In the shadow of Harry Greb?

[JAB5239]

1913 was a great year in Pittsburg sports history. That was the year the great Harry Greb started his professional boxing career and was set on a path to fistic immortality.

1913 is also notable in Pittsburg boxing history because its the year that a largely forgotten fighter retired.

I didn't know anything about this man till today while researching other fighters and kept coming by his name. I may be jumping the gun, but Im convinced had there never been a Harry Greb, the name of Frank Klaus would be a much more known name today.

Starting his career in January of 1904 and continuing till December of 1913 Klaus compiled a record of 51-4-2 (27) with 33 ND's (IBHOF) or 60-9-7 (26) (boxrec) or 50-5-2 (26) 33 ND's (cyberboxingzone) depending on who you believe.

These would be impressive records in any era. But among his most notable foes he sports some terrific names on his resume. George Chip, Eddie McGrooty, Jack Dillon, Billy Papke, Georges Carpentier, Leo Houck, Stanley Ketchel and Mike "Twin" Sullivan.

He went 5-4-4 with 1 NC against these men and had a claim to the world middlweight title.

At one time Charlie Rose ranked him the 9th best middleweight all time and Nat Fliescher had him at #6. He is a member of bothe The Ring hall of fam and the IBHOF.

Had Harry Greb not come so soon after Klaus' career would he have been better remembered today?

[LondonRingRules]

1913 was a great year in Pittsburg sports history. That was the year the great Harry Greb started his professional boxing career and was set on a path to fistic immortality.

1913 is also notable in Pittsburg boxing history because its the year that a largely forgotten fighter retired.

I didn't know anything about this man till today while researching other fighters and kept coming by his name. I may be jumping the gun, but Im convinced had there never been a Harry Greb, the name of Frank Klaus would be a much more known name today.

Starting his career in January of 1904 and continuing till December of 1913 Klaus compiled a record of 51-4-2 (27) with 33 ND's (IBHOF) or 60-9-7 (26) (boxrec) or 50-5-2 (26) 33 ND's (cyberboxingzone) depending on who you believe.

These would be impressive records in any era. But among his most notable foes he sports some terrific names on his resume. George Chip, Eddie McGrooty, Jack Dillon, Billy Papke, Georges Carpentier, Leo Houck, Stanley Ketchel and Mike "Twin" Sullivan.

He went 5-4-4 with 1 NC against these men and had a claim to the world middlweight title.

At one time Charlie Rose ranked him the 9th best middleweight all time and Nat Fliescher had him at #6. He is a member of bothe The Ring hall of fam and the IBHOF.

Had Harry Greb not come so soon after Klaus' career would he have been better remembered today?

** Don't think the legend of Greb has anything to do with Klaus' lack of name recognition since few modern fans have ever heard of Greb.

I primarily know of him down to his win over Carpentier whom I've been studying who generally is dismissed even among hard cores. Carp took on Joe Jeannette back when Jack Johnson feared even talking to Joe lest he challenge for his title. Many thought Carp beat Joe as in most close decisions generating lots of heat.

I've always wondered about the circumstances of Klaus' DQ win over Carp in Paris as Carp was often capable of big displays of histrionics as in his bout against Dempsey and Siki showed. Very interesting character of the new century. How many fighters are blessed with an early KO loss to Young Snowball in Wonderland, Paris, France?

Anyway, Klaus seems to have wasted much of his career as a limited regional fighter against mostly poor comp. He doesn't really step it up until his last 4 yrs which is where he earned his HOF chops and starts to get out and about a bit.

How many people are going to remember Gary Penelosa for example? Some great fighters just don't generate long term memories, like Gorilla Jones, another mostly regional fighter recently elected to the HOF, or some of the names you cite in support of Klaus.

[Yogi]

I've always wondered about the circumstances of Klaus' DQ win over Carp in Paris

Here's the NY Times account of it, LRR;

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive...609C946396D6CF

[JAB5239]

Here's the NY Times account of it, LRR;

http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive...609C946396D6CF

Some of you guys simply amaze me with the way you pull up information and video's at the drop of a hat. Nice work Yogi!

[MarkScott]

There is a book out on Greb that may have some insight on Klaus.

[JAB5239]

There is a book out on Greb that may have some insight on Klaus.

I just dropped $75 on books last night with shipping. Charley Burley and the black Murderers row. The Mickey Ward Book. Durans book, and a book on Barney Ross.. Will be looking to get your book the next time around Mark.