Tag Archives: History

CURTIS COKES

History, Jim Amato,


By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

He may have been the best fighter in the welterweight division during the decade but he never had a chance to prove it against Emile Griffith. Instead he labored in the back round, fighting and beating all comers. Only after Griffith moved up to middleweight and allowed him to capture the vacated title did Curtis Cokes gain some long over due recognition.

Curtis who never had an amateur fight began his professional career in Midland, Texas on March 24, 1958 outscoring Manuel Gonzalez over six rounds. Curtis and Manuel would get to know each other a lot better in years to come. Curtis was born on June 15, 1937 in Dallas, Texas. He would go on to win his next ten fights including an eight rounder over Gonzalez. Finally in April of 1959, one year after turning pro Curtis suffered his first career loss to none other then Manuel Gonzalez. A no contest in a match with the talented Rip Randall set up a rematch. Curtis took out Randall in the first round. Later in the year Curtis would drop a six round duke to Frankie Davis.

Cokes won four fights in 1960. In 1961 he moved up the ladder with big wins over Joe Miceli and Charley ” Tombstone ” Smith. Cokes then dropped a decision in Mexico to Hilario Morales. He then fought a draw with the clever Kenny Lane in Dallas. Back in Dallas two months later Curtis scored a huge win with a split decision over the highly respected Luis Rodriguez. Cokes would then meet and again decision Manny Gonzalez but would lose points call to Rodriguez in a return match.

Curtis would bounce back in 1962 with five straight wins including knockouts over Hilario Morales and the rugged Rudolph Bent. Another trip to Mexico cost him another defeat. This times a decision to Manuel Sixto Alvarez. Four more wins led to a 1963 clash at the Sunnyside Garden in New York against contender Jose Stable. Curtis lost a very close decision. Cokes would then outpoint the very tough Stan Harrington. On May 1, 1964 Curtis travelled to the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia to meet the dangerous Stan ” Kitten ” Hayward. He would suffer a major set back as Hayward stopped Cokes in round four.

It was back to the drawing board for Curtis. Two decision wins over Al Andrews got him back on track but he dropped a ten rounder to the slick Eddie Pace. On December 13, 1965 Curtis won the Southern Welterweight title with a twelve round decision over Billy Collins. On July 6, 1966 Cokes stopped Luis Rodriguez one minute in to the fifteenth and final round of an eliminination bout for the welterweight title vacated by Emile Griffith.

Seven weeks after his win over Rodriguez, Cokes met old rival Manuel Gonzalez for the WBA version of the welterweight title. The battle took place in New Orleans. Curtis floored Gonzalez on his way to a lopsided decision and a world’s championship. In November Cokes outclassed Frenchman Jean Josselin to win universal recognition as welterweight champion. Still many felt that Cokes was the champ only because Griffith had vacated the division. Curtis would go on to prove himself a worthy champion.

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A Walkabout With Lionel Rose

History, , ,

By Rick Farris

(Former professional boxer and boxing historian)

 

On February 26, 1968, Mashiko “Fighting” Harada, the greatest Japanese boxer of all-time, was scheduled to defend his World Bantamweight title against number one challenger Jesus Pimentel of Mexico. It would be Harada’s fourth defense of the title he’d won nearly three years previous by upsetting the great Eder Jofre of Brazil.

 

Pimentel was one of the hardest hitting bantamweights ever and had been in contention for a title shot throughout most of the sixties. However, just days before the fight, Pimentel’s manager Harry Kabakoff demanded more money from the Japanese promoter. When the promoter refused to renegotiate, Kabakoff pulled his fighter out of the match and returned to the United States. The story was that Pimentel had taken ill.

 

Desperate to save the promotion, the Japanese promoter sought a qualified challenger for Harada. The champion had struggled to make weight for the bout and after doing so insisted on fighting. Harada’s plan was one last title defense before moving up to the featherweight division. However, none of the contenders were interested in taking a title shot on such short notice, except one, the Australian Bantamweight Champion Lionel Rose. Rose was considered the perfect replacement because he was not considered a hard puncher like the thunderous punching Pimentel. Rose had a 27-2 record and had scored only 8 KO’s.

 

Rose and his manager Jack Rennie jumped on a plane for Tokyo and three days later the 20-year-old Australian won the World Bantamweight title with a unanimous fifteen round decision over Harada.

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JACK “The Giant” O’HALLORAN

Ali, Heavyweights, History, Jim Amato, , , ,


THE FORGOTTEN WHITE HOPE
By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

As Muhammad Ali ruled the heavyweight division in the mid 60’s, white hope contenders came and went. Henry Cooper, George Chuvalo and Karl Mildenberger all were vanquished by the “Greatest”. When Ali was forced to relinquish his crown in 1967, the best of the white contenders was probably Jerry Quarry. By 1969 a huge brute of a man named Jack O’Halloran had compiled an impressive 16-1-1 record. Standing at around 6′ 6″ and weighing in the vicinity of 240lbs., Jack struck fear into opponents by his mere bulk. In 1969 he upgraded his opposition with mixed results. He dropped decisions to Joe “King” Roman, Joe Bugner and Tony Doyle. On August 19th he was halted by rugged “Florida” Al Jones. In turn he outscored Carl Gizzi and stopped Mexican contender Manuel Ramos in seven rounds.

