Category Archives: History

James J. Corbett

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

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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A Night Meeting Sugar Ray Robinson

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

I will always remember October 23, 1986, when I was scheduled to referee and judge several amateur bouts on a huge local boxing show in Santa Barbara, California. The bouts were matched and supervised by Art Carbajal in conjunction with our local boxing club, La Casa De La Raza.

The absolute highlight of the evening was the attendance of Sugar Ray Robinson, rated by 98% of all boxing experts and historians world-wide as the greatest boxer “pound for pound” of all time. I was fortunate to personally meet him, obtain his autograph, shake his hand, and take several photos, which are simply priceless.

In the dressing room area after the bouts, I spent some quiet time with him and his wife, discussing various historic moments in his brilliant career. We addressed the topic of who exactly was Sugar Ray’s toughest opponent, which I said was Jake La Motta. However, I was nicely corrected, as they confirmed it was Fritzie Zivic.  

After that evening we would go on to exchange letters and Christmas cards; this lasted until Millie’s death in November 1995.

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Jerry Quarry – REVISITED

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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Gathering of Angels – REVISITED

“Gathering of Angels”

FLASHBACK — This historic article feature was originally published back on July 23, 2007 … in which it certainly generated many views of interest and now reposting with the addition of two rare photos for viewing on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

This is a story about Ray Owens, my friend and an amazing man who in 1968 was the founder of GATHERING OF ANGELS. This group is now known as the Golden State Boxers Association, and is the longest running organized boxing club in the United States.

As a member of the Golden State Boxers Association, I met Ray Owens at a meeting several months ago and I was just simply overwhelmed by the man. He is humble, sensible, and so knowledgeable about boxing.

So for those who don’t know, let me present a capsule look at what started thirty almost thirty-nine years ago.

On August 23, 1968, the Don Hotel. 105 E. “I” street, Wilmington, California, was the stage for the first Los Angeles-based gathering of boxers past and present. The intent of this gala event was to just renew old acquaintances, and, for chairman Ray Owens to begin to take the necessary steps for the creation of a pension plan and trust fund for retired boxers.

Some of the boxers that were present were Ace Hudkins, Noble “Kid” Chissell, Ever Hammer, Jimmy McLarwin, Tommy Nelson, Bobo Olson, Mushy Callahan, Tommy Randell, Georgie Levine, Gil Cadilli, Kenny La Salle, Clarence Henry, Goldie Hess, Rudy Garza, Davey Gallardo, Dado Marino, just to name a few.

Other boxing greats such as Max Schemeling, Ralph Dupas, Jack Sharky, Ray Lunny, Fridel La Barba, Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey, Archie Moore, Ring Magazine editor Nat Fleischer, and ring announcer Don Dunphy sent letters and telegrams that were read expressing their support.

The first ever top honor trophy given by the organization was presented to oldest ex-fighter alive – a man who had lived in the nearby San Fernando Valley – former Heavyweight Champion Jess Willard. However, because of his declining health at 88 years of age, Jess was not able to attend. Noble “Kid” Chissell, a dear friend of Willard’s, accepted the trophy, as a standing-room only crowd of over 200 people applauded in his honor.

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THE RING – A Boxing Venue, Not To Be Forgotten

FLASHBACK *** This article was originally published January 14, 2020 on www.dmboxing.com

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

Although, I wasn’t even born, nor were my parents, an old boxing venue that has always intrigued me is The Ring at Blackfriars, in London, England.

The building, built in 1783, was formerly a Nonconformist chapel and was octagonal in shape with the intent that no devils could hide in the corners. When it was no longer used as a place of worship, it was taken over by former Commonwealth British Empire lightweight champion Dick Burge and he transformed it into a boxing arena in May 1910. Several shows would take place there on a weekly basis.

Burge passed away a few short years later, on March 15, 1918, after contracting pneumonia at the age of 50. Before his death, he asked his wife Bella to ensure that their venue would be kept intact. She did, and kept the shows coming, which essentially resulted in her becoming the world’s first female boxing promoter.

Bella did an excellent job and was loved by the local community, where the pioneering lady promoter would earn the nickname “Bella of Blackfriars“.

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Primo Carnera – REVISTED

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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Jeff Smith – Not To Be Forgotten

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com

My friend, the late Boxing Historian Al Nelson, who was much older than I and who lived at the turn of the 20th Century, told me back in 1969 about a fighter named Jeff Smith, saying “This guy was as tough as nails” … this was a quote in which I took great interest. So, I did some research of my own on this middleweight boxer.

I was amazed at the crop of high level fighters that he faced in his career which included Harry Greb, Gene Tunney, Mike Gibbons, Georges Carpentier, Les Darcy, Tommy Loughran, and George Chip.

Smith began his boxing career in 1910, and engaged in 183 bouts, until his retirement in 1927. In that 17 year span he compiled 141 wins, 34 losses, and 5 draws, with 3 no-contests.

In retirement, he became a physical education instructor with the Bayonne Board of Education and the Fort Dix (New Jersey) Army Base, and also taught boxing lessons at a local YMCA.

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Tommy Ryan

*** 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.

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Official Boxing Record

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.

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