The Boxing Historian

“[It wasn’t possible]… Start counting over the dear boy, and he’ll get up.”

-Manager Wilson Mizner, upon hearing of the death of his fighter, “The Michigan Assassin” Stanley Ketchel, in 1910.

May 13, 1914, the great Joe Louis was born. Happy Birthday Champ!

“How does Burns want it? Does he want it fast and willing? I’m his man in that case. Does he want it flat footed? Goodness, if he does, why I’m his man again. Anything to suit; but fast or slow I’m going to win.”

- Jack Johnson prior to his heavyweight title fight with champion Tommy Burns, 1908.

The Manassa Mauler, Jack Dempsey wearing a monocle, circa 1920s.

Former heavyweight title contender Brian London has passed away at the age of 87. London had been dealing with various health issues in recent years.

London twice challenged for the heavyweight title - Floyd Patterson in 1959 and Muhammad Ali in 1966 - losing both by knockout.

London was the British and Commonwealth champion from 1958-1959. Arguably, his best win was against Willie Pastrano via TKO in 1958 - reversing a decision loss to Pastrano earlier that year.

London fought some of the era's best fighters, including Henry Cooper, Dick Richardson, Eddie Machen, Ingemar Johansson, Jerry Quarry, Zora Foley, and Joe Bugner.

London’s record was 37-20-1 (26 KOs).

Rest In Peace, sir!

Shakur Stevenson cautiously dominates Jeremiah Nakathila en route to a unanimous decision victory.

In what was a boring fight overall, the defensive mastery of Shakur Stevenson was on display. Nakathila was held to just 28 landed punches out of 305 thrown through twelve rounds. However, at no point did Shakur make any attempt to get his overmatched opponent out of there.

All three judges scored the fight 120-107, as Stevenson improves his record to 16-0 (8 KOs).

This basically sums up last nights charade. I’m disgusted in Floyd Mayweather for this… my favourite fighter growing up too…

It is unacceptable that he did not knockout Logan Paul within 3 rounds. I know it’s an exhibition but to perform that bad against a NON-BOXER is unacceptable for someone who claims to be “the best ever.”

Oh! And shame on for broadcasting this garbage 🗑

It’s been five years since we lost the great Muhammad Ali.

This man is forever my idol and my hero.

Rest Easy, Great One. 🌹

Devin Haney beats Jorge Linares by unanimous decision to retain his WBC lightweight title.

I’m not exactly sure what the crew was watching, but that was a close fight, in my opinion.

The finals scores were 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113, all for Haney.

Haney controlled most of the first eight rounds with his jab, and to his credit, fought in the pocket most of the night. But I thought the fourth and sixth rounds were close and could have gone to Linares.

However, from the ninth round on, I thought Haney’s pace and punch output slowed, and Linares began landing bigger shots.

The pivotal moment of the fight came in the closing seconds of the tenth round when a Linares combination wobbled Haney, and specifically by a short right hand.

For the rest of the fight, Haney did more hugging than fighting, and I thought he lost the last two rounds.

Overall, I thought this was an unimpressive performance by the 22-year-old Devin Haney - who improves his record to 26-0 (15 KOs).

Jorge Linares fought hard, especially given his age of 35, and gave the young champion everything he could handle. His record drops to 47-6 (29 KOs).

I scored this bout 114-114, a draw. Devin Haney needs to do better if he hopes of even seeing the final bell with the upper echelons of the lightweight division.