Sweet Science : Big Jim West tribute live in studio

[DaSweetScience]

Monday Night FightZone - Monday Feb 22, 2010

1. 6-8pm AEST- The Sweet Science National Boxing Program

Program #187: This week's Sweet Science boxing program is broadcast live from Koori Radio 93.7FM in Sydney.

The show features the following:

- News Wrap with Paul Upham including Super 6 News - Dirrell v Abraham postponed from March 6 - Vic Darchinyan elevated to Main Event and Lenny Zappa co-main event, Cameron v Hopoate back on, Yuri Foreman v Miguel Cotto update.

- Then its the Big Jim West Tribute Special featuring Big Jim West live in studio:

We celebrate the 12 year career from 1971-1983 of Aboriginal boxer Big Jim West who fought 81 times compiling a record of 41-30-7 including Australian titles in 2 different weight classes( flyweight &, super featherweight) and the Commonwealth flyweight title he won with a 4th round KO of Hall of Famer Henry Nissen.

Big Jim West fought all of the tough fighters of his era including Paul Ferreri (3 times), Barry Michael, Matt Ropis, Henry Nissen, Brian Roberts, Gary Williams, Billy Mulholland, Blakeney Kid Matthews, Billy Moeller and Jimmy Slatter.

Tribute phone guests include:

- Barry Michael - IBF World champion recalls his 10 round war with Big Jim West.

- Henry Nissen - To talk about his 4 round war with Big Jim for the Commonwealth flyweight title in Melbourne.

- Willie Leslie - Fellow Aboriginal fighter on his 2 fights with Big Jim West

Radio: The Sweet Science Australian National boxing radio program is broadcast live to over 50 stations on the National Indigenous Radio Service including:

Sydney: Koori Radio: 93.7 FM
Melbourne: 3KND: 1503 AM
Townsville: 4K1G: 107.1 FM

Internet: Listen live on – [Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links]) click on Koori Radio Live at the top of the page. Alternatively listen via itunes on [Only registered and activated users can see links] ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

2. 11.30pm - KOTV on Foxtel Channel 519 (Sky Racing Service)

KOTV is a half hour international weekly boxing news, interviews, previews and historical feature program courtesy of Sky Ringside.

Tonights show features:

- Larry Holmes interview on beating an old Ali
- Tyson v Douglas - Greatest heavyweight upset ever
- Contender Jesse Brinkley vs Curtis Stevens

- Note : KOTV is repeated at 8.30am AEST on Tuesdays and 8am on Wednesdays


3. 12 midnight Canvas Classics on Foxtel Channel 519 (Sky Racing Channel

- Naseem Hamed vs Billy Hardy
- Naseem Hamed vs Juan Cabrera

[COULDHAVEBEEN]

Great show guys - even without the intended star, Big Jim, in attendance.

Some great yarns from Matt, Henry & Barry - three great contributors and fair to say icons of Aussie boxing.

Henry was sure keen to have another crack at Big Jim (the only fighter to beat him) at flyweight again all those years ago!

Barry's thoughts on Lionel were also interesting - said he shouldn't have starved himself beyond the Rudkin bout, and it would've prolonged his interest and in turn his career.

...and happy birthday to Matty Ropis - enjoy your last year in the 50's!

[DaSweetScience]

Thanks CHB.

Even though Henry feels he was robbed, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame first so maybe some justice there.

Those spars between Barry and Lionel must have been a thing of beauty.

[COULDHAVEBEEN]

...Those spars between Barry and Lionel must have been a thing of beauty.

Would be interesting to hear the various views of people who've fought or sparred Lionel - have heard a few over the years, but each and every one would be worth a listen and probably add a bit more to the total 'picture'.

At an Australian level (and probably beyond) there's a similar curiosity to that of Ali, and they've made at least one doco (and I think a book from it) specific to the subject on Ali - see below:

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

Basically 15 fighters who fought Ali and their thoughts & recollections, includes Frazier, Foreman, Lyle, Holmes etc.

Someone should get busy and interview Lionel's opponents and put something together DSS.

[DaSweetScience]

Good idea CHB. We have already interviewed a stack of them.

There was a similar book on Tysons opponents.

I was pottering through the net on the weekend and found that the Gunditjmara tribe (Modern Portland area of Vic) in addition to providing a number of outstanding boxers (Lionel Rose, Lawrence Austin, Harry Hayes, Porky Brooke) also provided more servicemen for WWI and WW2 than any other Aboriginal area.

This is a piece on the Lovett Family alone.

[Only registered and activated users can see links]

The Gunditjmara also ran a famous guerilla war against the settlers and fought inch by inch for their turf.

Fighting Harada and all of Lionel's opponents will testify that the warrior gene lives on.