Boxing History: On This Day: Jackie Graves Remembered

By Peter Silkov

 

Jackie Graves, nicknamed ‘The Austin Atom’ was a hard-hitting southpaw, featherweight, who mixed it with some of the best 126-pounders of the 1940s and 50s. Graves was born, John Thomas Graves, on September 12, 1922, in Austin, Minnesota. Following an amateur career, which saw him win a number of titles, Graves turned professional at the age of 22 in 1944. Graves hard-punching, all-action style made him a big hit with the fans.

During his professional career, Graves fought name fighters such as, Harry Jeffra, Charlie Riley, Luis Castillo, Tony Olivera, Jose Gonzalez, Victor Flores, Charley Cabey Lewis, Jackie Wilson, Jackie Callura, Lefty Lachance, Jimmy Joyce, Clint Miller, Spider Armstrong, Harry Lasane, Harold Dade, Willie Cheatum, Manny Ortega, Bobby Bell, Humberto Sierra, Teddy Davis, Glen Flanagan, Ernesto Aguilar, and Manuel Ortiz,

During the late 40s, Graves was ranked highly in the world by “The Ring” magazine, yet was never able to secure a shot at the World featherweight title. The closest Graves came to a world title chance was when he fought the World featherweight champion, Willie Pep, on July 25, 1946, in a non-title fight. This is the fight in which Pep is said to have won a round (the 3^rd) without throwing a punch, but just by dodging Graves' punches, but this was proven false by several sources who were at the fight.

Various accounts of this fight say that both Pep, and Graves, were on the floor. Graves put up a brave display, but was eventually stopped in the 8^th round.

In an interview with Jake Wegner, Graves spoke of his greatest memory of his career.“They all were great. But my fight with the Featherweight Champion of the world, Willie Pep. Regardless of the outcome, that was my greatest moment of my career. I just wish I could do it all over again-all of it. I used to joke with Willie that his name is Pep, and he has a lot of pep. (laughs) Lordi, that man never ran out of gas. He was great.”

Graves fought on until 1956, with his last fight being a 3^rd round knock out defeat to Glen Flanagan on March 22, 1956. Graves' final record was (82-11-2, 48koes).

Jackie Graves died on November 15, 2005, after a long bout with Alzheimer's Disease. 

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Boxing History: On This Day: Pat Ford Remembered

By Peter Silkov

 

Pat Ford was a clever and strong featherweight, with a rangy style that made full use of his height of 5' feet 10” inches. Born, Patrick Forde, on December 17, 1955, in Georgetown, Guyana, Ford turned professional in 1976. He would become known as one of Guyana's greatest fighters of all-time.

Ford quickly moved up the world rankings, winning the Guyanese featherweight title on February 4, 1978, by out-pointing Tony Greene over 15 rounds. On May 20, 1979, he added the WBC Fecarbox Featherweight title by out-pointing Enrique Solis over 12 rounds. Then on August 1, 1980, Ford won the Commonwealth featherweight title, by stopping Eddie Ndukwu in 8 rounds.

On September 13, 1980, Ford challenged Salvador Sanchez for the WBC world featherweight title, and gave the great Sanchez one of his toughest fights, before being defeated by a close point's decision after 15 rounds.

Five months later, Ford challenged Eusebio Pedrosa for the WBA world featherweight championship, and was knocked out in the 13^th round, after another tough fight. After the fight, Ford said he had difficulties making the weight in the build up to the bout.

After his brave challenges for the world title, against two all time greats, Ford’s form dipped and he lost his next two fights, losing over 10 rounds on points to David Brown on April 17, 1982. One month later he was stopped in 3 rounds by Isidro Perez.

Ford stayed out of the ring for 3 years, then returned and had three fights from 1985 to 1987, winning all three, but then retired from the ring, with a final record of (19-4, 12koes).

After his retirement from fighting, Ford, who by how had moved permanently to America, became a trainer at the renowned Gleasons Gym in Dumbo, Brooklyn, New York, where he was highly respected for his knowledge and his humble demeanor.

Pat Ford died on November 13, 2011, aged 55 years old, after suffering a heart attack as a result of complications arising from diabetes. 

Salvador Sanchez Vs. Pat Ford fight:

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Boxing History: On This Day: Charley Goldman Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Charley Goldman was a very clever and tough bantamweight boxer, born Israel Goldman on December 21, 1888, in Warsaw, Poland ( some sources say born in Russia on December 22, 1887.) He later moved with his family to New York, where he started boxing professionally in 1904. Goldman fought notable fighters including Joe Wagner, Benny Kaufman, Paddy Callahan, George Kitson, Young Britt, Phil McGovern, Knockout Brown, Young Ziringer, Patsy Brannigan, Frankie Burns, Tommy Houck, Charlie Harvey, Frankie Burns, George ‘Ko’ Chaney, Kid Williams, Johnny Coulon, Johnny Solzberg, and Abe Friedman.

Although Goldman has 137 verified fights on his record, it is known that he had many more fights during his career.

