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BigBoyBrackey · 04-27-2009, 11:58 PM

I've been reading these forums since purchasing Title Bout 2 a few years back and have immensely enjoyed the descriptions of universes and tournaments, and figured it was time to contribute something instead of just lurking, as the kids say.

After spending much time trying, and failing, to come up with something as intricate as one of professordp's richly textured universes, I realized I'd never get around to posting anything unless I came up with something much simpler.

I decided on a series of heavyweight tournaments, one for each decade, using The Ring's annual ratings as a starting point for seeding.

I started with the 1920s, but since the magazine's ratings did not appear until 1924, this would have left out one of the division's golden ages -- in terms of status, if not actual competition. Plus, the magazine ranked 37 different heavyweights from 1924-29, so once you added title challengers and top contenders from the early 20s, it was easy to get to a bracket-friendly field of 64.

I tried to include all the heavies who earned a place, but there were a few sentimental entries, too. Like Sully Montgomery, a slugger with no chin who later became even better known as a corrupt sheriff in Texas.

The expanded tourney size also allowed for the inclusion of former and should-have-been champions like Jack Johnson, Sam Langford and Jess Willard (rated for end, end and post-prime, respectively). All others were rated as prime, with fighters who were active in the 20s but did not receive a ranking by The Ring or hit their prime until the '30s, like Max Baer, were excluded.

The plan is to follow up with each decade, most likely in random order. I'm not sure about going back to the 19th century yet, due to the radical changes in rules, etc., but we'll see how it goes.

The tournament will run more or less NCAA-style at various venues of the era, with random corners and officials and computer-selected strategies.

While Dempsey-Tunney seems an obvious choice for the finals, the field also features a peak Harry Wills, '30s champions Max Schmeling and Jack Sharkey, and several others who were denied their shot by the racial climate of the times, like George Godfrey and Bearcat Wright. Even Johnson and Langford remain dangerous in their old age. And don't ever underestimate Da Preem.

The first round begins shortly from the gorgeous Newark Armory ...

04-27-2009, 11:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
BigBoyBrackey All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Buffalo, N.Y. Posts: 823 Thanks: 31 Thanked 39x in 39 posts	The Big Fellows I've been reading these forums since purchasing Title Bout 2 a few years back and have immensely enjoyed the descriptions of universes and tournaments, and figured it was time to contribute something instead of just lurking, as the kids say. After spending much time trying, and failing, to come up with something as intricate as one of professordp's richly textured universes, I realized I'd never get around to posting anything unless I came up with something much simpler. I decided on a series of heavyweight tournaments, one for each decade, using The Ring's annual ratings as a starting point for seeding. I started with the 1920s, but since the magazine's ratings did not appear until 1924, this would have left out one of the division's golden ages -- in terms of status, if not actual competition. Plus, the magazine ranked 37 different heavyweights from 1924-29, so once you added title challengers and top contenders from the early 20s, it was easy to get to a bracket-friendly field of 64. I tried to include all the heavies who earned a place, but there were a few sentimental entries, too. Like Sully Montgomery, a slugger with no chin who later became even better known as a corrupt sheriff in Texas. The expanded tourney size also allowed for the inclusion of former and should-have-been champions like Jack Johnson, Sam Langford and Jess Willard (rated for end, end and post-prime, respectively). All others were rated as prime, with fighters who were active in the 20s but did not receive a ranking by The Ring or hit their prime until the '30s, like Max Baer, were excluded. The plan is to follow up with each decade, most likely in random order. I'm not sure about going back to the 19th century yet, due to the radical changes in rules, etc., but we'll see how it goes. The tournament will run more or less NCAA-style at various venues of the era, with random corners and officials and computer-selected strategies. While Dempsey-Tunney seems an obvious choice for the finals, the field also features a peak Harry Wills, '30s champions Max Schmeling and Jack Sharkey, and several others who were denied their shot by the racial climate of the times, like George Godfrey and Bearcat Wright. Even Johnson and Langford remain dangerous in their old age. And don't ever underestimate Da Preem. The first round begins shortly from the gorgeous Newark Armory ...