RING TRIVIA for December 2024

David Martinez, Trivia

I have always been intrigued with boxing trivia. This actually began back when I was a kid in 1961. I would pick the minds of the older generation and ask questions about their era to educate myself. It’s now my pleasure to bring the boxing trivia format to my website www.dmboxing.com for everyone to enjoy. On a quarterly basis I post five (5) multiple choice questions – in March, June, September, and December – with the correct answers to follow by end of each posting month for your viewing.

David Martinez / Boxing Historian

1 – When Oscar De La Hoya suffered the first knock down of his professional career, who was his opponent?

a) Troy Dorsey

b) Narcisco Valenzuela 

c) Jimmy Bredahl

d) Jorge Paez 

2 – Who was the first heavyweight to win the championship three times?

a) Floyd Patterson

b) George Foreman

c) Joe Frazier

d) Muhammad Ali 

Continue reading RING TRIVIA for December 2024 →

Tommy Ryan

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, History, Middleweights

*** FLASHBACK ***

This article was originally published on www.dmboxing.com (June 16, 2021) for viewing

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

One of the greatest boxers at the turn of the 20th century was certainly Tommy Ryan. Born on March 31, 1870 in Redwood, New York by the name Joseph Youngs, he later changed his name after running away from home at a young age.

He worked in lumber yard camps, where he learned his boxing skills. On January 1, 1887, at the age of 17, he turned professional and scored knockout wins in seventeen of his first eighteen fights.

In his career he would engage in a five fight series with the tough Mysterious Billy Smith, and after two draws, Ryan would win a 20-round decision in their third fight to capture Smith’s welterweight title on July 26, 1894.

On January 18, 1895, Ryan defeated top contender Jack Dempsey (The Nonpareil) by a third round stoppage to retain his title.

Ryan would fight Smith again in their fourth encounter on May 27, 1895, but the police interfered in the eighteenth round and the result was ruled a draw.

The following year on March 2, 1896, Ryan suffered his first career loss to Kid McCoy by a 15 round stoppage.

Continue reading Tommy Ryan →

Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson by Decision … Katie Taylor over Amanda Serrano

Heavyweights, Recent Fights, Tom Donelson

By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)

The big fight on Netflix was Mike Tyson versus Jake Paul or that was the the fight that got all the intention.  Jake Paul’s job was to defeat a former great heavyweight who has not been in the ring in two decades and eligible for senior citizen discount. 

J

ake Paul did what Jake Paul was supposed to do, win the bout with jabs and combinations whereas Tyson hardly looked the fearsome fighter he was at his peak and connected on two punches per round.  It was easy fight for Paul and sad ending for Tyson but both men got rich in the process. 60 million people tuned in. 

In the fight round Paul landed a right that shook Tyson and Tyson landed a left hook that twenty years ago would have sent Paul in the front row, but it did nothing .   Paul jab was effective in keeping Tyson off.  I could remember a time when no jab would keep Tyson off in his prime.  He would find a way around it and knock you out.  But that was the young twenty something Tyson.  Tonight, father time reminded Tyson that indeed, he was an old fighter.

Continue reading Jake Paul defeats Mike Tyson by Decision … Katie Taylor over Amanda Serrano →

Major Fighters Headline Fight Club OC Upcoming December 5th Show

California Boxing, dmboxing.com, Upcoming Fights

Fight Club OC Dec 5th Show = BIG TALENT

Costa Mesa, CA / Now on an 18 show sellout streak, Fight Club OC wants to thank its fans by putting together a Thursday, December 5th fight card that is as good a show as anywhere.

How about this terrific lineup:

The return of new Golden Boy Promotions top middleweight prospect (9-0 / 8 by KO) Jordan Panthen in the main event of the evening.

Also, how about 20-1 Vlad Panin now on a 13 bout winning streak.

How about Anaheim’s 1-0 Diego Aviles who stunned the Hangar crowd with a 1st round KO in his pro debut in August.

How about 4-0 Magi Kharkhuu a real young prospect.