After his retirement from boxing in 1918, Goldman became a boxing trainer, and would become known as one of the best trainers in the business. His most notable success as a trainer was his moulding Rocky Marciano into the World heavyweight champion. Other world champions whom he trained included Lou Ambers, Joe Archibald, Kid Gavilan, Al McCoy, Carlos Ortiz, Marty Servo, Jersey Joe Walcott (1930 to 1934) and Fritzie Zivic. Goldman also worked with top contenders Rory Calhoun, Walter Cartier, Arturo Godoy, Johnny Risko, Cesar Brion, Tony Alongi and Oscar Bonavena.

Charley Goldman died on November 11, 1968, at the age of 80-years old. In 1992, Goldman was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. 

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Boxing History: On This Day: Jack Bodell Remembered

By Peter Silkov 

Jack Bodell was a tough and strong heavyweight fighter, with an unorthodox brawling style which, along with his southpaw stance, made him a difficult opponent for just about anyone. Bodell had a lot of heart, and despite being labelled by some as ‘weak chinned,’ most of his inside the distance defeats were caused by stoppages due to cuts.

Bodell was born on August 11, 1940, in Swadlincote, Derbyshire. As an amateur, he won the ABA light-heavyweight championship in 1961, before turning professional in 1962.

During his career, Bodell fought an array of top heavyweight names, including, Joe Erskine, Hubert Hilton, Billy Daniels, Thad Spencer, Ray Patterson, Henry Cooper, Johnny Prescott, Brian London, Billy Walker, Jack O’Halloran, Manuel Ramos, Jery Quarry, Joe Bugner, Jose Manuel Urtain, and Danny McAlinden.

Bodell challenged Henry Cooper for the British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles on June 13, 1967, but was stopped in the 2^nd round. Following this defeat, Bodell had an eleven fight winning streak, and then on October 13, 1969, he won the vacant British heavyweight championship, by out-pointing Carl Gizzi over 15 rounds.

Five months after beating Gizzi, Bodell defended his British title against Henry Cooper and was beaten on points. Cooper also defended his Commonwealth title in this fight.

On September 27, 1971, Bodell scored the best victory of his career when he out-pointed Joe Bugner over 15 rounds, to win the British, European and Commonwealth heavyweight titles. Bodell’s non-stop brawling style and aggression had just been too much for Bugner. However, this victory was followed by three defeats for Bodell. On November 16, 1971, he was knocked out in the 1^st round by Jerry Quarry. Just once month later Bodell defended his

European heavyweight title, and was stopped in the 2^nd round by Jose Manuel Urtain. Six months later on June 27, 1972, Bodell lost his British and Commonwealth heavyweight titles, when he was knocked out in the 2^nd round by Danny McAlinden. This was Bodell’s final fight, and he retired with a final record of (58-13, 31koes).

After retirement, Bodell would open the Tile Hill chip shop in Conventry during the 80s. Upon opening it, he invited Muhammad Ali to come down and visit, and Ali accepted the invitation. He was met with a warm greeting. Unfortunately, Bodell would fight a long battle with dementia and died on November 9, 2016, at the age of 76 years old.

Look: When Muhammad Ali visited Coventry and Warwickshire in the 1980s

Jack Bodell Vs. Joe Bugner

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Boxing History: On This Day, George Chip Remembered

By Peter Silkov

George Chip was a tough, hard-hitting middleweight, who during his career, mixed it up with the best middles of the 1910s. Born Jurgis Chipulonis on August 25, 1888, in Madison, Pennsylvania, Chip started his working life after he was taken out of school in the third grade and became a water boy in the coal mines in Scranton, PA. In 1909 he turned to boxing to make his living and moved to New Castle with his family to begin training with Jimmy Dime, his manager. Dime also trained George's brother, Joe, who was also a professional boxer.

During his career, Chip fought big names such as, Jack Dillon, Leo Houck, George ‘Ko’ Brown, Jeff Smith, Willie ‘Ko’ Brennan, Frank Klaus, Gus Christie, Jimmy Clabby, Al McCoy, Harry Greb, Young Ahearn, Les Darcy, Art Magirl, Tommy Gibbons, Eddie McGooty, and Mike Gibbons.

Chip won the World middleweight title on October 11, 1913, when he stopped

Frank Klaus in the 6^th round. He reigned as champion until April 7, 1914, when he stepped in for his brother, Joe, who had broke his hand, to fight Al McCoy. Chip thought it was going to be an easy bout, but he was stopped in the 1^st round by Al McCoy. In a rematch with McCoy on January 20, 1916, Chip would win the fight, but it was a non-title bout.

George Chip would again compete for the World middleweight title on July , 1921, when he met Mike Gibbons in Youngstown, Ohio, and lost by newspaper decision. After Gibbons came back from the armed services, he gave Chip a rematch in Terre Haute, Indiana, on June 11, 1919, and Chip once again was clearly defeated by Gibbons.

Chip continued to box until 1922. His final opponent was Frankie Maguire. Who he beat on points in 8 rounds. Chip's final record was (42-17-4, 36 koes). He also had about 90 no-decision contests.

After retirement, Chip would work as a referee and trainer. He owned and managed a billiards hall in the 1920s, but was closed down due to alleged gambling activities. During the Great Depression he was employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Penn Power, as a watchman, in 1937.

While crossing a highway in New Castle, a 73-year old George was hit by a car and suffered two broken legs and neck on November 4, 1960. He would die two days later in New Castle, Pennsylvania hospital. 

Les Darcy vs George Chip

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