1) The biggest grossing fight, to date ($18,419,200.00) is ?
answer is – Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather

2) The first recognized “female vs. male” boxing match took place in Michigan City, Indiana, where a woman (Joanna Hagen) beat a man (Norm Jones) in a four round decision … what was the year ?
answer is – 1952
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(Spring 2010 Edition)

I would like to take the opportunity, as I do quarterly, to thank the many that help contribute to the continuing success of this website. These are people that offer their expertise in a way that I am so very grateful and without them I would be captain of a ship without a crew.

In no particular order they are John Boitnott (Producer), Nancy Cole, and Kathy Kraft (Proof Readers), Bob Quackenbush (Proof Reader and Photo Editing), Rusty Rubin (In Rusty’s Corner), Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer), Rick Farris and Ray Cerda (Boxing Freelance Writers), and Eric Angella (Web Master).
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Johnny, with friends
Gwen Adair and
David Martinez
By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

I am happy to announce the date and location for a tribute to Johnny Ortiz is now officially set for Sunday, May 23, 2010 at the Stevens Steak House, 5332 E. Stevens Place, Commerce, California 90040.

Festivities will begin at 1pm, with tickets priced at $40.00, and lunch will be served. This event will be highlighted by a book signing of Johnny’s new book “My Life Among the Icons” and will have many fighters past and present in attendance to honor Johnny.
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CLEVELAND WILLIAMS (Oct 1997)
photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer
    
  When Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams passed away a few years back, it
ended the final chapter of a story about three gifted heavyweights from the
50’s and 60’s. Williams joined Eddie Machen and Zora Folley to form a trio
of hard luck boxers who met tragic deaths after a career of frustration.
Machen lost a decision to Ernie Terrell in a 1965 W.B.A. title bout. Later
Eddie suffered some mental problems and eventually committed suicide. Folley
who was stopped in seven by Muhammad Ali in 1967 died of injuries suffered
in a poolside accident. Machen and Folley passed on several years ago.
Williams lived to be 66 before being struck down by a moving vehicle. All
three would finally receive their title shots long after their prime. One
wonders how they would have made out if they got their chance five years
earlier against Floyd Patterson. To Floyd’s credit he did win a twelve round
decision over Machen in 1964, two years after he lost his crown to Sonny
Liston.

      Williams began his career in 1951 and won his first 27 fights, 23 by
knockout. In 1954, he suffered a knockout loss to Bob Satterfield. Cleveland
did not box in 1955 because he was in the Army. When he resumed his career
he ran off 12 straight wins leading him to a match with the feared Sonny
Liston. The two traded bombs until Sonny put over the sleeper in round two.
Eleven months later they met again in another war with Sonny winning in
round three.
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Article by David Martinez – Boxing Historian,
Photo of Peter Jackson, from David Martinez Private Collection

Let me bring you a feature story that you will probably not read any where regarding, all together, the five best black heavyweights at the turn of the 20th century.

I got the idea when I over heard some mutual friends talking about the best black baseball players that never got the chance to play in the major leagues, and had to settle playing against each other in the old negro league.

I have rated many boxers in many categories throughout my 50 years of boxing … on this website alone you will find that I have rated the best heavyweights, the best lightweights, the best Mexicans fighters, and now I will personally rate the best black heavyweights in a time period that but only one of them, Jack Johnson, had the opportunity to fight for the heavyweight championship.

But before Johnson came into the scene, I must acknowledge Peter Jackson. He was a true pioneer in the brass knuckle days, and the first black heavyweight that set the stage for the top recognition of the black boxers, and that was before the turn of the 20th century.
Racial prejudice was the only thing that kept Jackson from his chance to win the heavyweight championship. In a ten year span, 1882-1892, in which Jackson was in his prime, the heavyweight champion was John L. Sullivan, who stated that he would never fight a Negro for his crown.

