Quiz: Gobs Who Became Champs

Ric · Post by **Ric** » 13 Jan 2004, 17:02

What "gobs" -- sailors who served in their country's navy and fought many of their first bouts in the Navy -- went on to become World Champions?

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 13 Jan 2004, 20:23

The Boston Gob of course. And Freddie Steele.

Broncano · Post by **Broncano** » 13 Jan 2004, 20:35

Ed "Gunboat" Smith. He was not world champ but "White Hope heavyweight" champ and also began boxing in the Navy.

Ric · Post by **Ric** » 13 Jan 2004, 21:03

Bennie,
Steele was in the Navy before he became champ? I don't believe that's true, my friend. Did he join the Navy in WWII?

crooked nose · Post by **crooked nose** » 13 Jan 2004, 23:37

Wasn't Jack Sharkey known as "The Fighting Gob"?
Tony Zale won the middleweight title just before the US entered the war. He joined the Navy, served in the Pacific and didn't get to defend his title until he faced Graziano in '46.

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 14 Jan 2004, 12:14

I wonder how many fighters with the moniker "Sailor" actually served in their country's navy. I believe it was a fairly common boy's name in the first half of the 20th century, so for many it wasn't a navy-related nickname.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 14 Jan 2004, 15:06

Ric wrote:Bennie,
Steele was in the Navy before he became champ? I don't believe that's true, my friend. Did he join the Navy in WWII?

It was a stab in the dark, Ric.

lamphey · Post by **lamphey** » 14 Jan 2004, 17:49

Randy Turpin

Ric · Post by **Ric** » 14 Jan 2004, 23:03

Let's not forget Bantam Champ Johnny Buff, announcer Michael Buffer's grandfather:
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=018030

Eric the Viking · Post by **Eric the Viking** » 15 Jan 2004, 11:34

Ric wrote:Let's not forget Bantam Champ Johnny Buff, announcer Michael Buffer's grandfather:
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=018030

Thanks for the link to this record from the turn-of-the-century east coast "Irish Circuit,", Ric. I wonder when they changed their name to Buffer - or was it only Michael "Mr. Mic" who did so?

Friedie · Post by **Friedie** » 16 Jan 2004, 11:42

Gene Tunney....."the fighting Marine"

;)))

Ric · Post by **Ric** » 16 Jan 2004, 20:39

Also, Ceferino Garcia is believed to have served in the US Navy before becoming a professional boxer and World Champion, per the IBRO Journal #78, p. 30.
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=009601

Matt · Post by **Matt** » 17 Jan 2004, 04:26

Ken Overlin

Quiz: Gobs Who Became Champs

Quiz: Gobs Who Became Champs

Johnny Buff

Re: Johnny Buff