On This Day: Remembering George "Kid" Socks

By Peter Silkov

Kid Socks was a very tough and game fighter who fought from flyweight to featherweight, in a busy career that spanned the years 1922 to 1934. A look at Socks' career reveals how much boxing has changed. Socks fought at a time when fighters were plentiful, and in order to get anywhere close to the top, you had to be bus,y and be willing to fight the best. In his 12-year career, Socks had 210 recorded fights, against many of the top fighters of his day.

Kid Socks was born George Joseph Stockings on August 14, 1904, Bethnal Green, London, and began his boxing career in August 1922, at the age of 18. Like so many fighters of that time, Socks was thrown into the deep end from the start, fighting 10 round matches from the beginning, and his first 15 round match in just his 10^th professional contest. Socks tough apprenticeship is shown by the fact that he went a modest 5-8-1 in his first 14 contests, but Socks was already displaying the heart and durability for which he would become known. All of his 8 defeats came via points. In fact, out of his 78 career defeats, only 4 would come inside the distance, and only one of those stoppages was via a clean knockout (and that came at the fists of the great Bantamweight world champion Panama Al Brown.) As his career progressed, Socks became a crowd favourite, and gained the reputation as one of the toughest of ring warriors, and able to give any of the top fighters a run for their money

Socks fought a long list of top names, including Len Harvey, Teddy Baldock, Ernie Jarvis, Elky Clark, Charly Sauvage, Panama Al Brown, Emile Pladner, Alf Kid Pattenden, Nel Tarleton, Johnny Brown, George ‘Kid’ Nicholson, Charley Van Reedon, Dick Corbett, Nipper Pat Daley, Packey Mcfarland, Cuthbert Taylor, Phineas John, Spider Jim Kelly, Victor ‘Young’ Perez, and George Marsden.

Kid Socks fought twice for major titles. On April 19, 1926, he fought Elky Clark at the National Sporting Club, London, for the British, Commonwealth, and European Flyweight titles, and was stopped on a TKO in the 20^th and final round.

Two years later on July 7, 1928, Socks travelled to Melbourne, Australia, and challenged ‘Young’ Billy McAllister, for the vacant Commonwealth Bantamweight title, losing on points after 15 rounds.

Socks' Career came to an end after a 12 rounds point's defeat to Jim Anderson on June 11, 1934. His final recorded record reads (106-78-26, 23koes) though like many fighters of his time it is likely he had additional contests which slipped through the records. George Stockings died on September 24, 1972, aged 68. 

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The Boxing Glove Remembers Ultiminio "Sugar" Ramos

By Peter Silkov

Sugar Ramos, who has passed away at the age of 75, after a long battle with cancer, was a brilliant boxer, gifted with an abundance of skill, speed, power, and an exciting and dynamic boxer-fighter, yet his career was overshadowed by tragedy. Today he was laid to rest, surrounded by family, his doctors, and many from the boxing community.

Born Ultiminio Ramos Zaquerira in Matanzas, Cuba, on December 2, 1941, and in the ring, his fighting style had echoes of former Cuban greats such as Kid Chocolate and Kid Gavilan.

Ramos turned professional while two months shy of his 16^th birthday, and he soon began to cut a destructive path through everyone he met within the roped square. The tragedy that Ramos is usually linked, is the death of Davey Moore after he had wrested Moore’s World featherweight title away from him. However, Sugar would first encounter tragedy much earlier in his career, when in his 12^th fight, on November 8, 1958, he knocked out Jose ‘Tiger’ Blanco in the 8^th round, only to see Blanco never recover. Blanco died the next day.

One can only imagine Ramos’s anguish at having to deal with every boxer’s worst nightmare while not yet 17 years old. Some fighters would be crushed by such an experience, but Ramos continued on, in his quest to take himself out of the depths of poverty.

Over the next four years Ramos put together a professional record of (38-1-3) as he established himself as the number one contender for the World featherweight championship. During this time, Ramos also uprooted himself from his native Cuba and moved to Mexico, after Fidel Castro declared professional boxing to be illegal in Cuba.

On March 21, 1963, Ramos challenged Davey Moore for the World featherweight title, and after a grueling classic contest, stopped Moore in the 10^th round. Ramos’ moment of glory was sadly tainted when Moore collapsed in his dressing room after the fight. He died 4 days later.

Too often when a fighter is severely injured, or dies after a contest, the welfare of his opponent is overlooked. The mental anguish which boxers suffer when in such a position can only be imagined. Many fighters are never the same after being involved in such instances and there is no doubt that although he carried on boxing for almost another decade after the Moore fight, Sugar Ramos was deeply traumatized by the death’s of two of his opponents.

