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I know your interested in boxing history.
Did you know that legendary heavyweight Joe Louis once signed for,and did a training session with Liverpool f c? OK only a publicity exercise, but i cant believe i didn't even know until recently.
Did you know that legendary heavyweight Joe Louis once signed for,and did a training session with Liverpool f c? OK only a publicity exercise, but i cant believe i didn't even know until recently.
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I didn't know Joe had signed for Liverpool FC, Tony, but I've just looked it up on Seconds Out.
Great story:
Liverpool, A Boxing City By Nick Kelly:
"It was once one of the most prominent boxing cities in the UK, if not the world, producing many great champions such as World Featherweight challenger, Nel Tarleton, his foe on several occasions Dom Volante and more recently WBC Light Heavyweight Champion John Conteh.
Imagine if Joe Louis after joining the army during the Second World War decided to give up boxing for a life as a soccer player?
Hard to imagine the 200 pound Heavyweight champion tearing around a football pitch isn’t it? But in fact Louis did sign for and participate in a training session for Liverpool Football Club during a tour of the UK.
It was Independence Day 1944 when Joe Louis became one of the esteemed names to have joined Liverpool Football Club, as they pipped their cross city rivals Everton to his signature. Liverpool manager George Kay produced a football league amateur form for the champion to sign, after which Louis was photographed training with the squad.
“What a draw this would be should he be called upon one day to lead the Liverpool attack,” said the Liverpool Daily Post following the massive coup. The form however would not be officially registered, instead framed and hung in the club’s boardroom.
Louis had already spent six weeks in the UK before he arrived in Liverpool on July 3rd, and enjoyed his first day off in weeks, spending it playing golf and sleeping. The Liverpool Echo followed Louis on his round at Formby golf course and said: “Despite the handicap of playing with borrowed clubs, on a strange course, in ordinary army boots and for the first time in months he did an 84 on this testing course,” with a “nigh perfect” short game.
The following day saw Louis charitably visiting local hospitals in the area before the PR event with Liverpool FC in the afternoon.
In the evening Louis was again treated to a “tremendous reception” this time at the Liverpool Stadium, as he participated in a three round exhibition bout against Sergeant George Nicholson his first string man since he lifted the Heavyweight title seven years prior.
“Louis gave a perfect demonstration of left hand work but rarely used his right – maybe it was tired from so much autograph signing but he gave glimpses of his ability and power which won him the world crown,” said the Liverpool Echo the following day. Nicholson however, “was not only protected by a well padded helmet but took the additional precaution of back peddling most of the time.”
Not surprising as they were due to visit North Wales, Manchester and Warrington in the forthcoming days.
The bout was a “treat for the service lads” and not open to the general public. Jackie Wilson, the No.2 welterweight at the time and Corporal James Edger, who dropped a close split decision to Jake LaMotta in his last bout, also captured the eye on the bill.
The whole event was an unquantified success for one of the few cities that continued to stage boxing weekly events throughout the war. Louis himself said, “I am a man of few words but I just want to say I’m glad to be here,” paying testament to Liverpool’s notable boxing heritage and the hospitality of its citizens."
Great story:
Liverpool, A Boxing City By Nick Kelly:
"It was once one of the most prominent boxing cities in the UK, if not the world, producing many great champions such as World Featherweight challenger, Nel Tarleton, his foe on several occasions Dom Volante and more recently WBC Light Heavyweight Champion John Conteh.
Imagine if Joe Louis after joining the army during the Second World War decided to give up boxing for a life as a soccer player?
Hard to imagine the 200 pound Heavyweight champion tearing around a football pitch isn’t it? But in fact Louis did sign for and participate in a training session for Liverpool Football Club during a tour of the UK.
It was Independence Day 1944 when Joe Louis became one of the esteemed names to have joined Liverpool Football Club, as they pipped their cross city rivals Everton to his signature. Liverpool manager George Kay produced a football league amateur form for the champion to sign, after which Louis was photographed training with the squad.
“What a draw this would be should he be called upon one day to lead the Liverpool attack,” said the Liverpool Daily Post following the massive coup. The form however would not be officially registered, instead framed and hung in the club’s boardroom.
Louis had already spent six weeks in the UK before he arrived in Liverpool on July 3rd, and enjoyed his first day off in weeks, spending it playing golf and sleeping. The Liverpool Echo followed Louis on his round at Formby golf course and said: “Despite the handicap of playing with borrowed clubs, on a strange course, in ordinary army boots and for the first time in months he did an 84 on this testing course,” with a “nigh perfect” short game.
The following day saw Louis charitably visiting local hospitals in the area before the PR event with Liverpool FC in the afternoon.
