What is meant by "two fisted boxing"?

[RickP]

We are doing some research into boxing history and have come across the term "two fisted boxing". I assume that it refers to an old-style technique of boxing...does anyone know exactly what it means and what it refers to?

Thanks in advance to the forum for assistance!

[BattlingNelson]

I think it would help if you could be more specific in regards to what context you came across the term.

As it stands, I'd say it's a description of a boxer in attackmode ie not just jabbing with the lead hand.

[RickP]

Thanks for the replies! We're researching some history in Vancouver, CANADA in relation to some significant boxing events that happened in the period from 1913-1915.

We have a newspaper article from May/1936 that refers to a major bout between Freddie Walsh (? Welsh) and the Mexican Champion (name unknown) around 1913-1915. The article states:

"Boxing and box fighting also witnessed brief spasms of success, as various promoters in the good old days when [Vancouver] was really booming staged box fights, bringing together really big names of the days when all men were really two-fisted. [In 1913-1915] Freddie Walsh [? Welsh], holder or contender for the world's title at that time, fought the Mexican Champion in [Vancouver] before 10,000 people."

Our questions are:
What was meant by a "box fight" back in the days around 1914?
What does the writer mean when he says that "all men were really two-fisted" ...is he referring to a particular style or technique of boxing?

Thanks for the assistance!

[BattlingNelson]

It's Freddie Welsh. One of the legendary lightweight champions. The mexican champion that is referred to, is likely the famous 'Mexican' Joe Rivers.

You can check Welsh's record here:



You will see that he did fight Rivers in the selected period, but not in Vancouver. That is far from saying that it didn't happen since boxrec's records are rather incomplete particularly for the old timers.

That leads me to ask if you could post the link to the article you are refering to? It's pretty interesting since there allegedly was 10,000 in attendance, and that must have been a major event.

As for the questions I'd have to guess.

I'd think that by box-fight they mean boxing with standard boxing rules ie Marquis of Queensbury rules.

As for two fisted, I'd stick with my initial interpretation


Perhaps others will chime in.

[RINGG]

I heard of a two fisted attack, but not two fisted boxing. It sounds like a promotional phrase.

[Salardo]

I think "2 fisted" means nothing in that context. It is an old article which is written in an old writing style (at least from today's perspective) and I believe it has no special meaning.
"...when all men were really two-fisted." can probably translated like that:
"...when all men were real fighters."

[Scott9945]

For many years I've heard a boxer being described as a "two fisted fighter". It generally meant that the guy was aggressive and threw lots of combos. I've never heard of it as a fighting style, since the most obviously basic concept of boxing is that you can only fight with your right and left hands.

[joseph5620]

For many years I've heard a boxer being described as a "two fisted fighter". It generally meant that the guy was aggressive and threw lots of combos. I've never heard of it as a fighting style, since the most obviously basic concept of boxing is that you can only fight with your right and left hands.

[Daddy T]

Means he's got power in both hands

... and possibly in it's original context (but I'm guessing now) that they didn't bother too much with correct styles etc fighting behind a good jab etc and just came straight at you, leading with either fist ... basically two guys just going balls to the walls throwing haymakers)