Question for beaujack

[Bobby A.]

Sir: Since you go back to the 1940's, would you consider a thread of questions regarding what you saw over the years in boxing?

[beaujack]

Sir: Since you go back to the 1940's, would you consider a thread of questions regarding what you saw over the years in boxing?

Bobby,whatever questions i could answer about the "old days",I certainly would. Shoot...

[Bobby A.]

Very good of you. Did you see your namesake against Armstrong and Zivic?

[beaujack]

Sir: Since you go back to the 1940's, would you consider a thread of questions regarding what you saw over the years in boxing?

Very good of you. Did you see your namesake against Armstrong and Zivic?

Yes Bobby. I saw Beau Jack in his prime,outspeed a past peak Henry armstong in 1943.Beau was
22 years old,a human dynamo, would have given Armstrong trouble even at his prime...No, i didn't see Fritzie Zivic stop Henry Armstrong in 1941, but i did see Fritzie Zivic, decision the "new Joe Louis" sensation, Billy Arnold in MSG in 1945. Fritzie at 32 gave a boxing lesson to the murderous young puncher Billy Arnold....,

[Bobby A.]

Beaujack: Based on films, I rank Ike Williams # 1 all-time at 135. Would you share some thoughts about Ike?Did you see him against Gavilan, by chance?

[King Carlos]

Oh boy, don't get him started on Ike Williams.

[beaujack]

Oh boy, don't get him started on Ike Williams.

King, I see your psychic...

[King Carlos]

Oh boy, don't get him started on Ike Williams.

King, I see your psychic...

I sense that your user name is burt bienstock on another forum.

[beaujack]

Beaujack: Based on films, I rank Ike Williams # 1 all-time at 135. Would you share some thoughts about Ike?Did you see him against Gavilan, by chance?

Bobby,you got me started...Yes indeed. No, I didn't see Ike Williams ringside against the WW Kid Gavilan, but I did see the bout on our small tv screen. I saw Ike williams in his 135lb prime several times at MSG. But i as a youngster went by bus to Philly too see Ike Williams almost kill the
tough Beau Jack in 1948. He stopped Beau in the 6th round with Beau helpless on the ropes,as Williams unleashed an attack ,until the referee finally intervened, probably saving Jack's life.
Williams was the best LW I ever saw when he was "uncuffed". A murderous puncher,the prime Ike was almost on a par with the welterweight Ray Robinson.

[beaujack]

Oh boy, don't get him started on Ike Williams.

King, I see your psychic...

I sense that your user name is burt bienstock on another forum.

Wrong, my real name is Harry Greb...

[Bobby A.]

Wow! Not too many people had television in the late 40's. How good was Ike over 135? Could he have beaten Armstrong at 140?

[beaujack]

Wow! Not too many people had television in the late 40's. How good was Ike over 135? Could he have beaten Armstrong at 140?

Bobby,I think I saw that bout between Williams and Gavilan in our local pool room, I now recall in 1948 or 1949...I remember our first tv was a 12"screen.
If I had to choose between a prime Henry Armstrong and Ike Williams at 140,I would slightly favor Henry Armstrong. Williams was at his best at 135 pounds...

[Bobby A.]

Did you see Ike against Tippy Larkin or Willie Joyce? Interesting that Pep beat Joyce but I read Joyce was dead at the weight.

[beaujack]

Did you see Ike against Tippy Larkin or Willie Joyce? Interesting that Pep beat Joyce but I read Joyce was dead at the weight.

Yes I saw Ike ko one of my very favorite pure boxer, Tippy Larkin in NY. Tippy was outboxing Williams until he was kod by Ike...If Tippy Larkin had the chin of Billy Graham,he would be in THOF.

[Bobby A.]

Larkin and Joyce must have been some fights-did you see them?

[beaujack]

Larkin and Joyce must have been some fights-did you see them?

No, but Tippy Larkin beat the great boxer Willie joyce a couple of times. If you didn't ko Tippy Larkin
you lost the bout. Dan Parker, the great writer said that Tippy Larkin would have been another Benny Leonard
if he didn't have a "glass" jaw...Great pure boxer was Tippy...

[Bobby A.]

beaujack: I'd like to know your thoughts on Tommy Bell and Jackie Wilson; did you see them box?

[beaujack]

beaujack: I'd like to know your thoughts on Tommy Bell and Jackie Wilson; did you see them box?

I never saw Tommy Bell ringside but he gave the prime Ray Robinson 2 tough fights dropping Robinson once. Tommy Bell would have been WW champ if not for the greatest fighter I have ever seen ringside, SRR.
Jackie Wilson was a top WW of that rich era the 1940s. He was kod by Robinson once. Fought on the West Coast a lot..No I never saw Jackie Wilson...

[Bobby A.]

What are your memories of Pep and Saddler? Would you take Armstrong against either?

[beaujack]

What are your memories of Pep and Saddler? Would you take Armstrong against either?

