#heavyweight boxing

[twixnmix]

Tina Turner training with heavyweight boxer Ken Norton at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, 1977.

[pascalkirchmair]

"Mike Tyson", various inks on paper, 21 x 29,7 cm

[ifelllikeastar]

Jack Johnson nicknamed the "Galveston Giant", was an American boxer who, at the height of the Jim Crow era, became the first black world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915). His 1910 fight against James J. Jeffries was dubbed the "fight of the century." Johnson defeated Jeffries, who was white, triggering dozens of race riots across the U.S.

Born John Arthur Johnson on March 31, 1878, in Galveston, Texas, and died June 10, 1946, in Franklinton, North Carolina, at the age of 68.

[txampboxer]

A BOXER* and his GLOVES! Former Heavyweight Israeli Boxer ROMAN GREENBERG. MASSIVE "HARD-ON" OOOOF!" 02192024 Yeah I've been AWAY for a while. Granted some of YOU FOLKS have Surprised me, in You Guys going back through the feed again to look and select other photos. YES! I've had a few more BOUTS since the last time I mentioned getting to put on the GLOVES! The NEWBIE (he isn't much of a Newbie anymore) and I are currently using RINGSIDE 10 oz Boxing Gloves (we started out with 18 oz, then dropped to 14 oz, then to 12 oz) and up to Bout #12. He is still learning but he has managed to OUT SCORE me on occasions during any number of Rounds. Granted, THE FEW that know my "TRUE STORY" are likely STILL SHOCKED that we are STILL Boxing in this Unusual Way! To each his own! As long as a Dude is willing to Trade Punches for Fun/a Good Workout, it SHOULDN'T make ANY DIFFERENCE from what physical position we are throwing our punches from.

I will try and get back to posting more photos from Yesteryear - 2000 forward.

Greenberg's Active Career from 2001 to 2008, had a total of 38 Bouts. 6'01 230ish. - TxAmpBoxer

[blastofsports]

[20th-century-personalities]

George Foreman in 1976. He won the heavyweight title in 1973 and again in 1994 / Bettman, via Getty

[handeaux]

Legendary Pugilist John L. Sullivan Won A Championship In A Cincinnati Bout

Off the top of your head, without consulting your phone, can you name any of today’s heavyweight boxing champions?

In 1890, everyone knew the name and fame of John L. Sullivan. He was a frequent visitor to Cincinnati and was easily the most famous celebrity of that era. “Jawn L.” was so famous, the people who shook his hand became celebrities themselves. "Let me shake the hand of the man who shook the hand of John L. Sullivan" became a Victorian catchphrase.

Sullivan is remembered as the first and the last. He was the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing and is also recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing. Sullivan was enormously successful, the first American athlete to earn more than $1 million in his lifetime. Depending on which boxing historian you consult, Sullivan may have earned the first heavyweight crown awarded under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules by winning a fight right here in Cincinnati.

That fight actually occurred just outside Cincinnati. Boxing, although enormously popular throughout the 1800s, was mostly illegal. When word got around that Sullivan was booked to take on Dominick McCaffrey at Chester Park out on Spring Grove Avenue, he was arrested on a warrant sworn by Cincinnati’s Law and Order League under an Ohio law prohibiting prizefighting. McCaffrey went into hiding at a roadhouse near the Zoological Gardens to escape a similar detention.

Sullivan was hauled into the courtroom of Judge Alex B. Huston and testified that he was indeed scheduled to fight McCaffrey, but only in a sparring demonstration. The dubious judge was eventually convinced on learning this “sparring” match would have both pugilists wearing gloves. Since almost all boxing up to then had been conducted under the bare-knuckles London Prize Ring Rules, Judge Huston agreed that the gloved bout did not constitute a real prizefight and could proceed.

Nearly 15,000 spectators packed the grounds and grandstand at Chester Park on 29 August 1885. Although it was later developed as an amusement resort, Chester Park at that time was basically a large horse-racing track. (“Chester” was the proprietor’s favorite horse.)

