The referee was Sangvien Hiralenhka of Thailand. The same referee that refereed the first fight in Tokyo, Japan 3 months earlier.
The fight was as good as the first fight. Seldom you see the second bout as good as the original. Probably, this fight was even better.
It was a fast paced fight by these two great little men. Fighting Harada at 19 defends his newly won world championship against the former champion Pone Kingpetch.
Until round #7, the fight was kind of even to say the least. In round 8, at the end of it, Harada dropped Kingpetch in a neutral corner with some serious combinations of lefts and rights, but somehow, the referee, Hiralenhka, didn't give Kingpetch not even an 8-count. That was very strange because Kingpetch came back to his corner in queer street. He was oozie and dazed.
In round #9, lefts and rights by Harada the champion tumbled down Kingpetch. And the referee? Said nothing. He didn't give a supposedly seen eight-count that should have been counted. I've scored those two rounds 10-8 in favor of Harada.
But, it seems that Kingpetch recovered and started flicking again that fast left jab to Harada's face. The jab by Kingpetch made the difference in the fight. It frustrated Harada. Harada, a fast and aggressive strong boxer, couldn't do anything with Kingpetch's jab, right counters and speed. Kingpetch counter-punched beautifully.
And every time Harada had him on a corner, this time, Kingpetch either smothered the punches or moved his head side to side. It was a demonstration of a boxing master. Because from round 10 to the last round which was the 15th, Kingpetch showed his grit, determination and class against the teen-ager Harada.
Harada was in a territory that he was never seen or been before. Did he got tired? Did the inexperience cost him in pacing himself for the last five rounds? Maybe.
But, from the tenth round on, it was all Kingpetch's. That jab won it for him, even if the referee would have called the 2 knockdowns in favor of Harada.
And Kingpetch rightfully so, regained his world crown. He won by majority decision.
The judges scored the following:
Referee Sangkian Hiralenka of Thailand scored it 72-67 in favor of Kingpetch
Judge Nat Fleischer, the editor of The Ring Magazine from New York City scored it 71-67 this time for Kingpetch.
And judge Haruo Ishiwatarido of Japan scored it even at 69-69 score.
I've scored it 70-67 in favor of Kingpetch.
It was a growing pain lesson for Harada. He lost his crown in Bangkok. But, he gave everything he had. He didn't had nothing to be shame about. He fought a great fight and he has many more great fights ahead of him. He lost to a true hall of famer and one of the flyweight division top all time great boxers.
It was the first time that a boxer regained the world crown at flyweight.
After that, Harada jumped to Bantamweight division class. Kingpetch made another defense and lost by knockout in the very first round against a Harada former victim and countryman Hiroyuki Ebihara. Kingpetch became Flyweight Champion for the third time when he decisioned Ebihara in the rematch.
The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
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elmersalsa
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
It was time for Fighting Harada to fight and jump to Bantamweight. There's no rubber-match with the champion Pone Kingpetch of Thailand by any means.
Harada, 20, then won 4 straight fights at the Bantamweight division ladder.
On Thursday, September 26, 1963, Harada has his big first test at the Bantamweight class against veteran contender Jose Medel of Mexico.
Medel journeyed from Mexico City to Tokyo, Japan for a showdown with the local hero, Harada.
Don't let the record fool you. Medel at 25, started his career in 1955. He had a deceiving record of 53-19-5 with 36 knockouts! So, the guy can hit! He already challenged for the World Bantamweight Crown that Eder Jofre of Brazil possessed since 1960. He lost to Jofre in 2 title challenges by knockout. But, those two fights were thrilling affairs. Medel was not a cakewalk. He was indeed at the time, a dangerous opponent despite the record.
Among his best wins, Medel beat Toluco Gomez of Mexico (W12), Danny Kid of the Philippines (W10), Eloy Sanchez of Mexico (W12) for a title eliminator in July 1960, Herman Marques also of Mexico by twelve-round decision for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Bantamweight title in 1961; Japanese top contenders Sadao Yaoita (W10), Mitsunori Seki (WKO5) and Haruo Sakamoto (W10) and also a key win against the first man ever to beat Harada, Edmundo Esparza also of Mexico (WTKO3).
So, Medel has been around and is working his way up again for the world title that he eagerly desired.
The bell rang and Harada ignored the tales of Medel's punching power. He went straight at the Mexican with fast jabs and right crosses. He was on top of Medel at every second, every minute of every round.
He was easily oupointing Medel and the local crowd was delighted that their Japanese warrior was in command of the fight from the opening bell.
But, by round 4, Medel started to regroup and gave some wicked uppercuts to Harada's chin. Taking his time, it was like a surgeon knowing in how to set up his opponent for the knockout blow. Harada trusted his chin. So, Medel's punching power wasn't a concern for him unless he is dictating the action.
I think that Medel won round 4. He could possibly have won round 5 also. It was a fast paced fight, the way Harada loves it. He felt much more of Medel's shots, but, he kept going forward in the trenches. Harada is fighting too brave for his own good.
Round six came and both warriors were throwing combinations from every angle possible. And Harada got caught. Finally, he got caught with a right uppercut and left hook and he was stumbling but still fighting fiercely. The crowd was exhorting him on to be on his feet. He looked hurt. And next thing is seen, Harada went down to the canvas. The locals could not believe it. Their hero is down! It was the first time in Harada's career that he got dropped.
Harada gets up and the referee is giving him an 8-count. But, instead of taking it easy, Harada went on the attack even though that it seemed clear that he was in bad shape. Medel took the opportunity of giving Harada lefts and rights to the head and Harada went down again. The crowd is in disbelief. Their hero is on the verge of losing by knockout.
Harada is up, but shaken and hurt. Medel went again with vicious lefts and rights and Harada went down again for the third time. The referee, mercifully stopped the contest and Medel is the winner by TKO in round 6.
Harada, 20, then won 4 straight fights at the Bantamweight division ladder.
On Thursday, September 26, 1963, Harada has his big first test at the Bantamweight class against veteran contender Jose Medel of Mexico.
Medel journeyed from Mexico City to Tokyo, Japan for a showdown with the local hero, Harada.
Don't let the record fool you. Medel at 25, started his career in 1955. He had a deceiving record of 53-19-5 with 36 knockouts! So, the guy can hit! He already challenged for the World Bantamweight Crown that Eder Jofre of Brazil possessed since 1960. He lost to Jofre in 2 title challenges by knockout. But, those two fights were thrilling affairs. Medel was not a cakewalk. He was indeed at the time, a dangerous opponent despite the record.
Among his best wins, Medel beat Toluco Gomez of Mexico (W12), Danny Kid of the Philippines (W10), Eloy Sanchez of Mexico (W12) for a title eliminator in July 1960, Herman Marques also of Mexico by twelve-round decision for the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Bantamweight title in 1961; Japanese top contenders Sadao Yaoita (W10), Mitsunori Seki (WKO5) and Haruo Sakamoto (W10) and also a key win against the first man ever to beat Harada, Edmundo Esparza also of Mexico (WTKO3).
So, Medel has been around and is working his way up again for the world title that he eagerly desired.
The bell rang and Harada ignored the tales of Medel's punching power. He went straight at the Mexican with fast jabs and right crosses. He was on top of Medel at every second, every minute of every round.
He was easily oupointing Medel and the local crowd was delighted that their Japanese warrior was in command of the fight from the opening bell.
But, by round 4, Medel started to regroup and gave some wicked uppercuts to Harada's chin. Taking his time, it was like a surgeon knowing in how to set up his opponent for the knockout blow. Harada trusted his chin. So, Medel's punching power wasn't a concern for him unless he is dictating the action.
I think that Medel won round 4. He could possibly have won round 5 also. It was a fast paced fight, the way Harada loves it. He felt much more of Medel's shots, but, he kept going forward in the trenches. Harada is fighting too brave for his own good.
Round six came and both warriors were throwing combinations from every angle possible. And Harada got caught. Finally, he got caught with a right uppercut and left hook and he was stumbling but still fighting fiercely. The crowd was exhorting him on to be on his feet. He looked hurt. And next thing is seen, Harada went down to the canvas. The locals could not believe it. Their hero is down! It was the first time in Harada's career that he got dropped.
Harada gets up and the referee is giving him an 8-count. But, instead of taking it easy, Harada went on the attack even though that it seemed clear that he was in bad shape. Medel took the opportunity of giving Harada lefts and rights to the head and Harada went down again. The crowd is in disbelief. Their hero is on the verge of losing by knockout.
Harada is up, but shaken and hurt. Medel went again with vicious lefts and rights and Harada went down again for the third time. The referee, mercifully stopped the contest and Medel is the winner by TKO in round 6.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
It was probably Jose Medel's of Mexico most defining win of his boxing career. He knocked out Fighting Harada. Japan's favorite son. Was it a fluke? Not by any means. Medel, while on, is a dangerous opponent for anyone who thought to go in the ring with him, and is against on line for a shot to a world title for the third time against the great Eder Jofre of Brazil.
As for Harada, he disappointed his local fans. Not because he lost. But, because the way he fought was detrimental to his own doing. As the saying I'm boxing goes "You don't hook with a hooker"...... Something like that in those lines.
Harada always gives his all in all his fights. So, he didn't disappoint the locals in that regard. But the national pride was crushed for the 4th time against the same fighter.
It was the fourth time that Medel travels to Japan and kicked their locals asses. And this time it was done against their most favorite hero, Harada.
Medel, 25, improves to 54-19-5 with 37KOs.
Harada, 20, shaken and disappointed, drops to 31-3, with 14 knockouts.
Harada still got a lot to learn in his young life.
