Category Archives: FLASHBACK

Marquis of Queensberry Rules

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, History

*** FLASHBACK ***

This article originally was published on June 25, 2019 for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez  / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Arguably, the most important piece of boxing writing was by John Graham Chambers in 1865, a member of the Amateur Athletic Club in London, England .

Chambers wrote twelve rules to govern the conduct of boxing matches which would end the governed structure of bare-knuckle fighting.

John Sholto Douglas, eighth Marquis of Queensberry, was responsible for putting these rules into effect and gained fame with his sponsorship and by lending his name to the title . The new rules thus would supersede the Revised London Prize Ring Rules, which were written by Jack Broughton in 1743.

The first fight that applied Queensberry Rules was the heavyweight championship when Jim Corbett knocked out John L . Sullivan in twenty-one rounds to win the title at the Olympic Club in New Orleans on September 7, 1892.

Continue reading Marquis of Queensberry Rules →

“After The Last Round”

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, Movies

*** FLASHBACK *** This article originally was published on www.dmboxing.com for viewing on February 3, 2009

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

On January 29, 2009, the setting was the Lobero Theater, site of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for the world premiere of the movie “After The Last Round” .

There were several hundred people in attendance including acclaimed movie director Ron Shelton. They were treated to director Ryan Pettey’s eighty eight minute boxing documentary based on the careers of former junior middleweight champion Denny Moyer and his brother Phil, who both fought in the late fifties and into the late sixties with both sustaining long term brain injuries .

Tom Moyer, a cousin to Denny and Phil, is the Executive producer and was instrumental in putting this project together.

I was first approached by Tom and his son Patrick and Ryan Pettey in 2006 about appearing in the film and I am just honored to have been able to contribute .

There were an array of boxing experts and personalities throughout the film, such as: Bert Sugar, Emanuel Stewart, Freddie Roach, former Canadian heavyweight champion George Chuvalo, Johnny Ortiz – former radio host of “Ringside LA”, Alex Ramos and Jacquie Richardson with the Retired Boxers Foundation, top heavyweight contender DaVarryl Williamson, and current IFBA women’s champion Kelsey Jeffries. Also highlighted into the film were a cast of doctors who added their expertise.

Williamson’s wife Shalifa, and Jeffries manager Bruce Anderson were simply positive and added wonderfully to the film.

Continue reading “After The Last Round” →

Chacon vs. Lopez ~ Truly a CLASSIC

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, History

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This article was originally published May 18, 2012 on www.dmboxing.com – AND … now reposting it this month for remembrance on this 50th year anniversary month of their fight.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

The date was May 24, 1974 when Bobby “Schoolboy”  Chacon and Danny “Little Red” Lopez met in the ring for a long awaited and most anticipated bout between two Southern California rising stars. I was there that night ringside and sitting next to me was HBO Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel – who at that time was a sportscaster for KNBC channel 4 in Los Angeles. The mega match was promoted by “the first lady of boxing” Aileen Eaton and was held at the LA Sports Arena with a crowd of over 16,000 in attendance . Chacon was 23-1 entering the fight and Lopez was a perfect 23-0 with 21 of those bouts ending by knockout.

The two fighters lived up to all the hype and staged an action packed fight up to the ninth round, where Chacon scored a spectacular knockout stopping the previously undefeated Lopez in 48 seconds of that round . Both would go on to win world championships, Chacon the WBC Featherweight (1974-75) and the WBC Super Featherweight (1982-84) titles and Lopez the WBC Featherweight (1976-80) title.

Continue reading Chacon vs. Lopez ~ Truly a CLASSIC →

Ernie Terrell

Ernie Terrell, FLASHBACK, Heavyweights

*** FLASHBACK – This article was originally published for viewing on www.dmboxing.com / dated August 2, 2007 – and, this version adding some extra photos.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

My friend – Ernie Terrell

On October 16, 2004, Ernie Terrell was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame, and I was so honored to be chosen as his presenter.

In my 47 years of following boxing, I have been gifted to have met so many wonderful people – but Ernie just has to be that one on the top, as he is such a humble man that I respect, not only as a fighter, but as a human being.

Continue reading Ernie Terrell →

Roy Jones Jr. versus the 70’s and 80’s

Dream Fights, FLASHBACK, Jim Amato, R.I.P.

*** FLASHBACK *** In loving memory and respect to a wonderful friend Jim Amato (R.I.P.) here’s sharing his article piece that was originally published on July 11, 2013 on www.dmboxing.com

In remembrance of Jim, never to be forgotten, all his postings can be viewed by clicking onto his name in the Categories section. He came on board to dmboxing.com in 2008 and contributed simply the best of the best in boxing. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

ROY vs -crop

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

Where would Roy Jones Jr. have fit in during the talent rich 70’s and early 80’s? I have picked who, in my opinion, were the ten best light heavyweights of that time period. Eight were champions and two were long time contenders. I then matched each against Roy in scheduled fifteen round bouts as they were back then. Based on my recollections of these boxers talents, I have formed the following scenarios.

Continue reading Roy Jones Jr. versus the 70’s and 80’s →

Mario D’Agata

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, History

***** FLASHBACK *****

This article was originally published on www.dmboxing.com on June 16, 2020

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

There have been many handicaps to boxers in the ring – one eye, broken nose, severe cuts, ankle sprain, etc, but I must say the most debilitating handicaps has to be a deaf mute .

Mario D’Agata, an Italian professional boxer, was the first and only world champion to be just that.

D’Agata was born on May 29, 1926 in Arezzo, Italy . As a child he grew up with his disability, and was a prime target for teasing and taunting.  He would resort to prove himself by turning to street fighting to demonstrate his equality .

