Australian Fighters Thrown in the Deep End?

Cap · 07-18-2020, 04:55 PM

While digging into Australasian ring history I discovered that for a long period of time even into the 1920s, novice boxers, teenagers, were expected to go 20 rounds in their first paid fights and after. This might go a long way towards explaining why so many good-looking prospects seemed to burn out so quickly. Guys like Jack Howard and George Stirling, Pat Doran and Bill Turner started out like gang-busters, fought a dozen or so times then fizzled. These boys earned small purses when compared to American fighters and were often thrown in even when hurt. It's unfortunate they didn't have better management and the benefit of well-schooled trainers. Often boxers were handled by tavern owners and worn-out former pugs who knew little about scientific boxing.

Not that they had a monopoly on unscrupulous fight managers who used fighters until they were punching bags before tossing them on the scrap heap.

Cap

07-18-2020, 04:55 PM	#1
Cap Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Large Province in God's Country Posts: 8,037	Australian Fighters Thrown in the Deep End? While digging into Australasian ring history I discovered that for a long period of time even into the 1920s, novice boxers, teenagers, were expected to go 20 rounds in their first paid fights and after. This might go a long way towards explaining why so many good-looking prospects seemed to burn out so quickly. Guys like Jack Howard and George Stirling, Pat Doran and Bill Turner started out like gang-busters, fought a dozen or so times then fizzled. These boys earned small purses when compared to American fighters and were often thrown in even when hurt. It's unfortunate they didn't have better management and the benefit of well-schooled trainers. Often boxers were handled by tavern owners and worn-out former pugs who knew little about scientific boxing. Not that they had a monopoly on unscrupulous fight managers who used fighters until they were punching bags before tossing them on the scrap heap. Cap __________________ "...There were Giants in Those Days.."