http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/players/mickey_walker/75156 Recent articles about Mickey Walker en-us The Ten Greatest Irish-American Boxers in History There have been some great Irish-American fighters in boxing’s rich history. In the past 50-60 years, there have become steadily less Irish-American representatives in the sport. Boxing in America has always been a meter of how well different groups fare in a socioeconomic sense. For the first half of the 20th century, Italians, Jews and Irish were not given equal access to the American Dream, hence the fact that droves of members from those groups found pro boxing to be an acceptable occupation. People generally only fight when they have to. Here are some of the greatest Irish-American fighters of all-time, beginning with the earliest. John Sullivan (1879-1892) History hasn’t been terribly kind to Sullivan. When top heavyweight champs from the past are discussed, Sullivan’s name doesn’t come up very often. But he was the first champion of the modern era and a double-tough guy who dominated his era. Before he shockingly lost to Corbe... Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:45:01 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_irish_american_boxers_of_all_time/13435936 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_irish_american_boxers_of_all_time/13435936 Top 10 Irish-American boxers of all-time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_irish_american_boxers_of_all_time/13435936 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Who?  Bimstein.  Morris "Whitey" Bimstein.  He was born 116 years ago today -- January 10, 1897 -- and should be remembered with affection and respect by all those who claim the honored title of Boxing Fan. Not that Whitey was a boxer.  Well, he was, but his fondness for hot dogs and his aversion to training put paid to that after some 70 bouts as a bantam and featherweight.  But Whitey is indeed enshrined in boxing's pantheon.  He is among the greatest trainers, cornermen, and cutmen in the history of the Sweet Science. Following a stint in the Navy during World War I, Whitey looked up his former managers, Tom McArdle and Lou Brix, seeking work as a second.  By the early 1920s, Whitey's reputation as cutman was as solidly in place as is Mount Rushmore.  Partnering with legendary trainer Ray Arcel from1925 to 1934, "The Siamese Training Twins" were in the corner of such standouts as Benny Leonard, Barney Ross, and Maxie Rosenbloom.  Following... Tue, 08 Jan 2013 09:28:14 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/happy_birthday_whitey_bimstein_all_time_great_boxing_trainer/12604870 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/happy_birthday_whitey_bimstein_all_time_great_boxing_trainer/12604870 Happy birthday Whitey Bimstein, all-time great boxing trainer http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/happy_birthday_whitey_bimstein_all_time_great_boxing_trainer/12604870 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Too many fans know Maxie Rosenbloom, if they remember him at all, as some ex-pug who made guest appearances on 1960s television as either punch-drunk or just plain drunk.  I myself fondly remember him from an episode of The Munsters as Big Louie, "some monster of a guy, who acts kind of punchy." But Rosenbloom was considerably more than a recurring TV character of modest comedic appeal -- he had been Light Heavyweight Champion of the World. Rosenbloom fought a remarkable 272 times -- 207-39-26, 19 KOs.  Note the proportionately insignificant number of knockouts.  Little girls have done more damage in pillow fights than Rosenbloom did with his fists.  But what he lacked in hitting power, he more than made up for in ring cleverness. A pro from 1923 to 1939, Rosenbloom fought, and almost always beat, the best light heavies and heavies of his day.  The list, a veritable Who's Who, features Lou Scozza, Tiger Flowers, Ted "Kid" Lewis, future heavyweight... Tue, 23 Oct 2012 21:07:07 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/remembering_slapsie_maxie_rosenbloom_one_of_the_best_jewish_boxers_in_history/12039884 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/remembering_slapsie_maxie_rosenbloom_one_of_the_best_jewish_boxers_in_history/12039884 Remembering ‘Slapsie Maxie’ Rosenbloom, one of the best Jewish boxers in history http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/remembering_slapsie_maxie_rosenbloom_one_of_the_best_jewish_boxers_in_history/12039884 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Boxing History Needs to Have a Greater Appreciation from Fans As boxing fans, we follow the careers of Andre Ward, Donovan George, Gennady Golovkin, or whoever our current favorites may be. And so we should. We care about who's fighting today just as our fathers and grandfathers cared about the boxers of their eras.  But I've noted an unfortunate trend in recent years -- the ignorance of or indifference to those who came before. I recently got into a rather acrimonious discussion with a fellow fan who had on his list of 10 best pound-for-pound boxers of all time George Foreman, Larry Holmes, and Evander Holyfield.  I understand holding those guys in regard, but among the best of all time?  Adding insult to ignorance, there was nary a mention of Willie Pep, Harry Greb, or Sam Langford.  Such omissions are beyond risible; they're anti-historical. And, indeed, that's the crux of the problem.  Some of today's boxing "aficionados" have little or no... Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:08:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_unbreakable_chain_boxing_history_past_to_present/11936983 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/the_unbreakable_chain_boxing_history_past_to_present/11936983 The unbreakable chain: Boxing history past to present http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/the_unbreakable_chain_boxing_history_past_to_present/11936983 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png "John L. Sullivan, the Boston pugilist, had a benefit at Harry Hill's Theater yesterday afternoon, the feature of which was an offer of $50 for any man to box with him four rounds according to the rules of the Marquis of Queensbury, which are rounds of three minutes each, with one minute between each round. During the afternoon, while the sparring was going on between the volunteers, Dick Holliwood appeared on the stage with Steve Taylor and stated to the audience that Taylor was there to accept the challenge of Sullivan. It was then announced by Mr. [Richard] Fox that Sullivan would fight any man in the world in the ring for $1,000 a side, according to the rules of the English prize ring. This, however, was not taken up..." - New York Herald, 1881 "Grand International Glove Contest, for the Middleweight Championship of the World and a Purse of $12,000 between Jack Dempsey, The Nonpareil, and Bob Fitzsimmons, The New Zealand Wonder ... General Admission $10.00... Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:44:39 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/from_beyond_the_grave_the_paycheck/10662935 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/from_beyond_the_grave_the_paycheck/10662935 From Beyond The Grave: The Paycheck http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/from_beyond_the_grave_the_paycheck/10662935 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png "In the clinch fighting, again Ketchel discovered that Johnson knows more in one round than the average fighter learns in a career. Ketchel as a rule is always above the average at clinch fighting, but to-day he was powerless. There were other things about these clinches. They gave an idea of Johnson's immense strength as well. Several times he lifted Ketchell playfully off his feet and strung him around. Once, when Ketchel's legs became tangled, when the men were grappling, Johnson picked up Ketchel with one arm and placed him squarely on his feet." -- W. W. Naughton, in describing Jack Johnson vs. Stanley Ketchel, 1909 "Dundee seemed very tired in the last few seconds [of the 20th round], but he made no attempt to rest in the clinches, fighting like a demon." -- Post-fight description of Johnny Dundee vs. Irish Patsy Cline, Times-Picayune, 1918 "Greb at 159 pounds was seven pounds heavier than the welterweight champion and he used the m... Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:56:37 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/from_beyond_the_grave_the_clinch/10580089 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/from_beyond_the_grave_the_clinch/10580089 From Beyond The Grave: The Clinch http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/from_beyond_the_grave_the_clinch/10580089 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The final installment. Previously: Part I and Part II. Mickey Walker's ring return in August saw him in with the "Aberdeen Assassin," light heavyweight Leo Lomski, and again it seemed as if someone had place a cookie cutter over the bulk of his fight looks and kept churning them out. Mickey charged early and had difficulty with a man unwilling to trade and mix with him, but generally applied the pressure and closed strong. Both men were wobbled mid-fight, and the AP and United Press were split on the outcome; the AP (and a ringside Loughran) felt Lomski did enough to win narrowly, while the United Press reported that "Walker turned in one of the finest efforts in his career." Though the nature of the win wasn't very clear-cut, many felt it put Mickey in line to hold the now vacant light heavyweight belt, as Loughran had vacated his strap to tangle with heavyweights. Walker again defended his middleweight strap against Ace Hudkins... Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:32:21 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_iii/10191511 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_iii/10191511 Victoria Aut Mors: Mickey Walker (Part III) http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_iii/10191511 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png How would Mayweather hold up against the best welterweight boxers in history? The welterweight division is one of the classic, glamour divisions in boxing's rich history, and the list of all-time greats who have plied their trade at 147 lbs is staggering. The list of the top 10 welterweight boxers of all-time also happens to represent many of the best fighters to lace up their gloves at any weight, fighting forces like Sugar Ray Robinson and Henry Armstrong. Today, the best welterweight in the world is Floyd Mayweather Jr., and he's also the reigning number 1 pound for pound fighter as well. His place in history is fiercely debated, and will best be decided once his career is eventually done and over with, and we've had time to digest his accomplishments and shortcomings. Credit: Will Hart - HBO In the meantime, we're left with conjecture and the ever-popular fantasy fight. Therefore, one great question to ask is how he would hold up against the best welterweights... Tue, 28 Feb 2012 12:46:39 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/floyd_mayweather_vs_the_top_10_all_time_best_welterweights/10162786 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/floyd_mayweather_vs_the_top_10_all_time_best_welterweights/10162786 Floyd Mayweather vs. the top 10 all-time best welterweights http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/floyd_mayweather_vs_the_top_10_all_time_best_welterweights/10162786 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Continued from part I. Milwaukee fight promoter Frank Mulhern put up a good offer to stage a third match up between Mickey Walker and Jock Malone in "The Brew City," and