"Philadelphia fighter"

[yancey]

For years I've heard the expression "Philadelphia fighter". First time I probably heard it was Cosell calling Leotis Martin a "typical Philadelphia fighter" back in '67.

I've heard it applied to swarmers and I've heard it applied to counter-punching boxers.

Heck, I recall reading that Gypsy Joe Harris was one and that guy had a style all his own.

What exactly are the characteristics of a "Philadelphia fighter" and your examples of same?

[klompton]

Ive always thought of philly fighters as being well schooled but gritty. Hopkins fit this mold just fine. Hes just been smart enough to alter his style in order to extend his career.

[HomicideHenry]

Typically a guy whose career was built exclusively in the Philadelphia boxing system. Many a great fighter came through this system, and many never did turn pro but were experienced gym fighters none the less. Philadelphia fighters remind me alot of fighters from New Jersey and New York where the combatants are tough, throw caution to the wind, and are there for the sake of the show. Alot of them won't make it, but each and every one makes an impact within their communities. They are a throw back to what boxing at one time was in America. Jesus bless.

[CNorkusJr]

Back in the 50's the " Philadelphia fighter" term was used primarily for a fighter who was used strictly for a build-up fight. In New York where many of the bouts took place, a mgr who would want to bring a "Philadelphia " in so his fighter can improve on his record. I heard the term used as late as the 80's. The term goes way back to the 20's I believe.

Most fans of the NY City boxing world would know just about all the fighters in the New York area. It was tough to bring in a lout who was no competition for the home town favorite. Usually used in early career build up fights, the promoters or mgrs would ask a guy from Philly to come up to NY to try to do his best, but was clearly a very lack of competition fighter. He was paid well and many fighters used this avenue to make money- some even changed their names after a dozen fights or so. I also seen a "Philly" fighter do well in the ring when the supposedly favorite boxer looked like crap and the Philly would beat him if he wasnt dominate enough.

Though it really does not mean that all fighters from Philly were targets, it just means that the city of Philadelphia was close enough to NYC to bring in a guy fast and probably un-heard of in NY to ply his wares without the NY crowd thinking "this fight is a set-up". A " Philly fighter" doesnt necessarily mean a guy who fights like this has to come from Philadelphia either. He could come in from Buffalo, Cleveland or anywhere, it is a description of the fighters talent or object of competition for the night.

Philadelphia has produced some of the biggest great names in boxing, from years ago to today, and those fighters should never be related to the term of " a Philidelphian fighter".
Though proud of their hometown no doubt, a fighter can come from Philadelphia, but definitely not be a "Philadelphian fighter" as used in the vernacular of fight terminology.

I heard my father use this reference quite often when a out-of-town fighter come in with the great ability to lose to the hometown hero in midst of his build up career early on. OR comeback trail also.

I cannot state enough that a "Philadelphian Fighter" does not mean that fighters from Philidelphia are all easy targets. It is a term coming from way back in the early modern era because of the close locale of Philly to New York, where they can bring in a no-name to fill out a card and put one over on the fans. That's why you hear old timers use the term often. The term is starting to fade a little at the fights, mostly I believe, because of the great talent that Philidelphia area fighters have produced
and everyone thinks its a term meaning a fighter from that area. Its a description of a fighters talent or lack thereof. Thats all.

If you want to see a record of a "Philly fighter" look up KID SAMSON (aka Bo or Ronald Sessions) from the 70's and 80's. A heavyweight who also happened to be from Philadelphia, PA. Coincidence. Like I said, you dont HAVE to be from Philly to be a "Philadelphian". Samson just happens to be one like so many before him. By the way, I saw Samson beat his opponent here and I laughed all night long after that fight. You still gotta put in a very good effort to beat these types. If you'll notice too, he fought some of the bigger name heavywts of the time and made a decent wage I'm sure of it also. With his record, what business did he have being in the ring with Eddie Mustafa Muhammed ? The only thing that is maybe Samson was a sparring partner of Eddies' and he wanted to give Samson a pay day bigger than normal.

