How good was "Cleveland rubber man" Johnny Risko?

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 13 Jun 2006, 14:15

One of the top heavyweight contenders of the late 1920s/early 1930s. His record looks somewhat inconsistent: many good wins - including over Baer, Sharkey, Uzcudun, Godfrey, Delaney, Maloney, Levinsky, Loughran - but as many important losses, often against the same fighters. Plus clear and key losses when he was just about to get a shot at the heavyweight title: against Tunney in 1926, and against Schmeling in 1929.

I've never seen a tape of Risko and there isn't too much material in writing about him either. Does anyone here know a bit more?

dempseyfire · Post by **dempseyfire** » 14 Jun 2006, 10:25

From what press I've read on him it seems that Risko was one of those guys who wasn't terribly talented in any facet, but made up for it with great conditioning and toughness, along with a great chin. He seemed to have Uzcudun's number, but the reports of the Godfrey bout state that the decision was poor. But anyone who could've beaten Tommy Loughran twice must have had pretty decent boxing skills. Too bad there is no film available.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 15 Jun 2006, 10:01

dempseyfire wrote:From what press I've read on him it seems that Risko was one of those guys who wasn't terribly talented in any facet, but made up for it with great conditioning and toughness, along with a great chin. He seemed to have Uzcudun's number, but the reports of the Godfrey bout state that the decision was poor. But anyone who could've beaten Tommy Loughran twice must have had pretty decent boxing skills. Too bad there is no film available.

Thanks much.

Does anyone else know something to add?

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 16 Jun 2006, 14:42

Brockton, Decagon, barry, John L; sure you guys have something to add.

Cap · Post by **Cap** » 20 Jun 2006, 14:10

The "Cleveland Rubber Man" earned that particular sobriquet due to his amazing ability to bounce back up on his feet when he got dropped. He was the kind of fighter that made other fighters look bad even when they were winning. Though Godfrey was good, Risko had the singular skills that would've upset the big man on a given occasion.

Cap

wouter · Post by **wouter** » 21 Jun 2006, 03:15

pundit wrote:Brockton, Decagon, barry, John L; sure you guys have something to add.

Here's Decagon's highly learned opinion on the subject

Decagon wrote: The heavyweights he beat were pure crap, like Risko and Wright.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 21 Jun 2006, 09:34

wouter wrote:
pundit wrote:Brockton, Decagon, barry, John L; sure you guys have something to add.
Here's Decagon's highly learned opinion on the subject

Decagon wrote: The heavyweights he beat were pure crap, like Risko and Wright.

I should have guessed....

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 21 Jun 2006, 18:10

Johnny Risko I would put almost in the same category as failed Heavyweight hopeful Meyers "KO" Christener. Christener fought alot of the best men, won some, and lost some. He lost the most important fights to the best ones, but shocked people every now and then by beating the pulp out of some new hopeful or veteran.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 21 Jun 2006, 18:14

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:Meyers "KO" Christener.

Never heard of the guy, and I also don't find any references.

Can you point me to one?

HomicideHenry · Post by **HomicideHenry** » 21 Jun 2006, 18:20

yea here's the link in the boxrec files:

http://boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=13701

He was pretty much a "right hand" fighter, if his right hand went out on him he was threw. Possibly his greatest match was against Jack Sharkey, which he won in the first half, but petered out in the later rounds to lose.

Cap · Post by **Cap** » 22 Jun 2006, 08:05

pundit wrote:
IrishRufusMurphy wrote:Meyers "KO" Christener.
Never heard of the guy, and I also don't find any references.

Can you point me to one?

Look under KO Christner.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 22 Jun 2006, 09:33

IrishRufusMurphy wrote:yea here's the link in the boxrec files:

http://boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=13701

He was pretty much a "right hand" fighter, if his right hand went out on him he was threw. Possibly his greatest match was against Jack Sharkey, which he won in the first half, but petered out in the later rounds to lose.

Thanks. Seems I need to doa bit of howework. From his record alone I wouldn't put Christner in the same category as Risko though - Risko was twice one win away from a shot at the heavyweight title, but Gene Tunney and Max Schmeling -- two all-time greats -- destroyed his dream.

pundit · Post by **pundit** » 04 Jul 2006, 21:36

Let me bring this up again - maybe some folks who've shown up again have something to contribute.