Boxing History

Boxing history articles

Miami Actor Aygemang Clay Invokes Jack Johnson on Stage

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Boxing History - Veiled as the story of fictional boxing champion Jay Jackson, “The Royale” portrays the hurdlesreal-life Jack Johnson had to clear to become the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world.

Veiled as the story of fictional boxing champion Jay Jackson, “The Royale” portrays the hurdlesreal-life Jack Johnson had to clear to become the first African-American heavyweight champion of the world.

“The Royale” has been presented in New York and Chicago, and is now in Miami, FL with local actor Aygemang Clay commandeering the lead role. Jack Johnson was born and raised in Galveston, TX. Ironically, the man who years later would become emblematic of segregation in sports actually grew up in a poor Texas neighborhood largely unexposed to segregation. Although he grew up with a lot of white friends, they were all similarly poor and he was rarely reminded of his skin color.

Read moreMiami Actor Aygemang Clay Invokes Jack Johnson on Stage

Roberto Duran turns 65, and he has a new movie to celebrate!

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Boxing History - The great Roberto Duran turns 65 today, June 16th. Arguably the finest living fighter, the finest lightweight in history and one of the greatest Hispanic boxers of all time, Duran, Hands of Stone, is a hero to millions and a huge influence on many thousands of fighters, both past and present. Duran turned pro way, way back in February of 1968 (LBJ was president, Muhammad Ali was in exile, George Foreman had not yet won his Olympic gold medal) and he won his first world title, the WBA lightweight crown, in June of 1972 (“Tricky Dicky” was now president, Ali had returned, lost to Joe Frazier and was on the comeback trail anew, Foreman was an unbeaten 35-0 contender).

The great Roberto Duran turns 65 today, June 16th. Arguably the finest living fighter, the finest lightweight in history and one of the greatest Hispanic boxers of all time, Duran, Hands of Stone, is a hero to millions and a huge influence on many thousands of fighters, both past and present. Duran turned pro way, way back in February of 1968 (LBJ was president, Muhammad Ali was in exile, George Foreman had not yet won his Olympic gold medal) and he won his first world title, the WBA lightweight crown, in June of 1972 (“Tricky Dicky” was now president, Ali had returned, lost to Joe Frazier and was on the comeback trail anew, Foreman was an unbeaten 35-0 contender).

This is how long the cherished Duran had been a part of fight fans’ lives. Duran would beat everything in his path at 135-pounds, then beat the new US superstar Sugar Ray Leonard at welterweight, then win world titles up at 154 and 160 and fight to earn a quite astonishing, 103-16-(70) pro record! Imagine that today? No, I can’t, either.

Read moreRoberto Duran turns 65, and he has a new movie to celebrate!

Ali to Foreman: Please come back and beat Ken Norton for me

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Boxing History - Big George Foreman, with the passing of the great (or greatest) Muhammad Ali, has become the oldest living former world heavyweight champion, and the 67-year-old legend sure has a number of tales to tell. Foreman has literally seen it all, done it all, and lived to tell the story of it all. George has had some quite amazing life, no doubt. But despite all he has witnessed, the incomparable Ali still leaves George somewhat mystified and in awe.

Big George Foreman, with the passing of the great (or greatest) Muhammad Ali, has become the oldest living former world heavyweight champion, and the 67-year-old legend sure has a number of tales to tell. Foreman has literally seen it all, done it all, and lived to tell the story of it all. George has had some quite amazing life, no doubt. But despite all he has witnessed, the incomparable Ali still leaves George somewhat mystified and in awe.

These past two weeks have seen Foreman share with us all his memories of Ali, and George has paid great tributes to the former three-time king. One of the more interesting things Foreman had to say about his one-time archenemy came on the latest episode of Jim Lampley’s The Fight Game. Foreman spoke of an unexpected phone-call from Ali, “in the late ’70’s.”

Read moreAli to Foreman: Please come back and beat Ken Norton for me

Manila: where Ali should have fought his last; and how his later years might have been if he had

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Boxing History - It might seem an odd choice as it is certainly no Ali book that either celebrates or holds up The Greatest's legend as a God-like figure who is deservedly idolised the world over, but Mark Kram's superb book, Ghosts of Manila has been paid another visit during this, the time of Ali"s passing. The sad news has upset millions, and by way of tribute a far less scrutinising book would make far more a palatable read for the Ali worshippers (including me).

It might seem an odd choice as it is certainly no Ali book that either celebrates or holds up The Greatest’s legend as a God-like figure who is deservedly idolised the world over, but Mark Kram’s superb book, Ghosts of Manila has been paid another visit during this, the time of Ali”s passing. The sad news has upset millions, and by way of tribute a far less scrutinising book would make far more a palatable read for the Ali worshippers (including me).