On January 26th, 1970 in New York Jack was kayoed by George Foreman in five rounds. On April 9th he was destroyed in one round by Mac Foster. Jack lost a rematch with Roman but he did manage to outpoint Britisher Danny McAliden. 1971 was a dismal year for Jack as he lost to Jack Bodell, John Griffin, Ron Stander and Ron Lyle. Jack did decision Cleveland Williams and he kayoed Terry Daniels.
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RING TRIVIA for March 2011

History, Trivia,

a monthly feature from David Martinez Boxing

1) James Figg was recognized as the first heavyweight champion in 1719. He had a grandson who also won the heavyweight title thiry-one years later, Who was he ?

a) Jack Broughton

b) Peter Corcoran

c) Bill Darts

d) Jack Slack

2) On February 28, 1961 at Madison Square Garden, New York, what former heavyweight champion lost in a Boxer vs. Wrestler exhibition match to Buddy Rogers ?

a) Primo Carnera

b) Joe Louis

c) Jersey Joe Walcott

d) Ezzard Charles


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RING TRIVIA answers for February 2011

History, Trivia,

1) The Black Uhlan was the nickname of what former champion ?
answer is – Max Schmeling

2) As a young kid grwoing up, Roberto Duran idolized what “masked” wrestler ?
answer is – El Santo

3) In seventy-eight professional bouts, Eder Jofre only lost two and both were to one man … who was that man ?
answer is – Fighting Harada

RING TRIVIA is a monthly feature presented by dmboxing for your enjoyment


40th Anniversary – FIGHT OF THE CENTURY

Ali, David Martinez, Heavyweights, History, , ,

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.

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The “Great” Henry Armstrong

History, ,

Rick Farris, Henry Armstrong and Bill Farris at the Main Street Gym, Los Angeles-1965

By Rick Farris for dmboxing.com

When I heard that Henry Armstrong was in the gym, I couldn’t concentrate on my own workout. He was nearly 53-year-old, and hadn’t fought in twenty years. He was in the gym training a young welterweight, Gary Carr.

My eyes kept looking over to Armstrong as he worked with his fighter. I wanted to watch closer, maybe pick something up from one of the greatest prizefighters in history. I was just a kid, but I knew all about Henry Armstrong. I was like a little leaguer standing on the same ball field with Babe Ruth.

How many other world champions held three undisputed world titles simultaniously?
How many champs defended the welterweight title eighteen times (the record) in less than two years (five defenses in a three week period!). He did the above while also holding and defending the featherweight and Lightweight titles, not to mention a few non-title contests, as well. Then he fights to a disputed “draw” in an attempt to add the middleweight title to his collection. (He had beaten the middle champ in an earlier match.)

I watched the man closely, this is what I would take from the gym that day. He looked a little tired, very calm, a warmth about him. His dark sweater had holes in the sleeves, the soles of his shoes were worn. I imagined how good life had once been for him. Actors Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler had once had held his contract.

My manager, Johnny Flores introduced me to Hammerin’ Hank. My grandad snapped a picture.

NOTE: Rick Farris is a former professional boxer and a boxing historian. He was recently inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame in June 2010. His contributions to this website are most appreciated!

“World Colored Heavyweight Championship”

David Martinez, Hall Of Fame, Heavyweights, History, , , ,

By David Martinez / Boxing Historian

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

I got the idea when I overheard 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.

#1 Jack Johnson

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 of his time, and lost the championship to Jess Willard on a “controversial” knockout. The late Nat Fleischer, Ring Magazine founder, said Johnson was simply the best heavyweight champion ever. That is also my opinion.

#2) Harry Wills

Possibly the greatest heavyweight that never won the title. He was ranked many times as a top contender for Johnson’s belt, but they never fought. He also was ranked the number one contender, when Jack Dempsey was champion, but they never fought.

Wills, was forced to fight continuously against many of the best black fighters in his era such as Sam Langford, Sam McVey, and Joe Jeannette, but in a career that spanned six heavyweight champions, not once did he get a title shot.

Wills was known as The Black Panther, and was a big six-foot, three inches, and 220 pounds. Although many of his early bouts were unrecorded, I found his ring record to be 65 wins, 8 losses, 2 draws, 47 knockouts, with 25 no-decisions, 3 no-contests. His best punch was a right cross that was so powerful, that in his 47 wins by KO, those lasted an average of only three rounds.

Had he been given the opportunity to fight for the title, I truly believe he would have changed the history of boxing and would have been the second black heavyweight champion.

