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Again with the lies. When you can't win a debate with facts, lie!! Thats gotta be your credo.
Fact is Tyson showed tremendous heart and a great chin in that fight. But it doesn't change the fact he was beaten up in his prime by an underachieving fighter who's own father quit on him because of his lack of desire and heart. Hell, he looked perfectly capable of getting up from the Holyfield ko but sat there and not only took the count but gave away the championship without a fight. You're all gung ho in trying to discredit Louis, who's reign was better than Tysons, yet have no answers to why Tyson lost IN HIS PRIME to this type of fighter.Comment
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Again this is a great thread but I think we need more talk on the other champions and their reigns in the other weight divisions.
It's become a discussion thread about heavyweights, so maybe we can argue about that in my sticky thread.
Sorry Jab I haven't had time to compile my list yet.Comment
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Both Pep and Johnon were incredible fighters. But neithers reign is up there with the guys listed and mentioned. Pep was 9-2 during his title reign. Solid, but not one of the best in my opinion. His longevity, record and overall resume are excellent though which is why he is considered by many one of the 10 greatest fighters ever. Johnsons reign as champion is pretty bad in my opinion. He was 6-1-2 as champion and fought decent fighters, but certainly not anyone great besides Ketchel, who was an active middleweight, and O'Brien, who he drew with. All his best work was done previous to winni9ng the title. His reign as champion was very weak in my opinion. It could have been excellent had he not frozen out the best black fighters the same way he had been frozen out while chasing the title.Comment
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That's a fight I'd interested to see too. By all accounts Galento's tactics would have made Greb and Zivic blush. Here's an article on it by Ted Luzzi, AmatoBoxingSite:
It was billed as the irresistible college fullback meets the immovable bartender. Clean cut college guy Lou Nova versus cigar smoking, beer swilling, Tony Galento. It was more than a clash of personality it was culture clash as well. Lou Nova was 24 years old, the pride of Alameda California.
He was a former National AAU and International world amateur heavyweight champion. Three months earlier he had stopped former heavyweight champion Max Baer. Nova was square jawed and 6' 3" and 207 pounds of beautifully conditioned heavyweight.
Tony Galento was, well, variable weights.The night of September 15th 1939 he weighted 224 1/2 pounds. September 15 is the anniversary of what Ring magazine said was "one of the most disgraceful fights since the days of barroom brawls. Referee George Blake would have retained his reputation as a great referee if he had disqualified Galento".
International Boxing Magazine called it "The bloodiest fight of modern times." Galento and Nova were opposites in many ways. They were however each top contenders. It was no "one size fits all " in the heavyweight division."I'll murder the college kid," sneered Galento and 25,000 fans packed the stadium in Philadelphia to see them battle.
Lou Nova was the favourite both with the fans and with the odds makers. He was listed as 3-1 to win. A huge cheer went up as he entered the ring dressed in a all white robe befitting his good guy image. It was not to be a night that rivalled boxing's heavyweight glory days; Louis and Schmeling,Marciano and Walcott, Ali -Frazier.
Instead it was competitive savagery on Galento's part. Nova came out boxing with startling fast punches .It was all Nova in the first two rounds. He had no difficulty beating Galento to the punch and appeared to be winning going away. Then in round three Galento leaped forward throwing his famous left hook. The wide punch arched and then landed with a conclusive thud. Down went Nova! Galento sprawled over him.
When they got up Lou Nova had blood running down his face from a cut over the eye and was all but knocked out. Nova survived the round but was never the same. The rest of the fight was fought before the fans unbelieving and horrified eyes. Galento took boxing back to the cave. He hit Nova low, thumbed his eyes, butted him, and knocked him down twice.
Years later when Mike Tyson had the famous battle of the bite, Budd Schulberg the famous boxing writer said it was the worst thing in boxing since Galento's job on Lou Nova and that had been 38 years earlier. Nova hit Galento back but Tony had a great chin. Nova had guts, he rallied and lashed at Galento with his best punches.
Tony was huffing and puffing but still landing the occasional big left hook. In round ten Nova, his eyes swelling and with big bleeding cuts over each eye and a bloody nose, cracked Galento around the blood splattered ring. That was it however for Nova. It was all Galento the last four rounds.
The end finally came in Round 14. Galento and Nova were slugging toe-to-toe when Tony landed a blurring left hook that had Nova drooping. Inert his head hanging hopelessly on his chest. Another Galento special and Nova was down and finally it was stopped. Nova had to be carried to the dressing room. Later that night Nova gave a interview.
"Yeah he said. He fouled me. He sure did. All the way. Well that's all right with me. I could have done the same thing .Only I was brought up in college athletics where they teach you manners. Tony fought his kind of fight and he won. If he wants to win that way with foul tactics that’s his business. Only I don't think he can win that way and still go to heaven."
Galento was exhausted and skipped the victory party at his bar that night. Nova was in the hospital for five days. Nova went on to fight 35 times more including getting a shot at the heavyweight title against Joe Louis. However, Nova never forgave of forgot Galento's fouls. Years after the fight Galento and Nova were at a ****tail party in a New York Restaurant and Tony rushed across the room to shake hands.
Lou ignored the hand and turned his back and walked away. Galento was upset and said ";Why is so mad still ? Why I only gave him the thumb once honest!" In the words listed by Boxing International, "The hell you did, Tony," Not one of boxing's pretty stories for sure but its all part of the quilt of our favourite sport.Comment
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