BoxRec

Hi

Thought I'd write a bit about heavyweight boxer Joe Choynski. Not many people know about him or have even heard of him.

Born in 1868 to a Jewish immigrant who emigrated from Poland. Known as the 'California Terror' and 'Little Joe' he began his amateur career in 1884 and won the Pacific Coast Championship in 1887. He turned pro in 1888 and fought until 1904. He weighed about 170lbs during his career but fought many great heavyweights.

He fought Bob Fitzsimmons, Kid McCoy, Tom Sharkey, Peter Maher, Joe Walcott, Jack Johnson, Marvin Hart and Philadelphia Jack O'Brien. Alos an exhibition match against John L Sullivan in 1891.

Althought only stopping 29 out of 50 opponents many of his famous opposition claim Choynski was the hardest puncher they ever fought.

James J Jeffires said the hardest punch he was hit with was by Choynski, in fact the punch he landed broke his nose and drove Jeffries lip between his teeth. Jeffries corner had to pry them out with a knife.

Choynski fought James J Corbett three times and also KO'ed Jack Johnson with one punch in the 3rd round of their fight. In was another 14 years before Johnson was knocked out again. After Johnson retired he said Choynski was the hardest puncher he ever fought and even said Choynski was pound for pound the hardest puncher of the last 50 years. He rated his left hook as more effective than Dempseys or Louis's.

His fight against Bob Fitzsimmons was a draw although he dropped Fitzsimmons with a right hand in the 3rd. Bob barely beat the count and was in trouble for the remainder of the round. Fitzsimmons also credited Choynski as the hardest puncher he ever faced.

James J Corbett stated in his atobiography that "Choynski was to be the very toughest battle I had ever fought or was to fight, one in which I was to receive more punishment than I have ever had in all my battles put together"

Choynski never got a title shot and was indicted into the Boxing Hall Of Fame in 1960 and te International Boxing Hall Of Fame in 1998.

When Choynski and Johnson were arrested after thier fight, Choynki gave Johnson some advice and training, which Johnson said was vital to his development into the great fighter he became.
That demomstrates great character, especially in atime when most whites deemed it beneath them to even be cordial to a black person.

Choynski was one of the few top white boxers of the day that fought any and everyone regardless of color..."Mysterious" Billy Smith was another as was George "Kid" Lavigne, Peter Maher, "Philly" Jack O'Brien and Jack Bonner...too bad guys like Tommy Ryan and Kid McCoy did not employ the same rule.

barry wrote:Choynski was one of the few top white boxers of the day that fought any and everyone regardless of color..."Mysterious" Billy Smith was another as was George "Kid" Lavigne, Peter Maher, "Philly" Jack O'Brien and Jack Bonner...too bad guys like Tommy Ryan and Kid McCoy did not employ the same rule.

Barry,

Tommy Ryan did give a title shot to black contender Frank Craig with nothing less than the world middle weight championship at stake. Ryan easily defeated Craig. The year was 1899! For whatever reason, history tends to ignore this title defense, most likely because Ryan won so easily.

Aside from heavyweight, the middle weight title is perhaps the second most significant in the history of boxing. 1899 was nine years before Johnson vs Burns!

Tommy Ryan also knocked out black contender Mysterious Billy Smith in 1894 with the world welterweight title on the line.

To say that Ryan did not participate in mixed matches or give title shots to contenders of different nationalities or colors is simply untrue.

pound per pound wrote:Tommy Ryan also knocked out black contender Mysterious Billy Smith in 1894 with the world welterweight title on the line.

Was Mysterious Billy Smith black? I thought he was caucasian.

The Great John L wrote:

pound per pound wrote:Tommy Ryan also knocked out black contender Mysterious Billy Smith in 1894 with the world welterweight title on the line.

Was Mysterious Billy Smith black? I thought he was caucasian.

He was not black.

When Corbett knocked out Choynski in the 27th round, I believe he did it with a broken hand. I read the latest Corbett book a few years ago, and I believe Corbett injured his hand a few rounds earlier and was fighting pretty much one handed. Thinking Corbett was no longer dangerous, Choynski began dropping his guard which made Gentleman Jim decide on an all out punch with his broken hand. Must have hurt but it won the fight.

There's a small clip of Jeffries sparring for the Johnson fight and the man who spars with him is Choyinski and even though it's only a few seconds one can see Joe was pretty good.

"Mysterious" Billy Smith was as white as it gets. Ryan did fight Craig for the title, but he run like hell from Joe Walcott. Hell he jumped divisions to get away from Walcott because of all the pressure Walcott was putting on him for a match for the welterweight title and that is well documented, it's not my opinion. Frank Craig is the only black fighter that Ryan faced, but he dodged several others.