Read moreManila: where Ali should have fought his last; and how his later years might have been if he had

Muhammad Ali Funeral – The Life, The Legacy, The Love

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Boxing History - On the evening of Friday, June 3rd, the world lost something it has never seen the likes of, and may never see the likes of again when larger-than-life icon Muhammad Ali succumbed to long time illness at age 74. When you look back at the life and journey of Muhammad Ali, present were many tales of everything from the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the lives of all the 'greats', there's always one pivotal moment that seemed to be the catalyst in bringing them to a stage in which they'd one day fully conquer. For Michael Jordan, it was being cut on the varsity basketball team.

On the evening of Friday, June 3rd, the world lost something it has never seen the likes of, and may never see the likes of again when larger-than-life icon Muhammad Ali succumbed to long time illness at age 74. When you look back at the life and journey of Muhammad Ali, present were many tales of everything from the good, the bad, and the ugly. In the lives of all the ‘greats’, there’s always one pivotal moment that seemed to be the catalyst in bringing them to a stage in which they’d one day fully conquer. For Michael Jordan, it was being cut on the varsity basketball team.

Read moreMuhammad Ali Funeral – The Life, The Legacy, The Love

With Ali gone, who is the world’s greatest living fighter?

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Boxing History - Whether or not you agreed with the man himself when he made his bold claim of being The Greatest, and whether or not you agree with those fans and experts who say heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali deserves to go down in history as the best fighter of all time, it has to be agreed how the world lost a very special boxer, athlete and human being on June 3rd when the three-time king passed away.

Whether or not you agreed with the man himself when he made his bold claim of being The Greatest, and whether or not you agree with those fans and experts who say heavyweight legend Muhammad Ali deserves to go down in history as the best fighter of all time, it has to be agreed how the world lost a very special boxer, athlete and human being on June 3rd when the three-time king passed away.

Read moreWith Ali gone, who is the world’s greatest living fighter?

New Zealand Boxers Pay tribute to Muhammad Ali

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Muhammad Ali was and forever will be the greatest of all time. If you have been living under a rock this is who Ali is.

He is a Three time world Champion, Six-time Kentucky State Golden Gloves Champion, two-time National Golden Gloves Champion, Olympic Goldmedalist, fought over 100 fights in Amateurs, The Ring “Fighter of the Year” for 1963, 1972, 1974, 1975 and 1978. Ali Won twenty-two World Heavyweight Championship fights. Ali made a total of nineteen successful title defenses, nine during his first reign and ten during his second reign.

Read moreNew Zealand Boxers Pay tribute to Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali – January 17th 1942-June 3rd 2016 – Tsunami of tributes pour in for The Greatest

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The greatest fighter of all-time, Muhammad Ali, passed away just hours ago as surely every person with a TV, a radio or a computer knows by now. Without doubt the most famous, the most celebrated and the most intoxicating sporting personality who ever lived, Ali, the former three-time world heavyweight king, will continue to be celebrated and honoured for many days, weeks, months, years, decades, maybe even centuries from now.

Read moreMuhammad Ali – January 17th 1942-June 3rd 2016 – Tsunami of tributes pour in for The Greatest

The Lost Fights of Mike Tyson Part 1: George Foreman

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Boxing History - When discussing “Iron” Mike Tyson, and his Icarus-like ascent and descent from the summit of heavyweight boxing in the 80s and 90s, the debate always turns to the dream fights. How would the version of Tyson who crushed Trevor Berbick have dealt with the Muhammad Ali who carved up Cleveland Williams? How would the Catskills man have stacked up against “The Brown Bomber” Joe Louis? Could he have matched leather with Marciano, Frazier or Dempsey? While we will never have definitive answers to these questions, there are three intriguing fights that were at the negotiation stage during Tyson’s terrifying and controversial rule over the sport of kings. These three bouts, had they come off, could have irrevocably changed the history of the sport’s banner division for years to come. Here we take a look at the first of these match-ups: Mike Tyson vs George Foreman.

When discussing “Iron” Mike Tyson, and his Icarus-like ascent and descent from the summit of heavyweight boxing in the 80s and 90s, the debate always turns to the dream fights. How would the version of Tyson who crushed Trevor Berbick have dealt with the Muhammad Ali who carved up Cleveland Williams? How would the Catskills man have stacked up against “The Brown Bomber” Joe Louis? Could he have matched leather with Marciano, Frazier or Dempsey? While we will never have definitive answers to these questions, there are three intriguing fights that were at the negotiation stage during Tyson’s terrifying and controversial rule over the sport of kings. These three bouts, had they come off, could have irrevocably changed the history of the sport’s banner division for years to come. Here we take a look at the first of these match-ups: Mike Tyson vs George Foreman.

Read moreThe Lost Fights of Mike Tyson Part 1: George Foreman