Hello boxing experts out there!
I have a question for you. I am doing some research for a boxing article and I was wondering if any folks out there know where I can find information on the size of boxing purses from the past? For instance, if I wanted to compare, say, what a white fighter's typical purse in 1945 was compared to that of an African American fighter of a similar ability or ranking. Or something like that.
Any ideas? Or are there folks out there who have been in the biz so long they could give me answers based on their own knowledge? I am very grateful for any help!
Thank you!
Craig Klose
Researching Boxing Purses from the Past
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boxresearcher
- Super Bantamweight
- Posts: 7
- Joined: 17 Aug 2020, 11:24
Re: Researching Boxing Purses from the Past
Years ago, I knew a man who had been a pro in the late 1930's and early 1940's in New York City. He said the going pay rate at that time for a six rounder was $150.00. Oddly enough, in the mid 1970's, it was still $150.00 ! I think a buck in 1940 would be $16.00 today, as you probably know.
4 rounders in Maine in the mid to late 1960's were getting as little as $25.00 per bout. In California, circa 1974 or 75, Mike Weaver once got $200.00 for a 10 round main event - he was working for a percentage of the gate.
I don't know if any of this helps, but it's just some thoughts off the top of my memory.
4 rounders in Maine in the mid to late 1960's were getting as little as $25.00 per bout. In California, circa 1974 or 75, Mike Weaver once got $200.00 for a 10 round main event - he was working for a percentage of the gate.
I don't know if any of this helps, but it's just some thoughts off the top of my memory.
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Tuan_Jim
- Heavyweight

Re: Researching Boxing Purses from the Past
My woke radar is bleeping madly here
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margaret thatcher
- Featherweight
- Posts: 39269
- Joined: 22 Jul 2019, 15:43
Re: Researching Boxing Purses from the Past
thing is, in so many schools today the teachers/professors are the woke ones, so even non woke students are pretty much forced to turn in woke assignments if they want good grades
Re: Researching Boxing Purses from the Past
You’re probably going to have to do this one the hard way. There are plenty of old newspaper articles with fight reports that include the purses. You’re going to have to dig through those archives, though.
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vatech1983
- Heavyweight

- Posts: 358
- Joined: 19 Nov 2007, 12:12
Re: Researching Boxing Purses from the Past
I once talked to Chris Byrd, For his pro debut he made $14,000 but was suppose to make more...............chris Byrd fought Frankie Hines once and he thinks Frankies Hines may have made $1200 for fighting him in an early bout..........In his pro debut Larry holmes made around $40 to $60 dollars........In his pro .debut Tim Witherspoon made $175.00..
When Carl Williams fought Larry Homes he made $150,000...............quite a low payment.........
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When Carl Williams fought Larry Homes he made $150,000...............quite a low payment.........