A salute to the men who helped save their weight divisions

Ayup lads, been a while since I wrote an article, and as it's been a bit of a slow one so far I thought I'd test the waters once again.

Waingro's 'When will the Klitschkos retire?' article seems to have forced a virtually unanimous opinion amongst us - the the Klitschkos have, for all intents and purposes, been virtually the only thing keeping the Heavyweight division going and just about respectable over the past few years. In time, I do feel that the Klitschkos may be one of those rare cases of a fighter (or fighters, should I say) whose contribution to the sport goes slightly beyond purely what they did inside the sqared circle thanks to retaining the last few strands of what made the Heavyweight title the 'greatest prize in sport' in previous eras, but the article got me thinking; what other fighters have made a vital contribution to either saving a division from disappearing from the public eye, or have earned it credibility at a time when most were scoffing at it?

With that in mind, I thought a small tribute to them might be in order.

To start with, on the domestic front, we have Charlie Magri. Plenty of British fighters have achieved more than Magri - but few have been more entertaining or exciting to watch, and even fewer can claim to have virtually saved a division from extinction, which Magri effectively did with the Flyweight division in Britain in late seventies and early eighties. Before Magri's emergence, the British Flyweight division had been virtually dormant for years. The British title had been contested just twice in the previous decade, and according to Gilbert Odd, by 1977 there were "serious proposals it's (the Flyweight division in Britain) abolition." Given how fine a record Britain had previously boasted at 112 lb, it goes without saying that this would have been a huge shame, and while the colourful Magri never defended the title he won at domestic level, his exciting style attracted the type of crowds and interest which the division had not seen on these shores for decades - and paved the way for the likes of Duke McKenzie and Dave McAuley to add to Britain's impressive roster of 112 lb titlists.

The Super-Featherweight division has arguably been the finest of all the additional weight classes outside of the original eight, but it had an incredibly uncertain beginning, as I'm sure most of you will know. The life of the 130 lb weight class started well enough; after being formed in 1921 by the great Tex Rickard, who persuaded the NYSAC (followed soon after by the NBA) to created the division after shelling out $2,500 of his own hard-earned money to produce a new belt for whichever fighter stepped up to the mark - throughout the twenties, title fights were regularly contested at the new weight, with full recognition from the (then) two major sanctioning bodies. However, a betting scandal over a fight between Todd Morgan and Benny Bass - which Bass won on a suspicious second round knockout - plunged the division in to chaos. Both fighters had their purses witheld, and in January 1930 the NYSAC decided to stop recognizing the division. The NBA again followed suit and, despite brief interventions, the division was basically out of business between 1933 and 1949.

Sandy Saddler briefly looked to have revived it, but his reign lasted just two defences and, after he vacated, the weight class again fell of the radar for another decade. Step in Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde - when he knocked out Harold Gomes to win the then hardly regognized crown many were still wondering if the division had a future, but with ten successful defences between 1960 and 1967 the 'Filipino Flash' ensured the survival of a division which has since seen modern greats such as Alexis Arguello, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Azumah Nelson and Julio Cesar Chavez, arguably, produce the best work of their fantastic careers.

Light-Heavyweight may just be, historically-speaking, the best division of the lot - and as such it seems surprising that the division, despite being one of the original eight, took a while to become fully established. In it's early years, the division was often treated as nothing more than a stepping stone for fighters wishing to bridge the gap between Middleweight and Heavyweight, two divisions which had earned acceptance many years before. Regard for the division was low enough for a number of champions to increase or lower the weight limit of it as they saw fit - Jack Root, another who reportedly saw the title as a means of bargaining for a Heavyweight title fight as much as anything else, set the limit at 165 lb, while the likes of Bob Fitzsimmons wanted 170 lb. Limits on weight classes being altered by the champion wasn't new, of course. However, it was a practice which the other major divisions had since left long behind. Moreover, after Fitzsimmons lost the title to Jack O'Brien, the credability of the division was called in to question when O'Brien swore to a San Francisco newspaper that the fight - and many of his others - had been a fix. As a result, there was no championship activity at Light-Heavyweight for six years between 1906 and 1912, and the future of the weight class seemed uncertain.

Jack Dillon, who the great Benny Leonard would go on to describe as the greatest Light-Heavyweight he ever saw, played a massive part in the division overcoming these teething problems; he won the title, looked stylish defending it successfully five times and, along with boxing's governing bodies of the time, helped standardize the 175 lb weight limit which we now all know and love. For the first time, the Light-Heavyweight division was attracting big business, so much so that by 1921, the Frenchman Georges Carpentier's reign at the weight had helped make him a big enough star to generate, along with Jack Dempsey, the first million dollar gate when the two of them squared off for Dempsey's Heavyweight crown. Long spells of title inactivity were also a thing of the past once Dillon had taken the crown; after he did so, the only lulls in activity were due to the two great wars of the twentieth century.