As for Harada, he disappointed his local fans. Not because he lost. But, because the way he fought was detrimental to his own doing. As the saying I'm boxing goes "You don't hook with a hooker"...... Something like that in those lines.
Harada always gives his all in all his fights. So, he didn't disappoint the locals in that regard. But the national pride was crushed for the 4th time against the same fighter.
It was the fourth time that Medel travels to Japan and kicked their locals asses. And this time it was done against their most favorite hero, Harada.
Medel, 25, improves to 54-19-5 with 37KOs.
Harada, 20, shaken and disappointed, drops to 31-3, with 14 knockouts.
Harada still got a lot to learn in his young life.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Fighting Harada, Japan's favorite son and charismatic little warrior, started a winning streak after losing badly by knockout to top contender Jose Medel of Mexico.
Harada became in 1963, Medel's fourth Japanese victim on his ledger, and the most important of them all. Medel stopped Harada in six rounds in Tokyo, Japan, just like he did the other 3 countrymen beating them in their own backyards.
But, since then, Harada won all of his 5 fights in 1964. He is in a seven-fight winning streak since losing to Medel.
Now that he tested the top Bantamweight contenders of the world, it was fitting for him to challenge the great Eder Jofre of Brazil for Jofre's World Bantamweight Crown.
The fight was set on Tuesday, May 18, 1965. It will be a great night of boxing in Japan. Their hero, is fighting again for a world title, this time at bantam.
Jofre, 29, one of the best fighters in the world, was probably the most complete boxer of his time, and pound per pound, probably the best fighter in the first five years of the 1960s decade, with the great American and Heavyweight World Champion, Muhammad Ali of Louisville, KY, withstanding.
Harada became in 1963, Medel's fourth Japanese victim on his ledger, and the most important of them all. Medel stopped Harada in six rounds in Tokyo, Japan, just like he did the other 3 countrymen beating them in their own backyards.
But, since then, Harada won all of his 5 fights in 1964. He is in a seven-fight winning streak since losing to Medel.
Now that he tested the top Bantamweight contenders of the world, it was fitting for him to challenge the great Eder Jofre of Brazil for Jofre's World Bantamweight Crown.
The fight was set on Tuesday, May 18, 1965. It will be a great night of boxing in Japan. Their hero, is fighting again for a world title, this time at bantam.
Jofre, 29, one of the best fighters in the world, was probably the most complete boxer of his time, and pound per pound, probably the best fighter in the first five years of the 1960s decade, with the great American and Heavyweight World Champion, Muhammad Ali of Louisville, KY, withstanding.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Eder Jofre, 29, of Sao Paulo, Brazil travels to Nagoya, Japan to defend his World Bantamweight Crown for the ninth time.
It's the first time that Jofre travels to Japan. The Japanese locals, received him well very much. They were very delighted of Jofre.
He is known as The Golden Bantam, and is so revered in Brazil that only football icons like Pele and Garrincha, rivaled him as the nation's top sports superstar.
Jofre by 1965, was considered the most complete and best boxer in the planet. Only the great Muhammad Ali, the World Heavyweight Champion, was probably his equal.
Jofre, at that point had 8 title defenses, all by knockout. He became World champion by winning the vacant NBA World Bantamweight Crown in Los Angeles' Olympic Auditorium on November 18, 1960, stopping top contender Eloy Sanchez of Mexico in only 6 rounds.
On January 18, 1962, Jofre became the Undisputed World Bantamweight Champion when he defeated EBU World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Caldwell of Northern Ireland, stopping the then undefeated British lad in 10 rounds.
Among other great wins he stopped American Billy Peacock in two rounds, Piero Rollo of Italy in 9, Jose Medel (who's Harada's conqueror) of Mexico twice, and Bernardo Caraballo of Colombia in 7.
He had a magnificent undefeated record of 47-0-3, with 37 knockouts and had a 35-fight winning streak since June 1958, winning his last 17 bouts by knockout since June 1960. He beat almost all the top contenders possible. And Harada was supposed to be another victim.
But, rumours had it that Jofre can't make the weight anymore and is thinking of going to the next upper weight class, the featherweights.
And for the amusement of many, the champion Jofre was a vegetarian. Something unusual in boxing circles at the time.
It's the first time that Jofre travels to Japan. The Japanese locals, received him well very much. They were very delighted of Jofre.
He is known as The Golden Bantam, and is so revered in Brazil that only football icons like Pele and Garrincha, rivaled him as the nation's top sports superstar.
Jofre by 1965, was considered the most complete and best boxer in the planet. Only the great Muhammad Ali, the World Heavyweight Champion, was probably his equal.
Jofre, at that point had 8 title defenses, all by knockout. He became World champion by winning the vacant NBA World Bantamweight Crown in Los Angeles' Olympic Auditorium on November 18, 1960, stopping top contender Eloy Sanchez of Mexico in only 6 rounds.
On January 18, 1962, Jofre became the Undisputed World Bantamweight Champion when he defeated EBU World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Caldwell of Northern Ireland, stopping the then undefeated British lad in 10 rounds.
Among other great wins he stopped American Billy Peacock in two rounds, Piero Rollo of Italy in 9, Jose Medel (who's Harada's conqueror) of Mexico twice, and Bernardo Caraballo of Colombia in 7.
He had a magnificent undefeated record of 47-0-3, with 37 knockouts and had a 35-fight winning streak since June 1958, winning his last 17 bouts by knockout since June 1960. He beat almost all the top contenders possible. And Harada was supposed to be another victim.
But, rumours had it that Jofre can't make the weight anymore and is thinking of going to the next upper weight class, the featherweights.
And for the amusement of many, the champion Jofre was a vegetarian. Something unusual in boxing circles at the time.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The fight was set on Tuesday, May 18, 1965 at the Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya, Japan.
Eder Jofre, the World Bantamweight Champion of Brazil defends his crown against challenger and Japan's favorite son Fighting Harada.
Harada started fast. Explosively fast! Like in many of his fights, he always initiated the attack. He won on my view, three of the first four rounds.
In round 4, Harada had Jofre hurt. This was a turning point in the fight because Jofre had never been hurt before in a fight. Harada had him in a corner throwing lefts and rights, with a high volume of punches and speed. Jofre survived the round.
Then, in rounds 5 and 6, Jofre gets it together and started scoring with terrific accurate shots to the body and head.
Harada regained momentum in this fast paced bout in the rounds 9 and 10.
But, after the tenth round, it looked like Harada gassed out. And Jofre was giving him the business. Many times after the tenth round, Harada seemed hurt, but his heart, will, and determination, plus his past experience with Jose Medel of Mexico when Medel stopped him in six hold him up by not hooking with a hooker.
Harada, 22, was using his speed and agility moving from side to side, frustrating the champion Jofre with also holding tactics.
Jofre was still resilient by the last two rounds, and Harada was somewhat spent because of the fast paced workrate and fighting spirit. But he kept holding on until the 15th and last round.
After giving the Nagoya crowd a great display of courage, boxing and muscle.
,
Jofre, because of the weight class, felt that he was groggy and lethargic for the fight. Making the weight was draining him.
But, both fighters gave all they had. And it was a great fight. Harada won the World Bantamweight Crown outright by winning by split decision.
The new World Bantamweight Champion! Fighting Harada of Japan!
Eder Jofre, the World Bantamweight Champion of Brazil defends his crown against challenger and Japan's favorite son Fighting Harada.
Harada started fast. Explosively fast! Like in many of his fights, he always initiated the attack. He won on my view, three of the first four rounds.
In round 4, Harada had Jofre hurt. This was a turning point in the fight because Jofre had never been hurt before in a fight. Harada had him in a corner throwing lefts and rights, with a high volume of punches and speed. Jofre survived the round.
Then, in rounds 5 and 6, Jofre gets it together and started scoring with terrific accurate shots to the body and head.
Harada regained momentum in this fast paced bout in the rounds 9 and 10.
But, after the tenth round, it looked like Harada gassed out. And Jofre was giving him the business. Many times after the tenth round, Harada seemed hurt, but his heart, will, and determination, plus his past experience with Jose Medel of Mexico when Medel stopped him in six hold him up by not hooking with a hooker.
Harada, 22, was using his speed and agility moving from side to side, frustrating the champion Jofre with also holding tactics.
Jofre was still resilient by the last two rounds, and Harada was somewhat spent because of the fast paced workrate and fighting spirit. But he kept holding on until the 15th and last round.
After giving the Nagoya crowd a great display of courage, boxing and muscle.
,
Jofre, because of the weight class, felt that he was groggy and lethargic for the fight. Making the weight was draining him.
But, both fighters gave all they had. And it was a great fight. Harada won the World Bantamweight Crown outright by winning by split decision.
The new World Bantamweight Champion! Fighting Harada of Japan!
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Masahiko "Fighting" Harada was the talk of the town in Japanese and world boxing circles after his great win over the great Eder Jofre.
It was a great feat at the time. Harada became not only the first Japanese to win two titles in two different weight classes, but also the first Far East Oriental boxer to so.
Since then, there have been various Japanese boxers to win more than two titles, but also becoming triple crown champions. But, in Harada's heyday, is more remarkable, because there were only ten weight classes from the original 8. If a fighter today wins 3 crowns of different weight classes, is still a great feat, but not as remarkable as years past.
Why? Simply because today there are 17 weight classes and 4 world crowns for 4 champions. Four champions per division has diluted the competition in boxing. The talent in boxing is not even half as good as per say 35, 40 or 50 years ago.
It was a great feat at the time. Harada became not only the first Japanese to win two titles in two different weight classes, but also the first Far East Oriental boxer to so.
