How good is "Fireman" Jim Flynn

kovit · Post by **kovit** » 04 May 2006, 03:22

I would like to know how good is former heavyweight contender "Fireman" Jim Flynn who fought some great fighters in his day with Jack Dillion, Fred Fulton, Carl Morris, Tommy Burns, Jack Johnson, Sam Langford, Tiger Flowers, and Jack Dempsey. They said that Flynn was a slugger who bobs and weaves which Dempsey adopts his style. Tell me a little specific more about "Fireman" Jim Flynn in his style. Do you know his best punch?

Imira · Post by **Imira** » 04 May 2006, 07:38

Ugh! I'm not too keen on Flynn's style. From what I've seen of him, he was a slow, mauling style fighter. He enjoyed going into a Max Baer type cross arm shell until his head was on his opponent's chest, then bang away at the body and swing for the head when the opportunity presented itself. As far as his best punch goes, I noticed in his third fight with Langford, he seemed to favor his left hook.

However, I may only have seen a past-prime Jim Flynn. I'm not really an expert on the guy. Just giving you my personal assessment.

dempseyfire · Post by **dempseyfire** » 05 May 2006, 02:08

He was a capable fighter who at his best was a solid gatekeeper. He was super tough and had excellent stamina and strength late in a fight. Not a particularly fast or skilled fighter, he did possess incredible endurance, a solid chin, and fair punching power for such a small heavyweight. For 6 years (1906-1912) he was a top (white) HW contender but was outclassed when he stepped up to the elite boxers.

Style-wise he was all pressure, fighting from a crouch and some head movement to get on the inside and work the body. He lived to fight on the inside. On the outside he was fairly weak and not a good straight puncher.

His career highlights were beating (badly) then undefeated and highly touted giant White Hope prospect Carl Morris, and of course knocking out Jack Dempsey in one round in 1917 (in circumstances that will forever be debated)

BoxBuzz · Post by **BoxBuzz** » 05 May 2006, 16:26

dempseyfire very good feedback for Kovit.....

I might also add that Flynn is as good as dead, but that would be a loathful, contemptuous, condescendingly sarcastic think to say, so I will abstain from such self indulgent immature humor.

oops. Did my microphone pick that up? I hate this software

TheRiverCityHippy · Post by **TheRiverCityHippy** » 05 May 2006, 16:47

i think the only bit of film i`ve ever seen of flynn was when he fought jack johnson and if my memory isnt playing tricks on me he spends most of the footage throwing the head in big time. and i mean big time.
naughties! f@ck me, mickey vann would have a seizure.
i think he gets dq`-ed unsurprisingly.
looked a real hard case.