[bear]

boxer: Sam Shumway
1939-1947
Global ID 035711
sex male
division heavyweight
nationality United States
residence Webster, MA
won 38 (KO 18) + lost 59 (KO 53) + drawn 4 = 101

I've been trying to create this fighter for several years and I think I've finally gotten him right. I first encoutered Sam Shumway in a 1946 Ring Record book. He had a noticible, lengthy losing record that piqued my curiosity. Boxrec had a more complete take on his career which looks terrible on face value. He fought Tiger Ted Lowry three times and notched a win over him. He also got starched by Unknown Wilson at a time when Wilson's career only had fumes left in the tank. Ring magazines from the 40s curiously have reports of Shumway headlining cards in his home town and being the main eventer when a new boxing venue opened in Webster. MA. A lot more seemed to be going on with this guy than his losing record.

I came to view the creation of an "accurate" version of Shumway as a personal challenge. Last year I discussed Shumway over dinner with IBRO historian Mike Silver. Mike has personal contact with Tiger Ted Lowry. Mike informed me that Ted, at age 86, was sharp as a tack and possessed a good memory. Mike was good enough to call Tiger Ted and discuss Shumway with him and shared Ted's recollection of Shumway with me.

Lowry said Shumway was a "tough kid" and "on top when I met him" and "I didn't think I was in his class". Ted also reported that Shumway was a white fighter and that he was "strictly a puncher". Other observations
of Lowry that were relayed to me was that promoters of the day were not entusiastic about him meeting only black fighters because these bouts were perceived by fans as dull boxing matches. Fans wanted slugfests.

Shumway's popularitly at the time appears to have come from providing fans with just that. He had to have had a crowd pleasing style. Furthermore when he was still staning after six or more rounds he only seems to have dropped a handful of decisions. Must have done more damage or been more effectively aggressive than his opponents.



Bear