Jack Dempsey against Rocky Marciano

[HOUDINI563]

It would be odd in 1962 but not in Dempseys era. It was American culture that dictated the color line. No hwt champion was to allow any black man the opportunity to win a title that would make him the physical master of all men.

[The Old LefHook]

A color line is needet only where you fear the competition. This is especially true in a society where a black champ could be forct to defend against whomever whitey demant. That forcage does not matter when your man cannot dethrone the champ, however. They might as well hand their women over to the black 'uns right then and there, if they were going to drop the color line, they must have figurt.

[travestyny]

It would be odd in 1962 but not in Dempseys era. It was American culture that dictated the color line. No hwt champion was to allow any black man the opportunity to win a title that would make him the physical master of all men.

This was before Dempsey was champion. There were certainly mixed race bouts at this time, and the crowd there, which I'm assuming wasn't mostly black, was calling for him to get in the ring and get it on.

[The Old LefHook]

It is not the boxers who were afraid. Boxers are not generally scared people. Those who protect the conventions of society found it necessary to impose a color line on the boxers themselves, some of whom were in complete agreement with the practice. Whatever their personal feelings, though, all would be aware of the pressure from elements of society to draw a color line. Some might do it for their careers, some for their mothers and sisters, but most would indeed do it, as most in fact did.

[HOUDINI563]

Mixed race bouts were allowed for the championship in lower divisions. NOT in the hwt division. The reason why is complex but boiled down to the basic fact that the hwt champion was the physical master hypothetically of all men. The white race in America did not want that man to be a black man.

[travestyny]

Mixed race bouts were allowed for the championship in lower divisions. NOT in the hwt division. The reason why is complex but boiled down to the basic fact that the hwt champion was the physical master hypothetically of all men. The white race in America did not want that man to be a black man.

You ignored what I said, bro. This was before Dempsey was a champion.

[Dempsey-Louis]

Mixed race bouts were allowed for the championship in lower divisions. NOT in the hwt division. The reason why is complex but boiled down to the basic fact that the hwt champion was the physical master hypothetically of all men. The white race in America did not want that man to be a black man.

At the Cavalcade of Champions (Sullivan-Corbett) in New Orleans 1892, the second night George "Little Chocolate" Dixon KOed Jack Skelly in eight.

The proposed mixed bout (interracial) was not received well by the local (racist) press. The day before the fight the press warned there would be violence if a Black man beat up a White man. When Dixon won the crowd (of fight fans) went while with excitement and admiration for Dixon. There was no anger, just respect for a great fighter.

The next day the local press anyway, claimed the crowd had become hostile and that violence occurred. The bout (the bogus news report) was then pointed to as a reason why mixed bouts should be made illegal. Many States, believing the bogus news reports, followed suit.

P.S. Too bad there was never a George Dixon - Joe Gans match-up.

P.S.S. Stories like this always make me think we fight fans, then and now, are usually better people than the general public.

[HOUDINI563]

Again....If Ali was expecting a sparring partner to fight in 62 but instead Cleveland Williams walked into the ring no chance the bout occurs.

[billeau2]

So stories like this are their versions of what happened. Well, hell of a story to be able to inspire a novel and a movie, which led to video game and comic adaptations. Can you dig it?

Yu lost me Anthony but Im sure anything that can inspire creativity and focus is a good thing!

[travestyny]

Again....If Ali was expecting a sparring partner to fight in 62 but instead Cleveland Williams walked into the ring no chance the bout occurs.

And again, if he said he would fight any black man, but not an asian one, wouldn't that be odd?