Cap's Alternate Universe Updates

[Cap]

Right now I have 2,254 pics, but I have multiples for some fighters. I have very few heavyweights from the 1960s to present day in my universe. Likely have twice as many from the 1880s. Most are from around 1890 to 1955. Not sure exactly how many fighter files I have. Enough to make it interesting.

As to creating fighters, most are my own. I've heard others mention problems with imported fighters, so I chose to just create my own.

Cap

[Tommysixfingers]

Originally Posted by Cap
It's funny. Every so often I introduce a fictional fighter created randomly into the mix just for fun. I watch him work his way through the lesser ranks, maybe even up to World Class. Then I start to get antsy about him. I can't bring myself to allow him to beat real top-class fighters. So I open him up and tinker with his ratings to downgrade him. Next thing you know he's on the decline into oblivion.

I read other universes here, and every time I see how some fictional fighter has beaten a name I recognize, I wince. Must be the amateur historian in me. This is nothing against others here. I'm glad they're having fun. After all, these aren't real humans we're dealing with, just electronic blips on a screen and our own fertile imaginations. For me, it was different in the early days, when I had far fewer historical fighters in my universe. I didn't mind that my fictional British heavyweight Lloyd King made it so far, because I had so few real British heavies from that era to use. Now, I've got more of them, so I may retire King "poimenently". Not sure. Of course, then I have the problem of what to do with Colin Morrison, my fictional Scottish heavyweight. I have a policy of not using a real fighter unless I have a photo of him, so even if I find a heavy to replace him, if I can't find that guy's pic, I won't use him.

Oh, well. The problems of power, eh?

Cap

I think it's great fun to mix in a couple of fictional fighters from time to time. I really don't care if they beat one of the "real" fighters. One of the best things about the game is when you develope a sort of bond to a fictional fighter or a tomato can and when they do good.

One of my house rules though is that I never create a "superman" kind of fighter. They usually end up being fringe contenders at best. I'm not above nursing them to a respectable record though.

I think you should keep King and Morrison.

[Cap]

According to a wire service report I just rec'd, Natie Brown was forced to back out of his fight with Bob Pastor due to a rib injury incurred during a sparring session with Angus Snyder. So, it appears that Joe Baksi will step in and face Pastor at Pittsburgh next weekend for the last spot in the next round of tournament eliminations.

The other survivors are: Joe Louis, Al "Big Boy" Bray, Al Gainer, Turkey Thompson, Abe Simon, Tony Galento and Jimmy Bivins.

Also heard on the tin-can phone that Andre Lenglet will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Luigi Musina next month in the casino town of Dieppe in France.

Cap

[Cap]

Excerpt from the Toronto Telegram....New York heavyweight pugilists Bob Pastor and Joe Baksi arrived in Pittsburgh from their training camps today. Both were put up at the Hotel Griswold by Promoter Tom Fogarty, though to prevent unpaid hostilities, they were assigned rooms on separate floors. The two husky leather-chuckers will meet in the 10-round main event this Friday at the venerable Duquesne Gardens.

[Cap]

Excerpt from the Toronto Telegram...Boston Blackie, recently released from incarceration in Nova Scotia, has turned up in Pittsburgh in time to place a bet on the heavyweight fight this Friday. Asked for a prediction, the former gang-leader said, "My money's on Pastor. He's more experienced for one thing, and he's quicker on his feet. He's not a big thumper so I expect it'll go the full distance, but he'll be the winner at the end. Baksi's a good lad. I hear his folks will be in the audience. I don't think he's got the fire in his belly to beat a veteran like Pastor."

A report from the Canadian weather service warns of a growing storm front along the entire eastern seaboard that should peak in the next 48 to 72 hours.

[Cap]

Pittsburgh - Former ring greats Jim Jeffries, James Corbett and Bob Fitsimmons arrived by train today to attend the Pastor-Baksi fight. There was also talk of them starting up a sporting goods emporium in the area. When interviewed for their opinions on the battle tonight, the trio of ex-champs was happy to oblige.

Jeffries liked the looks of Baksi and spoke of his good inside work, while Fitz and Corbett agreed that the better boxer was Pastor.

"Pastor's got the goods." said Corbett,"I see him boxing rings around Baksi, as I did with Jeff in our first go round."

Fitz nodded and opined,"This Baksi chap is too slow. Pastor's speed of foot will be the edge in that one."

Despite gathering storm clouds, advance ticket sales at Duquesne Gardens have been brisk, and Promoter Tom Fogarty expects a good crowd in the 6,500 seat arena.

[Cap]

Pittsburgh - Just hours before fight time, Pastor and Baksi arrived by touring cars at the office of the State Boxing Commissioner for a final examination by his resident physician. A swarm of fans surged around their cars as they left the building; young kids shouting for autographs and grown men grinning like kids, slapping the fighters on the back and shaking their hands. It was an unexpected pleasure for the two contenders, who earlier in the day had been selected as two of the best in the heavyweight division by the UK's Boxing Gazette.

