Category Archives: Heavyweights

James J. Corbett

David Martinez, Heavyweights, History

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

The rich history in boxing has always intrigued me. The old boxers have fascinated me since my childhood. I would pick the minds of people that lived before I was born to educate myself about how they lived.

Even though I have never spoken to anyone that actually saw him fight, James J. Corbett  was certainly a great boxer in his own right prior to the turn of the 20th century. His fame came when he knocked out undefeated champion John L. Sullivan to win the heavyweight title in 1892. With this victory, Corbett became the first heavyweight to win a championship under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules.

Corbett was born on September 1, 1866 in San Francisco, California.

As a young teenager he took a job as a bank clerk, and outside of his life at the bank, he began training under the watchful eye of Englishman boxing instructor Walter Watson at the local Olympic Athletic Club.

In July 1886, at the age of eighteen, Corbett had his first professional fight which was a knockout victory over Frank Smith. After a few fights and exhibitions in between, Corbett’s career took off when he faced Joe Choynski in a three fight series that began on May 30, 1889. The first fight of the trilogy was ruled a no-contest after four rounds when it was stopped by the local Fairfax, California, Sheriff due to jurisdiction restrictions. The second fight was just six days later in nearby Benecia, where the fight was held on a barge. It was a terrific, action packed bout and in round three the seams in Choynski’s gloves cut Corbett’s face. Later in the fight, Corbett broke his left hand, yet he came through to knockout Choynski in the 27th round with a left hook to the head. The two fought again on July 15, 1889 with Corbett winning a four round decision. The amazing thing was that all three fights were completed, in succession, in a forty-six day time frame.

 On February 18, 1890, Corbett won by decision over Jake Kilrain who had earlier fought an epic battle in a loss to John L. Sullivan. In a fight for the ages, on May 21, 1891, at the Athletic Club in San Francisco, Corbett faced an outstanding boxer, Peter Jackson, a black fighter known as the “Black Prince”, who Sullivan had refused to fight. The Jackson bout ended with both men completely exhausted. The decision was ruled a no-contest after 61 grueling rounds.

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Al Nelson / Boxing Historian

David Martinez, Heavyweights, History

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of meeting some very interesting and knowledgeable people in boxing since my love and interest in the sport began in 1961.

Al Nelson was one person who I came across, and I am very lucky to have known him.

Nelson was the curator of the Jeffries Barn Museum located at Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California. I was introduced to him though my friend, Gary Ballin, in the late sixties. Nelson was a true living icon and boxing historian from the turn of the 20th Century in the Jim Jeffries, Jack Johnson, and Bob Fitzsimmons era. I would take it upon myself to make many visits to Al just for the opportunity to learn, educating myself about the era of boxing history in which he lived.

I remember a few things from our talks. He stated that Bob Fitzsimmons was the hardest puncher of his time; that Jim Corbett was a complete master in the ring; and although Jeffries was his favorite, Jack Johnson was the best of the heavyweights.

Just before he passed away, Nelson gave me many old photos and booklets, plus a very special gift which is an original cigar box (circa 1900) with the image of undefeated heavyweight champion Jim Jeffries on the cover. I was humbled when he said “David, your enthusiasm is such a delight to me.”

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George Foreman (R.I.P.)

Heavyweights, R.I.P.

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

So incredibly sad – in learning about the loss of one of the greatest heavyweight boxing champions – ever – George Foreman. The news of his passing (March 21, 2025) just staggered me & as well as others. I can tell many stories, but one that stands out to me is from October 19, 2002 at the World Boxing Hall of Fame banquet. Upon his induction – in my position as Board of Director – I personally escorted George into the Green Room before his pre-interview with CNN television. I was able to spend precious time with the champ & take a few photos & he autographed one of my collectable photos of himself … such a giving & gracious man – iconic in the boxing world … may his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord!

(Professional Ring Record: 76-5 / 68 by KO)

Sebastian Fundora Defeats Chordale Booker … AND … Saying Goodbye to George Foreman / R.I.P.

Heavyweights, R.I.P., Recent Fights, Tom Donelson

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

Sebastian Fundora kept his unified WBC and WBO championship with an easy fourth stoppage of Chordale Booker.  Fundora, who carries 154 pounds on a 6 foot five inches presents a challenge for any fighter, and he used his reach and height to be bloodied Booker behind his left-handed jab.

Fundora stunned Booker and with a combination that sent the challenge down.  Compubox punch stats says it all as he landed more than double the punches and dominated power shots landing 50 versus only 16 for Booker.

CompuBox Punch Stats

PunchesFundoraBooker
Total landed7937
Total thrown361150
Percent21.9%24.7%
Jabs landed2921
Jabs thrown21190
Percent13.7%23.3%
Power landed5016
Power thrown15060
Percent33.3%26.7%
   

Fundora noted Booker did a lot of movement, mostly to avoid getting nailed.   Originally he was to fight Errol Spence, but that fight has been canceled.

Fundora has some compelling matches coming up including Puerto Rican undefeated fighter Xander Zayas who is a mandatory opponent or a reunification Bakhram Murtazalieve. 

George Forman was one of the great heavyweights and did what was consider impossible, he lost a title in 1974 to the great Ali but then 21 years later he came back in a miraculous way to recapture his title against Michael Moorer, a fight he was losing by a wide margin before he stopped Moorer..  