Sullivan and McCaffrey slogged through seven mostly indecisive rounds until the referee called the contest in Sullivan’s favor. Although many, including the Enquirer, objected to that decision, it was eventually agreed that Sullivan had fairly won on points, if not style. After pocketing $1,000 and a commemorative ring, McCaffrey conceded that Sullivan was the legitimate world champion – the first title achieved while wearing gloves.

Just four years later, Sullivan won the last title fight conducted without gloves, against Jake Kilrain in 1889. He finally lost his championship titles to “Gentleman” Jim Corbett in 1892. Throughout his career, Sullivan augmented his boxing earnings on the vaudeville circuit. Sullivan’s on-stage performances attracted quite a few feminine fans, including the “Jersey Lily,” Mrs. Lillie Langtry. As Al Thayer of the Cincinnati Enquirer related the incident in his 1894 book, “Ah There! Pickings from Lobby Chatter,” Mrs. Langtry and drama critic Mary H. Fiske, who wrote under the pen name “Giddy Gusher,” wangled their way into a private meeting with the champ through black-face comedian Lew Dockstader:

“Lew Dockstader told me a good story on John L. Sullivan, the other day, that has never been published. While the champion was in training for one of his matches, Mrs. Fiske, “The Giddy Gusher,” now deceased, told Lew she would like to go to his training quarters and take Mrs. Langtry with her, the latter being very desirous of seeing Sullivan. Lew and John were old friends and the latter said he would be glad to meet the ladies. On their arrival at the Sullivan quarters they were introduced, and, after shaking hands, the champion said: “Ladies, would you like to see me strip?” Of course he meant to show them his muscle, but the “Jersey Lily” was “not on” and she blushed to the roots of her hair. “The Gusher” winked at Lew and said: “We should be proud to.” And Sully stripped.”

For most of his career, Sullivan was a notorious drinker, and it was another stage performance that brought Sullivan and his appetite for demon rum to Cincinnati in 1891. The Cincinnati Enquirer (23 Apr 1891) tells the tale:

"John L. Sullivan made a spectacle of himself during the performance given by his company at the People's Theater last night that was not edifying. Among other things, he said he was drunk, and glad of it."

According to the newspaper, Sullivan was registered at the Gibson House but spent most of his time at Belle Curry's bordello on Broadway. Madam Curry might well have wished the big lug had confined himself to the Gibson, because Sullivan made a mess of her "resort." He kicked over a tray of glasses, beat up an employee named Fannie Frazier, demolished chairs and other furnishings.

Word of the champ's exploits reached Cincinnati Police Chief Philip Dietsch, who decided to take matters into his own hands. The Chief marched down to the People's Theater and confronted Sullivan.

"Sullivan," Chief Dietsch said, "you are a fine specimen of manhood. I wish I was as big and I would tackle you myself."

"You are a good sized little man yourself," said Sullivan, "but you will have to excuse me; I have been drinking."

The Chief agreed that Sullivan had been imbibing, a good deal.

"Well, I am not the worst fellow in the world," Sullivan said, "and I am not as bad as people say I am."

Chief Dietsch called it a draw and Sullivan continued to enjoy the freedom of the city. The Enquirer opined that Sullivan should appreciate the courtesy he was shown, but one imagines that Chief Dietsch was relieved not to engage in fisticuffs with the former heavyweight champion of the world.

[thewondermentofillustration]

Norman Lindsay - The Jack Johnson and Tommy Burns Fight, 1908, watercolour

This boxing match on Boxing Day, 26 December 1908, would determine the heavyweight title of the world. Tommy Burns was the world heavyweight champion since 1906 from Canada. Jack Johnson was an African American boxer from Galveston in Texas. The match was one of the biggest sporting events in Australian history. It was held in an open-air stadium at Sydney's Rushcutters Bay, with a crowd of 26,000 inside and another 40,000 outside. It was broadcast on radio stations internationally, and the film was distributed through Europe and the USA. This was the first time that the Heavyweight World Championship was contested by a non-white fighter. At the time, black people were barred from competing in the championship. For two years, Johnson had tried persistently to fight Burns, but Burns would not accept. In the end, the money was too good for Burns to refuse. Johnson beat Burns in 14 rounds. The police ended the fight after suspecting Burns had a broken jaw, and perhaps not wanting to prolong the defeat of a white man.