    tommygun711, Sep 6, 2010
    #4
  5. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    For the record, I asked him whether he thinks Ali would beat Louis. He laughed and said. "Ali can't punch. He keeps his hands down. Louis would destroy his body. And then he would put his lights out, in 15 rounds. Ali can run and he can take a punch, but Joe punches too hard and too often and in the right places too well for even him to survive"
     
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    #5
  6. Flemo83

    Flemo83 Active Member Full Member

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    That would be my all time dream fight! Couldn't split them!
     
    Flemo83, Sep 6, 2010
    Flemo83, Sep 6, 2010
    #6
  7. burt bienstock

    burt bienstock Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Ha,Ha,Ha.
    You had to live in the Joe Louis regn, to appreciate the absolute greatness of Joe Louis..The thought of us having to be in the opposite corner from Joe Louis,evoked feelings of dread in the boxing population..
    This is not hyperbole, but the feelings of those days...
    And as much as we feared Joe, Americans LOVED Louis.!
    A COIL SPRING UNWINDING. That was Louis !!!
     
    burt bienstock, Sep 6, 2010
    burt bienstock, Sep 6, 2010
    #7
  8. dpw417

    dpw417 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    It's stories like this and from guys like JG and BB (as well as many others!) that make this the best boxing forum going...
     
    dpw417, Sep 6, 2010
    dpw417, Sep 6, 2010
    #8
  9. reznick

    reznick In the 7.2% Full Member

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    During the 30's the government developed a new method of capitol punishment. They had poison gas chambers. In its early stages, microphones were placed in the chamber so the scientist could observe what the victims were going through in their last dying moments. The first victim was a young black kid. As the gas came through, these were the words that they heard: "Save me, Joe Louis. Save me, Joe Louis, Save me, Joe Louis..."


    - Paraphrased from "King of the World" Pg. 227
     
    reznick, Sep 6, 2010
    reznick, Sep 6, 2010
    #9
  10. RockysSplitNose

    RockysSplitNose Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    here here - this is a great one (the story - and clearly the grandad too) - great to hear his thoughts - he was right on the money as far as I'm concerned about Joe Louis aswell - it's very moving to here how it sparked his memories too - you definately don't forget that kind of greatness.......

    thoughts to your grandad swarmer
     
    RockysSplitNose, Sep 6, 2010
    RockysSplitNose, Sep 6, 2010
    #10
  11. PH|LLA

    PH|LLA VIP Member

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    After the third call of "save me, Joe Louis", Thunder rattled, Lightning struck, and then Joe Louis punched a hole through the wall, saved the black kid, and proceeded to knock the teeth out of the scientists mouth.
     
    PH|LLA, Sep 6, 2010
    PH|LLA, Sep 6, 2010
    #11
  12. Jack Dempsey

    Jack Dempsey Legend Full Member

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    Thats a myth allegedly
     
    Jack Dempsey, Sep 6, 2010
    Jack Dempsey, Sep 6, 2010
    #12
  13. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    I appreciate it. It wasn't till after the conversation that I realized how concise he had been. I haven't seen him that particularly talkative and sharp for a couple years now.
     
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    #13
  14. RockysSplitNose

    RockysSplitNose Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Awesome stuff Swarmer - PS am I reading that right, in your avatar, that you won a youth title as a boxer??
     
    RockysSplitNose, Sep 6, 2010
    RockysSplitNose, Sep 6, 2010
    #14
  15. Swarmer

    Swarmer Patrick Full Member

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    :lol: no, I just put it there to highlight how ridiculous the ABC organizations are when it comes to giving out titles.
     
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    Swarmer, Sep 6, 2010
    #15
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