My2Sense
03-15-2009, 04:08 AM
Top lightweights of the early 1900s.
Here's Moran against Nelson:
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Background:
Nelson was the ex-champ, known as the "Durable Dane." Not particularly skillful as you can see, but was incredibly rugged, relentless, and could punch. He had just lost the lightweight title after a tremendous battle with Ad Wolgast. He was reputed to have an "invincible" chin and could never be cleanly knocked out (he was stopped on his feet vs. Wolgast without going down). By contrast, Moran was a speedy, skillful technician, but also known for being tough and willing to mix it as well. He had been a top fighter at both bantamweight and featherweight, and now was moving up yet another division seeking a shot at the lightweight title. He had twice been deprived of winning the featherweight title on controversial draws against Abe Attel. The result here was somewhat similar to Mosley's win over Margarito - Moran foiled Nelson's efforts to crowd him throughout the fight, continually scored clean punches as Nelson bulled his way in, and then most unexpectedly of all, knocked him the hell out.
Post-script:
Nelson was never really the same after this defeat, and never was considered a serious top contender again. The win earned Moran a shot at Wolgast, which many people gave him an excellent shot at winning, but it was Wolgast's turn to shock the world as he dominated Moran throughout the fight, crowded and bullied him, knocked out a few of his teeth, and then brutally KO'd him - reportedly the first time in his long and distinguished career that Moran was even floored. That fight proved to be Wolgast's defining moment and signalled the start of Moran's decline. Wolgast went on to meet his own end a year later against Willie Richie.
McFarland vs. Welsh:
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Background:
While Nelson, Moran, and Wolgast were having their round robins, these two guys were eternally waiting in the wings for their shots. McFarland is considered by many people to have been the best lightweight of this era, even though he never won the title, or even given a shot at it. He was an aggressive technician with good power in both hands. He only ever lost one fight in his whole career - his pro debut. Welsh was an ultra slick, ultra difficult defensive fighter. Whether fighting on his home turf in England or fighting under no-decision rules, he was very tough to beat, as it seemed the only way to beat him was by KO - and that seemed almost impossible to do. Unable to get the champions to fight them, these guys fought each other three times. The first two fights, both in the US, ended in a decision win for McFarland and a draw. This fight, held in England, was ruled a draw too - despite the fact that McFarland pressed it all the way and landed the harder punches.
Post-script:
McFarland continued to fight on after this, but never got his much-deserved title shot. Welsh eventually got a shot when champion Richie agreed to come to England to fight him. Welsh took the title on a hotly disputed decision - the referee, the only judge, scored the first 19 rounds even (including the 12th round in which Richie scored a knockdown) and gave the last round to Welsh, thus giving him the fight and the title. While champion, Welsh finally got his long sought after fights with Wolgast and Nelson (now ex-champions) and beat them both. However, his own reign came to a sudden and shocking end at the hands of Benny Leonard, who blasted his way through Welsh's defense to knock him out - the first time in his long career Welsh had ever been stopped. He quickly faded from the top scene after that.
Here's Moran against Nelson:
WeeUxuaRlEw
Background:
Nelson was the ex-champ, known as the "Durable Dane." Not particularly skillful as you can see, but was incredibly rugged, relentless, and could punch. He had just lost the lightweight title after a tremendous battle with Ad Wolgast. He was reputed to have an "invincible" chin and could never be cleanly knocked out (he was stopped on his feet vs. Wolgast without going down). By contrast, Moran was a speedy, skillful technician, but also known for being tough and willing to mix it as well. He had been a top fighter at both bantamweight and featherweight, and now was moving up yet another division seeking a shot at the lightweight title. He had twice been deprived of winning the featherweight title on controversial draws against Abe Attel. The result here was somewhat similar to Mosley's win over Margarito - Moran foiled Nelson's efforts to crowd him throughout the fight, continually scored clean punches as Nelson bulled his way in, and then most unexpectedly of all, knocked him the hell out.
Post-script:
Nelson was never really the same after this defeat, and never was considered a serious top contender again. The win earned Moran a shot at Wolgast, which many people gave him an excellent shot at winning, but it was Wolgast's turn to shock the world as he dominated Moran throughout the fight, crowded and bullied him, knocked out a few of his teeth, and then brutally KO'd him - reportedly the first time in his long and distinguished career that Moran was even floored. That fight proved to be Wolgast's defining moment and signalled the start of Moran's decline. Wolgast went on to meet his own end a year later against Willie Richie.
McFarland vs. Welsh:
wrUXIJq_Sj8
l0-fZFpmo58
Background:
While Nelson, Moran, and Wolgast were having their round robins, these two guys were eternally waiting in the wings for their shots. McFarland is considered by many people to have been the best lightweight of this era, even though he never won the title, or even given a shot at it. He was an aggressive technician with good power in both hands. He only ever lost one fight in his whole career - his pro debut. Welsh was an ultra slick, ultra difficult defensive fighter. Whether fighting on his home turf in England or fighting under no-decision rules, he was very tough to beat, as it seemed the only way to beat him was by KO - and that seemed almost impossible to do. Unable to get the champions to fight them, these guys fought each other three times. The first two fights, both in the US, ended in a decision win for McFarland and a draw. This fight, held in England, was ruled a draw too - despite the fact that McFarland pressed it all the way and landed the harder punches.
Post-script:
McFarland continued to fight on after this, but never got his much-deserved title shot. Welsh eventually got a shot when champion Richie agreed to come to England to fight him. Welsh took the title on a hotly disputed decision - the referee, the only judge, scored the first 19 rounds even (including the 12th round in which Richie scored a knockdown) and gave the last round to Welsh, thus giving him the fight and the title. While champion, Welsh finally got his long sought after fights with Wolgast and Nelson (now ex-champions) and beat them both. However, his own reign came to a sudden and shocking end at the hands of Benny Leonard, who blasted his way through Welsh's defense to knock him out - the first time in his long career Welsh had ever been stopped. He quickly faded from the top scene after that.