At a young age his parents moved him from Tuscany to Rome seeking help from doctors for a cure. It was there that he saw a boxing poster hanging outside a gym . He peeked into the gym and was drawn to amazement of the boxers at that moment watching them train with such grace and perfection.

At the age of 20 years old he began to fight in amateur bouts, and recorded 90 wins in his 110 bouts .

D’Agata turned pro on October 14, 1950. After assembling a ring record of 22 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws, on September 26, 1953 he would win the Italian Bantamweight title over Gianni Zuddas.

Continue reading Mario D’Agata →

Jimmy Barry

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, History

FLASHBACK – This article was originally published on August 15, 2017 for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

There is a boxer that nobody ever talks about these days. A boxer who seems to have been lost in the fog of time, but whom I rate as one of the finest to ever come out of Chicago! His name is Jimmy Barry. He was known as “Little Tiger” and this 5-feet-2 Irish kid was as good as they come .

Born on March 7, 1870 he started his professional boxing career in 1891, winning 27 straight without a loss, with 18 of those wins coming by knockout.  On December 5, 1893 he knocked out Jack Levy in 17 rounds to win the “100 pound Championship of America”.

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40th Anniversary – FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

Ali, David Martinez, FLASHBACK, Heavyweights, History

*** FLASHBACK *** This article was originally published for viewing exactly 13 years ago (March 5, 2011) on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

As we approach this week in boxing, something that will forever live in the sport happened forty years ago: Muhammad Ali vs . Joe Frazier – the FIGHT OF THE CENTURY. On March 8, 1971, the boxing world saw the most eagerly anticipated championship fight that I have ever been involved with in my fifty years in boxing.

The fight itself exceeded even its own promotional hype between two fighters unbeaten and having contrasting styles. They both had legitimate claims to the heavyweight title, Ali as lineal champion (31-0 / 25 by KO) and Frazier as the undisputed heavyweight champion (26-0 / 23 by KO) . The guaranteed purses were 2.5 million dollars to each, then a record for a single prize fight.

I will always remember where I was on that Monday night, watching on closed circuit, at the historic Granada Theater, Santa Barbara, California .

The fight took place at Madison Square Garden, New York City, with a star studded audience. The ringside commentators were Don Dunphy and Archie Moore, and my late friend Arthur Mercante served as the referee.

Continue reading 40th Anniversary – FIGHT OF THE CENTURY →

Sir Henry Cooper

FLASHBACK, Heavyweights, Jim Amato, R.I.P.

FLASHBACK – In loving memory and respect to a wonderful friend Jim Amato (R.I.P.) here’s sharing his article piece that was originally published dated October 11, 2014 on www.dmboxig.com

In remembrance of Jim Amato, never to be forgotten, all his postings can be viewed by clicking onto his name in the Categories section. He came on board to dmboxing in 2008 and contributed simply the best of the best in boxing. May his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

Sir Henry Cooper0002

By Jim Amato (Senior Boxing Writer)

He came from a fighting family and by the time his boxing career ended in 1971 he was the most beloved British boxer of all time . Only once did he challenge for the world’s title but he dominated the British heavyweight scene for over fifteen years. His popularity soared even more after retirement and eventually the Queen of England knighted him . Sir Henry Cooper was more than just a British fighter. He was a fine example of what British boxing is all about. 

Henry’s professional career started in September of 1954 and he proceeded to win his first nine fights including an eight round points win over Joe Bygraves . In Henry’s tenth bout he lost the first of many bouts due to an eye cut to Uber Bacilleri. He would later avenge that loss. The roller coaster career of Henry Cooper had now begun. He would drop a ten rounder to Joe Erskine and stop Brian London in one round only to lose in five to Peter Bates. 1955 was a rough year for Henry as Bygraves kayoed him for the British Empire title. Future world champion Ingemar Johansson then bombed him out. Joe Erskine then outscored him for the British title. Henry began to turn things around late in 1958 with a stoppage over Dick Richardson and a point win over respected American Zora Folley. He finally won the British and Empire titles by decision over Brian London in 1959. He halted Gawie de Klerk in an Empire defense and defended both titles by a fifth round stoppage of Joe Erskine. In 1960 Henry scored important decision victories of Roy Harris and Alex Mitiff. He again defended his titles by a fifth round stoppage of Erskine in March of 1961. On December 5, 1961 Henry suffered a major setback when Folley kayoed him in the second round of their rematch.

Continue reading Sir Henry Cooper →

Cotto vs. Mosley – REVISITED

"Sugar" Shane Mosley, FLASHBACK, Guest Post, Ray Cerda

FLASHBACK – This article was originally published on www.dmboxing.com on September 12, 2007 for viewing respectfully by my good friend Ray Cerda

By Ray Cerda / Guest Post

On Saturday, November 10th, the most anticipated fight of the year will take place, as Miguel Cotto will put his WBA world title on the line when he squares off against WBC Interim Champion Sugar Shane Mosley.

The fight will take place inside the Mecca of boxing, Madison Square Garden.

Tickets have been on sale since September 6th with seat prices going for $750, $500, $300, $200 and $100 .

The fight will be available on closed circuit TV and also pay per view with a suggested retail price of $49.95.

Both fighters bring a skill set that has made both of them world champions, but also bring a tremendous amount of will to win this fight.

There is no need for animosity or trash talking.

This fight sells itself.

This fight not only has two world-class fighters fighting each other, but also two world-class guys who hold nothing but respect for one another.

Shane believes that Miguel will be the toughest body puncher he has ever faced.

With Miguel acknowledging that Shane is his biggest test to date.

In addition, both fighters have given their word that this would not be a snooze fest nor would they be content winning by running and dancing – which therefore means fireworks for us fans.

Continue reading Cotto vs. Mosley – REVISITED →