So how do we actually know that these black champions from the color line period were in fact ATGs if they were never tested against the best white fighters of the era?
Certainly we have all this testimony from the self proclaimed experts of the day, but it was the progressive era and there was much left wing rhetoric championing all the minority groups, e.g not only blacks but all of the Ellis Island immigrants as well.
In microcosm we look at Harry Wills, no doubt cheated out of what ws his rightful title shot, but his few forays with 'white' fighters doesn't scream domination.
Wills is extended the distance with Firpo in '24, scoring only one non knockdown on a cheap shot 'on the break' - a fighter Dempsey annihilated in four minutes. With Sharkey, obviously late in his career, he is beaten up.
When black fighters do encounter white fighters and lose we inevitably hear that they were forced to 'lay down ( which of course is not an impossibility) but seemed to be used a lttle too often.
If history is going to place a question mark next to the ability of white fighters from that era for failure to meet black fighters, shouldn't we also ask that same question about black fighters (who for different reasons) were not allowed to prove themselves against the best white fighters?
Whom did Jeannette, McVea, and Langford actually beat that we are so certain they were top shelf?
Granted they probably were ATGs but . . . is there more than just 'expert' observation to go on?
P.S. The only film I have seen of Langford is against either McVea or Jeannette and while both fighters look very powerful, their technique looked to be as wanting as it was with other fighter from that day. Much one punch lunging and grabbing.
Certainly we have all this testimony from the self proclaimed experts of the day, but it was the progressive era and there was much left wing rhetoric championing all the minority groups, e.g not only blacks but all of the Ellis Island immigrants as well.
In microcosm we look at Harry Wills, no doubt cheated out of what ws his rightful title shot, but his few forays with 'white' fighters doesn't scream domination.
Wills is extended the distance with Firpo in '24, scoring only one non knockdown on a cheap shot 'on the break' - a fighter Dempsey annihilated in four minutes. With Sharkey, obviously late in his career, he is beaten up.
When black fighters do encounter white fighters and lose we inevitably hear that they were forced to 'lay down ( which of course is not an impossibility) but seemed to be used a lttle too often.
If history is going to place a question mark next to the ability of white fighters from that era for failure to meet black fighters, shouldn't we also ask that same question about black fighters (who for different reasons) were not allowed to prove themselves against the best white fighters?
Whom did Jeannette, McVea, and Langford actually beat that we are so certain they were top shelf?
Granted they probably were ATGs but . . . is there more than just 'expert' observation to go on?
P.S. The only film I have seen of Langford is against either McVea or Jeannette and while both fighters look very powerful, their technique looked to be as wanting as it was with other fighter from that day. Much one punch lunging and grabbing.
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