I saw Willie Pep in his prime before his near fatal accident in 1947. I saw him outclass a top lightweight Allie Stolz at MSG. Willie at his best had to be seen to be believed. Awesome. Sandy Saddler I had seen before becoming a FW champion.TALL and strong for a featherweight.
I would bet my Lady Gaga autograph, that the prime Henry Armstrong at 126 pounds beats both Pep and certainly Saddler,all at 126 lbs...I don't think Pep could hold off Armstrong ...Henry too strong and busy IMO...

[CNorkusJr]

Hi Beau Jack- Glad I can catch up to you here.

Several of the fighters you mention above, I had the pleasure to meet with my father on several occaisions. Obvious I was too young to see these fighters in the ring (it was after there careers had ended), but before and after seeing these ring greats-my father would fill me in on who these gentlemen were and what their accomplishments were.

Each and every fighter were a class act and answered proudly any questions I had for them. Of course I didnt pepper them hours on end like a reporter, but a question here and there was respected.
I can tell you the conversations that my father had with each boxer ( respected close friends,indeed) many subjects were talked about except boxing bouts. They caught up on old times like where is this guy now ? whats this guy doing now ? things like that.

We had Jersey Joe Walcott, Ernie Durando and Tami Mauriello over our house here on Long Island for dinner once. I was about 14 years old. They all laughed about funny things happening to them in different cities and fight arenas. I wish I had a tape recorder of that night.

I can tell you when we caught up with Ike Williams on several occaisions, my father always told me he was the greatest light weight fighter he ever saw(and he knew many).
I was just surprised on how tall he was and fought as a lightwt.(Of course he was heavier in his later years). My father always stated that Archie Moore was his toughest opponent he ever fought. Pastrano,Charles and Moore all hit the same way and my father (who had a tough chin) weathered their punches for 10 rds each, but he said it was Moore's defensive peek-a-boo style that protected his upper body and head in most of his fights where fighters couldnt get in as much as they liked and why he probably lasted as long in the ring as he did.

I enjoy your comments on the fighters Beau Jack- great thread.

[Ezzard]

Hi Beaujack

Thanks for all of this, much appreciated.

Did you ever see Chalky Wright? He seems like a guy who deserves more of a mention thah he gets.

[beaujack]

Hi Beau Jack- Glad I can catch up to you here.

Several of the fighters you mention above, I had the pleasure to meet with my father on several occaisions. Obvious I was too young to see these fighters in the ring (it was after there careers had ended), but before and after seeing these ring greats-my father would fill me in on who these gentlemen were and what their accomplishments were.

Each and every fighter were a class act and answered proudly any questions I had for them. Of course I didnt pepper them hours on end like a reporter, but a question here and there was respected.
I can tell you the conversations that my father had with each boxer ( respected close friends,indeed) many subjects were talked about except boxing bouts. They caught up on old times like where is this guy now ? whats this guy doing now ? things like that.

We had Jersey Joe Walcott, Ernie Durando and Tami Mauriello over our house here on Long Island for dinner once. I was about 14 years old. They all laughed about funny things happening to them in different cities and fight arenas. I wish I had a tape recorder of that night.

I can tell you when we caught up with Ike Williams on several occaisions, my father always told me he was the greatest light weight fighter he ever saw(and he knew many).
I was just surprised on how tall he was and fought as a lightwt.(Of course he was heavier in his later years). My father always stated that Archie Moore was his toughest opponent he ever fought. Pastrano,Charles and Moore all hit the same way and my father (who had a tough chin) weathered their punches for 10 rds each, but he said it was Moore's defensive peek-a-boo style that protected his upper body and head in most of his fights where fighters couldnt get in as much as they liked and why he probably lasted as long in the ring as he did.

I enjoy your comments on the fighters Beau Jack- great thread.

C, nice to hear from you. That was something having Joe Walcott, Ernie[the rock] Durando,and one of the gamest HWs I loved to see, Tami Mauriello, whom I saw against, Joe Baksi, Lee Oma nand others at MSG. Tami, because of having one leg shorter than the other ,couldn't back up, thus making for great fights. He almost dropped Joe Louis in 1946. I saw Walcott in 1946 ko a young sensation Tommy
Gomez at MSG.
Yes I agree Ike Williams "uncuffed", was the best lightweight I have ever seen.i thought so highly of Ike that as a youngster I and a pal traveled by bus to Philly,and saw Williams almost kill my namesake
and favorite action fighter Beau Jack. The referee was almost too late to stop Beau from being hospitalized,as he was helpless against the ropes. The fight could be seen on Youtube...
Your dad was a part of the second golden age of boxing, after the roaring twenties, my dad's favorite era...So many memory's floods my mind...Take care...

[beaujack]

Hi Beaujack

Thanks for all of this, much appreciated.

Did you ever see Chalky Wright? He seems like a guy who deserves more of a mention thah he gets.

E, no I never saw old Chalky Wright ringside. What a great puncher he was. When he lost his FW title to Willie Pep in 1942, Chalky was an old man past his prime.Wright when at his best was avoided like the plague, and oiften met guys much heavier than him.

[CNorkusJr]

Thank You Beau Jack for you rememberances and comments. Great thread.
Sad news, Artie Levine passed away this past week. I posted story and pics on my dads thread.