Hardly surprising that Ramos reign as world champion was relatively short. He lost his World featherweight crown in his 4^th defence, on September 26, 1964, when he was stopped in 12 rounds by Vincente Saldivar. Saldivar would go on to prove himself a great champion.

After losing his featherweight crown, Ramos moved up to the lightweight division, where he would eventually gain two shots at Carlos Ortiz’s world championship. In their first meeting on October 22, 1966, Ortiz stopped Ramos in the 5^th round after Sugar was badly cut. Nine months later, Ramos was granted a rematch with Ortiz, for the world lightweight title, and this time was stopped in the 4^th round.

This really signaled the end of Ramos as a top flight, world class fighter, he fought on for another Five years but infrequently and with mixed results. There was one last sparkle of brilliance and excitement on August 6, 1970, when he clashed with the former world lightweight champion Mando Ramos. The two former champions put on a brutal and bloody, toe-to-toe thriller, which is still talked about today. Sugar was beaten on points by Mando, but in defeat produced one of the most memorable performances of his career.

Sugar Ramos finally retired two years later in 1972, with a final record of (55-7-4, 40koes.) He was elected into the World boxing Hall of Fame in 1992, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001.

In 2013, 50 years after his tragic fight with Davey Moore, Sugar Ramos traveled to America, and to Moore's home town of Springfield, Ohio, to witness the unveiling of a 8 foot bronze statue in Moore's honour. Amongst those present to witness the unveiling, was Moore's widow Geraldine, and their children. Geraldine had never blamed Sugar Ramos for her husband’s death and their reunion was warm and emotional. The ceremony and reunion with Moore's widow helped to bring some peace of mind to Sugar Ramos concerning the tragedies of the past. His was a bitter sweet story of an exceptionally gifted boxer who managed to fight his way from poverty to fame and glory, yet paid a cruel price in the process. 

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Big Fight Report: Carl Frampton Comes Alive And Dethrones Leo Santa Cruz

 

Photo: Skysports

By Peter Silkov 

The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, was witness last night, July 30, to one of the fights of the year, as challenger, Carl Frampton (23-0, 14koes), produced the performance of his career, to tear the WBA world featherweight championship away from Leo Santa Cruz (32-1-1, 18koes.)  In a match that, for a change, lived up to all expectations, as Frampton proved to be the better all-round boxer, and was able to control the action more, especially in the early rounds.

Photo: Beacher Report

The fight started fast and kept up a good pace all the way throughout its 12 rounds. The key to Frampton’s victory was the balance that he was able to achieve, between using his superior boxing skills to frustrate and negate Santa Cruz, and his ability to stand and trade with Santa Cruz when he had to. Most telling was that Frampton was able to hurt the champion, staggering him in the 2nd round, after which Santa Cruz was always a little circumspect in his attacks. Frampton’s jab was also an important weapon in this match, as it allowed him to score points, and keep the defending champion from launching his usual non-stop attacks. The match featured a number of exciting exchanges, but Santa Cruz was unable to build up the kind of non-stop windmill attacks for which he is most known. Frampton’s intelligent use of the ring and his accurate and potent counter attacks saw him build up a clear lead in the first half of the fight. 

In the second half of the match, Santa Cruz, realizing that he was behind, stepped things up and tried to drag Frampton into the kind of toe-to-toe action that would suit him more. Frampton traded punches well and kept his boxing together to emerge a deserving winner.  The scores were 117-111, 116-112, and 114-114.  The Boxing Glove scored the fight 115-113.  After the fight, an unhappy Santa Cruz indicated that the pro-Frampton crowd had influenced the judges, and that he wanted a rematch in Los Angeles. This is certainly a fight that could be done again, whether it will be though is another thing entirely.  Frampton now will have a number of lucrative options for his future fights and is liable to take his time before jumping into a rematch with Santa Cruz.

Photo: The Guardian

For all the criticism that he has had (deservedly so) leveled at him due to his avoidance of Guillermo Rigondeaux, and his performances in his last two fights, Frampton performed brilliantly last night, showing guts, strength, and skill.  Santa Cruz, on the other hand, showed why he is a good fighter rather than a great fighter, as he was exposed as being one-dimensional at times against the Irishman.

Certainly this was a career-best performance so far from Frampton, and indicated that the extra weight at featherweight may well make him a better fighter, than he was at super-bantamweight.  Watching Frampton’s performance, it become even more disappointing that he has been steered away from a match with Gullermo Rigondeaux.

It is hard not to feel sympathy for the exiled Cuban, who has spent the past couple of years searching for fights, while fighters whom he is very capable of beating, fight each other instead of him, for purses he is probably still dreaming about.
Yes boxing is a business, a very cruel business.  The biggest loser of last night’s fight was neither of the two boxers in the ring.

