I'm going to do most of these Pioneer retrospect's as it's my favorite period of boxing and i know these fighters in early years inside & out. Just brutal ring battles seldom seen in latter years.
George Byers was 5'8"1/2 middleweight.
George was very close in skill to Frank Childs. But George fought a much better level of competition.
1897- Harry Peppers- Both were highly regarded at this point and they managed a draw, which Byers may have won. My fav line: in 19th Round Byers went at his opponent like a bull rushes at a red flag" bout declared a draw. No rematch ever occurs.
1898-Childs 1- Byers closes Childs eye and he fights with several cuts unable to see his opponent. Byers win
1898- Bonner. This fight proved so costly for Byers. The fight was awarded a draw. Verdicts vary with an edge towards Byers. Bonner's eye damaged considerably. "one of the finest bouts seen in recent memory". The draw costs both men a chance at greatness as the winner was to face Tommy Ryan for middleweight Championship. Charley Johnson is given the title shot in place of these two.
1899 Tommy West- This is Byers first butt whipping. As reads : a short right arm jolt and byers went down in a heap and seconds throw in the sponge. West Win.
1900 Gardner 1-Draw 15. Split accounts here. One paper has Byers had a decided advantage at fights end. One Paper Gardner "had better of the match keeping opponent on defense in all but 3 rounds.
at this point Byers is of championship level caliper holding ground with Gardner.
1900 Gardner 2- the rematch happens only 20 days later. "Byers had the advantage up to the 10th round and then Garner improved. He cut Byers over the eye and had his right eye nearly closed. Byers was very weak at the end"
Gardner warned several times for holding. "in the 13th round gardner was nearly strangled and gasped for breath" Byers warned repeatly.14th round fighting was fierce, Garner slipped while trying to get away from a clinch. Byers was DQ for hitting Garner while down. 3x he was pushed of by ref but Byers ignores all warnings and his intent on attacking George as he fumbles on the ground trying to regain balance. No fighter had a clear advantage at fights end.
1900 Childs 2- draw in 6
1901 Jack Root. Byers attempts a huge step up in class. As Root is a premium lightheavy. 7th round Byers down 2x saved by the bell. Byers hangs along the ropes in round 8 struggling mighty. in 9th round "byers was so scared he fought like a novice" 9th round body blow send george down he rolls over helpless and they throw in the sponge.
1901 Childs 3- Childs clearly improved from earlier times gives Byers a beating. Byers down 3x. Round 17 knocked out. Byers cries at the decision. Probably fearing fading title hopes.
1901 Mysterious smith- a quite tame affair. Smith reported fat. No knockdowns no blood. Draw 15
1902 Twin Sullivan- dull affair with no clear winner draw 6 reduced from 12 due to low attendance.
1903 Sandy ferguson- "Sandy hugs sprints and goes to the floor to save himself" Draw 8 Byers better.
1903 Ferguson 2- april. In a tale of evolution. Ferguson amazes friends. In 12th ferguson lands at will. Ferguson advantage every round.
"ferguson was a revelation to his friends at the manner in which he handled his opponent, twice he had Byers staggering around the ring" This is a clear indication of Ferguson rapid improvement which would have a big impact with a dec 1903 fight.
1903 O brien- First round O brien is floored to canvas. 4th round Byers is floored. Byers eye closed at the end. O brien win in 6
Byers quits 4 fights later in 1904.
My assessment: Byers was one of the first with great defense as he had some wheels and could block effectively. Not much power. Byers was pretty even with George Gardner which is pretty good standard.
Had he fought Tommy Ryan, George would be a who's who of early pioneers. Fighting Mysterious smith, childs, Root, O brien, twin sullivan, peppers, Gardner, west, bonner.
My dream matchup would probably be Byers vs Walcott which very well could of happened. As Mysterious smith fought classics with Walcott and I'm sure a Byers vs Walcott match would prove some classic affairs.
