By Cliff Rold - The most famous July 4th Heavyweight contest ever took place almost a century ago. Motivated by racist silliness, white America antagonized and cajoled undefeated former champion Jim Jeffries out of retirement to face down the specter of a the division’s first black champion, Jack Johnson. After much ballyhoo, the attention of the nation turned to the Nevada desert for one of the most anticipated clashes in the history of the sport.
Nothing like it will be taking place this weekend.
The only common ground the latest Heavyweight showdown will share with Johnson’s decimation of Jeffries is the centerpiece of the weekend won’t be televised live in the U.S.
There was of course no television in 1910 so it’s shaky ground indeed.
Love, hate, or ignore them, one thing which can be said of the current Heavyweight top ten types is they fight each other with regularity. While too many of the fights in recent years have disappointed, lacking in compelling drama, the essence of competition is for the best available to face each other. [details]
Nothing like it will be taking place this weekend.
The only common ground the latest Heavyweight showdown will share with Johnson’s decimation of Jeffries is the centerpiece of the weekend won’t be televised live in the U.S.
There was of course no television in 1910 so it’s shaky ground indeed.
Love, hate, or ignore them, one thing which can be said of the current Heavyweight top ten types is they fight each other with regularity. While too many of the fights in recent years have disappointed, lacking in compelling drama, the essence of competition is for the best available to face each other. [details]
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