Photo: belfastlive.co.uk

With this win, Frampton annexed the same WBA world featherweight championship that was won by his manager and mentor, Barry McGuigan, back in 1985. After Frampton had been declared the winner, McGuigan, who had been an emotional spectator of the fight at ringside, was finally overcome, and in tears. After the let down of the Quigg match, this was finally a fight and a performance to be proud of ,and one which is likely to make Frampton an international star.

On the under card of the Santa Cruz vs. Frampton showdown, Mikey Garcia (35-0, 27koes) made his long awaited return to the ring, after being sidelined for over two and a half years, by a bitter legal dispute with his former promoters, Top Rank.

Photo; Edward Diller/DiBella Entertainment

Garcia stopped former world champion Elio Rojas (24-3, 14koes) in the 5th round.  After a slow start in the first 2 rounds, Garcia started connecting, and showed that his punching-power had no rust on it whatsoever. Rojas was floored heavily twice in the 3rd round, and then again in the 5th, as it was clear that he just could not take Garcia’s power and strength. The referee wisely stopped the contest after the 4th knockdown with Rojas having regained his feet, but indicating that he’d had enough.

In one of the performances of the night, Philadelphian, Tevin Farmer (21-4-1, 5koes), gave favourite Ivan Redkach (19-1-1, 15koes) a 10 rounds boxing lesson, winning 99-89, 98-92, 98-92.  Farmer only started boxing at the age of 19 and turned professional at the age of 21 in 2011. He lost 4 of his first 12 fights (with one draw and 7 wins), but instead of taking the road of becoming a journeyman, he has now won his last 15 contests in a row. His win over Redkach has shown he is a genuine world class talent.  Farmer’s victory was even more impressive given that he usually fights at junior lightweight.  This is definitely a boxer to keep an eye upon.

Paulie Malignaggi (35-7, 7koes) scored a 96-94, 98-92 and 98-90 10 rounds point’s win over Gabriel Bracero (24-2, 5koes.)

Northern Ireland middleweight, Conrad Cummings (10-0-1, 4koes), won an entertaining, and sometimes bad tempered, 6-rounds brawl with the game, Dante Moore (9-2-2, 4koes).  Moore, from Cleveland Ohio, is one of those fighters who looks as if he could do more than just be a semi-journeyman, while Cummings is strong and entertaining, but will have limited progress unless he works on his defence.



Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

On This Day: Torpedo Billy Murphy Remembered

By Peter Silkov

 

‘Torpedo’ Billy Murphy was a dynamite punching fighter, who had a relentlessly aggressive style, which made him a huge favourite with the fan.s He was a dreaded opponent for fighters at or near his weight class. Although he was never more than a bantamweight, Murphy would regularly take on men two or more stones heavier than him, including heavyweights.

Born Thomas William Murphy on November 3, 1863, in Auckland, New Zealand, Murphy left school at the age of 12, and became an apprentice Tailor, yet his real ambitions lay in pursuing a ring career. Murphy started his fighting career in 1882, and for three years, fought all comers. At this point, Billy was boxing with bare knuckles, but by 1886 he had run out of opposition in New Zealand, and moved to Australia, where gloves were now used for most boxing contests. Murphy found that he hit just as hard with gloves on as he did without them and he soon became well known in Australia, and was trained by the renowned Australian fighter turned trainer, Larry Foley. ’Torpedo’ fought as often as he could, against all-comers, and was soon running out of opposition in Australia.

In  1889 Billy sailed to America, where his energetic and aggressive fighting style made him an instant hit with the fans. On January 13, 1890, Murphy knocked out Ike Weir in 14 rounds to win the World featherweight title. Murphy held the title until September 2, 1890, when he quit after 15 rounds against defensive genius Young Griffo in Australia. Although this fight was recognized as a world title fight in Australia and England, in America Murphy had been ‘stripped’ of his world title, for leaving America to return to Australia.

’Torpedo’ was so frustrated by Griffo’s hit and not be hit tactics that he ripped his gloved off and quit the fight, losing his world title in the process. 

Murphy tried to regain the World featherweight title from Griffo on July 22, 1891, but was beaten on a disqualification in the 22nd round.

The Torpedo continued fighting until 1909, taking on all-comers, and often giving away large amounts of weight. His last shot at a world title came on January 22, 1897, when he challenged George Dixon for the World featherweight title in New York, and was knocked out in the 6th round. 

When his fighting career had passed its peak, Murphy formed a booth, which he would take around Australia and New Zealand. 

Billy’s final fight was on August  24, 1909, when at the age of 46, he drew over 4 rounds, with Jimmy Ross.  Murphy’s final record was (100-53-27, 76 koes) Murphy’s impressive knockout record is a testament to why he was nicknamed ‘Torpedo.’

