Notes From An All-Time Middleweight Tournament

[Jersey-Jim]

Jeff Smith and Ben Jeby collide in ring center the two broadswords locked in mortal combat. The modern fans watch in jaw-dropping awe... wondering why history was so silent relaying the exploits of these two ring warriors. Fans text-messages family and friends as one round passed to the next - asking for them to "dig up" anything they could find on Jeff Smith or Ben Jeby. In the 14th round and accidental collision of heads short-cuts the playing out of the last and final round. The fight goes to the scorecards.

A split decision moves one history's forgotten "Titans" to the next round.

Jeby - split decision 8-5, 6-7, 7,6






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[Jersey-Jim]

Take a look at the bios of these two fighters and imagine if they'd fought in the 21st century. Benvenuti had the "Movie Star" look and appealed to the ladies - plus, he won 65 fights in a row! That's 65 fights! Not 20-0! Not even 30-0 without a loss... but 65-0 with a "DeLaHoya-like" Golden-Boy appeal.

In the other corner, Joey Giardello had been a TOP CONTENDER for 16 years before he became champion! Sixteen years! To put it in perspective - compare that span of time to your own life from the age of 20 to the age of 36! Surely you're not so old that you cannot appreciate that span of time. A lot happened between 20 and 36, right?

Sixteen years!

Imagine a fighter today being a CONTENDER for that length of time? In the length of his career, Joey Giardello had 101 wins! Who do you know - TODAY, that has that many wins? Duran and Chavez have achieved boxing's version of IMORTALITY by logging 100+ wins. Why are they remembered in so much higher esteem than Benvenuti and Giardello?

Because yesterday's criteria for "Greatness" was much higher than today's.

Were this fight to take place today (in our universe), this would certainly be a PPV Bonanza! But, it's the next best thing... it took place in the All-Time Middleweight Tournament.

It was razor close from where I was sitting last night. Nino sent Giardello to the floor with 2 flash knockdowns.

And when it went to the scorecards, Benenuti triumphed by unanimous decision


Benenuti W15 unan.

[Jersey-Jim]

Thomas "The Hit Man" Hearns vs. Frank Klaus

Frank Klaus Biography

Although he had a relatively short career, Klaus made his mark in the sport. He was an early Middleweight champion who used effective inside punching and a good chin to ride to the top. Beat many of the top fighters like Billy Papke, Jack Dillon and Georges Carpentier. George Chip had his number beating Klaus twice which basically ended Frank's enthusiasm to continue fighting.


Final Result:
Hearns KO4

[Jersey-Jim]

Pre-Fight Info:

Frank Klaus is just a hair under 5' 8." He's built like a rock... but against the 6' 1" Hitman, he's going to have to get inside and brutalize the body.


Later this week (or maybe the weekend) Sugar Ray Leonard will face Carmen Basilio.

Works taking a lot of time lately, so I figured... Hey, I may as well take my time with the tournament instead of rushing to the semi-finals . Some fights will have round-by-round results, others just the captions.

Keeps things interesting!


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[Mad Bomber]

Jim, I am really looking forward to this tournament, and not to show my bias or anything, but I hope Carmen thumps Ray.

[PWillisTheMan]

Originally Posted by Mad Bomber

Jim, I am really looking forward to this tournament, and not to show my bias or anything, but I hope Carmen thumps Ray.

Cosign on all accounts, except for I am more than willing to show my bias against Leonard. Or anyone for that matter. As an added bonus, I like Basilio.

[Jersey-Jim]

How can anyone root against Ray?

Hah!

The older one gets, the more one appreciates a Carmen Basilio. Here's a guy who was blood and guts from the word - "Go." A hard working, nice guy who's like "the guy next door."

I think over 15 rounds, Carmen would apply enough pressure to outpoint Leonard. Until he was shot, Leonard was a hard, hard fighter to stop. Even Hearns couldn't do it in their rematch.

