Welcome to another edition of What If?, as the first round of the heavyweight tournament group stage continues. Read the intro and method here. Catch up with the 1910s and 1950s group stage in Episode 2. Previously, on What If: When last we left our friends from the earliest days of gloved boxing, Jack Johnson turned the original Fight of the Century into the Farce Du … [Read more...]
What If’s Excellent Heavyweight Adventure: Part 2
Welcome to another edition of What If?, where our heavyweight tournament for the ages moves into the first week of group stage match-ups. We begin with some notes to remember: Last week, we introduced the combatants and the rules of the game. Over the next 12 episodes, we'll be moving through the group stage, with each installment featuring one old-time (1910-1940) group … [Read more...]
Boxing’s 10 Biggest Scandals
Boxing has been called the Red Light District of sports-- and with good reason. Scandal and controversy have become synonymous with boxing and, despite attempts to "move into the light," the sport, lacking a centralized authority and truly independent, transparent regulation, continues to produce shady occurrences. With that in mind, here's a look at the worst of the worst-- … [Read more...]
Jack Johnson Shook Up The World
When Jack Johnson won the world Heavyweight championship from Tommy Burns 105 years ago today, his victory sent shockwaves far beyond the boxing world. Johnson became the first African-American to wear the most coveted title in all sports. The World Heavyweight champion was recognised even by those who did not follow boxing, as the most powerful man on Earth, and when Johnson … [Read more...]
Rigondeaux a Shining Example of “You play to win the game!”
Last weekend Cuban boxing star Guillermo Rigondeaux turned his undefeated opponent Rico Ramos into the proverbial deer in the headlights. El Chacal did a pretty spot-on Floyd Mayweather impression, completely dominating without being forced to take many risks. A masterful performance like the one we saw from Rigondeaux, now with nine victories in as many professional fights, … [Read more...]