With his fighting career over Murphy returned to his earlier trade as a Tailor and clothes presser.

Billy Murphy is still the only New Zealand born boxer to win a world title.  He was also known during his career as ‘Australian’ Billy Murphy and had three brothers who also had careers as boxers, Tim Draffin Murphy, Bert Murphy, and Jimmy Murphy.  Tim Murphy held the Australian Middleweight title for 10 years.

Torpedo Billy Murphy died on July 26, 1939, aged 75.

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

On this Day: Andre Routis: A World FeatherWeight Champion Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Andre Routis was a very quick and clever boxer, with heart and durability, who during the 1920s fought the best bantamweights and featherweights in the world.  Born on July 16, 1900, in Bordeaux, Gironde, France. Routis won the French Amateur Bantamweight title in 1918, before turning professional in 1919. 

Starting his career as a bantamweight, Routis was soon facing top class opposition, and would go on to face the very best at both bantamweight and featherweight.  Routis would fight top fighters such as, Charles Ledoux, Bugler Harry Lake, Johnny Brown, Kid Francis, Harry Corbett, Jack Kid Berg, Cowboy Eddie Anderson, Tony Canzoneri, Joe Glick, Panama Al Brown, Johnny Cuthbert, Sammy Dorfman, Dick Finnegan, Buster Brown, Al Singer, and Battling Battalino.

Routis was a busy fighter and fought around the world against the best opponents available, and was very popular wherever he fought.  In addition to boxing in his native France, he also appeared regularly in rings throughout England and America.

On September 28, 1928, Routis caused a huge upset when he won the NBA and NewYork State World Featherweight title, with a 15-rounds point’s win over Tony Canzonerei, after a thrilling fight.  Routis held the title until September 23, 1929, when Battling Battalino out-pointed him over 15 hectic rounds. Battalino would go on to say that he was not crying from happiness after winning the title, he was crying because he had broke both his hands in the 4th round, while boxing Routis.

After losing his world title, Routis had just one more fight.  On November 5, 1929,  he was out-pointed over 10 rounds by Davey Abad.  Routis retired with a final record of 54(12koes)-25-7. Andre Routis would go on to own a bar in France, and upon his 69th birthday, died from a heart attack.

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

On This Day: Eddie Wimler: The Fair Haven Terror Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Eddie ’The Fair Haven Terror’ Wimler was a rough and tough featherweight fighter, who stood just 4’ feet 11” and a half inches, but was a little powerhouse of a fighter.  Born on January 15, 1892, in Sachsen, Germany, (Saxony) but moved with his parents as a child to America, where they settled in Fair Haven, Pennsylvania.

After working for some time in the mines as a youngster, like his father had, Eddie Wimler became a professional fighter in 1910, and showed that it was a profession for which he was well suited.  Over the next 14 years he fought a busy campaign, against bantamweights and featherweights. Wimler was always a journeyman rather than a genuine challenger for the world title, but he was always a tough proposition for any of his opponents, and a very popular crowd-pleaser with the fans.  Some of the fighters whom he fought, included, Patsy Brannigan, Babe Picato, Johnny Ray, Eddie Carver, Jack ’Kid’ Wolfe, Johnny Fundy, Joe Lynch, Memphis Pal Moore, Joe Burman, Ko Circus, Danny Kramer, Al Corbett, and Johnny Fundy. 

Wimler was the older brother of Chalky Wimler, who also had a successful boxing career, and for much of his boxing career his older brother Billy Wimler managed him.

Eddie Wimler’s final fight was a 6 rounds point’s defeat to Johnny Fundy on April 14, 1924.  The toughness of ‘The Fair Haven Terror’ can be measured by the fact that in well over 170 recorded bouts during his career, Wimler was never stopped or knocked out.  Wimler’s final verified record, including news paper decisions, 74(13koes)-66-44.

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

On This Day: "The Little Fish" Benny Bass Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Benny Bass was born Benjamin Baruch J. Bass in Kiev, Ukraine, but immigrated with his parents as a child to America, where they settled in Philadelphia. By the time he was a teenager, Bass had begun boxing and turned professional at age 17, and was soon facing top liners. Bass was a little human dynamo in the ring, despite standing just 5’ 1 ½”; he was heavily muscled, and was known for his iron chin, stamina, and knockout punch.

