BoxRec

How many of them were? The most famous and talented ones except Morrison and Cooney? When did it start to call white boxers like that? Did every white, quite good boxer with potential was called "The Great White Hope" in the past? When people stopped to search and name white boxers "The Great White Hopes"? Is it just a reflection of the past or it will return?

Andrew Golota

Vladimir5555 wrote:Andrew Golota

Thanks for the comprehensive answer

There was actually a White Hope Championship in 1913 and 1914. There were 4 champions, Luther McCarty, then Arthur Pelkey, then Gunboat Smith, and then Georges Carpentier.

The "colored heavyweight championship" actually goes back to before John L. Sullivan beat Paddy Ryan.

There was even a 'Coloured Heavyweight Title' up until the reign of Joe Louis. Sounds ridiculous now but that's how it was. I very much doubt there'll be another era like that again.

Maybe not so ridiculous but even Morrison was called "The Great White Hope", right? And Golota? I've never found a good source which could tell me that Golota also was called like that but I heard that he was. And they fought in 90's. It was not so long ago.

I also read that "The Great White Hopes" were wasted talents due to this "nickname" e.g. Cooney. Is it just because of big pressure?

Were there "The Great White Hopes" in lower weights as well?

I think the great White Hope tag has mainly been applied to American heavyweights rather overseas guys Coetzee, Johansson, Bugner, the K brothers.... although the British press have occasionally borrowed it as well.

="Duch"]How many of them were?

Almost impossible to answer since there were so many and while some were considered as actual "hopes" by some, there were others that weren't. Virtually every white guy who fought Joe Louis and Jack Johnson was viewed by somebody as a great white hope.

The most famous and talented ones except Morrison and Cooney?

For me Jerry Quarry was probably the best white heavyweight contender to never win a belt. Though Bob Pastor was another that comes to mind.

When did it start to call white boxers like that?

I stand to be corrected here ( and If I am, this place is full of eager people who will jump down my throat, ) but I think Jim Jeffries was dubbed as " the great white hope" when he returned from retirement to fight Jack Johnson. If that is incorrect or not the first origin of the name, then I haven't a clue.

Did every white, quite good boxer with potential was called "The Great White Hope" in the past? When people stopped to search and name white boxers "The Great White Hopes"? Is it just a reflection of the past or it will return?

As I said before, some whites were considered hopes buy some and not by others. I'm not sure that every talented white boxer was deemed as a hope, especially during times when the title was held by a white man. Will the term be revived in the future? Only if the belt is held long term by a man or men, who aren't caucasian.

Duch wrote:How many of them were? The most famous and talented ones except Morrison and Cooney? When did it start to call white boxers like that? Did every white, quite good boxer with potential was called "The Great White Hope" in the past? When people stopped to search and name white boxers "The Great White Hopes"? Is it just a reflection of the past or it will return?

http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w-hope.htm