"The Arena"/Reno Nevada/ (July.4.1910)

[Brutu]

Can you believe that that spot in Reno NV were the FIGHT OF THE CENTURY had occured in 1910 had almost been totally forgotten in less then a persons lifetime?

"The exact location of the arena were the fight took place,over time became unknown until 1979"



http://www.nevadaculture.org/index.php? ... le&id=1514

[Brutu]

That entire arena was dismantled by the end of the year(1910).
Every bit of lumber and every nail.
Due to some settlement of a dispute between the constructor and the promoter.

[Brutu]

According to a newspaper account a week before the fight ,

50,000 feet of lumber and 5 tons of nails were being used to construct it.
"A force of 175 men working 10 hours a day"

The last few days another newspaper reported that 200 men, working 14 hours a day to hurry finish it on schedule,ll working on it the morning of the fight)as
the original capacity was for 17,000,but they wanted to make an extension/tier for an additional 4,000 people(SRO)

[Brutu]

Is it just me or did there not seem to have been a lot of public interest
for the Centennial of the Johnson-Jeffries"Fight Of The Century"?
I mean a Centennial just happens once in a hundred years.

[raylawpc]

Only you and me, I'm afraid.

[bjermaine]

Is it just me or did there not seem to have been a lot of public interest
for the Centennial of the Johnson-Jeffries"Fight Of The Century"?
I mean a Centennial just happens once in a hundred years.

first off, it happened 100 yrs ago. most people today can't recall what happened last week. also, the aftermath showed a shameful time in U.S. history. it was cool to see the pics of the families together. things are not perfect but what a difference 100 years makes.

[Brutu]

seems to me there was a lot more interest 10 years ago for the 90th anniversary.
Same thing happened for the 50th anniversary of James Dean's death in 2005.
Figured there would be a lot of interest but interest fizzed out in popular culture by the 50th anniversary.

we're not living in a shameful time in US history now?
sure feels like it to me.
The founding fathers are probably rolling over in their graves.

[Brutu]

Has anyone here ever visit the salvage yard in Reno Nevada were the fight reportedly took place on?
The entire wooden arena was gone by the end of the year(1910).
No wonder they had a difficult time in figuring it out years later,especially in a transitory city like Reno.
The time and energy spent in constructing it,one would have figured it was going to be used for the next 20 years at least.
The next boxing arena was built was at the Reno racetrack
back when Jack Dempsey was promoting fights there in the early 1930's,especially for Max Baer.

[Brutu]

If you ever visit Reno Nevada,
Boxing history buffs may want to also go
visit the northwest corner of Sherwood Rd and Mayberry Rd
(formerly Verdi Road).
That is the spot where Rick's Resort once was and were
Jack Johnson had his training camp in 1910.
Rick's Roadhouse was sold in 1922
and was extensivley remodeled(160 thousand dollars worth) and renamed "The Willows"
It was a well known High Class "Speak Easy" during prohibition and gambling operation
(23 and roulette)
(even tho gambling didn't become legal in Nevada until 1931)
The Willows was destroyed by a fire in June 1931
(along with a number of training equipment and memorabilia of
Jack Johnson's that had been on display there).
The site is a housing development now.

[Caractacus]

has anyone here visitited there ?