During his long and busy career, Bass fought the best men at featherweight to lightweight, including fighters, such as Billy Mascott, Chick Suggs, Johnny Farr, Cowboy Eddie Anderson, Lew Mayrs, Dick Finnegan, Joe Glick, Mike Ballerino, Tony Canzoneri, Harry Blitman, Tod Morgan, Sammy Fuller, Eddie Shea, Joey Goodman, Tommy Cello, Mike Dundee, Lew Massey, Bud Taylor, Kid Chocolate, Harry Dublinsky, Joe Ghnouly, Eddie Cool, Johnny Jadick, Petey Sarron, Jimmy Leto, Freddie Cochrane, and Henry Armstrong.

Bass held both the Featherweight and Junior lightweight World titles. He lost his featherweight title to the great Tony Canzoneri after a classic contest. Bass gave Canzoneri one of his toughest fights, despite suffering a broken collarbone early in their bout. After losing the featherweight title, Bass moved up to junior lightweight and won that title from the brilliant boxer Tod Morgan.

Bass lost his Junior lightweight title to the gifted Kid Chocolate, when he was stopped in the 7th round with a severely cut eye.  Bass would fight on for another 10 years, but would never fight for a world title again. Aside from his stoppage defeat to Kid Chocolate, Bass’s only other inside the distance defeat during his career was when he was knocked out in 4 rounds by a young Henry Armstrong in 1937, and it was the only time that Bass was ever counted out in 243 official fights.  He really was a little iron man of the ring.

Bass’s final record was 157(72kos)-28-6 his record in no-decision fights was 34-13-3.

After retirement, Bass would work as a liquor salesman for the traffic court department in Philadelphia, as a clerk. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Hall of Fame, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1994, and the International Hall of Fame in 2002.

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

On This Day: French Champion Laurent Grimbert Remembered

By Peter Silkov

Laurent Grimbert was a clever and game boxer who boxed at bantamweight and featherweight.  Born on June 26, 1954, in Crepy-en-Valois, Oise, France, Grimbert turned professional in 1976, fighting as a bantamweight. 

On September 30, 1978, in his 24th professional contest, Grimbert won the French Bantamweight title, with a 12-rounds point’s decision over Guy Caudron.  11 months later, Grimbert challenged Juan Francisco Rodriguez for the European Bantamweight title, but was beaten on points, after 12 rounds.

Grimbert moved up to featherweight, and on January 12, 1980, out-pointed Gerard Jacob over 12 rounds, to win the French Featherweight title.  Grimbert made two attempts to win the European Featherweight title, being stopped by Roberto Castanon, in the 6th round, on June 27, 1980, and then on July 22, 1981 Grimbert was stopped in 7 rounds by Salvatore Melluzzo, for the European Featherweight title.

After his defeat by Melluzzo, Grimbert’s form declined and he went 3-15 in his last 18 contests, with his last fight being on March 16, 1984, when Jose Maillot stopped him in 6 rounds.  Grimbert retired with a final record of 27(8koes)-29-4.

Laurent Grimbert died on June 25, 2002, the day before his 48th birthday.

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

On This Day: Billy 'Spider' Kelly Remembered: A Legend Who Inspired

 

Billy ‘Spider’ Kelly was a picture-perfect boxer, with speed, skill and style, which made him hugely popular.  Son of boxer Jim ‘Spider’ Kelly, Billy would follow in his father’s footsteps as a boxer, and win the same British and Commonwealth Featherweight titles that his father had won 20 years earlier. Making them the first father and son to accomplish such a feet.

Born on April 21, 1932, in Derry, Northern Ireland, Billy started his professional career in 1950, at the age of 18-years-old.  Kelly quickly became a top attraction, and rose up the featherweight ranks, and on October 2, 1954, Kelly won the Commonwealth featherweight title, by out-pointing Roy Ankrah over 15 rounds.  Three months later on January 22, Kelly added the British Featherweight title to his collection, by out-pointing Sammy McCarthy.

At this point Kelly was rated 4th in the world by The Ring magazine and on verge of getting a world title shot.  However on May 27, 1955, his ambitions were dented by a close and controversial point’s defeat at the hands of Ray Famechon, in a challenge for the European Featherweight title.  Six months later, Kelly’s career received another blow, when he was knocked out in the 8th round by Hogan ‘Kid’ Bassey, losing his Commonwealth featherweight title.  Kelly’s downturn in fortune continued on February 4, 1956, when he lost the British Featherweight title, after being controversially out-pointed by Charlie Hill.  So incensed were the Kings Hall crowd by this verdict, that a huge riot erupted, resulting in casualties.

Kelly was never the same boxer again after losing his British title, he went 7-15-3in his last 25 contests, retiring in 1962, after drawing with Jim ‘Spike’ McCormack over 8 rounds. 

Billy ‘Spider’ Kelly remained a popular figure in Ireland until his death on May 7 2010, at the age of 78-years-old. His fights were broadcasted on the radio and brought hope and entertainment in a time where Northern Ireland's history that was very bleak. He inspired a generation to get in the gym and use boxing to excel. He lived a modest life, working in the DuPont Chemical factory for many years. 