Certainly one of the better Middleweight's. Had he beaten the powerful Tommy west he would of likely got a title shot with Tommy Ryan.
George Byers was 5'8"1/2 middleweight.
George was very close in skill to Frank Childs. But George fought a much better level of competition.
1897- Harry Peppers- Both were highly regarded at this point and they managed a draw, which Byers may have won. My fav line: in 19th Round Byers went at his opponent like a bull rushes at a red flag" bout declared a draw. No rematch ever occurs.
1898-Childs 1- Byers closes Childs eye and he fights with several cuts unable to see his opponent. Byers win
1898- Bonner. This fight proved so costly for Byers. The fight was awarded a draw. Verdicts vary with an edge towards Byers. Bonner's eye damaged considerably. "one of the finest bouts seen in recent memory". The draw costs both men a chance at greatness as the winner was to face Tommy Ryan for middleweight Championship. Charley Johnson is given the title shot in place of these two.
1899 Tommy West- This is Byers first butt whipping. As reads : a short right arm jolt and byers went down in a heap and seconds throw in the sponge. West Win.
1900 Gardner 1-Draw 15. Split accounts here. One paper has Byers had a decided advantage at fights end. One Paper Gardner "had better of the match keeping opponent on defense in all but 3 rounds.
at this point Byers is of championship level caliper holding ground with Gardner.
1900 Gardner 2- the rematch happens only 20 days later. "Byers had the advantage up to the 10th round and then Garner improved. He cut Byers over the eye and had his right eye nearly closed. Byers was very weak at the end"
Gardner warned several times for holding. "in the 13th round gardner was nearly strangled and gasped for breath" Byers warned repeatly.14th round fighting was fierce, Garner slipped while trying to get away from a clinch. Byers was DQ for hitting Garner while down. 3x he was pushed of by ref but Byers ignores all warnings and his intent on attacking George as he fumbles on the ground trying to regain balance. No fighter had a clear advantage at fights end.
1900 Childs 2- draw in 6
1901 Jack Root. Byers attempts a huge step up in class. As Root is a premium lightheavy. 7th round Byers down 2x saved by the bell. Byers hangs along the ropes in round 8 struggling mighty. in 9th round "byers was so scared he fought like a novice" 9th round body blow send george down he rolls over helpless and they throw in the sponge.
1901 Childs 3- Childs clearly improved from earlier times gives Byers a beating. Byers down 3x. Round 17 knocked out. Byers cries at the decision. Probably fearing fading title hopes.
1901 Mysterious smith- a quite tame affair. Smith reported fat. No knockdowns no blood. Draw 15
1902 Twin Sullivan- dull affair with no clear winner draw 6 reduced from 12 due to low attendance.
1903 Sandy ferguson- "Sandy hugs sprints and goes to the floor to save himself" Draw 8 Byers better.
1903 Ferguson 2- april. In a tale of evolution. Ferguson amazes friends. In 12th ferguson lands at will. Ferguson advantage every round.
"ferguson was a revelation to his friends at the manner in which he handled his opponent, twice he had Byers staggering around the ring" This is a clear indication of Ferguson rapid improvement which would have a big impact with a dec 1903 fight.
1903 O brien- First round O brien is floored to canvas. 4th round Byers is floored. Byers eye closed at the end. O brien win in 6
Byers quits 4 fights later in 1904.
My assessment: Byers was one of the first with great defense as he had some wheels and could block effectively. Not much power. Byers was pretty even with George Gardner which is pretty good standard.
Had he fought Tommy Ryan, George would be a who's who of early pioneers. Fighting Mysterious smith, childs, Root, O brien, twin sullivan, peppers, Gardner, west, bonner.
My dream matchup would probably be Byers vs Walcott which very well could of happened. As Mysterious smith fought classics with Walcott and I'm sure a Byers vs Walcott match would prove some classic affairs.
Certainly one of the better Middleweight's. Had he beaten the powerful Tommy west he would of likely got a title shot with Tommy Ryan.
Keleneki
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