Would Dave Sands have beaten Randy Turpin....

For Rock....

Guys, Dave Sands was quite simply the BEST M/W in the world from 1949-52. What an easy way to open an introduction to an arguement. lol.

Sands obviously had an extended visit to England in '49, having taken a bout with Tommy Yarosz in the first bout which led to a negative points verdict. An immunization injection suffered terribly on Sands causing inflamation on the right arm. Dave Sands and Tom Maquire raised no issue with the loss or handicap, nor should they have, having taken the fight. Jack Solomons did look less keenly at Sands, shipping off. The points loss was quickly overcome with 3 straight victories against notables in Newcastle (Eng.) and the bout with Robert Villemain, the French hero. Sands accounted for Villemain with unsurpassed ease, winning every round and dropping the Frenchman in the bout. Not only was Villemain outclassed, he was also arguementive about Sands flooring him until photographs were shown later of Villemain on the canvas.. He'd Never been dropped.
Dick Turpin sucked enough leather in 2.45 seconds against Sands to start a Saddlery.. dropped twice for two counts of 9, he barely had the goods to give Sands a reason to contemplate sweating.. Meanwhile, Villemain was to tackle newly crown champ LaMotta and dish out a thrashing in a non-title bout.
On returning home, Sands belted Bobo Olsen in Sydney over 10 rounds, Henry Brimm in a KO2 fizzer..
"look out LaMotta" had already been publicised in the British tabloids before the Vantines Day Massacre.. Ray Went on tour of Europe and Sands folllowed.. 2 easy wins for Dave, hoping to get a shot at SRR, only to see Turpin take the crown.. Following Turpin to the USA, Sands again saw the title swap back to SRR, whilst Sands himself belted Bobo Olsen in Chicago and Henry Brimm once again. Fighting Yolande Pompey in England, he suffered a cut eye loss.. Just remember, Sands had not lost any bout at the M/W limit since early 1947... When SRR played the usual "Im Great" card and decided to tackle Joey Maxim at LH/W (Weighing 157 Lbs???and losing, a letter was recieved by Sands & Co. referring to the impending retirement of SRR. A battle for the vavcant crown was set for Sands & Turpin.. This fell through due to the death of Sands.

Randy Turpin had witnessed the first round destruction of his brother Dick, and when asked by a sport writer if he'd like to fight Sands, he responded "No thanks"... "Why not" he was quizzed.. Shaking his own right hand and shaking his head, he said he'd rather fight SRR again.

Bobo Olsen, copping a duel loss to Sands, acknowledge his own limitations and praises of Sands after winning the vacant crown from Turpin.. "If that Australian was still alive, this title would be his".. BOBO OLSEN.

Dave Sands was less than lucky.. 26 when he died, respected by U.S boxing power brokers who wanted an easier target than himself, he was undeniably a source of chaos for any champ. Sands sat ringside to see Cerdan vs Dick Turpin and wanted a contract for both..

Turpin, LaMotta and Srr wanted nothing to do with him. The swings-and-roundabouts that make up the careers of the best M/Ws and LH/Ws of that era provide little reason to doubt the ability of Sands.. Fighting at middleweight, alwys punching over a low jab (epitimised by SRR) and countering with a death given right hand, SRR would entice major dramas.. Please take into account also, Sands was not a puffy W/W in the M/W ranks being targeted for a KO by anyone, especially Jake, SRR or Randy...

If afforded the battles at M/W that he deserved, the M/W crown would be a simple acknowledgement of his own fistic prowess.. only World challenges and an extended life span escaped him.

Regarding the above post that gives mention to many fine Aussie fighters, Lionel Rose is mentioned.. His trainer, Jack Rennie still speaks humbley of Sands. "There were none better".