On August 15, 2014, the city of Derry honoured Billy Kelly and his Father by unveiling  a plaque, which was dedicated to the memory of the late boxing heroes. Many family members, friends, and city dwellers attended the ceremony on Fahan Street. 

Billy 'Spider' Kelly family members gather to honour the boxing champs at Fahan Street. (Photo:  Derry Journal)

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

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On This Day: Walter Edgerton: De Kentucky Rosebud

By Peter Silkov

Walter Edgerton was one of the most notable and notorious coloured boxers of his time, fighting under the name of ‘Kentucky Rosebud’, Edgerton was a featherweight, who often fought men considerably bigger than himself.  Edgerton was a colourful boxer, who was strong for his size, and also fast and clever.  The Kentucky Rosebud started his professional fighting career in 1886, at the advanced age of 32 years old, after building up a formidable reputation as a street fighter.  He grew up in an area of Philadelphia near Lombard Street. The rough and tumble kid soon earned a reputation, with his winning battles, and became known as the ‘Champion of Lombard Street.

At times he would play the clown in the ring, but when he was in the mood, the Kentucky Rosebud was a formidable opponent for anyone.  Much of Edgerton’s life is shrouded in mystery, such as his birth and death dates, and his late start to the professional ranks.  The origin of Edgerton’s nickname is also shrouded in mystery.  However, what is beyond dispute, is that Edgerton fought many of the outstanding boxers of his era, in a career that lasted until 1916.  The outstanding fighters that The Kentucky Rosebud faced, included, John Henry Johnson, Ike Weir, George Dixon, Johnny Van Heest, Martin Flaherty, Young Starlight, Young Griffo, Torpedo Billy Murphy, Joe Gans, Frank Childs, Young Starr, Solly Stroup, and Frank Bradley.

Since boxing was illegal in Philadelphia, boxing exhibitions were organized and allowed, and the funds would go towards ‘charitable’ causes. The city of Philadelphia was suffering an economic downturn and this event was named “The Bread Fund Carnival” to raise money for the poor and unemployed of the city. On March 22, 1894, not many boxers came out to help, but one of them was a sickly George Dixon.
Rosebud was teamed up with Dixon in a 3-round bout that was supposed to be an exhibition, but Edgerton took this opportunity to turn the match into a serious fight.
He knocked out George Dixon in the second round, and with one lucky blow, and Rosebud won the bout when Dixon went past the resting period. In all, Rosebud had 6 official fights with Dixon and came away with 3 point’s defeats and 3 draws, yet his unofficial knockout win over Dixon (who at that time had never hit the canvas) gave the Rosebud a considerable amount of fame, and notoriety.

Edgerton had a few rivals and one of them was Philadelphian, John Henry Johnson, who claimed to be the new ‘Champion of Lombard Street.’ This rivalry turned violent on the evening of June 10th 1994, in Philadelphia, when the two men met in Weaver’s Cigar Store, in Rosebud’s old neighborhood. In his book “Jolly Fellows: Male Milieus in Nineteenth-Century America” author Richard Stott said of their rivalry:

“The Kentucky Rosebud and John Henry Johnson bumped into each other in a poolroom. When Edgerton put up his fists, Johnson grabbed a pool cue and Edgerton shot him in the face. Johnson was not seriously hurt. “

The bullet only grazed Johnson’s face, but Edgerton fled to Atlantic City until the heat was off, thinking he had killed his archrival.

As his boxing career wound down in the early 1900s Edgerton opened a cigar store on Locust Street in Philadelphia, which he ran for 10 years.  The store was a front for a gambling den, which Edgerton ran.  He made a very profitable living from this illegal business until 1912 when he split from his wife and sued for custody of their daughter, Hattie (although Edgeton was not her biological father.) During the acrimonious court case to decide custody, Edgerton’s gambling business was exposed and in the end, he not only lost custody of his daughter, but also ended up being jailed for his various ‘vice-like’ activities.

When he came out of prison Edgerton made a brief return to the ring, from 1913 until 1916, he had 7 contests, with his last one being on August 23, 1916, when he out- pointed old foe, John Henry Johnson, over 6 rounds.  Edgerton’s final record was (including newspaper decisions) 28(9koes) 39-30. 

Walter Edgerton died on May 3 1930, at the age of 76 years old.