Since then, there have been various Japanese boxers to win more than two titles, but also becoming triple crown champions. But, in Harada's heyday, is more remarkable, because there were only ten weight classes from the original 8. If a fighter today wins 3 crowns of different weight classes, is still a great feat, but not as remarkable as years past.
Why? Simply because today there are 17 weight classes and 4 world crowns for 4 champions. Four champions per division has diluted the competition in boxing. The talent in boxing is not even half as good as per say 35, 40 or 50 years ago.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
On Tuesday, November 30, 1965 at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan, Fighting Harada, the World Bantamweight Champion, is defending his crown for the first time in front of his hometown fans against British Bantamweight Champion Alan Rudkin of Liverpool, England.
Rudkin, 23, started his professional boxing career in 1962. He was born in Corwen, Wales but grew up in Liverpool. He could have passed as the 5th Beatle back then. His hair resembled the famous rock & roll lads with that mosh pod hair look.
A beautiful boxer with a fast jab, was the prototypical British style boxer. At 5'7", was very tall for a Bantamweight. And his excellent record of 23-1, with 8 knockouts, showed that he wasn't a big puncher. Harada does not have nothing to worry about that.
Since June 1962, Rudkin was in a 22-fight winning streak. And earlier in the year 1965 in March, became British Empire Bantamweight Champion by defeating former EBU World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Caldwell of Northern Ireland by knockout in 10 rounds.
So, the lad must be good.
In the very first round, both fighters started off well. Harada, 22, the champion, was always pressuring in the attack. And Rudkin, with his fluid boxing style with that left jab, had the champ at bay.
But, Rudkin seemed to slip in an exchange between the two, but, the referee, KO Tayama of Japan counted it as as a knockdown. Was it really? That was too biased in my view. Still, as a judge, you go by the referee's judgement. It was a 10-8 score for Harada.
The first 4 rounds were back and forth for both fighters. But, Harada started to dominate after round 5 to the seventh by rushing in with fast lefts and timely right hands.
Harada in my view didn't get to win a round for the next 5 rounds. And after the 12th round, the fight was close. Harada was much more determined in the last 3 stanzas and won the fight in my view. Rudkin, a good boxer, didn't overwhelm the champion to take away the champ's title. He didn't threw enough punches in the last 3 rounds.
So also the judges thought the same. Harada defended successfully his crown by beating Rudkin by unanimous decision.
The winner by unanimous decision and still, the Bantamweight Champion of the entire world!: Masahiko "Fighting" Harada!
Rudkin, 23, started his professional boxing career in 1962. He was born in Corwen, Wales but grew up in Liverpool. He could have passed as the 5th Beatle back then. His hair resembled the famous rock & roll lads with that mosh pod hair look.
A beautiful boxer with a fast jab, was the prototypical British style boxer. At 5'7", was very tall for a Bantamweight. And his excellent record of 23-1, with 8 knockouts, showed that he wasn't a big puncher. Harada does not have nothing to worry about that.
Since June 1962, Rudkin was in a 22-fight winning streak. And earlier in the year 1965 in March, became British Empire Bantamweight Champion by defeating former EBU World Bantamweight Champion Johnny Caldwell of Northern Ireland by knockout in 10 rounds.
So, the lad must be good.
In the very first round, both fighters started off well. Harada, 22, the champion, was always pressuring in the attack. And Rudkin, with his fluid boxing style with that left jab, had the champ at bay.
But, Rudkin seemed to slip in an exchange between the two, but, the referee, KO Tayama of Japan counted it as as a knockdown. Was it really? That was too biased in my view. Still, as a judge, you go by the referee's judgement. It was a 10-8 score for Harada.
The first 4 rounds were back and forth for both fighters. But, Harada started to dominate after round 5 to the seventh by rushing in with fast lefts and timely right hands.
Harada in my view didn't get to win a round for the next 5 rounds. And after the 12th round, the fight was close. Harada was much more determined in the last 3 stanzas and won the fight in my view. Rudkin, a good boxer, didn't overwhelm the champion to take away the champ's title. He didn't threw enough punches in the last 3 rounds.
So also the judges thought the same. Harada defended successfully his crown by beating Rudkin by unanimous decision.
The winner by unanimous decision and still, the Bantamweight Champion of the entire world!: Masahiko "Fighting" Harada!
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Fighting Harada improves to 41-3, with 17KOs. Rudkin drops to 23-2, with 8 knockouts after a brilliant 22-fight win streak.
What happened to that fine boxer, Alan Rudkin, the British Bantamweight Champion after this? Well, he lost the British belt to former Flyweight World Champion Walter McGowan of Scotland in June 1966 by decision.
But, in May 1968, Rudkin regained the British crown from McGowan by decision in 15 rounds. Rudkin tried unsuccessfully to win the World Bantamweight Crown twice more when he lost to Lionel Rose of Australia (L15) in March 1969 and the great Ruben Olivares of Mexico (LTKO2) in December of same year.
Rudkin retired at age 30 in 1972.
What happened to that fine boxer, Alan Rudkin, the British Bantamweight Champion after this? Well, he lost the British belt to former Flyweight World Champion Walter McGowan of Scotland in June 1966 by decision.
But, in May 1968, Rudkin regained the British crown from McGowan by decision in 15 rounds. Rudkin tried unsuccessfully to win the World Bantamweight Crown twice more when he lost to Lionel Rose of Australia (L15) in March 1969 and the great Ruben Olivares of Mexico (LTKO2) in December of same year.
Rudkin retired at age 30 in 1972.
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elmersalsa
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Eder Jofre of Brazil, the great former World Bantamweight Champion, travels to Japan once again to recover his lost crown to local Fighting Harada.
On Tuesday, May 31st, 1966, Harada defends his crown for the second time at Nippon Budokan. The rematch drew out a crowd of more than 15,000 fans to see their hero Harada, 23, to duke it out with Jofre, 30.
Jofre seemingly looks like he's slipping or is losing some of his zest for boxing. At 30 years old and 52 fights in the professional ranks, is a lot of fights. He's probably not in his prime anymore. But, for this fight, the Golden Bantam came in shape.
Harada at 23 years old had the age advantage. He has grown and matured very much since his knockout loss to Jose Medel of Mexico three years earlier.
Jofre, after losing his crown to Harada, drew in his next fight. What's going on with him? Is it over? In November 1965, Jofre drew against Manny Elias of Tucson, AZ. In that same month, Harada defended his crown for the first time successfully against Alan Rudkin of Liverpool, England in a 15-round win decision.
Jofre came back to Japan with a record of 47-1-4 with 37 knockouts. He is eager to silence the critics that his loss to Harada the year before was a fluke. Harada is here to prove otherwise.
The bell rang and from the beginning, Jofre, the Golden Bantam, came as true as his nickname. He gave Harada some wicked shots to the body and head and started faster than the first meeting. He clearly won the first two rounds with some vicious accurate shots.
Well, Harada with a record of 42-3 with 17 knockouts wasn't going to be left behind. He is fighting Jofre again in front of his hometown fans. And like he did the last time in Nagoya, Japan, he came with some fury in the third and fourth rounds. This time, Harada's strategy was to put Jofre in the ropes and punch. The last fight, Harada boxed. Was it a change of strategy? Perhaps. But, he had to be aggressive because he lost clearly the first two rounds.
Harada also won the fifth round with his aggressive style. And in round 7, Jofre turned the tide. The referee, Nick Pope of United States deducted Harada point because he warned Harada of using his head as a weapon against the former champion. The fight was even until round 9.
But, after round 10, it was all Fighting Harada's! Harada dominated the latter rounds with aggressiveness. He really put it on Jofre that looked like he lost steam after round 9. Harada was the fresher fighter of the two.
Harada even mixed it up by confusing Jofre by boxing side to side and also in other times, slugging it out. He was on. He had much more stamina than the former champion at the end and in my opinion, he kept his crown justifiedly so. It was a clear win for Harada and successfully defended his Bantamweight Crown for the second time and erased the critics that the first fight was not a fluke.
The winner by unanimous decision and still the Bantamweight Champion of the World!: Fighting Harada!
The judges voted:
Nick Pope (referee) of America, 69-68, Harada
Judge Takeo Ugo of Japan, 71-69, Harada
And Judge Hiroyuki Tezaki of Japan voted 71-68 in favor of Harada.
My scorecard is 145-142, in favor of Harada in a ten-point must system. And 71-68 in the 5-point must scoring for Harada.
Jofre went back a loser again to his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil with a record of 47-2-4, with 37 knockouts. He never again lost another fight. He retired after the fight, but three years later, in 1969, made a comeback and won his next 25 bouts, including the WBC World Featherweight Crown in 1973 when he defeated Jose Legra of Spain in Sao Paulo.
Harada is the only man in boxing history to defeat the great Eder Jofre. And he did it twice. It's quite of an accomplishment. Jofre retired in 1976 with a record of 72-2-4, with 50 knockouts.
Harada improves to 43-3, with 17 knockouts.
On Tuesday, May 31st, 1966, Harada defends his crown for the second time at Nippon Budokan. The rematch drew out a crowd of more than 15,000 fans to see their hero Harada, 23, to duke it out with Jofre, 30.
Jofre seemingly looks like he's slipping or is losing some of his zest for boxing. At 30 years old and 52 fights in the professional ranks, is a lot of fights. He's probably not in his prime anymore. But, for this fight, the Golden Bantam came in shape.
Harada at 23 years old had the age advantage. He has grown and matured very much since his knockout loss to Jose Medel of Mexico three years earlier.
Jofre, after losing his crown to Harada, drew in his next fight. What's going on with him? Is it over? In November 1965, Jofre drew against Manny Elias of Tucson, AZ. In that same month, Harada defended his crown for the first time successfully against Alan Rudkin of Liverpool, England in a 15-round win decision.