After nine rounds, Foreman was down 9 rounds to zero but in the tenth round, he caught Moorer with a left hook and then finished up Moorer with a straight right.  This was a redemption 21 years in the making, making up for his loss to Ali in the rumble in the jungle.

Continue reading Sebastian Fundora Defeats Chordale Booker … AND … Saying Goodbye to George Foreman / R.I.P. →

Jerry Quarry – REVISITED

David Martinez, FLASHBACK, Heavyweights, History, Jerry Quarry, Jim Amato

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

FLASHBACK ~ One of my favorite article pieces from Jim Amato that I would like to share is this one regarding Jerry Quarry. In loving memory of our friend, I am reposting this for viewing. Jim Amato was truly respected by many that knew him as simply a top-notch boxing historian and expert overall sports collector, he passed away on February 22, 2022, after a lengthy bout with cancer at the young age of 66 years old. He came on board to dmboxing in 2008 with excellent contributions in boxing … may his soul rest peacefully in heaven with the Lord.

I personally knew Jerry Quarry, and he was always kind towards me. He told me many amazing stories and I saw him fight many times. Here’s sharing two photos from my collection, attending his fight with Scrap Iron Johnson on March 19, 1970 at the Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California.

Pictured: Referee Dick Young / Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon Sr. / Trainer Johnny Flores

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Primo Carnera – REVISTED

David Martinez, Heavyweights, History, Movies

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

I have had several inquiries regarding Primo Carnera, with people asking if I have any untold stories from the old timers that lived in his era. Well, there have been three that have told me various stories of interest that I can share. The three men were Emil De Loreto, Joe Campos and Tim Cobos, all respected friends that have passed away (R.I.P.) that knew boxing at its best.

Emil DeLoreto / Acknowledged from his sources that Primo had many fixed fights with most of them leading up to his title fight, when he won the heavyweight championship on June 29, 1933, defeating Jack Sharkey by 6th round knockout. DeLoreto also elaborated that some of his closest friends witnessed Primo losing the title to Max Baer on June 14,1934, taking eleven brutal knock downs in their fight which ended by 11th round knockout. On June 25, 1935 at Yankee Stadium, New York, DeLoreto witnessed a young, upcoming Joe Louis defeat Primo by 6th round knockout.

Joe Campos / Acknowledged seeing Primo as a young kid himself in several wrestling matches at the old Mission Arena in Santa Barbara, California in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Campos said his father, a boxing trainer at the venue, took him to the matches and they actually met Primo in the dressing room area; he said his handlers used the name “Satchel Feet” referring to his huge feet – a quote that I never forgot.

Tim Cobos / Acknowledged knowing Babe McCoy, who was instrumental in starting Primo’s wrestling career, after he retired from boxing. Cobos also saw Primo wrestle several times at the historic Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, and met him at a local show in Santa Barbara, California. An amazing fact is that Primo engaged in over 3,000 bouts in his sixteen-year wrestling career.

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Usyk Defeats Fury in Rematch by Unanimous Decision

Heavyweights, Recent Fights, Tom Donelson

By Tom Donelson (BWAA) Member Boxing Writers Association of America – respected and honorable contributor to www.dmboxing.com since 2008

Oleksandr Usyk may be the best heavyweight of his generation, and he proved this as he defeated Tyson Fury for a second time in another tightly contested fight.  Fury is his rival and the one who has been a leading heavyweight for the past decade since he defeated Wladmir Klitschko to take his title.   Usyk was the older fighter and smaller fighter, who came up from the cruiserweight division before becoming the best heavyweight in the world and faced a big challenge against the bigger Fury.  Since the Klitschko brothers left the heavyweight scene after dominating it from 2004 to 2015, fellow Ukrainian Usyk has added to Ukraine’s list of great heavyweights in this century.

Tyson Fury has had a history of adopting new tactics in a rematch as he showed in the Wilder trilogy. In his first fight, he boxed and nearly lost the fight but for a gutsy performance of managing to survive a brutal knockdown in round 12. In the rematch, he became the aggressor and used his height and weight to overpower Wilder.   In their final match, Fury combined power and boxing skills to wear out Wilder and stopped him.

In their first fight, Fury landed 157 punches in a close fight with a connect rate of 32 percent whereas Usyk was the more accurate boxer landing 170 punches for 41 percent connect rate.  Usyk wore Fury out in the later rounds.  In the rematch, Usyk connected on 179 punches to Fury’s 144 punches and connected on a little over 42 percent versus Fury 28 percent.  In ten of the rounds, Usyk landed more punches than Fury.  And Fury did come in 14 pounds, or as the Brits would say, one stone heavier.

While this does not speak to the overall quality of the punches and many rounds were decided by one or two punches, this shows that Usyk connected more consistently throughout the fight versus Fury.

In the opening rounds, Fury opened up boxing and jabbing, even on occasions switching to southpaw.  Usyk in the fourth round nailed Fury with two big left hooks and Fury countered with powerful rights and as time wound down, he unleashed a right upper cut.  This round showed the competitive nature of the fight, and this round went Fury but in the previous third round, Usyk began to pressure Fury as he battered Fury to the body.

Halfway through the fight it was a close but as the second half proceeded, Usyk took control of the bout.  Over the last five rounds he landed 54 percent of his power shots and overall, he landed more punches than any other Fury opponent. I had it 116-112.

 

Over the years, Fury has proven to be a good boxer with defensive skills, but Usyk’s boxing skills overcame Fury’s size, boxing skills and power and allowed him to win two closes but no doubt decisions.

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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.

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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.

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