BoxRec

Well before my time, but to read the story of Les Darcy is devestating.

Les Darcy.

Carlos-Wigan wrote:Henry Nissen, Dave Sands and Charkey Ramon!

God knows what Charkey Ramon could have been if he had not decided to take a job as a "dogman" on building sites. His shoulder hitting a protruding girder put a finish to his career.

Only fighter to beat Henry Nissen as a pro was "Big Jim West", an Aboriginal with a shock of blond hair who took Henry's Commonwealth Flyweight title from him and then beat him in a rematch.

Last time I saw Jim he was as bald as an egg and living in a Housing Commission flat in Miller. That was more than five years ago. Shame nobody taught him to read and write.

It's a real shame how some ex fighters end up, with nothing to fall back on

In the mid 80's I saw Wilf Gentzen beat Brian Roberts (ex C'wealth feather champ........lost his title to Azumah Nelson) at Preston Town Hall here in Melbourne . Not a bad fighter,I wonder how Brian is doing these days

Another name that came up recently was Wally Carr. He was on a tv show which I now can't think what it was about, but they traced an old school teacher of his, the only person that gave him some encouragement as a youngster. I once read in the old Fighter mag that during a fight where Wally was getting a pasting someone yelled "hit him Wally". He yelled back "I can't, he won't let me"

Back in the days when Commonwealth Titles were at least as difficult to win as the current day alphabet world titles, we had a long list of titleholders. From those many went on and challenged for world titles.

Unfortunately some of our greatest champs in Mundine, Hec Thompson & Ferreri rang into some all-time legends in Monzon, Duran & Zarate.

How stiff would you have to be to have your career coincide with those guys??

COULDHAVEBEEN wrote:Back in the days when Commonwealth Titles were at least as difficult to win as the current day alphabet world titles, we had a long list of titleholders. From those many went on and challenged for world titles.

Unfortunately some of our greatest champs in Mundine, Hec Thompson & Ferreri rang into some all-time legends in Monzon, Duran & Zarate.

How stiff would you have to be to have your career coincide with those guys??

Yeah, some boxers really are victims of their era. Waters had a similar problem with Norris and Trinidad.

Well technically, Anthony Mundine never won a world title.

great to see suchh a response. sadly i am rather ignorant of the older era fighters ,especially the aboriginal ones.Anyone have any suggestions on decent docos or books to get a hold of??

certainly the proposition that some who did have belts obtained them via easier passage thhan those who never quite got there is very true.In this respect Hussein Hussein and Waters (of the more recent fighters)are almost in a class of their own(i guess Taylor had his go with Mosley which is nothing to be understated).

As for Waters-anyone seen any stories of his upbringing(and his brothers for that matter)- fark me dead.frightening stuff. Always felt he was one tough SOB and his 1st round loss to Trinidad was disappointing(curse that top of the head blow)-dont think he would have won but sad to see him go out quickly. the 2nd round of him vs Norris was priceless and gee i reckon he nearly had him out of there. Is there any truth to the tale that he was robbed in Italy in his first crack at a title???

anyway i must endeavour to learn more about the older era fighters.cheers lads.

JSA wrote:great to see suchh a response. sadly i am rather ignorant of the older era fighters ,especially the aboriginal ones.Anyone have any suggestions on decent docos or books to get a hold of??

JSA, i would highly recommend a book store here in melbourne, flinders st to be exact, that i went into one day and could have spent many days and dollars on quality books. they advertise in FIST magazine every month with a list of books,dvd's etc. they would more than welcome a call and they are very knowledgable and accomodating.

A couple of years ago I was at the Prahran Bazaar and found s few old Fighter mags from the early 70's for sale

mano loco wrote:

COULDHAVEBEEN wrote:Back in the days when Commonwealth Titles were at least as difficult to win as the current day alphabet world titles, we had a long list of titleholders. From those many went on and challenged for world titles.

Unfortunately some of our greatest champs in Mundine, Hec Thompson & Ferreri rang into some all-time legends in Monzon, Duran & Zarate.

How stiff would you have to be to have your career coincide with those guys??

Yeah, some boxers really are victims of their era. Waters had a similar problem with Norris and Trinidad.

Thompson not only challenged Duran. He also went in against the great Antonia Cervantes, one of only four fighters to beat Niccholino Loche. Granted Cervantes KOed him in eight, but that was no disgrace.

Hounddog wrote:Well before my time, but to read the story of Les Darcy is devestating.

Les Darcy.

the fact he is rated by some as one of the all time best middleweights is testomate to that

bollox wrote:A couple of years ago I was at the Prahran Bazaar and found s few old Fighter mags from the early 70's for sale

One of the editors & contributing writers at FIGHTER magazine in the '70s was a lady called BEVERLY WILL. She wrote a terrific book featuring stories of the time regarding Tony Mundine Snr, Trevor Thrornberry, Paul Ferreri, Paul Bink etc and interviews with the likes of Fammo, Lionel, etc, etc. The book's called FIGHTER LADY.

It's a great read and still available through her website www.bewtalks.com.au. Click on the contact Bev link and send her an e-mail to organise purchase. It only cost about $20, and is the best local boxing book I've ever read!

unleash06 wrote:[.....JSA, i would highly recommend a book store here in melbourne, flinders st to be exact, that i went into one day and could have spent many days and dollars on quality books. they advertise in FIST magazine every month with a list of books,dvd's etc. they would more than welcome a call and they are very knowledgable and accomodating.

Would also recommend this shop - brilliant range of sports books & DVDs and strong in boxing! The shop's called MELBOURNE SPORTS BOOK and the owner's name is SANTO. They also have a website at http://www.melsportsbooks.com.au

thanx for the info guys.will look into it.

Maxime wrote:Well technically, Anthony Mundine never won a world title.

I was going to mention that!

How about Ambrose Palmer?

Robert in NYC wrote:How about Ambrose Palmer?

Ambrose was a great fighter who beat a lot of other great fighters. He later trained Johnny Famechon to win the World Featherweight title. A friend of mine was trained by him and said he was a terrific trainer and a true gentleman.

JSA wrote:Best Aussie boxer not to win a world title?

Anthony Mundine

Maxime wrote:

JSA wrote:Best Aussie boxer not to win a world title?

Anthony Mundine

Maxime, You need to get a life. Honestly there are many fighters well ahead of Mundine in the pecking order that deserved to win a world title.

Good call gravel.

I'll let you strat the list.

one you might have missed was kevin bones kelly knocked olympic gold medalist david reid down for a world title only to lose it close on points he was starting to find a home for his right hand but i wish it was fifteen rounds instead of twelve

Dave Sands was unlucky in being killed in a motor accident before getting a crack at a title.

Vic Patrick at his peak would have been a more than worthy contender for a title. At least Vic got to referee a couple of titles.

gravel wrote:

Maxime wrote:

JSA wrote:Best Aussie boxer not to win a world title?

Anthony Mundine

Maxime, You need to get a life. Honestly there are many fighters well ahead of Mundine in the pecking order that deserved to win a world title.

I didn't notice I already answered that question.