Jofre came back to Japan with a record of 47-1-4 with 37 knockouts. He is eager to silence the critics that his loss to Harada the year before was a fluke. Harada is here to prove otherwise.
The bell rang and from the beginning, Jofre, the Golden Bantam, came as true as his nickname. He gave Harada some wicked shots to the body and head and started faster than the first meeting. He clearly won the first two rounds with some vicious accurate shots.
Well, Harada with a record of 42-3 with 17 knockouts wasn't going to be left behind. He is fighting Jofre again in front of his hometown fans. And like he did the last time in Nagoya, Japan, he came with some fury in the third and fourth rounds. This time, Harada's strategy was to put Jofre in the ropes and punch. The last fight, Harada boxed. Was it a change of strategy? Perhaps. But, he had to be aggressive because he lost clearly the first two rounds.
Harada also won the fifth round with his aggressive style. And in round 7, Jofre turned the tide. The referee, Nick Pope of United States deducted Harada point because he warned Harada of using his head as a weapon against the former champion. The fight was even until round 9.
But, after round 10, it was all Fighting Harada's! Harada dominated the latter rounds with aggressiveness. He really put it on Jofre that looked like he lost steam after round 9. Harada was the fresher fighter of the two.
Harada even mixed it up by confusing Jofre by boxing side to side and also in other times, slugging it out. He was on. He had much more stamina than the former champion at the end and in my opinion, he kept his crown justifiedly so. It was a clear win for Harada and successfully defended his Bantamweight Crown for the second time and erased the critics that the first fight was not a fluke.
The winner by unanimous decision and still the Bantamweight Champion of the World!: Fighting Harada!
The judges voted:
Nick Pope (referee) of America, 69-68, Harada
Judge Takeo Ugo of Japan, 71-69, Harada
And Judge Hiroyuki Tezaki of Japan voted 71-68 in favor of Harada.
My scorecard is 145-142, in favor of Harada in a ten-point must system. And 71-68 in the 5-point must scoring for Harada.
Jofre went back a loser again to his hometown of Sao Paulo, Brazil with a record of 47-2-4, with 37 knockouts. He never again lost another fight. He retired after the fight, but three years later, in 1969, made a comeback and won his next 25 bouts, including the WBC World Featherweight Crown in 1973 when he defeated Jose Legra of Spain in Sao Paulo.
Harada is the only man in boxing history to defeat the great Eder Jofre. And he did it twice. It's quite of an accomplishment. Jofre retired in 1976 with a record of 72-2-4, with 50 knockouts.
Harada improves to 43-3, with 17 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
It's top contender's Jose Medel of Mexico turn to challenge Fighting Harada for the World Bantamweight Crown in a fight set for Tuesday, January 3, 1967 at the Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya, Japan.
This is Harada's 3rd title defense of his World Bantamweight Crown.
In their previous fight, Medel surprised the world by shocking the Japanese locals with a sixth round knockout 3 and a half years later in September 1963.
It looked like no Japanese opponent could beat Medel. Before beating Harada, Medel beat three top 3 Japanese boxers: Mitsunori Seki (WKO5), Haruo Sakamoto (W10), and Sadao Yaoita (W10). All those fights were in Japan.
Then, he stopped Harada, Japan's favorite son in 6. Drew with Tetsuro Kawai in ten, Katsuo Saito in 10 by on points and finally, in his only fight with a Japanese boxer at that moment in Mexico City, Mexico, he stopped Hiroshi Otomori in seven rounds.
So, Medel had a record at the time of 6-0-1, with 3 knockouts against Japanese boxers. Five of them, he beat in Japan.
Now it's their Japanese favorite son to avenge all that. To reverse that nasty KO loss against Medel and give himself and the Island of Japan, pride and glory.
Since they met in September 1963, Harada has won 14 fights in a row, including the World Bantamweight Crown in May 1965.
Medel, in the other hand, has lost once in 11 fights, winning 8 in a row since July 1964. Among his best wins in that 8-fight win streak, he beat former World Flyweight Champion Walter McGowan of Scotland by TKO in 6 and a surprising win against top contender knockout artist and countryman Jesus Pimentel on points.
All those 8 wins in a row put Medel once again in contention for the world title held by Harada. Will he do the trick? Medel, a veteran boxer since 1955, is 28 years old. Is this his last shot for a world title? We will see.
But don't let Medel's record of 63-20-6 with 43KOs fool you. The guy has been scrapping with the very best of the division.
This is Harada's 3rd title defense of his World Bantamweight Crown.
In their previous fight, Medel surprised the world by shocking the Japanese locals with a sixth round knockout 3 and a half years later in September 1963.
It looked like no Japanese opponent could beat Medel. Before beating Harada, Medel beat three top 3 Japanese boxers: Mitsunori Seki (WKO5), Haruo Sakamoto (W10), and Sadao Yaoita (W10). All those fights were in Japan.
Then, he stopped Harada, Japan's favorite son in 6. Drew with Tetsuro Kawai in ten, Katsuo Saito in 10 by on points and finally, in his only fight with a Japanese boxer at that moment in Mexico City, Mexico, he stopped Hiroshi Otomori in seven rounds.
So, Medel had a record at the time of 6-0-1, with 3 knockouts against Japanese boxers. Five of them, he beat in Japan.
Now it's their Japanese favorite son to avenge all that. To reverse that nasty KO loss against Medel and give himself and the Island of Japan, pride and glory.
Since they met in September 1963, Harada has won 14 fights in a row, including the World Bantamweight Crown in May 1965.
Medel, in the other hand, has lost once in 11 fights, winning 8 in a row since July 1964. Among his best wins in that 8-fight win streak, he beat former World Flyweight Champion Walter McGowan of Scotland by TKO in 6 and a surprising win against top contender knockout artist and countryman Jesus Pimentel on points.
All those 8 wins in a row put Medel once again in contention for the world title held by Harada. Will he do the trick? Medel, a veteran boxer since 1955, is 28 years old. Is this his last shot for a world title? We will see.
But don't let Medel's record of 63-20-6 with 43KOs fool you. The guy has been scrapping with the very best of the division.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Tuesday, January 3, 1967 has arrived and Jose Medel of Mexico is challenging for the World Bantamweight Crown held by former victim, Fighting Harada of Japan.
The fight is set at the Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya, Japan. The arena is packed. Not one seat empty. Harada and his people are ready to avenge their six-time tormentor.
Japanese national pride is at stake. They want this win against Medel badly. Medel's only concern is to give Mexico another boxing world champion. So, he came ready for the fight of his career. He knows that Harada has improved since September 1963.
And the bell rang, and Harada like always on the attack. This time, he is attacking with much more awareness. Not in wreckless abandon like 3 and a half years earlier.
Harada dominated the first 4 rounds. In round 5, he buckled Medel and the crowd went wild. Harada punished him with fast lefts and rights to the body and head. He's going for the knockout. But he didn't get it. Medel is a tough hombre. He's very hard to discourage.
In round six, this time, it was Medel's turn. Like in round six of their first meeting, Medel put Harada in queer street again. But, this time, Harada had much more experience and instead of slugging it out like he did the mistake the first time, he held on and waited for his senses to come back to him. Harada survived the round. The Japanese locals received a scare in round six again.
The ONLY THING that befuddled me about this fight was that all judges were Japanese. Was this a concern in Medel's corner? I guess so. It seems to a lot of people that for Medel to win this time again, it gotta be by knockout stoppage. It seems that all of Japanese boxing concern was to win this fight against their tormentor at any cost. And my question is: why there wasn't a Mexican judge in the fight? Why there wasn't a neutral judge from another country? Or why the judges were not neutral?
Because in round ten, and the fight barely even, the Japanese referee, Masao Kato, deducted a point to Medel for thumbing Harada's left cut eye. Even though, Medel clearly won that tenth round. But, it was scored an even round because of the point deduction against the foreigner.
From round eleven and on, it was almost all Fighting Harada's. It looked like he got a second wind after round ten in all his championship fights. Harada won the 11th, 12th and 13th rounds. Did that point deduction against Medel turned the tide in Harada's favor?
Medel won the last two rounds in my book. But it was a little too late. Harada threw more volume of punches. HBO's Compu Box would have loved to have him on HBO's boxing cards.
The pace of the fight was fast. The way Harada loves it.
Even if the fight was in Mexico or in American soil, Harada won outright. But, did that round 9 helped him in a way? Maybe. Or maybe not.
The winner by unanimous decision and still the Bantamweight Champion of the World!
Fighting Harada of Japan!
The fight is set at the Aichi Prefectural Gym in Nagoya, Japan. The arena is packed. Not one seat empty. Harada and his people are ready to avenge their six-time tormentor.
Japanese national pride is at stake. They want this win against Medel badly. Medel's only concern is to give Mexico another boxing world champion. So, he came ready for the fight of his career. He knows that Harada has improved since September 1963.
And the bell rang, and Harada like always on the attack. This time, he is attacking with much more awareness. Not in wreckless abandon like 3 and a half years earlier.
Harada dominated the first 4 rounds. In round 5, he buckled Medel and the crowd went wild. Harada punished him with fast lefts and rights to the body and head. He's going for the knockout. But he didn't get it. Medel is a tough hombre. He's very hard to discourage.
In round six, this time, it was Medel's turn. Like in round six of their first meeting, Medel put Harada in queer street again. But, this time, Harada had much more experience and instead of slugging it out like he did the mistake the first time, he held on and waited for his senses to come back to him. Harada survived the round. The Japanese locals received a scare in round six again.
