Archive for September, 2008
Next Entries »BOOK REVIEW : Prizefighting : An American History by Arne K. Lang.
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008Throughout my life I have read several boxing history books. I am always seeking more knowledge of this brutal yet beautiful sport aptly called the”sweet science.” The newly released boxing history book “Prizefighting : An American History” is best new book of this genre I have read in years. In fact it is among the [...]
DAVE “BOY” GREEN
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008He turned professional in 1974 and in a short time he became a serious contender for the welterweight title. Dave ” Boy ” Green took England by storm. He won his first 24 fights as he quickly climbed the ladder. In 1976 he halted Billy Waith in an eliminator for the British junior welterweight title. [...]
JOSE NAPOLES ; Was He Too Good For His Own Good ?
Monday, September 8th, 2008 The late 1960’s and early 1970’s produced some of the finest, most
dominant champions ever. While Ali, Frazier and Foreman were taking turns
ruling the heavyweights, other divisions found themselves under the supreme
rule of a certain superior boxer.
At light heavyweight “Bad” Bob Foster was the sheriff in town. When
Vincente Rondon disputed that [...]
NINO BENVENUTI; Not Good Enough ?
Saturday, September 6th, 2008He was a celebrated Olympic hero and undefeated as a professional until losing an extremely debatable verdict in Korea. Nino came to New York and captured the American fans with his suave, arrogant demeanor. He took two out of three against the great Emile Griffith and he was the middleweight champion of [...]
CAMACHO – DURAN I : ROBERTO GOT ROBBED !
Thursday, September 4th, 2008It took place on June 22, 1996 in Atlantic City. It was a bout for the vacant International Boxing Council version of the middleweight title. It was not the title at stake that the fans were interested in. It was the match up. The legendary Roberto Duran was going to take on Hector “Macho” Camacho. [...]
ROCKY CASTELLANI PASSES AWAY
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008It is with great sadness to report that former middleweight contender Rocky Castellani passed away August 31st.
Attilio “Rocky” Castellani…Born and was still residing in Luzeme, Pennsylvania. He was one of the best middleweights of the 1940’s and 50’s. He turned pro in 1944 and engaged in 83 professional contests in a career that lasted until [...]
OSCAR ” SHOTGUN ” ALBARADO
Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008He was a hard banger and a crowd pleaser who battled some of the best welterweights of his era. Eventually he would move up to 154 pounds and win a world title in that division. He thrilled crowds in his home state of Texas and would also become a popular draw on the West Coast. [...]
GREAT KO’S : LEOTIS MARTIN-vs-SONNY LISTON
Monday, September 1st, 2008GREAT KO’S
LEOTIS MARTIN – VS – SONNY LISTON
By Jim Amato
In December of 1969 Charles “Sonny” Liston the former heavyweight champion of the world was in the midst of a remarkable comeback. Following his disastrous kayo losses to Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali), Sonny was written off by the experts. While Ali dominated the heavyweight scene [...]
BOOK REVIEW : BLOOD SWEAT AND CHEERS BY PETE MEAD
Monday, September 1st, 2008One of the toughest and most respected middleweight contenders of the 1940’s was Pete Mead. Mead began his 56 fight professional career in 1942. In 1946 he made his first of several appearances at New York’s Madison Square Garden with a six round decision over Tommy Merrill.
He stepped up his competition beating Vince LaSalva and [...]