Carmen Basilio could do it, though, as long as his skin held up and cuts didn't become an issue. I would have to put my money on Carmen at 160. Maybe they'll face off again at 147? You never know!

[Jersey-Jim]

Hello Friends and welcome to the All-Time Middleweight Tournament’s first round match-up between – Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns and Frank Klaus.

The fighters are receiving their final instructions from referee Harry Kessler and we’ll be underway with first round action in just a moment. But first, we’re going to play a quick interview for you that we did with Hall of Fame Trainer, Emanuel Steward, earlier in the week.

Boxing Today: Thanks for joining us, Emanuel. We know your time is limited so let’s get right into it. When you say, “Tommy Hearns – the Middleweight,” immediately the fight with Hagler comes to mind.

Emanuel Steward: Well you know, Jim, it’s tough when people remember you more for your losses than they do your victories. Tommy lost two big fights against Leonard and Hagler, but he also beat some of the best fighters of that era. Tommy defeated Wildred Benitez who was possibly one of the best pure boxers of all time. He knocked Roberto Duran cold – who still went on to win championship fights.

BT: Emanuel, how far can Tommy Hearns go in this tournament?

ES: Well (laughing), I’d be a lousy trainer if I didn’t believe he could go all the way! No, Tommy never lost a fight in his life because he lacked the tools. At this level, each of these fighters are champions. They all have what it takes. What it comes down to is knowing which tools to use in any given situation. It’s all about strategy. If Tommy boxes and uses his 6’ 1” frame, hand-speed and boxing ability, he can decision any Middleweight who ever lived.

What Tommy learned during his career, the hard way, is… you don’t try to knock everyone out. You don’t punch yourself out trying to take out a Leonard or Hagler. You box them. You pick your shots. Then, if the opportunity presents itself, you can take knockout if it’s there.

BT: In Tommy’s appearance in the All-Time Light Heavyweight Tournament, Tommy pounded Georges Carpentier for 10 one sided rounds in an impressive display of boxing ability and power. But in the 11th, he was out of gas and 3 knockdowns later, Carpentier’s hand was raised. What went wrong?

ES: Well, first let me say, Tommy best days were behind him at 175. But that just goes to show what kind of fighter he was. He was knocking out, good, solid fighters with his prime years well behind him. Tommy best fighting weight was 154. No one touches him at that weight. At 160 pounds, only a Hagler or a LaMotta would have survived getting hit with those kind of punches and still had enough left to fire back. At 160, only the best of the best are going to get by that right hand of his. Frank Klaus walked through the fire with the great Billy Papke. I guarantee you, he won’t do the same against Thomas Hearns.


Coming soon… the ring entrance and opening bell.


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[Jersey-Jim]

Round 1
Hearns missing with a big right hand! Klaus – barreling his way inside lands a left to the body. Hearns with a crisp uppercut. Klaus with an overhand right to the temple. Hearns took it well. Hearns misses with a two-punch combination. Klaus bobbing and weaving beneath that Hearn’s combination well!

Klaus scores with a straight left through Hearn’s gloves. That punch snapped Hearns’ head! Hearns with an uppercut. That punch buckles Klaus’s knees slightly! Hearns with a right hand! Klaus absorbs it!

Klaus rams his head into Hearn’s chin at the bell! Fans are booing and Harry Kessler is talking with Klaus as he heads to the corner. Good action in the opening round!



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[Jersey-Jim]

Round 2
Welcome back. We’re underway with round two. Klaus scores with a jab. He’s staying close to Hearns, trying to negate that reach advantage. Frank Klaus going hard to the body! Those punches hurt Hearns! Hearns rips Klaus with a huge uppercut! Klaus staggers! Klaus is hurt!

Klaus digs in and fires to Hearns’ midsection!

Hearns nails Klaus with a booming hook! They tie up on the inside and here comes Harry Kessler to separate them.

