Exhibition Bouts

[Hawkins]

In the early days, pre-1930s, alot of the heavyweight champions traveled around and fought in many exhibition bouts. My question is why not just defend the title? It seems that a match portrayed as a 'heavyweight championship' bout would more money merely stating that it was an exhibition.


Was it a lack of supposed 'legit' contenders or was it an issue of sufficient money?

[Ironside]

The only reason I could think of is so the champs would have a tune up match or something. I doubt the exhibition matches had 2 big stars going at it with no title at the line.

[Hawkins]

The only reason I could think of is so the champs would have a tune up match or something. I doubt the exhibition matches had 2 big stars going at it with no title at the line.

But come on, lots of those early champs fought 3 times as many exhibitions than they did title fights. Surely they don't need that many tuneups between defenses.

[AntonTheMeh]

Jim Jefferies 18w 15 By Ko 1 By Ko 2 2 Draws
And Had About 120 Exhibitions