The ONLY THING that befuddled me about this fight was that all judges were Japanese. Was this a concern in Medel's corner? I guess so. It seems to a lot of people that for Medel to win this time again, it gotta be by knockout stoppage. It seems that all of Japanese boxing concern was to win this fight against their tormentor at any cost. And my question is: why there wasn't a Mexican judge in the fight? Why there wasn't a neutral judge from another country? Or why the judges were not neutral?
Because in round ten, and the fight barely even, the Japanese referee, Masao Kato, deducted a point to Medel for thumbing Harada's left cut eye. Even though, Medel clearly won that tenth round. But, it was scored an even round because of the point deduction against the foreigner.
From round eleven and on, it was almost all Fighting Harada's. It looked like he got a second wind after round ten in all his championship fights. Harada won the 11th, 12th and 13th rounds. Did that point deduction against Medel turned the tide in Harada's favor?
Medel won the last two rounds in my book. But it was a little too late. Harada threw more volume of punches. HBO's Compu Box would have loved to have him on HBO's boxing cards.
The pace of the fight was fast. The way Harada loves it.
Even if the fight was in Mexico or in American soil, Harada won outright. But, did that round 9 helped him in a way? Maybe. Or maybe not.
The winner by unanimous decision and still the Bantamweight Champion of the World!
Fighting Harada of Japan!
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Fighting Harada and the whole Island of Japan celebrated immensely for this win. They finally beat their tormentor Jose Medel of Mexico.
Medel, at 28, fell at 63-21-6 with 43 knockouts. This was his last title shot. He fell once before against the great Eder Jofre for a world title shot in 1962 and once for a title eliminator against Jofre in 1960.
Probably, his career is over. Medel lost 10 of his next 18 fights, only winning six of them sporadically. He retired in 1974.
As for Harada, his record improves to 46-3, with 17 knockouts. He's in a 15-fight win streak so far. At 23, he is in the prime of his career. No doubt about that.
Medel, at 28, fell at 63-21-6 with 43 knockouts. This was his last title shot. He fell once before against the great Eder Jofre for a world title shot in 1962 and once for a title eliminator against Jofre in 1960.
Probably, his career is over. Medel lost 10 of his next 18 fights, only winning six of them sporadically. He retired in 1974.
As for Harada, his record improves to 46-3, with 17 knockouts. He's in a 15-fight win streak so far. At 23, he is in the prime of his career. No doubt about that.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Some boxers are very good, but when times to show their top given talent, sometimes the moment is too much for the fighter.
Some guys come well prepared for the fight, and are in great shape. But, when it's time to give a show, the fighter doesn't fight nor let fight. An example was John "The Quiet Man" Ruiz o Puerto Rico. He didn't fight nor let fight. Too much holding for long and nothing happened.
Other fights that I would not probably see again for example, was the second fight between Benny "Kid" Paret against Emile Griffith. The fight was so bad to watch with all that holding and grabbing. I don't know what what the judges were watching that Paret got the nod. To me, Griffith won all the 3 fights!
The same could be said for Fighting Harada's title defense against top contender from Colombia Bernardo Caraballo on Tuesday, July 4, 1967 at the famous Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. It was so desperate to watch. It was very frustrating.
Caraballo was a smooth boxer with sublime skills. He was tall for a Bantamweight, and had great lateral movement of feet. But, of what I have seen of him in this fight was that everything he threw off the jab was telegraph: his right uppercut, right cross and left hook were coming from South America to Tokyo. So, it seems to me. He conditioned himself great for the fight of his career, but did almost all the holding. Or may I say, he did so much holding like if he was running for his dear life.
Who's this Caraballo anyway? He came to Tokyo with a fascinating record of 43-1-3 with 16 knockouts. He already had a title shot try against the great Eder Jofre of Brazil for Jofre's World Bantamweight Crown on November 27, 1964 in Bogota, Colombia. Jofre knocked him out in 7 rounds. That's the only loss in his ledger so far.
Among his best wins, he beat the great but fading Pascual Perez of Argentina on points in ten rounds. The same he did to Puerto Rollo of Italy on points in ten. Future Flyweight World Champion, Chartchai Chionoi of Thailand tasted defeated on points at the hands of this challenger.
Some guys come well prepared for the fight, and are in great shape. But, when it's time to give a show, the fighter doesn't fight nor let fight. An example was John "The Quiet Man" Ruiz o Puerto Rico. He didn't fight nor let fight. Too much holding for long and nothing happened.
Other fights that I would not probably see again for example, was the second fight between Benny "Kid" Paret against Emile Griffith. The fight was so bad to watch with all that holding and grabbing. I don't know what what the judges were watching that Paret got the nod. To me, Griffith won all the 3 fights!
The same could be said for Fighting Harada's title defense against top contender from Colombia Bernardo Caraballo on Tuesday, July 4, 1967 at the famous Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, Japan. It was so desperate to watch. It was very frustrating.
Caraballo was a smooth boxer with sublime skills. He was tall for a Bantamweight, and had great lateral movement of feet. But, of what I have seen of him in this fight was that everything he threw off the jab was telegraph: his right uppercut, right cross and left hook were coming from South America to Tokyo. So, it seems to me. He conditioned himself great for the fight of his career, but did almost all the holding. Or may I say, he did so much holding like if he was running for his dear life.
Who's this Caraballo anyway? He came to Tokyo with a fascinating record of 43-1-3 with 16 knockouts. He already had a title shot try against the great Eder Jofre of Brazil for Jofre's World Bantamweight Crown on November 27, 1964 in Bogota, Colombia. Jofre knocked him out in 7 rounds. That's the only loss in his ledger so far.
Among his best wins, he beat the great but fading Pascual Perez of Argentina on points in ten rounds. The same he did to Puerto Rollo of Italy on points in ten. Future Flyweight World Champion, Chartchai Chionoi of Thailand tasted defeated on points at the hands of this challenger.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The bell rang and it started off very well. Both fighters connecting their shots. A fast paced first round. Caraballo was throwing telegraphed bombs at Harada's anatomy with fiery intentions, but, most of those shots were missing by a mile.
Fighting Harada, 24, dropped Caraballo with a straight right. The crowd went wild. Here comes Harada for the kill throwing lefts and rights. Caraballo is hurt and covering himself. He got lucky that the bell rang on time.
For the next 5 rounds, Caraballo didn't lose a roun in my view. Either he drew or won it because of his slick boxing and unnerving tactics of holding.
The fight was a back and forth struggle of holding, wear and tear and muscle. Harada was very frustrated about making his fight. He just couldn't. Caraballo was too slick and guile by holding on too long in the clinches.
But, since the tenth round, it was all Harada's. Caraballo was matching Harada's pace by holding every time they exchanged punches. It was a fight very difficult to watch. Like if they were much more wrestling than boxing.
In round 11, the referee, KO Toyama of Japan, got enough and deducted a point off Caraballo because of too much holding. But, even that didn't stopped the South American boxer from clinching a lot more.
Harada in my view, did all he could to please his fans. Caraballo didn't cooperate at all because of his strange tactics. Harada by the way, didn't lose a god-damned round since the 10th. He was doing all the fighting. Caraballo was doing all the holding. You can't expect to win a world title by using those holding tactics. No way!
You got to overwhelm the champion clearly in order to take his title. Caraballo didn't run, but he held too much and took long. He was lucky that he didn't get disqualified in the match.
The winner and justifiable so, Fighting Harada by decision in 15 rounds and retains his title on his fourth title defense of his Bantamweight Crown.
Caraballo, 26, a black strong and tall well-conditioned slick boxer, failed to give his country of Colombia a world title for the second time. He never again fought for a world title.
Fighting Harada, 24, dropped Caraballo with a straight right. The crowd went wild. Here comes Harada for the kill throwing lefts and rights. Caraballo is hurt and covering himself. He got lucky that the bell rang on time.
For the next 5 rounds, Caraballo didn't lose a roun in my view. Either he drew or won it because of his slick boxing and unnerving tactics of holding.
The fight was a back and forth struggle of holding, wear and tear and muscle. Harada was very frustrated about making his fight. He just couldn't. Caraballo was too slick and guile by holding on too long in the clinches.
But, since the tenth round, it was all Harada's. Caraballo was matching Harada's pace by holding every time they exchanged punches. It was a fight very difficult to watch. Like if they were much more wrestling than boxing.
In round 11, the referee, KO Toyama of Japan, got enough and deducted a point off Caraballo because of too much holding. But, even that didn't stopped the South American boxer from clinching a lot more.
Harada in my view, did all he could to please his fans. Caraballo didn't cooperate at all because of his strange tactics. Harada by the way, didn't lose a god-damned round since the 10th. He was doing all the fighting. Caraballo was doing all the holding. You can't expect to win a world title by using those holding tactics. No way!
You got to overwhelm the champion clearly in order to take his title. Caraballo didn't run, but he held too much and took long. He was lucky that he didn't get disqualified in the match.
The winner and justifiable so, Fighting Harada by decision in 15 rounds and retains his title on his fourth title defense of his Bantamweight Crown.
Caraballo, 26, a black strong and tall well-conditioned slick boxer, failed to give his country of Colombia a world title for the second time. He never again fought for a world title.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
After beating top challenger Bernardo Caraballo of Colombia by decision for his fourth successful title defense of his World Bantamweight Crown, Japan's little warrior and favorite son, the great Fighting Harada won two next non-title matches to close the year 1967 and to reach his ledger at 50 wins as professional boxer.
Harada, 25, has a sensational record of 50-3, with 19 knockouts. He is indeed in the peak of his powers, in his prime, and getting all the fan adulation of his people as one of the nation's top cultural icons. He is a god in Japan. Everybody loves him. Everybody wish him the best. And everybody is waiting for his next title fight. And after defeating almost all the top men of the Bantamweight division, Harada can do no wrong. He's Japan's prince. He's Japan's knight and shining armour. He's the real Shogun.