Just before Sullivan lost his coveted belt, in 1892, to James J Corbett, a year prior to that fight in 1891 Jackson fought Corbett to a grueling 61 round draw, in a bout that lasted over four hours. Jackson would never fight Corbett once he held the title, and lost to another future heavyweight champion Jim Jeffries seven years later after the Corbett fight, in a fight that virtually ended his career.
Jackson “aka” The Black Prince was considered by many boxing experts (even to this to this day) at the peak of his career as one of the most complete heavyweights ever.

After the turn of the 20th century, I rate Jack Johnson the best at that time, and in his prime he was truly the top heavyweight. Johnson was a master defensive boxer, and well ahead of his time among any of the great boxers, black or white in his era. He won the heavyweight championship when he was 32 years old, Ali was 22, and Joe Louis was 23. He was the central figure in the most dramatic fight in heavyweight boxing history; his July 4, 1910, bout with Jim Jeffries caused more national repercussions than any thing ever seen in the sport. Johnson fought the best in his time, and lost the championship to Jess Willard on a “controversial” knockout. The late Nat Fleischer, Ring Magazine founder, and in my opinion, said Johnson was simply the best heavyweight champion ever.
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1) The biggest grossing fight, to date ($18,419,200.00) is ?
a) Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson
b) Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton
c) Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather
d) Joe Calzaghe vs. Bernard Hopkins

2) The first recognized “female vs. male” boxing match took place in Michigan City, Indiana, where a woman (Joanna Hagen) beat a man (Norm Jones) in a four round decision … what was the year ?
a) 1942
b) 1952
c) 1962
d) 1972
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Rusty Rubin is a veteran boxing writer

A boxing writer/maven named Mike Silver was kind enough to send me his new book, “The Arc of Boxing”. This book pulls no punches and clearly explains why boxers in the past were better than fighters in recent times. And, that’s something I absolutely agree with.

Boxers in the past were ‘hungry’ and would take a fight on a moments notice. They learned best because they faced the best. They stayed in shape because they had to survive in tough economic times. Times are also tough now, but you don’t see a lot of young people turning to the ring for a livelihood.

Today there are a rash of title’s to go around. There has been a crossover to mixed martial arts, which I personally do not enjoy watching. But there are enough paying customers willing to accept it, so MMA will keep going for at least while longer.

Anyone wishing to debate Mr. Silver’s conclusions should first pick up and read this book. He makes a very strong case for the good old days, and is backed up by noted boxing trainers, writers and historians.
James “Lights Out” Toney, 41, has decided to switch his focus to MMA which could prove interesting.
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I am simply thrilled to be able to continue to offer my dmboxing.com website hat at a low discount price … is just my way to say, that I know you have many choices in boxing and thank you for making this website one of them.

This hat is blue in color, has logo embroidered on front and website address in embroidered on back with adjustable velcro strap to fit all sizes.

To stay on course in this tough time with the state of our economy, I am delighted to report that the price of this very attractive product will remain at $12.00 each and with FREE shipping to anywhere in the USA.
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1) In 1883, who was the first boxer to knock down John L Sullivan in a prize fight ?
answer is – Charley Mitchell

2) What former wrestling champion had a short undefeated (8-0) boxing career, and his father once fought Max Bear, Sam Langford, Primo Carnera, and Jack Johnson ?
answer is – Bearcat Wright
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be sure to stay posted to dmboxing.com every month for your complete boxing schedule

Friday, March 5, 2010 (ESPN2)
from: Temecula, CA
Martin Honorio vs. Wilton Hilario (WBO Super Featerweight Championship)
Rico Ramos vs. Cecilio Santos (Bantamweights)

Saturday, March 6, 2010 (HBO)
from: Uncasville, Connecticut
Devon Alexander vs. Juan Urango (WBC Super Lightweight Championship)
Steve Forbes vs. Harrison Cuello (Welterweights)

Saturday, March 6, 2010 (Showtime)
from: Rancho Mirage, CA
Leonardo Zappavigna vs. Fernando Angulo (Lightweights)
Vic Darchinyan vs. Rodrigo Guerrero (WBA / WBC Super Flyweight Championship)
(more…)