Continue reading Major Fighters Headline Fight Club OC Upcoming December 5th Show →

Official Boxing Record

Boxing Books, David Martinez, History

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Back in the late 1970’s, I was introduced to a man that was the outstanding editor and publisher of the monthly Official Boxing Record, Dick Mastro. Although I did not know Dick personally as he was based out of Hollywood, California, I always admired his dedication to a publication that offered boxers’ ring records, world ratings, international champions, the mail box, a classified directory, and my favorite features, Down Cauliflower Alley by Noble “Kid” Chissell and Squaring the Round by Dick Mastro. 

Through the years, I have subscribed and collected over 100 copies of his fine (digest size) product. I have always contended that the greatest boxing historians that I have met are Al Nelson, Nat Fleischer, Bert Sugar, Hank Kaplan, Don Fraser, and Emanuel Steward; but it just might be appropriate to add Dick Mastro to that list of men who collectively knew boxing to the highest degree.

Continue reading Official Boxing Record →

Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena

FLASHBACK, Heavyweights, Jim Amato

*** FLASHBACK *** In loving memory and respect to our friend Jim Amato (R.I.P.) this article piece was originally published on www.dmboxing for viewing on April 19, 2013. In remembrance of Jim, never to be forgotten, all his postings can be located by clicking onto his name in the Categories section. He came on board to dmboxing in 2008 and truly contributed the best of the best in boxing. Jim was truly respected world-wide by many as a boxing historian and sports collector, he passed away in Ashland, Ohio on February 22, 2021, after a bout with cancer at the age of 66. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

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By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

         Who was the greatest fighter to come out of Argentina? Well pound for pound you would probably say Carlos Monzon or possibly Pascual Perez. You could make a case for Nicolino Locche too. Who was the biggest and baddest of all Argentine fighters? Many would say Luis “Angel” Firpo. I’ll go with Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena.

         When Oscar started his career in 1964, he met tough opponents like Tom McNeely and Dick Wipperman. In his first bout in 1965, he was overmatched and defeated by veteran contender Zora Folley. Oscar left New York and returned to Argentina. He defeated the very capable Gregorio Paralta and American import, Billy Daniels. When he returned to New York in 1966, he outpointed equally rugged George Chuvalo.

         Oscar was then matched with 1964 Olympic Gold Medal winner, Joe Frazier. The fight was classic. Oscar had Joe down twice but Frazier came back to win a close decision. In 1967, Oscar was entered in the eight man tourney to determine the defrocked Muhammad Ali’s successor. Oscar traveled to Germany and trounced southpaw Karl Mildenberger. In his next match he was floored twice and soundly beaten by the eventual tourney winner, Jimmy Ellis. Oscar regrouped in 1968 beating Folley in a rematch and also the respected, Leotis Martin. He was matched again with Joe Frazier for the New York State version of the crown. Oscar fell behind early but he came back strong only to drop the verdict. Bonavena would still remain a viable contender for several more years.

Continue reading Oscar “Ringo” Bonavena →

What’s My Line / TV Show … Featuring Sugar Ray Robinson

"Sugar" Ray Robinson, David Martinez, FLASHBACK, Video, What's My Line

FLASHBACK !!!

This article feature was originally published on June 21, 2013 for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

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This popular panel game show ran on CBS-TV from 1950 to 1967. This is Sugar Ray Robinson – the show was shot on July 1, 1956 – almost 57 years ago. Sugar Ray is considered the greatest boxer of all time in any weight class by experts in boxing. The phrase “pound for pound” was invented just for him when they compare any boxer of any era. I am sharing a photo that he autographed for me at a local amateur boxing show in my home town of Santa Barbara, California in 1986. This photo was taken in New York on September 23, 1958; he is with Hogan “Kid” Bassey (left) displaying their world championship belts. Click below on link to view: What’s My Line episode.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAMb_XMfhkE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

dmboxing.com Products

David Martinez, dmboxing.com Products

Here’s sharing a copy of a recent Facebook post regarding my website products and to say thank you to those that wear displaying dmboxing.com

The start of dmboxing.com began in July 2007, and since there have been 2,115 publishing posts.

It’s just such a delight to provide boxing as I know it to the many that have subscribed and continue in support.

Respectfully, David Martinez / Boxing Historian