Hearns turns Klaus’ head with another hard hook! Klaus staggers! Klaus guns Hearns to the body! Klaus with another hook to the body. Klaus moves Hearns back against the ropes! There’s the bell. Great round of action again. Frank Klaus is like a small pit bull in there!


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[Jersey-Jim]

Round 3
Frank Klaus is out fast for the third round. Klaus rakes Hearns to the body with thudding hooks – one after another. Hearns misses over the top. He needs to get back to that uppercut. That’s the punch Klaus seems to have no answer for on the inside.

Hearns scores with a hook. Klaus explodes with a two-fisted head and body assault! Hearns is against the ropes! Klaus is teeing off on the Hit Man! Tommy’s blocking some of those punches. He looks clearheaded… but he’s not doing much to discourage Klaus fierce aggression here in the third.

There’s the bell. Klaus raises his hands as he returns to his corner.


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[Jersey-Jim]

Round 4
It’s Hearns and Klaus, meeting in ring center as the fourth round gets underway. Hearns misses with left and Klaus bounces another hook off Hearns’ midsection. Nice left from Klaus catches Tommy on the button.

Oh!! A booming right hand from Hearns and down… goes… Klaus!!
Klaus pitched forward – face-first! Here comes the count…

1

2

3

4

5

6

Klaus made it to his feet at six! He looks wobbly, though! Kessler’s taking a look. Klaus raises his gloves, he’s ready to continue.
Hearns machine-guns Klaus to the body! Klaus grimaces and backs up to the ropes! Hearns with a screaming right hand! Klaus’ is practically out on his feet.

A combination to the body doubles Klaus over!! A hard right uppercut straightens him up! Hearns with an explosive four-punch combination to the body! What’s hold Frank Klaus up?

Hearns – a BOOMING right hand to the head!


DOWN

GOES

KLAUS!


Hearns goes to the neutral corner. Harry Kessler picks up the count at –


2

3

4

5

6

7

Klaus has pushed himself up to his knees and elbows…

8

9

10

That’s it!! This one is all over. Thomas “The Hit Man” Hearns stops Frank Klaus in an explosive finish – here in round number four!


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[PWillisTheMan]

Tommy...tommy...tommy...tommy

[Jersey-Jim]

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[Jersey-Jim]

Ray Leonard: “I won’t have to go hunting for Carmen. He’ll be in front of me all night long. I believe my jab will be the difference in this fight.”

Carmen Basilio: “I caught up to the first Ray over 15 rounds. I don’t see why I won’t catch up with this one, too.”







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[Jersey-Jim]

Walker pounded Sturm, dropping him 3 times on the way to a unanimous decision victory last night in more first round action. But another story began developing - outside the ropes, during last night's action.

Harry Greb, who fought and decision Walker back in 1925, heckled him from ringside.

"What's a matter, Mick? Can't knock the guy out? Try hitting him harder! Oh, yeah, you can't hit that hard, can you?"

Walker was infuriated and vowed to punish Greb "when" the time finally comes.

"I came up in weight at the time to fight that bum," Walker said afterward. It was fightin' Welterweight at the time. Once I grew into the division, I was a lot stronger."

"He barely beat me by decision and I knocked two of the guys teeth out as a matter of record that night. And I can't punch? I can't wait to fight him again. I knocked him down when we fought on the street later that same night. We was at a bar together and he got mouthy. He's got a mouth, you know? Go look it up. It's in the books."


Walker W15 unan. (14-1, 13-2, 13-3)

[Jersey-Jim]

This is Jersey-Jim reporting from ringside where tonight, Sugar Ray Leonard and Carmen Basilio meet in first round tournament action. I spoke earlier with Angelo Dundee about Leonard’s chances in the All-Time Middleweight tournament.

Jersey-Jim: Angelo, what chance Ray have against the best Middleweights of the World.