But, sometimes when a champion least expects it, someone out of nowhere comes and gives you the business. That happened in a good or bad way depending who was holding the crown. For example, Salvador Sanchez of Mexico, a virtually unknown to most boxing fans, came out of nowhere and defeated Danny "Little Red" Lopez to take Lopez's WBC World Featherweight Crown in February 1980. And how about Azumah Nelson, a guy that definitely nobody knew, came out of nowhere and gave Sanchez a scare in their classic fight in July 1982, by Sanchez winning by TKO in 15 rounds.
That's what happened on Tuesday, February 27, 1968, when an unknown boxer, Lionel Rose, an Aborigine from Australia, came to Tokyo, Japan to take Harada's title.
Harada, 25, has a sensational record of 50-3, with 19 knockouts. He is indeed in the peak of his powers, in his prime, and getting all the fan adulation of his people as one of the nation's top cultural icons. He is a god in Japan. Everybody loves him. Everybody wish him the best. And everybody is waiting for his next title fight. And after defeating almost all the top men of the Bantamweight division, Harada can do no wrong. He's Japan's prince. He's Japan's knight and shining armour. He's the real Shogun.
But, sometimes when a champion least expects it, someone out of nowhere comes and gives you the business. That happened in a good or bad way depending who was holding the crown. For example, Salvador Sanchez of Mexico, a virtually unknown to most boxing fans, came out of nowhere and defeated Danny "Little Red" Lopez to take Lopez's WBC World Featherweight Crown in February 1980. And how about Azumah Nelson, a guy that definitely nobody knew, came out of nowhere and gave Sanchez a scare in their classic fight in July 1982, by Sanchez winning by TKO in 15 rounds.
That's what happened on Tuesday, February 27, 1968, when an unknown boxer, Lionel Rose, an Aborigine from Australia, came to Tokyo, Japan to take Harada's title.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Fighting Harada of Japan by 1968 was at the peak of his powers. In his complete prime as world champion, he had 4 successful title defenses. He's been world champion for almost 3 years then.
Harada hasn't lost a fight since September 1963 when he lost to Jose Medel of Mexico in 6 rounds by knockout. But, he avenged that loss four years later.
And at 25, Harada has a winning streak of 19 fights since November 1963. Along that winning streak, he beat top opponents like Eder Jofre twice, Alan Rudkin, Antonio Herrera, Bernardo Caraballo, Medel and Katsutoshi Aoki. That's a serious run of great wins against top opponents.
Can he lose? He looks incredibly invincible as Bantamweight king. But, there are also rumors that he was having problems of making weight at 118lbs. So, soon, he was contemplating in campaigning at featherweight in the near future.
Harada hasn't lost a fight since September 1963 when he lost to Jose Medel of Mexico in 6 rounds by knockout. But, he avenged that loss four years later.
And at 25, Harada has a winning streak of 19 fights since November 1963. Along that winning streak, he beat top opponents like Eder Jofre twice, Alan Rudkin, Antonio Herrera, Bernardo Caraballo, Medel and Katsutoshi Aoki. That's a serious run of great wins against top opponents.
Can he lose? He looks incredibly invincible as Bantamweight king. But, there are also rumors that he was having problems of making weight at 118lbs. So, soon, he was contemplating in campaigning at featherweight in the near future.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
The question was, who's Lionel Rose? Where he comes from? Is he any good?
On the night of Tuesday, February 27, 1968 at the Nippon Budokan of Tokyo, Japan, the locals get to see who really was Lionel Rose.
He's coming from the land of Down Under to take the magnificent champion Fighting Harada's of Japan crown.
Who is Lionel Rose? Well, he is an Aborigine from Warragul, Victoria, Australia. He started his pro boxing career at age 16 in 1964. Now, at 19, he is the challenger to take the title. And from May 1966, he is in a 15-fight winning streak.
Harada in the other hand at 25, has not lost since September 1963 and is in a 19-fight win streak beating top opponents.
Rose, not a hard puncher, was at the time the current Australian Bantamweight Champion when he defeated Noel Kunde by decision in 15 rounds back in October 1966. He doesn't have a win against a top contender or world class opponent so far in his ledger.
But, sometimes a boxer got a record that had not beaten any top contenders of the division, but somehow, somewhere in between, the guy has been good.
All they knew about Rose that he was 27-2, with 8 knockouts. If it is about punching power, then Harada does not have nothing to worry about.
Round one began and the Aborigine was showing some boxing class against the champion. Rose was moving beautifully from side to side to the on-rushing champion, giving him angles. He was showing a snapping jab, a daunting left hook and a sick right cross. He won the first two rounds easily to the dismay of the locals.
Round three Harada went to work.....harder. Like he always is accustomed of doing, he pinned the challenger against the ropes and punch with fast combinations and delighted the crowd.
The champ Harada even the scores out thanks to Rose for throwing the left hook with an open fist, a la "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom, the great former world light-heavyweight champion from New York City. The referee, Ko Toyama of Japan, took a point off Rose for that infraction. The locals went wild.
But from round 7 and on, it was all Rose's. The man was giving Harada a boxing clinic of sensational counter-punching. He was out boxing the champion with a way that it was never been seen before. Did Rose saw the Harada second fight with Pone Kingpetch of Thailand? Because Rose looked like a replica of the Thai boxer.
That jab was in Harada's face. In round 9, Harada goes down, and the referee gave Harada an eight-count? It was a knockdown and he counted Harada. Maybe the referee wasn't all that biased after all.
By round 11, Harada was behind. How behind? Way behind! At least by a 6-point margin. His title is slipping away.
Harada came back to life in rounds 12 and 13. Does the challenger has the experience of championship rounds? The answer was yes, and without a problem. At 19, Rose was showing a lot of maturity at championship level.
Rose sealed the fight by winning the last two rounds. Harada and the local fans at the Budokan were shocked in disbelief that their hero, their little warrior, lost the title. They knew before the final decision announcement that they lost the crown.
When the verdict went for Lionel Rose, a jubilant corner jumped up and down and caused Rose falling down with one of his handlers. It was so funny. It looked like a laughing comedy sitcom that only Seinfeld could be delighted of it.
Lionel Rose of Australia is the new World Bantamweight Champion and is national hero in his country. He became the first Aborigine to win a world boxing championship.
Harada drops to 50-4, with 19 knockouts.
On the night of Tuesday, February 27, 1968 at the Nippon Budokan of Tokyo, Japan, the locals get to see who really was Lionel Rose.
He's coming from the land of Down Under to take the magnificent champion Fighting Harada's of Japan crown.
Who is Lionel Rose? Well, he is an Aborigine from Warragul, Victoria, Australia. He started his pro boxing career at age 16 in 1964. Now, at 19, he is the challenger to take the title. And from May 1966, he is in a 15-fight winning streak.
Harada in the other hand at 25, has not lost since September 1963 and is in a 19-fight win streak beating top opponents.
Rose, not a hard puncher, was at the time the current Australian Bantamweight Champion when he defeated Noel Kunde by decision in 15 rounds back in October 1966. He doesn't have a win against a top contender or world class opponent so far in his ledger.
But, sometimes a boxer got a record that had not beaten any top contenders of the division, but somehow, somewhere in between, the guy has been good.
All they knew about Rose that he was 27-2, with 8 knockouts. If it is about punching power, then Harada does not have nothing to worry about.
Round one began and the Aborigine was showing some boxing class against the champion. Rose was moving beautifully from side to side to the on-rushing champion, giving him angles. He was showing a snapping jab, a daunting left hook and a sick right cross. He won the first two rounds easily to the dismay of the locals.
Round three Harada went to work.....harder. Like he always is accustomed of doing, he pinned the challenger against the ropes and punch with fast combinations and delighted the crowd.
The champ Harada even the scores out thanks to Rose for throwing the left hook with an open fist, a la "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom, the great former world light-heavyweight champion from New York City. The referee, Ko Toyama of Japan, took a point off Rose for that infraction. The locals went wild.
But from round 7 and on, it was all Rose's. The man was giving Harada a boxing clinic of sensational counter-punching. He was out boxing the champion with a way that it was never been seen before. Did Rose saw the Harada second fight with Pone Kingpetch of Thailand? Because Rose looked like a replica of the Thai boxer.
That jab was in Harada's face. In round 9, Harada goes down, and the referee gave Harada an eight-count? It was a knockdown and he counted Harada. Maybe the referee wasn't all that biased after all.
By round 11, Harada was behind. How behind? Way behind! At least by a 6-point margin. His title is slipping away.
Harada came back to life in rounds 12 and 13. Does the challenger has the experience of championship rounds? The answer was yes, and without a problem. At 19, Rose was showing a lot of maturity at championship level.
Rose sealed the fight by winning the last two rounds. Harada and the local fans at the Budokan were shocked in disbelief that their hero, their little warrior, lost the title. They knew before the final decision announcement that they lost the crown.
When the verdict went for Lionel Rose, a jubilant corner jumped up and down and caused Rose falling down with one of his handlers. It was so funny. It looked like a laughing comedy sitcom that only Seinfeld could be delighted of it.
Lionel Rose of Australia is the new World Bantamweight Champion and is national hero in his country. He became the first Aborigine to win a world boxing championship.
Harada drops to 50-4, with 19 knockouts.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
This is the second time in Fighting Harada's boxing career becoming an ex-champion. There would be no rematch against the new Bantamweight champion Lionel Rose. Harada cannot make the bantam division limit of 118lbs anymore.