And yes, absolutely, "Philadelphian fighters" are still used today by mgrs and promoters to help their boys along. Probably woman too though I dont follow woman boxing well enough to see if thats true.

Yancey, I think all along you know full well what this golden oldie term means. And I thank my father for explaining it to me back in the 60's. LOL

[pbchron]

Since the 1880's the "Philly fighter" has had a world-wide reputation as a fearless, all action warrior who must be carried out on his shield before he will concede defeat. Historically the "Philly fighter" is held in high esteem and considered a dangerous opponent, skilled, crafty and extremely tough by boxing insiders. The "Philly fighter" was never brought in as a "loser" to pad a local boys records but as a guy who would toughen-up and give invaluable experience to a promising fighter. In the 1970's Johnny Barr had a troupe of mediocre Philly boxers who were termed "the death wagon squad" that were notorious for throwing fights and finding ways to lose no matter how inept the hometown boy was. Never were these guys represented as "Philly fighters." With Philadelphia's endless supply of boxers over these many years, of course, there have been incompetent boxers but the vast majority of "Philly fighters" have been highly respected and much sought out by promoters for their reputation of giving fan favorite, entertaining, action fights to draw spectators.
Chuck Hasson

[CNorkusJr]

Since the 1880's the "Philly fighter" has had a world-wide reputation as a fearless, all action warrior who must be carried out on his shield before he will concede defeat. Historically the "Philly fighter" is held in high esteem and considered a dangerous opponent, skilled, crafty and extremely tough by boxing insiders. The "Philly fighter" was never brought in as a "loser" to pad a local boys records but as a guy who would toughen-up and give invaluable experience to a promising fighter. In the 1970's Johnny Barr had a troupe of mediocre Philly boxers who were termed "the death wagon squad" that were notorious for throwing fights and finding ways to lose no matter how inept the hometown boy was. Never were these guys represented as "Philly fighters." With Philadelphia's endless supply of boxers over these many years, of course, there have been incompetent boxers but the vast majority of "Philly fighters" have been highly respected and much sought out by promoters for their reputation of giving fan favorite, entertaining, action fights to draw spectators.
Chuck Hasson

Like I said, there is a history of boxers going back to the early years to bring in boxers from out of town to pad records. Because Philly was in close proximity to New York, most came from there. It is not a slur on the great majority of boxing contenders and champs from Philadelphia, but is used quite slang like by New York area boxing crowd in the days up to the 1980s and 90s. I would say that 99% of any New York boxing fan now (hence the question is put forth here and now) has no clue to what it means, but has been PASSED DOWN thru the years to be as such. And I might add, you DONT HAVE TO BE FROM Philadelphia to draw that tag from mgrs. It is used to describe a boxers prowess to be used as a build up fighter-because way back when, thats where the NY area got the quickest guy to come in on a moment to fill a card. There are probably more "Philadelphian" fighters coming out of other states other than Pennsylvania than out of Philly itself. It became a stereo-typical style, not a residency thing.

[CNorkusJr]

Since the 1880's the "Philly fighter" has had a world-wide reputation as a fearless, all action warrior who must be carried out on his shield before he will concede defeat. Historically the "Philly fighter" is held in high esteem and considered a dangerous opponent, skilled, crafty and extremely tough by boxing insiders. The "Philly fighter" was never brought in as a "loser" to pad a local boys records but as a guy who would toughen-up and give invaluable experience to a promising fighter. In the 1970's Johnny Barr had a troupe of mediocre Philly boxers who were termed "the death wagon squad" that were notorious for throwing fights and finding ways to lose no matter how inept the hometown boy was. Never were these guys represented as "Philly fighters." With Philadelphia's endless supply of boxers over these many years, of course, there have been incompetent boxers but the vast majority of "Philly fighters" have been highly respected and much sought out by promoters for their reputation of giving fan favorite, entertaining, action fights to draw spectators.
Chuck Hasson

Quite agreeable.