[Cap]

Good Match at the Gardens

Pittsburgh – About two thousand men and boys braved the storm and were rewarded by seeing a first-class boxing card at Duquesne Gardens last night. Promoter Tom Fogarty’s main event featured Bob Pastor 181½ and Joe Baksi 196¾ in a ten round eliminator in Jimmy Johnston’s Championship Tournament. Pastor, the favourite, was coming off a streak of 8 wins and was expected to overcome Baksi’s advantage in size with his own proven skills and speed. From the get-go this seemed to be the case as he jabbed his opponent’s head as though it were on a spring, but in the closing seconds of the round Baksi shot out his own left hard and caught Pastor squarely in the mouth. In the next frame, both men attacked in earnest, dishing out and taking terrific punishment. Pastor had given up his usual stick-and-move strategy to try and beat Baksi at his own game. It was a mistake. Round after round they slugged it out, with Baksi landing the heavier blows, wearing Pastor down. In the sixth, Pastor caught a short right uppercut and went down hard. Referee Harry O’Rourke started the count and reached seven when Pastor regained his feet and retreated until his head cleared. The last four rounds were give and take, with Baksi having an edge in all of them, busting Pastor up inside. When it was over few were surprised to see the ref raise Joe Baksi’s arm in victory. Pastor’s record fell to 22-3-4 with the loss, while Joe’s improved to 21-2-0 with 12 knockouts.

[Cap]

Following on the heels of the Baksi-Pastor match last night, Mitt-Slingers magazine issued their updated heavyweight rankings. Jimmy Johnston was quick to downplay their significance.

Fighter			Country		   
CH Andre Lenglet	France		W	L	D	KOs
 1. Joe Louis		USA		26	2	0	20
 2. Max Schmeling	Germany		27	4	1	12
 3. Big Boy Bray	USA		23	2	1	18
 4. Al Gainer		USA		30	4	4	11
 5. Turkey Thompson	USA		28	1	2	21
 6. Luigi Musina	Italy		31	1	1	22
 7. Tiger Warrington	Canada		34	4	1	14
 8. Jack Gross		USA		28	4	0	16
 9. Ben Foord		S. Afrika	31	3	2	13
10. Walter Neusel	Germany		34	2	1	18
11. Joe Baksi		USA		21	2	0	12
12. KO Christner	USA		26	5	0	20
13. Melio Bettina	USA		29	4	3	8
14. Tiger Jack Fox	USA		23	4	2	10
15. Tut Jackson		USA		23	9	5	16
16. Abe Simon		USA		19	10	0	9
17. Joe Walcott		USA		25	3	0	15
18. Tony Galento	USA		41	8	0	28
19. Jimmy Bivins	USA		19	1	0	5
20. Babe Hunt		USA		26	4	1	10

Format courtesy of Conn Chris alias Connie alias Christopher.

[Cap]

Excerpt from the Halifax Chronicle...Albrecht "Bric" Jacobich, reputed leader of the international criminal organization known as the Black Circle, was apprehended at what Swiss police are calling his mountain-top fortress near the town of Brig. Taken with him were eight men and three women, all heavily armed. It is, at the moment, unclear as to how police managed to capture the gang without a fight, but local rumour points to the presence of an outsider having infiltrated the murderous mob.

Excerpt from the Toronto Telegram...It is reported that Halifax Chronicle reporter Joe O'Herlihy and private investigator Vic Langille, supposedly in Switzerland to cover preparations for the upcoming Winter Games, were escorted out of the country by agents of the Swiss Federal Police. No official reasons were provided.

[Cap]

(Reuters), Berne - Under stiff interogation, observed by agents of the RCMP, Scotland Yard and federal police from France, Germany and Belgium, Albrecht Jacobich has revealed much about the inner workings of his gang of cutthroats. The Black Circle is believed responsible for murders, robberies and assassinations throughout Europe and Asia, even reaching into North and South America. Most recently they have been connected with the death of world boxing champion Phil Scott, the attempt on the life of French boxer Andre Lenglet, and the murders of three influential sports promoters in America. Police have so far been baffled as to the motives behind these recent crimes.

Meanwhile, sources within the Swiss FDJP have told at least one British reporter that investigators searching the gang's main hideout near Brig have uncovered a large cache of weapons and money in various currencies. Evidence was also discovered that has led to the arrest of a high-profile lawyer in Geneva and investigations into the dealings of several others in Europe, from Spain to Denmark. The same source also disclosed a document that seemed to link the criminal organization to an unidentified member of the national parliament of Canada. Many journalists now believe police have only seen the tip of the iceberg.

