Walter Edgerton, The Kentucky Rosebud sadly is not remembered among the elite in boxings prestigous history. For hardcore fans, they know Edgerton for one of two things: making a comeback well into his late 60's and for beating champion George Dixon by knockout in an exhibition.
Which makes me wonder, why wasn't this man ever given credit? Why wasn't he ever given a shot at the title? Why wasn't this man deemed an uncrowned champion?
Nat Fliescher of RING magazine always insisted that if a champion lost in an exhibition that he lost a part of his title, if not his credibility as a champion. If this be so, why didn't Edgerton campaign as being the 'true' champion of the world, or campaign to get a real match with Dixon for the title?
Today we see guys like Vitali Klitschko giving an overweight Lennox Lewis some hell, ahead on all cards and lose by technical knockout and everyone starts calling the loser the 'people's champion'.
Why wasn't this the case for Edgerton? Not only did he give Dixon hell he knocked him out completely!
Looking on Edgerton, I often notice how historians say that the 'Rosebud' was a bit of a clowner in the ring and didn't take some of his opponents seriously---but when he was serious, he was a genuine force to be reckoned with. Almost a miniature Max Baer, so it seems.
What's your take on Edgerton, and what do you think about the status of his victory over Dixon, even if it was simply an exhibition bout?