In the evening Louis was again treated to a “tremendous reception” this time at the Liverpool Stadium, as he participated in a three round exhibition bout against Sergeant George Nicholson his first string man since he lifted the Heavyweight title seven years prior.
“Louis gave a perfect demonstration of left hand work but rarely used his right – maybe it was tired from so much autograph signing but he gave glimpses of his ability and power which won him the world crown,” said the Liverpool Echo the following day. Nicholson however, “was not only protected by a well padded helmet but took the additional precaution of back peddling most of the time.”
Not surprising as they were due to visit North Wales, Manchester and Warrington in the forthcoming days.
The bout was a “treat for the service lads” and not open to the general public. Jackie Wilson, the No.2 welterweight at the time and Corporal James Edger, who dropped a close split decision to Jake LaMotta in his last bout, also captured the eye on the bill.
The whole event was an unquantified success for one of the few cities that continued to stage boxing weekly events throughout the war. Louis himself said, “I am a man of few words but I just want to say I’m glad to be here,” paying testament to Liverpool’s notable boxing heritage and the hospitality of its citizens."
I didn't even know his long-time foe, max schemlling, was a coffin bearer at joe'sfuneral.
I did know about Max and Joe, Tony. They became firm friends in later years and Max helped him out financially after Joe hit the skids thanks to the terrible American govt driving Joe into penury.
It would have been a good laugh if Bugner had signed for LFC!
he'd have been Scouser Joe then - to add to his other 'nationalities'!
he'd have been Scouser Joe then - to add to his other 'nationalities'!
not many people go the full distance with marvis frazier like our joe!! lol.
All bull. If J(bugner) could stand on your toes then he would hammer you to bits.!!!
December 1967
Joe Bugner was 17 years old when he was knocked out in his first 'pro' fight by an unknown boxer named Paul Brown, at the Hilton Hotel, Mayfair.
Brown had 3 fights against Bugner, and lost two of them.
He only won 2 of his 13 fights in his entire 18 month career.
Joe Bugner was 17 years old when he was knocked out in his first 'pro' fight by an unknown boxer named Paul Brown, at the Hilton Hotel, Mayfair.
Brown had 3 fights against Bugner, and lost two of them.
He only won 2 of his 13 fights in his entire 18 month career.
Ulric Regis, who was from Trinidad, died 3 or 4 days after the fight.
Wasn't a knockout or a stoppage, but a narrow points victory.
Wasn't a knockout or a stoppage, but a narrow points victory.
There was a very entertaining interview TalkSport did with Barry Hearn recently where Hearn described how he set up the Bruno v Bugner fight.
His imitation of Joe on the 'phone in Australia when he first called him about it was very funny.
His imitation of Joe on the 'phone in Australia when he first called him about it was very funny.
I've just found this write up of the Bruno v Bugner fight if anyone wants to read it:
http://that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/1987-frank-bruno-v-joe-bugner.html
"Bugner was everything that Bruno was not, especially in the popularity stakes. The Hungarian-born fighter had hardly endeared himself to the hearts of the British public, by controversially defeating Henry Cooper in what turned out to be Cooper's last ever bout in 1971. Defeating our 'Enry on a hotly disputed points decision was tantamount to mooning at the Queen during the recent jubilee celebrations. "I never wanted to be the man who ended Henry’s career. I had no idea that was to be his last fight" Bugner commented in 2008. "What happened to me after that fight was worse than being crucified. Even the Kray twins got a better press. I was blamed for something I had no control over and one moronic Labour MP even called for me to be stripped of my title, stripped of my assets and sent back to wherever I came from. I was a 21-year-old kid and my mind was totally f****d after that. I had another 20 fights in England after beating Henry and the reaction from the crowd was bloody painful every time. In the end, I was chased out of my own country.""
Just goes to show how it ultimately hurt Bugner just as much as Our 'enry when he got the decision that night in '71.
http://that1980ssportsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/1987-frank-bruno-v-joe-bugner.html
"Bugner was everything that Bruno was not, especially in the popularity stakes. The Hungarian-born fighter had hardly endeared himself to the hearts of the British public, by controversially defeating Henry Cooper in what turned out to be Cooper's last ever bout in 1971. Defeating our 'Enry on a hotly disputed points decision was tantamount to mooning at the Queen during the recent jubilee celebrations. "I never wanted to be the man who ended Henry’s career. I had no idea that was to be his last fight" Bugner commented in 2008. "What happened to me after that fight was worse than being crucified. Even the Kray twins got a better press. I was blamed for something I had no control over and one moronic Labour MP even called for me to be stripped of my title, stripped of my assets and sent back to wherever I came from. I was a 21-year-old kid and my mind was totally f****d after that. I had another 20 fights in England after beating Henry and the reaction from the crowd was bloody painful every time. In the end, I was chased out of my own country.""