So, Harada in June 1968 jumped straight to featherweight. This is Harada's 3rd weight class of his career. Today in boxing, it would have been his fifth weight class if he fought at Jr Bantamweight (115lbs) and Super Bantamweight (122lbs).
A fighter in today's fight game got more options to choose who to fight for a world title, since that there's 4 champions per weight class and more weight classes to fight.
That's why Harada's achievements were much more remarkable than a today's fighter winning 3 world crowns in 3 different weight classes. In Harada's heyday, it was a big deal. Not a big deal now. There are 17 weight classes in boxing today. In Harada's days, there were 10.
Harada had 5 fights at featherweight, starting with a win against top contender Dwight Hawkins of United States by decision in ten rounds. The next two fights after that were against unknowns: Nobu Chiba of Japan (WKO7) and Ray Amolong of the Philippines (WKO2) in closing the year 1968.
But, on April 1969, Harada lost again against top contender Alton Colter of Phoenix, AZ by decision in ten rounds in Tokyo. Is this is the end for the little Japanese warrior? It was a huge upset. Is Harada done? Is he starting to slip? Or the Featherweight division was too much for him?
Harada bounce back with a ten-round decision win over unknown Vil Timilak of the Philippines in June 1969.
With 5 fights at 126lbs, Harada was ready to go to Sydney, Australia to take on the WBC World Featherweight Champion Johnny Famechon.
So, Harada in June 1968 jumped straight to featherweight. This is Harada's 3rd weight class of his career. Today in boxing, it would have been his fifth weight class if he fought at Jr Bantamweight (115lbs) and Super Bantamweight (122lbs).
A fighter in today's fight game got more options to choose who to fight for a world title, since that there's 4 champions per weight class and more weight classes to fight.
That's why Harada's achievements were much more remarkable than a today's fighter winning 3 world crowns in 3 different weight classes. In Harada's heyday, it was a big deal. Not a big deal now. There are 17 weight classes in boxing today. In Harada's days, there were 10.
Harada had 5 fights at featherweight, starting with a win against top contender Dwight Hawkins of United States by decision in ten rounds. The next two fights after that were against unknowns: Nobu Chiba of Japan (WKO7) and Ray Amolong of the Philippines (WKO2) in closing the year 1968.
But, on April 1969, Harada lost again against top contender Alton Colter of Phoenix, AZ by decision in ten rounds in Tokyo. Is this is the end for the little Japanese warrior? It was a huge upset. Is Harada done? Is he starting to slip? Or the Featherweight division was too much for him?
Harada bounce back with a ten-round decision win over unknown Vil Timilak of the Philippines in June 1969.
With 5 fights at 126lbs, Harada was ready to go to Sydney, Australia to take on the WBC World Featherweight Champion Johnny Famechon.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
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- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
My question for Fighting Harada would be, why he didn't challenge his countryman, WBA World Featherweight Champion Shozo Saijo than to face WBC counterpart Johnny Famechon of Australia?
Was there more money for the Famechon fight? Was Famechon the better champion or the easiest one? Or did he wanted to fight Famechon first for the WBC belt and then take on Saijo for a big money title unification in Japan?
We don't know the motives. But, between Famechon and Saijo, Famechon was considered the better champion at the time and the linear title holder. That's probably maybe Harada had in mind. To fight the very best.
The fight with Famechon for Famechon's WBC strap happened on July 28, 1969 at the Sydney Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Who's Johnny Famechon? Well, the WBC World Featherweight Champion was born in Paris, France, but lived in Australia the majority of his life and career. A terrific smooth boxer, wasn't a hard puncher, but a clever tactician and technical boxer. At 5'7", was very tall for a featherweight. He also had one fast slick jab and ring generalship. The guy could box your ears off.
Famechon won the title on January 1969 by oupointing champion Jose Legra of Spain. The verdict was controversial. And from February 1966, Famechon hasn't lost a fight. He was in a 29-fight unbeaten streak. His record for the Harada fight was 51-4-6 with 18 knockouts. Famechon has won his last ten fights.
The fight starts and Harada like always rushed in on Famechon the champion. In round 2, Harada dropped Famechon with an overhand right.
But, that didn't deter Famechon. Famechon started using his classic boxing in round 4. In round 5, Famechon scored a knockdown of his own sending Harada to the canvas. He continued to dominate rounds 6 and 7.
Harada, the Japanese little warrior, pick up the pace in round 9, overwhelming the champion. He dropped the champion again with an overhand right in round 11. Interestingly, referee Willie Pep of Hartford, CT, and one of boxing's history greatest boxers and probably the greatest featherweight of all time, didn't give Famechon the protection count. Are you kidding me?
In one of the greatest featherweight world championship fights, the fight was back and forth. The champion Famechon won rounds 12 and 13.
But, in round 14, Harada dropped Famechon for the third time in the canvas. This knockdown should have sealed the fight in favor of Harada to be the new champion.
When the scoring was announced, Pep, the referee, had the fight even. Then, in a second strange revision, Pep had Famechon as the winner 70-69. Pep's scorecard was the only one in the scoring of the fight. It was so ridiculous that the fans booed the decision. Harada was denied for another title win and to become at the time, the sixth man in boxing history to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes, and to also become the first Oriental Far East Asian to do it. What a travesty! But a great fight!
Harada drops to 54-6, with 21KOs.
Famechon improves to 52-4-6, with 18KOs. He has a 30-fight unbeaten streak and has won his last 11 meetings in a row.
Was there more money for the Famechon fight? Was Famechon the better champion or the easiest one? Or did he wanted to fight Famechon first for the WBC belt and then take on Saijo for a big money title unification in Japan?
We don't know the motives. But, between Famechon and Saijo, Famechon was considered the better champion at the time and the linear title holder. That's probably maybe Harada had in mind. To fight the very best.
The fight with Famechon for Famechon's WBC strap happened on July 28, 1969 at the Sydney Stadium in Sydney, Australia.
Who's Johnny Famechon? Well, the WBC World Featherweight Champion was born in Paris, France, but lived in Australia the majority of his life and career. A terrific smooth boxer, wasn't a hard puncher, but a clever tactician and technical boxer. At 5'7", was very tall for a featherweight. He also had one fast slick jab and ring generalship. The guy could box your ears off.
Famechon won the title on January 1969 by oupointing champion Jose Legra of Spain. The verdict was controversial. And from February 1966, Famechon hasn't lost a fight. He was in a 29-fight unbeaten streak. His record for the Harada fight was 51-4-6 with 18 knockouts. Famechon has won his last ten fights.
The fight starts and Harada like always rushed in on Famechon the champion. In round 2, Harada dropped Famechon with an overhand right.
But, that didn't deter Famechon. Famechon started using his classic boxing in round 4. In round 5, Famechon scored a knockdown of his own sending Harada to the canvas. He continued to dominate rounds 6 and 7.
Harada, the Japanese little warrior, pick up the pace in round 9, overwhelming the champion. He dropped the champion again with an overhand right in round 11. Interestingly, referee Willie Pep of Hartford, CT, and one of boxing's history greatest boxers and probably the greatest featherweight of all time, didn't give Famechon the protection count. Are you kidding me?
In one of the greatest featherweight world championship fights, the fight was back and forth. The champion Famechon won rounds 12 and 13.
But, in round 14, Harada dropped Famechon for the third time in the canvas. This knockdown should have sealed the fight in favor of Harada to be the new champion.
When the scoring was announced, Pep, the referee, had the fight even. Then, in a second strange revision, Pep had Famechon as the winner 70-69. Pep's scorecard was the only one in the scoring of the fight. It was so ridiculous that the fans booed the decision. Harada was denied for another title win and to become at the time, the sixth man in boxing history to win 3 world titles in 3 different weight classes, and to also become the first Oriental Far East Asian to do it. What a travesty! But a great fight!
Harada drops to 54-6, with 21KOs.
Famechon improves to 52-4-6, with 18KOs. He has a 30-fight unbeaten streak and has won his last 11 meetings in a row.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15648
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
A rematch had to happen. Fighting Harada, the great Japanese little warrior said that he would not fight the rematch ever again in Australia.
Ironically, Johnny Famechon is the second Australian boxer to ever beat Harada. The first one was Lionel Rose. An Aborigine.
Harada wins his last professional fight on October 1st, 1969 in Tokyo, Japan winning by knockout in 8 rounds against unheralded Pat Gonzales of the Philippines. It was Harada's 55th win in 61 encounters.
On January 6, 1970, the rematch with champ Famechon was set at the Metropolitan Gym in Tokyo. Again, fighting for a world title in front of his hometown crowd was again a delight for Harada. He gave them everything he had in all his fights and the people's love for him was very appreciated. He was Japan's favorite son. And to this day in boxing, he still is.
The rematch was totally different than the original fight. Famechon, the WBC World Featherweight Champion showed why he was the best fighter in the division. He dominated Harada with slick counters and speed. The jab was on point. And his game was sensational. Harada could not do anything with him. Slick boxers always troubled him.
But, in round 10, Harada lift up his spirits and the crowd roared wildly when Famechon was dropped. That gave Harada lots of encouragement.
But, in round 11, Famechon went back by dominating the fight. And in round 12, he dropped Harada to the canvas.
Round 13 came, and Harada received more leather than all his fights combined. He looked like a beaten fighter. He almost went down again by the end of the round.
The fight was over when combinations by the champion Famechon sent Harada outside the ropes. Harada was dropped outside the ring apron. It was a funny moment. Not a funny moment for Harada, though. The referee counted to ten and the fight was over by knockout in 14 rounds.
Johnny Famechon, in a masterpiece display of boxing, dominated Harada by winning by knockout in 14 rounds and retains his WBC World Featherweight Crown.