So, there you have it. Just an example of how one fighter can, at times, play a major role in helping a whole division earn credibility or survive, and while none of the above reached the absolute pinnacle of boxing, I think it can definitely be argued that the sport would be poorer, or at the very least quite different, had it not been for them and the contributions they made.

If anyone has any other suggestions or anything to add, fire away. Cheers everyone.

I think you can put Tyson in here. The heavyweight scene, though not devoid of talent, was not as exciting as it had been in the 70's and Tyson put it back on everyone's lip. Everyone knew who Tyson was for a few glorious years until his decline

Interesting point, bhb. Tyson certainly added an excitement which was in danger of burning out in the Heavyweight division, but the weight class itself hadn't really been in the doldrums for all that long before he took the title in 1986; as recently as 1982, Holmes and Cooney had fought the (then) richest and one of the most highly publicized fights in history, and I don't think anyone would dispute that the Heavyweight division in the mid eighties was a better version than the one the Klitschkos currently preside over.

That said, you're right that he made a big impact and contribution, so good shout.

bhb001 wrote:I think you can put Tyson in here. The heavyweight scene, though not devoid of talent, was not as exciting as it had been in the 70's and Tyson put it back on everyone's lip. Everyone knew who Tyson was for a few glorious years until his decline

For the most part - everyone knew who Tyson was, for what he had been and his personality outside the ring - rather than what he was.

Not sure I'd agree, Oxring. Certainly in recent years, Tyson has been more notorious / infamous rather than famous, but I'd say that back in the early stages of his career most - even if they were not boxing fans - would identify him as THE Heavyweight champion of the world if asked. He was certainly championed by the press more than all but a couple of his predecessors and any of his successors have been.

Personally i think we should give Wlad the keys to the world such is the effect he's had on the hw division..................

In all seriousness though.. In todays day and age, more so right now i'd say Segura, one thrilling and one dominant win over Calderon have made the little little guys interesting to watch.

The likes of Donaire have lit up the little but not too little divisions, making his fights must watch when he gets in with a named fighter.

Tyson, obviously.

DLH pretty much carried not only the 147 (around it) division, but the whole of boxing too boot for a while.

DLH is a good shout, more for his prescence and saleability than actual results. Lived up to his name of Golden Boy

I would say it would interesting to get the opinion in Asia of guys like Wonjongkam and they impact they have. Asia has seldom had many good big men to champion in boxing so the impact of some of the superstar little men over there (Harada, Galaxy etc) could be crucial to keeping interest alive over there.

What about the Prince?

Wasn't he the first of the mega-money earners from the lower weight divisions.?

I think he has played a substantial part in increasing the appeal of the lower weights and thus giving them the opportunity to earn mega bucks.

88Chris05 wrote:Not sure I'd agree, Oxring. Certainly in recent years, Tyson has been more notorious / infamous rather than famous, but I'd say that back in the early stages of his career most - even if they were not boxing fans - would identify him as THE Heavyweight champion of the world if asked. He was certainly championed by the press more than all but a couple of his predecessors and any of his successors have been.

When he came out of jail - most nonboxing fans would STILL id him as "the man" - ridiculous though it is.

On a similar strand to Tyson with his popularity/notoriety helping a division, many have said the same about Oscar De Le Hoya.

Not everybody's cup of tea but in the post Tyson era, he put the focus on the lighter weights through his celebrity and talent back in the day.

Not so much saving his division, rather putting it on the map, I am going to give a nod to Ricardo Lopez. Partly because he is just about my favourite fighter, and partly because he really started to make people realise just how good an exponent of boxing could be found in the sports lightest weight. Irrespective of the arguments about the dilution of weight divisions below 118 lbs, El Finito really got peoples eyes looking at Straweight and I fondly remember the days in the '90s when Don King would put on super-cards with 4 world title fights, one of them being Ricardo Lopez. The seats would normally be full as well, even to watch a couple of 105 lbs guys fighting.

He was obviously a class above anyone he fought and could pretty much do anything. Box, punch, great footwork, incredible handspeed, almost inpregnable defense and, in his own understated way, as intimidating a presence as many a bigger framed and bigger named boxer. Maybe the competition wasn't great around his division, but his skills were so obviously transferable that it is not a difficult leap of faith to see him being competitive in any era and at any weight below bantam.

Very good shout on Lopez, Tino. Certainly did a lot to break the Oriental stranglehold on the 105 lb division and showed that talent can be elite level at any weight class.

Tyson saved the heavyweight division far more than the Klichkos imo

I suppose in the sense of giving a division credibilty as the Klitschkos have in the current heavyweight division you could say Evander Holyfields brief but significant impact on the cruiserweight division perhaps gave it credibility on some level in an otherwise shockingly weak history. Hes probably the only genuinely great fighter to ever hold a title there. Despite it probably not being as significant a moment back when he was a champion there, in the following decades it may ave given the division some much needed pedigree.