Angelo Dundee: You know, Jim, it was my privilege to work with two of the greatest boxers of all-time with Ali and Leonard. These guys made a living out of proving experts wrong, overcoming odds and coming up big in the biggest fights of their careers. Ray had the boxing skills to beat Marvin Hagler… after a long, long layoff. You know, then, he’s got the skills to beat a Carmen Basilio.

JJ: Would Ray be champion at 160 if he were fighting today?

AD: Are you kidding? These guys today, these champions have built 75% of the victories on the dead warmed over. Guys like Ray fought the best of the best boxers, sluggers, boxer-punchers. A guy like Kelly Pavlik will have to fight till he’s 40 to get the kind of experience Ray Leonard had when he was 27. The sport need to get back to its roots where guys are developed and brought long, learning the craft as they go. Today, you’ve got guys winning title’s who are still learning to fight. It’s crazy. Back then, you didn’t fight for the title until you had all your tools developed. Once you’re champion, there’s no more learning on the job. Every fight your whole career hangs in the balance.

JJ: Thanks Angelo! We’ll see you at ringside for Leonard-Basilio.

AD: Thank you. I’m looking forward to this fight.



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[Jersey-Jim]

Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Carmen Basilio

Round 1
The fighters have returned to the corners awaiting the opening bell. And there it is! We’re underway, here in round number one. Basilio and Leonard exchange combinations in ring center to things underway! Basilio hooks to Leonard’s body as Leonard moves out of range. They tie up along the ropes and Harry Kessler separates them. Carmen Basilio lands a nice jab. They tie up again in the corner. Kessler separates them. Ray with a nice jab. Leonard snaps Basilio’s head back with a uppercut! Another uppercut scores for Leonard and Basilio answers with a right to the head.

That’ll do it for round one!


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[Jersey-Jim]

Round 2
Both fighters moving a little cautiously as round two is underway. Basilio catches Leonard with an uppercut as he was weaving his way in – looking for an opening. Leonard scores with a hard combination to the body! Right hand lands from Leonard. Leonard hooks to the body. A straight left snaps Basilio’s head back! Basilio seems to be having a little bit of trouble with the speed of Sugar Ray Leonard.

Basilio catches Leonard with a hook to the body. Leonard scores with a right hand – right at the bell ending round two!


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[PWillisTheMan]

Originally Posted by Jersey-Jim

This is Jersey-Jim reporting from ringside where tonight, Sugar Ray Leonard and Carmen Basilio meet in first round tournament action. I spoke earlier with Angelo Dundee about Leonard’s chances in the All-Time Middleweight tournament.

Jersey-Jim: Angelo, what chance Ray have against the best Middleweights of the World.

Angelo Dundee: You know, Jim, it was my privilege to work with two of the greatest boxers of all-time with Ali and Leonard. These guys made a living out of proving experts wrong, overcoming odds and coming up big in the biggest fights of their careers. Ray had the boxing skills to beat Marvin Hagler… after a long, long layoff. You know, then, he’s got the skills to beat a Carmen Basilio.

JJ: Would Ray be champion at 160 if he were fighting today?

AD: Are you kidding? These guys today, these champions have built 75% of the victories on the dead warmed over. Guys like Ray fought the best of the best boxers, sluggers, boxer-punchers. A guy like Kelly Pavlik will have to fight till he’s 40 to get the kind of experience Ray Leonard had when he was 27. The sport need to get back to its roots where guys are developed and brought long, learning the craft as they go. Today, you’ve got guys winning title’s who are still learning to fight. It’s crazy. Back then, you didn’t fight for the title until you had all your tools developed. Once you’re champion, there’s no more learning on the job. Every fight your whole career hangs in the balance.

JJ: Thanks Angelo! We’ll see you at ringside for Leonard-Basilio.

AD: Thank you. I’m looking forward to this fight.



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No mention from Angie about Carmen? Disappointing, War Basilio!

If you want to watch the ghost of Roy Jones, it's coming on that link.