The last thread has got me thinking. In the days when Aussie boxing had a bit more depth what were the greatest rivalries that involved Aussies or at least one Aussie.
I nominate two
Hector Thompson Vs Hillary Connolly, and
Tony Mundine Vs Bunny Sterling. Thats if memory serves me correctly.
What do others think?
It's got me thinkin. Greatest Aussie rivalry.
Men from my father's time would tell you that great depression middleweights Ron Richards and Fred Henneberry hated each other intensely and went into the ring with each other with murder in mind.
I remember Tony Mundine and Bunny Sterling. They only fought twice, both times for the Commonwealth middleweight title. The first fight was a draw and Mundine won the second. I doubt that they had anything but respect for each other.
Mundine had a genuine dislike for Bunny Johnson, a former Commonwealth Light heavyweight champion. They only fought once, but Johnson was employed by con man Peter Foster as a standover man. Foster and his old bitch of a mother promoted the Mundine / Johnson fight and tried all kinds of stunts to do Tony down.
I remember Tony Mundine and Bunny Sterling. They only fought twice, both times for the Commonwealth middleweight title. The first fight was a draw and Mundine won the second. I doubt that they had anything but respect for each other.
Mundine had a genuine dislike for Bunny Johnson, a former Commonwealth Light heavyweight champion. They only fought once, but Johnson was employed by con man Peter Foster as a standover man. Foster and his old bitch of a mother promoted the Mundine / Johnson fight and tried all kinds of stunts to do Tony down.
Aboriginal boxer Big Jim west (so called because he was jockey sized) was the only fighter to beat Jewish Australian boxer Henry Nissen. In their first fight West took Nissen's Commonwealth Flyweight title from him and they has another fight at bantamweight, which Jim also won. I was talking to Jim some years ago and he told me that he did not think Henry liked him. I did not detect any animosity to Hemry from Jim. Henry may have been annoyed at Jim taking his title from him.
Thats a quality quote. I remember a Friday night fight a few years ago when Billy Hussien put up a few thousand dollars for Bob to KO his opponent (can't remember who) but unfortunately it wasn't one of Big Bob's best nights. At one stage the look on Bob'd face between rounds was more like "where are the pies" than "I'm going to KO this bloke". No offense to Bob though, he's done more than most fighters for Australian boxing.
Mirovic went the distance in an eight rounder with Valuev. He is also a hell of a lot bigger than Fos baby. Foster Bibron rarrely weighed as much as 95 kilos for a fight. These days he probably would have been a cruiserweight. Tony Mundine beat him for the Australian Heavyweight title when Mundine was still a middleweight. Dunlop was a light punching Light Heavyweight and Bibron could not beat him.
And your point is... :PBrute wrote:Mirovic went the distance in an eight rounder with Valuev. He is also a hell of a lot bigger than Fos baby. Foster Bibron rarrely weighed as much as 95 kilos for a fight. These days he probably would have been a cruiserweight. Tony Mundine beat him for the Australian Heavyweight title when Mundine was still a middleweight. Dunlop was a light punching Light Heavyweight and Bibron could not beat him.
Foster Bibron was Australian Heavyweight Champ when there were no real heavyweights in this country. Boxers were poorly paid in Australia at that time until they got to be champions and most big men who were good at spports played Rugby League or Australian Rules. Fos was brave enough but I think there are probably about six Australian heavyweights around now that would have beaten him.Marlin wrote:And your point is... :PBrute wrote:Mirovic went the distance in an eight rounder with Valuev. He is also a hell of a lot bigger than Fos baby. Foster Bibron rarrely weighed as much as 95 kilos for a fight. These days he probably would have been a cruiserweight. Tony Mundine beat him for the Australian Heavyweight title when Mundine was still a middleweight. Dunlop was a light punching Light Heavyweight and Bibron could not beat him.
Mirovic is one of the worst boxers I have ever seen, I just don't rate the bloke at all.Brute wrote:Foster Bibron was Australian Heavyweight Champ when there were no real heavyweights in this country. Boxers were poorly paid in Australia at that time until they got to be champions and most big men who were good at spports played Rugby League or Australian Rules. Fos was brave enough but I think there are probably about six Australian heavyweights around now that would have beaten him.Marlin wrote:And your point is... :PBrute wrote:Mirovic went the distance in an eight rounder with Valuev. He is also a hell of a lot bigger than Fos baby. Foster Bibron rarrely weighed as much as 95 kilos for a fight. These days he probably would have been a cruiserweight. Tony Mundine beat him for the Australian Heavyweight title when Mundine was still a middleweight. Dunlop was a light punching Light Heavyweight and Bibron could not beat him.
Doesn't say much for the 20 plus fighters he has beaten does it?Marlin wrote:Mirovic is one of the worst boxers I have ever seen, I just don't rate the bloke at all.Brute wrote:Foster Bibron was Australian Heavyweight Champ when there were no real heavyweights in this country. Boxers were poorly paid in Australia at that time until they got to be champions and most big men who were good at spports played Rugby League or Australian Rules. Fos was brave enough but I think there are probably about six Australian heavyweights around now that would have beaten him.Marlin wrote: And your point is... :P
Speaking as we were earlier of Foster Bibron, he had a rivalry of sorts with Fred Casey, who held the Australian title a few times. Neither of them would have been a danger to Ali, Foreman or Frazier, but they were entertaining here.
Nope it really doesn't! I'll let you guess my thoughts on the bloke he has beaten four times...Brute wrote:Doesn't say much for the 20 plus fighters he has beaten does it?Marlin wrote:Mirovic is one of the worst boxers I have ever seen, I just don't rate the bloke at all.Brute wrote: Foster Bibron was Australian Heavyweight Champ when there were no real heavyweights in this country. Boxers were poorly paid in Australia at that time until they got to be champions and most big men who were good at spports played Rugby League or Australian Rules. Fos was brave enough but I think there are probably about six Australian heavyweights around now that would have beaten him.
Make that fiveMarlin wrote:Nope it really doesn't! I'll let you guess my thoughts on the bloke he has beaten four times...Brute wrote:Doesn't say much for the 20 plus fighters he has beaten does it?Marlin wrote: Mirovic is one of the worst boxers I have ever seen, I just don't rate the bloke at all.