Interesting shout on Holyfield there, Manos. As you say, not necessarily one which jumps out at you but a valid one all the same. Oddly enough, unlike most of the additional divisions over the past thirty-odd years, Cruiserweight is one which started off not all that badly, but has simply got worse and worse over time. Holyfield, a still just about useful Qawi and DeLeon would do away with most men south of 200 lb who have emerged in the last couple of decades.

I think Holyfield's case highlights that, no matter how unlikely, a great fighter can still be found in any division - and let's be frank, had it not been for Holyfield, I doubt that many of us would have been as hopeful as we were that Haye might be able to become 'the man' at Heavyweight. Now, any Cruiserweight stepping up has one simple aim; to emulate Holyfield.

Good shout.

think marco huck might help the cruisers right now. i find him very exciting and hes fighting this weekend must also say chris i thoroughly enjoy reading your articles - beautifully written you could be a professional and i wouldnt know the difference.

Many thanks, Alex!

Can't say I'm all that sold on Huck; think Lebedev was pretty unlucky to drop that decision to him, and I'd fancy him to reverse that in a rematch. I suppose we'll be seeing both of them venturing up to Heavyweight in a couple of years once the Klitschkos wind down, which might be interesting.

AlexHuckerby wrote:think marco huck might help the cruisers right now. i find him very exciting

You like Marco Huck.

Its not because his surname is a little like yours is it?

I can't see anything positive about his style. He survives on jobbing better men at home. Absolutely robbed Lebedev in one of the worst decisions I have had the misfortune of witnessing. Lebedev or Cunningham are nearer the "man" at sub 200lbs for me.

no doubt he isnt incredible however in a slightly similar way to charlie magri hes far more exciting than the usual cruiser. the cruisers make a lot of money in places like germany but this means that few get much coverage outside of people that pick up RTL think he has one of the more explosive styles that might make people sit up ane notice the cruisers that bit more.

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Not so much saving his division, rather putting it on the map, I am going to give a nod to Ricardo Lopez. Partly because he is just about my favourite fighter, and partly because he really started to make people realise just how good an exponent of boxing could be found in the sports lightest weight. Irrespective of the arguments about the dilution of weight divisions below 118 lbs, El Finito really got peoples eyes looking at Straweight and I fondly remember the days in the '90s when Don King would put on super-cards with 4 world title fights, one of them being Ricardo Lopez. The seats would normally be full as well, even to watch a couple of 105 lbs guys fighting.

He was obviously a class above anyone he fought and could pretty much do anything. Box, punch, great footwork, incredible handspeed, almost inpregnable defense and, in his own understated way, as intimidating a presence as many a bigger framed and bigger named boxer. Maybe the competition wasn't great around his division, but his skills were so obviously transferable that it is not a difficult leap of faith to see him being competitive in any era and at any weight below bantam.

Whilst I'd like to concur that Lopez was one of the men who made the lower weights relevant in the modern age, the fact still remains that Ricardo was once paid less money for defending his WORLD title than Laila Ali was paid for beating on some checkout girl from Ohio for seven minutes...on the same bill no less!!!!.

DAVE667 wrote:

Mind the windows Tino. wrote:Not so much saving his division, rather putting it on the map, I am going to give a nod to Ricardo Lopez. Partly because he is just about my favourite fighter, and partly because he really started to make people realise just how good an exponent of boxing could be found in the sports lightest weight. Irrespective of the arguments about the dilution of weight divisions below 118 lbs, El Finito really got peoples eyes looking at Straweight and I fondly remember the days in the '90s when Don King would put on super-cards with 4 world title fights, one of them being Ricardo Lopez. The seats would normally be full as well, even to watch a couple of 105 lbs guys fighting.

He was obviously a class above anyone he fought and could pretty much do anything. Box, punch, great footwork, incredible handspeed, almost inpregnable defense and, in his own understated way, as intimidating a presence as many a bigger framed and bigger named boxer. Maybe the competition wasn't great around his division, but his skills were so obviously transferable that it is not a difficult leap of faith to see him being competitive in any era and at any weight below bantam.

Whilst I'd like to concur that Lopez was one of the men who made the lower weights relevant in the modern age, the fact still remains that Ricardo was once paid less money for defending his WORLD title than Laila Ali was paid for beating on some checkout girl from Ohio for seven minutes...on the same bill no less!!!!.

DAVE, I had absolutely no idea that had happened. I'm saddened but not altogether surprised. I rememeber Laila being on the scene and generating interest, but it is sad indictment on one of the games greatest little men of any era that he received less money than her. I am guessing purely because of who she was, rather than what she was doing.

I may be ove-remphasising the poor quality of Ali's opposition that night but the crux of my point remains true, namely Lopez rec'd less for his fight than Laila did for hers

not to sound sexist but womens boxing does nothing for me at all