Jack Blackburn

[1108788]

How good was he? Is there any footage of him out there, if not, were any of his fights even filmed?

[HomicideHenry]

Let's put it this way that Blackburn was in a time when much lighter weight competitors fought against heavyweights on a semi regular basis and he was one of them. Basically a lightweight or welterweight battling heavyweights.

https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/011022

He fought a lot of the great fighters of the time. I'm reminded a bit of Charlie Goldman who trained Rocky Marciano, he was a lightweight with over a 100 fights himself. But yeah, Blackburn was legit.

It ought to be noted he also trained George Godfrey and when Joe Louis came along he was skeptical of Joe's chances not because he didn't have talent but because Blackburn felt black heavyweights didn't have fair shakes or opportunities. I imagine he held this opinion because of the drama George Godfrey went through trying to get to the title.

Blackburn also did not think highly of Jack Johnson either. When Johnson came around to interview Joe Louis for some publication Jack Blackburn had him thrown out of the training facility. As far as Blackburn was concerned Johnson was the single solitary reason that black fighters were held back and mistreated because the man was so controversial.

[Ambling Alp II]

How good was he? Is there any footage of him out there, if not, were any of his fights even filmed?

Not aware of any film of him, but who knows. He was certainly very good, not sure if he was quite in the great category. He some battles with Langford, and was competitive. Lost to Gans. Has some no-decision fights with O'Brien and Gunboat Smith who was a lot bigger. Doesn't seem to have that one really big win though. Not sure how much better he was then Dave Holly.

[Caractacus]

Always thought that Jack Blackburn and John Lee Hooker sort of resembled one another.