Just goes to show how it ultimately hurt Bugner just as much as Our 'enry when he got the decision that night in '71.
Given Kennys significant boxing experience in his younger days, I bow to his knowledge.
I actually heard Ali say that he respected Joe as a very decent fighter on the Parkinson show. Parky had said that Bugner was not up to much as a fighter and Ali defended Joe strongly.
good thread this. Made me recall Richard Dunn. I remember when I was a youngster the fight he had with Bugner which I looked up on youtube, but I don't recall him fighting Ali, which is on an associated video.
I actually worked with Richard Dunn when he was a scaffolder working offshore in the early eighties. As far as I can remember it was on the Brent Delta platform. A nice bloke to speak to.
I shook hands with Richard Dunn when he was present at the opening of the Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Bradford.
From what i can recall didnt bugner come out, for once, all guns blazing v. dunn? I think the british public wouldve respected him more had he fought that way all the time! but he so often ****footed around, i dont actually think he was that bad, and the way he was treated was scandalous.
...brit public also treated marvellous marvin very badly after he destroyed minter.Like a football hooligan crowd, perhaps hagler shouldve waded in and battered the lot of em!
the best fight ive ever seen, tho its short, is hagler v hearns, never ever seen anything like it, you couldnt ever say that was fixed! poor hearns, a great fighter but up against the best theres been ie hagler, duran, leanord, etc.
great era Tony, and Wilfredo Benitez also in that weight bracket.
Strangely enough I prefer the 'old school' boxing days. ie: Ali and beforehand. I especially liked the La Motta v Robinson fight on St Valentines day in 1949??
That's when boxing was boxing. (IMHO) None of this twelve rounds malarkey, the full fifteen. The fight I mention was brutal yet jaw dropping.
I wasn't their I may add!, but have seen it on You Tube.
That's when boxing was boxing. (IMHO) None of this twelve rounds malarkey, the full fifteen. The fight I mention was brutal yet jaw dropping.
I wasn't their I may add!, but have seen it on You Tube.
Same here stewarty, and not many got into the ring with a 'spare tyre' round their gut. They were there to fight, and carrying over two stones of blubber had you knackered long before the final few rounds, especially when facing a really aggressive opponent, not the jab and stand heavyweight boxers you see so much of today.
Todays fighters, overall, are heavier in the top division, but up against the speed and skill of Ali or the power of fighters like George Foreman and Ernie Shavers, it would be an early night for the lardarses.
Todays fighters, overall, are heavier in the top division, but up against the speed and skill of Ali or the power of fighters like George Foreman and Ernie Shavers, it would be an early night for the lardarses.
Impossible to compare eras, but that is especially true among the heavyweights.
I think there was too much fixing going on in those days, though. Pretty certain quite a few of robinsons fights were 'organised' by the mafia, else i doubt hed have lost any!My dad always reckoned the best boxer of all time was Henry Armstrong, but in my era i have to say i thought the best was leonard, even tho i actually wanted duran to beat him!
ken buchanan didnt want to box any more after fighting duran, wonder why?perhaps it was the low punch.
Just skimmed through a DVD of 3 of Armstrong fights from 1938. No 'stick and move' from him, he buried his head on his opponents shoulder, which made him hard to hit, and slugged it out from there. Non-stop action, I got tired just watching him.
Robinson went something like 114 bouts with only one defeat (LA Motta) He went on to retain the middleweight division FIVE times. Now I'm well aware that he had to lose it four times to achieve this but he did like the high life and had an extraordinary career. Robinson fought La Motta six times, winning five. He never once put La Motta on the canvas. The reason they fought six times is that no other boxer would go near them.
As one shrewd judge remarked at the time....'He was the only fighter I ever saw that could knock an opponent out, going backwards'.
Ali idolised him and pound for pound was the greatest ever imo.
As one shrewd judge remarked at the time....'He was the only fighter I ever saw that could knock an opponent out, going backwards'.
Ali idolised him and pound for pound was the greatest ever imo.
so we have la motta, robinson, hagler, leonard, duran, benitez, ali, armstrong, marciano, and joe louis all signing for liverpool, very good!
At least there would be plenty of action....and numerous red cards!!
Iirc, Ernie Shavers already works in Liverpool.
He's a 'greeter' on the door at a nightclub.
He's a 'greeter' on the door at a nightclub.
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