 

Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

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Boxing History: Thomas 'Pedlar' Palmer: The Box O' Tricks

Remembering...Thomas 'Pedlar' Palmer
September 25, 1876 - February 13, 1949

Thomas ‘Pedlar’ Palmer was one of the cleverest and most scientifically adapt boxers ever to come out of Britain.  He was one of the earliest East End boxing celebrities, and his life story reads like a novel, with him rising from poverty to fame and riches by the time he was 20 years old, and then losing it all.  Palmer’s fall from stardom and success was as quick as his rise.

Palmer was born in Canning Town, London, on September 25, 1876.  His father had been a very useful bare-knuckle fighter and Palmer showed from an early age that he was a natural talent for fighting.  Although he made his official professional debut in 1891, while aged 15, Palmer had a number of fights previously to that, mostly with bare knuckles, that has not been recorded.

After turning professional, Palmer soon showed himself to be an outstanding talent.  He had great speed with both his hands and his feet, and his cleverness and dexterity in the ring gained him the nickname, ‘The Box O’ Tricks.’ 

On May 1, 1892, while still not 17 years old, Palmer won the British 102 pound title,  (this was before the official introduction of the flyweight division into boxing) with a 17th round knockout of Walter Croot.  Palmer became one of the biggest stars in British boxing and a darling of the National Sporting Club, which was then the centre of British boxing.

After making several successful defences of his British 102 pound title, Palmer moved up in weight to the bantamweight division, and on November 25, 1895, defeated Billy Plimmer on a disqualification in 14 rounds, to win the British version of the World Bantamweight championship.  Plimmer was disqualified when his brother entered the ring, just as Billy was dazed and in trouble from a Palmer attack.  Palmer became the first boxer to win a world title via a disqualification, and also at the age of 19 and 2 months, the youngest boxer ever to win the Bantamweight world championship.

This was a time when England and America had their own World bantamweight champions, and opinion was divided over who was the superior.  But, Palmer’s successful defences of his title over the next 3 years, over top men such as, Johnny Murphy, Ernie Stanton, Dave Sullivan, and Billy Plimmer (again), gained support for Palmer being the true number one in the bantamweight division.

During this time, Palmer gained the reputation for living as fast a life outside of the ring, as he did inside of it.  He enjoyed the nightlife, gambling, drinking, and womanizing, and eventually this devil-may-care lifestyle away from the ring, would have implications for his career inside of it.

Palmer’s world came crashing down on September 12, 1899, when he traveled to America to fight America’s top bantamweight, ’Terrible’ Terry McGovern in New York.  After having a distracted training camp in which he was troubled by the continual harassment of the American journalists, and having trouble making the weight, Palmer was demolished by McGovern in the 1st round, losing his world title, and much of his former prestige.  Although Palmer would carry on boxing at the top level for another 6 years, and would still produce some memorable performances and victories, his best years were behind him after his defeat by McGovern.  He was never quite the same mercurial boxer again.

Palmer won the British Bantamweight title (billed at the time as the English 116 pound title) on May 28, 1900, with a 15-round point’s win over Harry Ware, but then lost the title back to Ware five months later, when he was out-pointed over 20 rounds.

Palmer’s form became patchy as the 1900s progressed, with him going 16-8-3 in the 27 contests he had after losing his bantamweight title to Ware.  Yet during this time, Palmer still produced some flashes of brilliance to defeat fighters such as Digger Stanley, George Dixon, Spike Robson, and Harry Ware.

In 1904, Palmer traveled to South Africa and won the South African featherweight title, when he out-pointed W.J. ’Watty’ Austin over 20 rounds.  One of Palmer’s last great performances was on March 20 1905, when he challenged Joe Bowker for the British featherweight title, and also the British version of the World featherweight title, and was stopped in the 12th round of a thrilling contest.

In 1907, Palmer’s world collapsed completely when he was jailed for 5 years for manslaughter, after an altercation with a fellow passenger on a train ended with the death of Robert Choat from a blow to the head.  Palmer was imprisoned until 1911, and then made a brief return to the ring, but most of his former brilliance was long gone, and after wins over mediocre opposition, he was stopped in 4 rounds by old foe Digger Stanley on November 19, 1914.  Palmer fought just once more after the Stanley defeat, when on March 10, 1919 he met another veteran, Jim Driscoll, and was stopped in the 4th round.  Palmer’s final ring record is 46(5koes)-14-4, although he is likely to have had many other contests which have not been recorded.

Palmer died in Brighton, on February 13, 1949, at the age of 72 years old.  

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Copyright © 2016 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com

When Greatness Collides: Ruben Olivares vs. Alexis Arguello

By Peter Silkov

“I was caught cold with that first shot. No, I have no excuses. I thought I was winning the fight, but things are never over until the final bell. I don’t know what else I can say.” Ruben Olivares.

“I was fighting for my life. Olivares hurt me in the 8th, 9th and 10th rounds. I felt like I might go down in the 10th. This is a very happy and proud day for my country and myself.” Alexis Arguello.