#3) Sam Langford

Recognized by the late Nat Fleischer, Ring magazine founder, the seventh best heavyweight of all time, and in a current issue of Ring Magazine rated him number two on their all time list of best punchers.

Langford was known as the Boston Tar Baby, and he was not a big heavyweight in statue, only five foot, seven inches, 185 pounds. His career spanned a quarter of a century, 1902 to 1926, with 164 wins, 38 losses, 37 draws, 117 knockouts, with 48 no-decisions, 3 no-contests.

Langford, was truly considered by many boxing historians, including myself, as good as any heavyweight during the first 15 years of the 20th century.

#4) Joe Jeanette

Actually a look-a-like in styles to Sam Langford, was not big by heavyweight standards, at five foot ten inches, 190 pounds. His ring record was most impressive: 79 wins, nine losses, 6 draws, 66 knockouts, with 62 no-decisions, 1 no-contest.

He is best known for his quote to Jack Johnson, in which he repeatedly said “that Jack forgot about his old (black) friends after he became champion and drew the color line against his own people.”

Jeanette had fought Johnson seven times prior to Johnson winning the title, and held his own with one win, one loss, one draw, and four no-decisions. He also fought Langford 15 times, and holds a 15 round decision over future light heavyweight champion Georges Carpentier.

His most memorable fight was in 1909 against Sam McVey, in which he over came 27 knockdowns to win by knockout in 50 rounds, a fight that lasted three-and-a-half hours, and was recorded as the longest fight of the 20th century.

#5) Sam McVey

Some refer him to McVea. He was actually a Mike Tyson look-a-like in many ways. He was compact, had a powerful physique, with tremendous punching power, as he stood 5 foot ten inches, and at a solid 215 pounds. His ring record was 65 wins, 15 losses, 11 draws, 47 knockouts, with 1 no-decision, 4 no-contests.

At one point in his career, from 1906 to 1912, in 43 bouts fought he had a stretch of 38 victories, 2 losses, and 3 draws, with an incredible 32 knockouts – with the two lone losses only to Joe Jeanette.

He fought Jack Johnson three times early in his career, with less than ten fights under his belt and before he was even 20 years old and lost all three times, Johnson was 26 years old and had over forty fights under his belt. The two would never fight again after Johnson won the world heavyweight championship in 1908.

Although boxing historians will agree that his 50 round bout with Jeanette in 1909 was a classic, and is was, McVey’s best winning performance was on June 29, 1915 against Sam Langford. He won a 12 round decision in which McVey had Langford on the verge of a knockout in the 8th round, in a thrilling fight from start to finish.

In closing, from Peter Jackson to the five I have mentioned above, ironically each one of these men at one time in their famed careers held what was called during their era – the “World Colored Heavyweight Championship.”

RING TRIVIA “answers” for December 2010

History, Trivia,
1) In May 1989, who won the first ever newly created WBO heavyweight title ?
answer is – Francesco Damiani

2) What British boxer often wore “TRUE BRIT” embroidered on his trucks ?
answer is – Frank Bruno

3) Jack Johnson (also) fought the brother of what heavyweight champion ?
answer is – Jim Jeffries

For your enjoyment three new RING TRIVIA questions are posted up every month from David Martinez Boxing … with answers available for your viewing about three weeks later!

What if Joe Frazier had Fought Ron Lyle?

Dream Fights, Heavyweights, History, Jim Amato, , , ,

Joe Frazier and legendary trainer Eddie Futch

< photo courtesy Eva Futch >

By Jim Amato / Senior Boxing Writer

What happens when the unstoppable force meets the unmovable object? Let me rephrase that. What would have happened if Joe Frazier and Ron Lyle would have hooked up in the mid-1970’s?

It is too bad this fight was never made. It was discussed on occasion, but to the best of my knowledge no serious talks ever took place. What a shame. This would have been a thrill-a-minute battle for the fans. Each boxer had the tools and the style to offset the other’s skills.

Let’s start with Ron Lyle. George Foreman showed everyone that a big, strong heavyweight with a decent jab and a solid uppercut could keep Joe from getting inside, while also punishing him at long range. Frazier was game to the core, but Big George showed that Joe could be hurt. Lyle was no Willie Pep on his feet, but he had decent mobility for a man his size. He had a fairly quick jab with some pop to it. He threw a strong right hand but he needed room for it to gather steam. His best weapons on the inside if Frazier did get past his jab were a short left hook and a scorching uppercut. Also Ron was more then willing to stand in the trenches and swap body shots. He would have been quite a handful for Joe.

What would Frazier have to do to counter Ron’s strategy? First and foremost he would just have to be Joe Frazier at his bobbing and weaving best. At times Lyle had a tendency to paw with his jab. This would have been a crucial mistake against the relentless Frazier. Joe was very adept at timing a jab and then either slipping under it or slipping to the side of it. The end result would be the same. Joe would now have his head on the opponent’s chest and he would pummel the stomach, ribs and kidneys with savage purpose.
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