{cue opening bars from Beethoven's 5th Symphony}

[Cap]

Excerpt from the Heidelberg Examiner...It is widely reported here in Germany that Max Schmeling, former European heavyweight champion, has had his management extend a most generous offer to that of American (word deleted by censors) Joe Louis to meet him in a return bout in Germany. Most will recall the ease with which herr Schmeling disposed of the upstart American when last they met. While Louis has improved somewhat in the interim, Max Schmeling should prove more than a match for him. The only obstacle seems to be Louis' involvement in a pathetic little tournament of also-rans put on by the New York gangster Jimmy Johnston. Should this become too great an impediment for their meeting in the ring, herr Schmeling has said he would challenge the Frenchman Andre Lenglet for a rematch for the latter's world title.

[Cap]

Excerpt from Le Figaro....Champion boxer Andre Lenglet has decided to relinquish his European Boxing Union title and concentrate on his new world championship, and his upcoming match with Italian heavyweight Luigi Musina in June. The board of the EBU will meet in Brussels this week to decide how to proceed in replacing their gallant champion. The German members are expected to push for a title elimination bout between Max Schmeling and Walter Neusel.

Cap's Journal

[kenyan_cheena]

Would love some more updates, Cap. I was enjoying these little peaks into your universe.

[javier_83]

i was looking your webpage cap, and what is the record of joe louis/?

[Cap]

Originally Posted by javier_83

i was looking your webpage cap, and what is the record of joe louis/?

Joe's record before the Baksi fight was 30-2-0 with 24 KOs. His most recent loss was to champion Gene Tunney August 24, 2006 (Real Time).

Cap

[javier_83]

thanks man

[Cap]

For the great masses of folk clamouring for news of my peculiar alternate reality, you can stop with the deluge of telegrams already. It's costing me a small fortune in nickels to the Anglo-Canadian Telegram delivery boys.

Here are the latest (December) rankings from #11 through 20. These are from a trusted source within the rankings committee of Mitt Slingers magazine.

11. Luigi Musina               Italy      33-3-1 (23)
12. Jack Petersen              Wales      31-4-2 (7)
13. KO Christner               USA        29-6-0 (23)
14. Bud MacEachern             Canada     25-2-0 (15)
15. Tiger Jack Fox             USA        25-5-2 (12)
16. Turkey Thompson            USA        30-4-2 (23)
17. Lars Gunnardsson           Denmark    17-3-2 (12)
18. Buddy Baer                 USA        22-3-2 (12)
19. Jimmy Bivins               USA        24-4-0 (8)
20. Melio Bettina              USA        30-6-3 (8)

As you see they reflect recent action in the division, particularly Thompson's unexpected loss to Big Boy Bray.

Here are some of the bottom-feeders in my AU: Johnny Kapovich (2-23-0); Ray Neuman (0-20-1); Sam Stearns (1-24-1); Nick Basich (3-24-2); Joe Lubin (2-24-1); Dynamite Jackson (4-20-2); Newsboy Millich (5-18-4).

Perusing the rankings I came across a few surprises. Harry Bobo who is 20-5-1 is ranked #148. Al Ettore (24-9-3) is #123. Billy Conn (25-3-0) is #120.

Here are a few guys that haven't been heard from in a while. (Note from Cap: I lost track of these guys somehow and haven't matched them since about April of this year.)
James J. Braddock (18-5-0) # 151. Lost to Joe Louis in a bloody fight. Isidoro Gastanaga (19-5-0 with 15 KOs); Joe Kahut (16-3-0); and Roscoe Toles (23-2-4 with 11 KOs) who, at one stretch, went 18 without a loss.

Cap

[Cap]

The Christmas issue of Mitt-Slingers Magazine is out at the newsagents. The cover has a cartoon of Jack Solomons as Father Christmas handing a crown to a smiling Joe Louis from a bulging sack of money. Peering in at the window behind them is the scowling visage of Max Schmeling. Inside there's an interview with Canadian champion Eddie Wenstob in which he gives a surprisingly insightful appraisal of many of the top Empire contenders.

Cap

[Cap]

London - There are still a lot of bad feelings amongst supporters of South Afrika's Ben Foord days after the controversial loss of his Empire title at Harringay Arena last Boxing Day. Few are willing to accept the judges' decision to award a victory to Jack Petersen on points after the bout was stopped because of a cut to Foord caused by an accidental clash of heads in the second round. According to contract, when the fight had to be stopped after 5 rounds, the result was placed in the hands of referee Jack Hart and two judges. Hart scored it a draw, but the two neutral arbiters called it for Petersen, and the prestigious belt passed to the Welshman. One judge later stated that Petersen's knockdown of Foord in the 4th was the deciding factor. Many fans are calling for an immediate rematch, and a clause in the contract allows for one. <The Daily Mirror>