When Alexis Arguello 35-4-0 challenged Ruben Olivares 78-4-1 for his WBA world featherweight championship on November 23, 1974, it was a clash of two boxing greats at opposite ends of their careers. Mexican Olivares at age 27 was already a legendary figure, having been an outstanding World bantamweight champion before moving up to capture the featherweight crown. The colourful Olivares lived fast, both in and outside the ring, with a rock and roll all-action fighting style, which at his best, had made him seemingly invincible for a time. Although he was the reigning WBA world featherweight champion, it was generally considered that Olivares was already a little past his best, the aura of invincibility that he had carried early on in his title reign at bantamweight, had been punctured by defeats to Chucho Castillo, Rafael Herrera and Art Hafey. The invincibility that had taken Olivares to a record of 61-0-1 before his first career defeat had become coloured by an unpredictability, which ironically, had only added to his popularity with the fans.

Despite Olivares’ vulnerability, he was still an extremely formidable fighter and his opponent, Arguello, entered the ring at the Inglewood Forum, a clear underdog. Arguello was 22 years old, and had battled his way into title contention since turning professional at the age of 16 in 1968. Arguello had the reputation of being a rangy box-puncher, and had lost a previous bid for the WBA world title when he had been out-pointed by Ernesto Marcel nine months previously. No one knew that Alexis Arguello was destined for a greatness of his own. This fight with Olivares would prove to be Arguello’s first step to ring immortality.

The match was given an extra intrigue as both men had previously sparred together in 1971. Olivares must have remembered those sparring sessions as he entered this fight in good shape and taking his young challenger very seriously.

The match started off with both men boxing cautiously, each aware of the ability of the other. Arguello shaded the first two rounds with his long left, but Olivares was boxing well himself, and showing his often underrated boxing skills as he looked for openings. In the third round, the action heated up as the champion began going for Arguello’s thin body, and the two started to engage in some thrilling punch for punch exchanges. By the middle rounds, Olivares had gained the upper hand and seemed to be in control of the action, as he used some good movement to move in and out of range, and launched two-fisted attacks at the challenger’s head and body. However, Arguello was still in the match and made every round close as he sought to counter Olivares attacks, but the Mexican’s punches seemed to be too many and too varied for the Nicaraguan challenger to overcome. Ruben had especially good rounds in the 8th to 10th rounds, as he seemed on the verge of overpowering his young challenger. Yet, in a preview of the ability that would make him a triple weight world champion over the next 6 years, Arguello kept his boxing together under Olivares’ attacks, and continued to counter with well-timed punches of his own.

By the 11th round, Olivares was displaying some signs of slowing down, wearying from his own frenetic pace and the youth and pinpoint counters of his challenger.

In the 12th round, a right hand from Olivares seemed to stagger Arguello and drive him into the ropes. The champion responded by launching a furious two-fisted assault upon Arguello, designed to end the contest then and there. Instead of finally folding up, Arguello lashed back with punches of his own, so that by the end of the round it seemed to be Olivares who was in trouble rather than Arguello.

This became clear in the 13th round. As the boxers resumed the action, Arguello dropped the champion with a left uppercut, which only traveled a short way, but had a big impact. Olivares dropped heavily to the canvas, but managed to beat the count, and after a slight delay to have his gum-shield replaced, was ready to continue. Some fighters might have sought to hold for dear life at this point, and ride out the storm until their head had cleared, and some fighters may have choose to retreat until the rescuing chimes of the bell ending the round. Not Ruben Olivares, he just headed straight back into battle with Arguello, and an explosive combination from “El Flaco Explosivo” (The Explosive Thin Man) dropped Olivares once more. This time his eyes were bleary, and he shook his head repeatedly as he got himself up to his knees, and then staggered to his feet, just after the referee had counted to ten.

It was a dramatic conclusion to what had been a tense and stirring battle from start to finish. As great fights go, this tends to be one of the more overlooked classic fights.

There were still some more nights of greatness to come for Olivares, just seven months later he would win the WBC world featherweight championship by beating Bobby Chacon in 2 rounds. For Arguello, it was the start of a long period of success that would see him reign unbeaten in three divisions, until finally Arron Pryor would beat him in 1982 when trying for a record 4th world’s championship. By then Arguello’s own greatness was already well and truly sealed.

Ruben Olivares and Alexis Arguello’s 1974 clash is a fascinating example of two great fighters meeting each other at opposing periods of their careers, and putting together a fight to remember.

Watch the fight:

Copyright © 2015 The Boxing Glove, Inc. Peter Silkov Art. All Rights Reserved. Peter Silkov contributes to www.theboxingglove.com