BoxRec

I love reading about Jack Johnson, Ketchel and on to the Dempsey era. How about you fellas?

Definitely a great era.

I think the post-war Marciano era sounds like a great time too.

I read the novel by James Carlos Blake about Stanley Ketchel. Some strong stuff in it, Ketchel as a teen riding the rails and fatally injuring a guy who was intent on homosexual rape, then Jack Johnson knocking him out and then taking him to a whore house.

Seamus wrote: ↑14 Nov 2024, 09:19 I read the novel by James Carlos Blake about Stanley Ketchel. Some strong stuff in it, Ketchel as a teen riding the rails and fatally injuring a guy who was intent on homosexual rape, then Jack Johnson knocking him out and then taking him to a whore house.

I haven't read it, because I'd heard it was fictionalised. Is it not?

Obviously some what fictionalized, but based on what was known about Ketchel.

Seamus wrote: ↑14 Nov 2024, 10:51 Obviously some what fictionalized, but based on what was known about Ketchel.

I read once that he carried a bible everywhere with him, even though he couldn't read.

Didn't know that, thought his thing was booze and women.

Seamus wrote: ↑14 Nov 2024, 12:08 Didn't know that, thought his thing was booze and women.

It definitely was booze and women (and a bit of opium). The bible was out of character, especially because his parents were Polish Jews. Last I heard, Natt Fleischer had it in his drawer at The Ring magazine.

Never heard anything about Ketchel being Jewish. He was a baptized Roman Catholic https://sports.ha.com/itm/boxing-collec ... 08-19907.s

Seamus wrote: ↑14 Nov 2024, 12:47 Never heard anything about Ketchel being Jewish. He was a baptized Roman Catholic https://sports.ha.com/itm/boxing-collec ... 08-19907.s

He wasn't but his parents were Polish Jews. I'm, like, 98.3% certain.

When I read Boxing books. I tend to go for guys from the 1920's on back just because there's so little footage of that era, but when it comes to rewatching fights. I prefer stuff from the 1980's on up because the video quality is just better. I actually very much enjoy when I'm able to see full broadcasts from the early 1990's on back.

1940's is my favorite decade in boxing.

The White Hope era (1908-15) - particularly the career of Luther McCarty. Also the 1960s, which featured two of my all-time favorites: George Chuvalo and Sonny Liston.

Too bad they didn't fight each other.
There just seems to be interesting stories and events in almost every era. Hard to just pick one. In some eras one weight class would be strong and the other weak. In another era, it was the opposite. Always thought the 1930s were interesting with guys fighting so often during the Depression.

For sure the seventies. Great rivalries, great fights on the tube , of course I’m partial. That’s when I grew up , teens anyway. But, I find each era fascinating.

Define "era" are we talking decade or century or something more nuanced? I love multiple decades under bare knuckle and gloved rules.

Jesus Christ Almighty God bless you all

The 90s

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑14 Nov 2024, 07:45 I love reading about Jack Johnson, Ketchel and on to the Dempsey era. How about you fellas?

I love reading about those guys too. A lot of interesting stories. Years ago, one of the reasons that I first started to read this Forum was because people had so many stores and interesting topics from guys way before our time. Some don't have an interest in history before their time, but some people like me do,

like reading about the fighters from the "Hobo Days"
who fought in "Tank Towns"
(just in order to get a plate of beans to keep from starving)

Caractacus wrote: ↑20 Nov 2024, 14:26 like reading about the fighters from the "Hobo Days"
who fought in "Tank Towns"
(just in order to get a plate of beans to keep from starving)

I love this quote/

“When I was a young fellow I was knocked down plenty. I wanted to stay down, but I couldn’t. I had to collect the two dollars for winning or go hungry. I had to get up. I was one of those hungry fighters. You could have hit me on the chin with a sledgehammer for five dollars. When you haven’t eaten for two days you’ll understand.”

– Jack Dempsey

I "understand" Mr. Manassa Mauler, I understand !
-Caractacus

keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑14 Nov 2024, 07:45 I love reading about Jack Johnson, Ketchel and on to the Dempsey era. How about you fellas?

I think any sports stories from that era up to around just before ww2 are more interesting to read about for some reason. Maybe it is because the world was so different to the modern world, I don't know but the stories are often great. I did read a book on John L recently and that was a bit of an eye opener.

I am listening to a podcast on the race horse Phar Lap at the moment, enjoying it a heap.