Forgotten Fighters

[Ben Bolt]

Len Wickwar (1911-80; career 1928-47), a journeyman of Leicester, England.

He is recorded for almost 4000 rounds, which is split by 339 victories (93 KOs), 86 defeats (37 KOby) and 42 draws.

“Over a dozen years he averaged a fight every nine days. In those fights he fought an average of 8.5 rounds.”

BoxRec: “Wickwar is believed to have had more bouts than any boxer in history. At the very least he has more than any boxer in the BoxRec database. He has more victories than any boxer that can be found in the database as well.”

Photo: a magazine cover dated Dec 29, 1937.

[Ben Bolt]

Being a world champ for less than six month, it is remarkable how many biographies (fictional or more down-to-earth ones) there have been written of Battling Siki. His short and turbulent life seemingly attracts authors like flies are drawn to light.

Wiki notes:
• Born in Senegal 1897, joined the French Army in WW1, decorated for bravery in battle.
• 1919-22, compiled a 43–1–2 record.
• Faced world light heavy champ Georges Carpentier in Paris, Sept. 1922.

Siki claimed that he had agreed to take a dive, but when Carpentier dropped him, the outraged African decided to get up and fight. Although Siki had agreed to throw the fight, he did not intend to get beat up doing so.

In the sixth round Siki hit Carpentier with a powerful right uppercut that appeared to put Carpentier down and out for the count. The referee, however, claimed Siki had tripped Carpentier, and awarded the bout to the unconscious champion on a foul. Fearing a riot from the aroused crowd, the three ringside judges overruled the referee, and Siki was eventually declared the champion.

• Siki then embarked on a well publicized rampage of partying and carousing. He would walk his pet lion down the Champs-Élysées while wearing his top hat and tuxedo. Siki was known to fire his revolvers in the air in public as a means of prompting his two Great Danes to do tricks. He was constantly reported drinking champagne in night clubs, and spent freely on flashy clothes and partying.

• Siki lost his belt on decision to Mike McTigue in March, 1923. This defeat was the first loss in a downward trend of dissipation and poor ring performances suffered by Siki.

• Later in 1923, he moved to the US, where he continued to carouse and train on booze and street brawls. Often, he would get drunk in speakeasies, refuse to pay the tab, and fight his way out.
His record in the States was poor, his failure to train properly was evident; his record after winning the world title was a dismal 11-17-1 with 2 NC.

• Siki was found dead in the early morning hours of Dec. 15, 1925 in New York City, at West 41st Street, lying face down with two gunshot wounds in the back. Detectives believed he had gotten into a brawl in one of the numerous speakeasies/nightclubs in the neighborhood, and that after that altercation he was followed into the street and struck down from behind.

[Anthony342]

Was his killer ever found or was it a cold case?

[Ben Bolt]

Was his killer ever found or was it a cold case?

There were som suspects, but of no result.
Here's a more detailed article from 1949:

http://thestacks.deadspin.com/who-sh...izef-514051485

[mickey malone]

There were som suspects, but of no result.
Here's a more detailed article from 1949:

http://thestacks.deadspin.com/who-sh...izef-514051485

Superb imfo, and the stuff about Wickwar too

Wickwar truly is, a great example of a forgotten fighter
Siki not so much, as he gets be remembered for shocking Carpentier

[joseph5620]

I was reading about a fighter named Tyrone Everett who was murdered. Apparently he was robbed against Alfredo Escalera. Does anybody know more about him or what happened to him?

[joseph5620]

Jose luis Lopez. A power puncher who seemed to disappear. It seems like he really was not into boxing but he had heavy hands and could hurt anybody at 147.

[RubenSonny]

I was reading about a fighter named Tyrone Everett who was murdered. Apparently he was robbed against Alfredo Escalera. Does anybody know more about him or what happened to him?

His girlfriend caught him with a ****** and murdered him, he was a great fighter to be honest, I think he would've beaten Arguello had he not been killed and got the chance to fight him. The Escalera fight is one of the worst robberies I have ever seen, watch it for yourself.

Jose luis Lopez. A power puncher who seemed to disappear. It seems like he really was not into boxing but he had heavy hands and could hurt anybody at 147.

I suspect that, if he were around today that he would KO everyone at welterweight not named Floyd, I have heard that he never really trained seriously.

[Ben Bolt]

Wickwar truly is, a great example of a forgotten fighter

I always had a liking for the boxers who we generally refer to as bums or journeymen (though I never use the 'bum' phrase myself on any boxer).
If it weren't for them, the upcoming stars wouldn't be able to build up either a record or a reputation.
It takes some courage to step into the ring when you know the only reason you have been invited to it, is to being served as cannon fodder.

The Escalera fight is one of the worst robberies I have ever seen, watch it for yourself.

It seems you're not alone. BoxRec: "Widely recognized as one of the most disgraceful decisions in the history of boxing. The Ring Magazine included the decision in a list of the top 5 worst robberies ever."

I remember Everett, but has never seen his clash with Escalera. It's on youtube, though, so could be fun watching and scoring.

[Scott9945]

It seems you're not alone. BoxRec: "Widely recognized as one of the most disgraceful decisions in the history of boxing. The Ring Magazine included the decision in a list of the top 5 worst robberies ever."

I remember Everett, but has never seen his clash with Escalera. It's on youtube, though, so could be fun watching and scoring.

I've never actually seen the fight, but it seems bizzare that Everett would be robbed in his hometown (Philadelphia). Every account of the fight that I've ever heard indicates that he was though.