Harada drops to 55-7, with 22KOs. It was the last fight of his career. He retired from the sport of boxing for good. He retired at the young age of 26.
Famechon, at 24 years of age, improves to 55-4-6 with 20KOs. It's Famechon's 14th straight win and 34-fight unbeaten streak since February 1966.
Ironically, Johnny Famechon is the second Australian boxer to ever beat Harada. The first one was Lionel Rose. An Aborigine.
Harada wins his last professional fight on October 1st, 1969 in Tokyo, Japan winning by knockout in 8 rounds against unheralded Pat Gonzales of the Philippines. It was Harada's 55th win in 61 encounters.
On January 6, 1970, the rematch with champ Famechon was set at the Metropolitan Gym in Tokyo. Again, fighting for a world title in front of his hometown crowd was again a delight for Harada. He gave them everything he had in all his fights and the people's love for him was very appreciated. He was Japan's favorite son. And to this day in boxing, he still is.
The rematch was totally different than the original fight. Famechon, the WBC World Featherweight Champion showed why he was the best fighter in the division. He dominated Harada with slick counters and speed. The jab was on point. And his game was sensational. Harada could not do anything with him. Slick boxers always troubled him.
But, in round 10, Harada lift up his spirits and the crowd roared wildly when Famechon was dropped. That gave Harada lots of encouragement.
But, in round 11, Famechon went back by dominating the fight. And in round 12, he dropped Harada to the canvas.
Round 13 came, and Harada received more leather than all his fights combined. He looked like a beaten fighter. He almost went down again by the end of the round.
The fight was over when combinations by the champion Famechon sent Harada outside the ropes. Harada was dropped outside the ring apron. It was a funny moment. Not a funny moment for Harada, though. The referee counted to ten and the fight was over by knockout in 14 rounds.
Johnny Famechon, in a masterpiece display of boxing, dominated Harada by winning by knockout in 14 rounds and retains his WBC World Featherweight Crown.
Harada drops to 55-7, with 22KOs. It was the last fight of his career. He retired from the sport of boxing for good. He retired at the young age of 26.
Famechon, at 24 years of age, improves to 55-4-6 with 20KOs. It's Famechon's 14th straight win and 34-fight unbeaten streak since February 1966.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15648
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
And that was all about the great Fighting Harada of Japan. He was definitely the 20th century best fighter pound per pound great that has ever come out from the Orient.
Was he better than Pancho Villa of the Philippines? Yes! Pone Kingpetch of Thailand? Yes. Better than Flash Elorde, Villa's countryman? Yes! He was better than all of them. His achievements and resume were so great that you got to put him in the top 100 pound per pound all time list. It's well deserved.
There would not be another like him. You better believe it!
Was he better than Pancho Villa of the Philippines? Yes! Pone Kingpetch of Thailand? Yes. Better than Flash Elorde, Villa's countryman? Yes! He was better than all of them. His achievements and resume were so great that you got to put him in the top 100 pound per pound all time list. It's well deserved.
There would not be another like him. You better believe it!
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15648
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Now, this is the countdown so far:
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
67. Carlos Ortiz
66. Jack "Kid" Berg
65. Freddie Miller
64. Battling Battalino
63. Wilfredo Gomez
62. Fidel LaBarba
61. Maxie Rosenbloom
60. Billy Conn
59. Fighting Harada
And now, at #58, from Barbados, a great one! His name? The Barbados Demon, Barbados Joe Walcott!
100. Jersey Joe Walcott
99. Sonny Liston
98. Vicente Saldivar
97. Gene Fullmer
96. Mike Tyson
95. Eusebio Pedroza
94. Benny Lynch
93. Jack Britton
92. Tommy Ryan
91. Mike McCallum
90. James Toney
89. Tiger Flowers
88. Joe Brown
87. Ted "Kid" Lewis
86. Peter Jackson
85. Beau Jack
84. Lennox Lewis
83. Abe Attell
82. Holman Williams
81. Azumah Nelson
80. Erik "El Terrible" Morales
79. Luis Manuel Rodriguez
78. George Dixon
77. Ricardo "Finito" Lopez
76. Manuel Ortiz
75. Marco Antonio Barrera
74. Bob Foster
73. Pancho Villa
72. Jimmy Barry
71. Packey McFarland
70. Miguel Canto
69. Carlos Zarate
68. Wilfred Benitez
67. Carlos Ortiz
66. Jack "Kid" Berg
65. Freddie Miller
64. Battling Battalino
63. Wilfredo Gomez
62. Fidel LaBarba
61. Maxie Rosenbloom
60. Billy Conn
59. Fighting Harada
And now, at #58, from Barbados, a great one! His name? The Barbados Demon, Barbados Joe Walcott!
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15648
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
#58. Barbados Joe Walcott
Record: 87-24-24 (22NDs) with 57KOs
KO Pct = 66%
Career: 1892-1911
World Titles Held: World Welterweight Champion (1901-04, 1904-06)
Highlights:. Two-time World Welterweight Champion that had 8 title defenses in 2 reigns...... Unbeaten in first 22 fights (Record: 18-0-2, (2NDs) with 13KOs)......Won 11 straight wins by the way of knockout from December 1892 to February 1893...In his first 51 contests, he only lost 2 fights. (Record: 40-2-4, (5NDs) with 29KOs)........Won 16 fights in a row from February 1899 to May 1900. (Record: 16-0, with 11KOs) From March to November 1903, had his last unbeaten streak with 14 bouts. (Record: 10-0-3, (1ND) with 8KOs).......Fought in 157 professional bouts....... Beat 2 out of 7 hall of famers. (Record versus Hall of Fame boxers is 4-4-5, (1ND) with 2KOs)......... Beat 4 out of 8 world champions. (Record versus world champs is 5-7-4 (1ND) with 2KOs)
Historical Impact: First boxing world champion out of his native country of Barbados...... Considered in boxing history as one of the all-time great welterweights.......Was the best welterweight boxer of the 1900s decade........Standing only 5'2" in height, made headlines by fighting bigger, stronger and heavier opponents being himself a welterweight.........A powerful puncher, was selected by The Ring Magazine as one of the top 100 greatest punchers of all-time.
Defining Fight: WTKO5 Rube Ferns....December 18, 1901...."Finally, becomes Barbados first boxing world champion"
Other Defining Fights: W25 Mysterious Billy Smith (IV), WTKO7 Joe Choynski, W20 George Gardner, D20 Sam Langford, D20 Joe Gansand L15 Honey Mellody
Your thoughts on this great champion from Barbados.
Record: 87-24-24 (22NDs) with 57KOs
KO Pct = 66%
Career: 1892-1911
World Titles Held: World Welterweight Champion (1901-04, 1904-06)
Highlights:. Two-time World Welterweight Champion that had 8 title defenses in 2 reigns...... Unbeaten in first 22 fights (Record: 18-0-2, (2NDs) with 13KOs)......Won 11 straight wins by the way of knockout from December 1892 to February 1893...In his first 51 contests, he only lost 2 fights. (Record: 40-2-4, (5NDs) with 29KOs)........Won 16 fights in a row from February 1899 to May 1900. (Record: 16-0, with 11KOs) From March to November 1903, had his last unbeaten streak with 14 bouts. (Record: 10-0-3, (1ND) with 8KOs).......Fought in 157 professional bouts....... Beat 2 out of 7 hall of famers. (Record versus Hall of Fame boxers is 4-4-5, (1ND) with 2KOs)......... Beat 4 out of 8 world champions. (Record versus world champs is 5-7-4 (1ND) with 2KOs)
Historical Impact: First boxing world champion out of his native country of Barbados...... Considered in boxing history as one of the all-time great welterweights.......Was the best welterweight boxer of the 1900s decade........Standing only 5'2" in height, made headlines by fighting bigger, stronger and heavier opponents being himself a welterweight.........A powerful puncher, was selected by The Ring Magazine as one of the top 100 greatest punchers of all-time.
Defining Fight: WTKO5 Rube Ferns....December 18, 1901...."Finally, becomes Barbados first boxing world champion"
Other Defining Fights: W25 Mysterious Billy Smith (IV), WTKO7 Joe Choynski, W20 George Gardner, D20 Sam Langford, D20 Joe Gansand L15 Honey Mellody
Your thoughts on this great champion from Barbados.
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elmersalsa
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 15648
- Joined: 02 Feb 2003, 03:50
Re: The Top 100 Greatest Boxers Pound per Pound of All-Time
Unfortunately, there's no video footage available on YouTube about the great Barbados Joe Walcott, the Barbados Demon.
On his record, you can see that he had great opposition. He drew with two of the greatest boxers pound per pound of all-time like Sam Langford and Joe Gans. I wonder how those fights were. Some thrilling affairs.
Walcott also drew with heavier opponents like Philadelphia Jack O'Brien. And beat guys that also were bigger and stronger than he like George Gardner and Joe Choynski (WTKO7) and George Gardner (W20).
Walcott only stand at 5'1" and had a reach of 65" inches.
He also beat Mysterious Billy Smith 3 out of 6 fights.
He had 157 professional fights!
Barbados Joe Walcott! What a fighter!
On his record, you can see that he had great opposition. He drew with two of the greatest boxers pound per pound of all-time like Sam Langford and Joe Gans. I wonder how those fights were. Some thrilling affairs.
Walcott also drew with heavier opponents like Philadelphia Jack O'Brien. And beat guys that also were bigger and stronger than he like George Gardner and Joe Choynski (WTKO7) and George Gardner (W20).
Walcott only stand at 5'1" and had a reach of 65" inches.
He also beat Mysterious Billy Smith 3 out of 6 fights.
He had 157 professional fights!
Barbados Joe Walcott! What a fighter!