Mickey was also in talks to meet light heavyweight champion Mike McTigue, who had also fallen from the good graces of the New York State Athletic Commission for failing to face Gene Tunney, in early 1925. By the time early December rolled around, the McTigue fight was all but finalized and both Walker and Malone were finishing up preparations to meet once more. The Times-Picayune reporter on hand during their training relayed that Malone had shown an excellent jab in sparring, while Mickey continued on with his smashing style, embodying the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" adage. The Oregonian said that Walker won "nine out of ten rounds, according to the majority of newspaper men at the ringside." Malone boxed too cautiously early on as Mickey piled up points... Sun, 26 Feb 2012 22:19:04 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_ii/10137238 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_ii/10137238 Victoria Aut Mors: Mickey Walker (Part II) http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_ii/10137238 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The gritty mythology of boxing is the type of stuff that makes the modern "badasses" of sports look like wimpy dullards. Flipping off fans? 19th century answer: alpha heavyweight champion John L. Sullivan, who apparently never could hold his liquor, drunkenly stumbling to the ring to have a title defense against Charlie Mitchell in 1884 canceled before 6,000 heckling fans. Dog fighting? One better: Roberto "Manos de Piedra" Duran has claimed in many interviews to have punched and leveled a horse back in Panama for $150 when he was 18-years old. From Tony Galento, a bar-owner who slugged suds between rounds in his Detroit triple-header in 1931; to Kennedy McKinney entering rehab over and over, while fighting; to Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe getting caught in coke-binge stupors...this is not a game of saints. Even the seemingly straight-laced Manny Pacquiao was reported to have been staying out late to play pool and drink while in training ... Thu, 23 Feb 2012 19:55:11 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_i/10085860 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_i/10085860 Victoria Aut Mors: Mickey Walker (Part I) http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/victoria_aut_mors_mickey_walker_part_i/10085860 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Ten Greatest Welterweights in Boxing History All divisions are difficult, but compiling a top-ten for welterweights can be downright painful. The greatest welterweights in history span all eras, which each worked under completely different structures. Comparisons can be difficult considering the different standards that apply. And then even after you come up with the top ten, you cringe when seeing the names of the legends who didn’t make the list. You figure they have to be in the top ten. But where can you can room? At whose expense? As we work our way down to strawweight, this is the first divisional ranking where each member is in the International Boxing Hall of Fame. 1. Sugar Ray Robinson (1940-1965): Sugar Ray Robinson - Public Domain Photo It speaks volumes that in a division so chock-full of hallmark legends, that there is no argument as to the identity of the greatest 147-pounder who ever lived. By the time Robinson left the division, he had cleaned it out en route to a... Thu, 16 Feb 2012 15:44:51 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_welterweight_boxers_of_all_time/9958609 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_welterweight_boxers_of_all_time/9958609 Top 10 Best Welterweight Boxers of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_welterweight_boxers_of_all_time/9958609 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The 10 Greatest Middleweight Boxers in History When ranking the ten best middleweights of all-time, many challenges arise. With great middleweights spanning over a century in time, it can be difficult to measure 160-pounders against each other. Try to compare the undefined middleweight division of the turn of the 20th century to its current manifestation and your head might spin. In the old days, fighters could sit on their title for years with nary a defense. Newspaper decisions, the vast changes in the dynamics of a typical professional boxing career, and other considerations makes it a sticky undertaking. Also making it difficult is that this might just be the most stacked division in boxing history. With Hall of Famers occupying most of the top 25-30 spots, there are a lot of fighters with a good argument for top ten honors. Some of the most historic fighters of all-time made 160 their home and it makes coming up with a top ten an ultimate test of what you think is more valuabl... Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:55:18 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_middleweights_of_all_time/9669994 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_middleweights_of_all_time/9669994 Top 10 Best Middleweights of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_middleweights_of_all_time/9669994 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Ten Greatest Light Heavyweights in Boxing History For many reasons, ranking light heavyweights is a tricky endeavor. Many of the greatest to ever do it at this weight were never officially champion. The issue of racism rears its head in this weight class, with many of the division’s top practitioners from the first half of the century being denied their rightful place. Many old-time greats fought in many divisions and it can be difficult to isolate their prime into one division. Without many of them having won titles at 175, it’s not always clear. Almost half of this top-ten is occupied by fighters who were never officially champions at this weight. In other words, coming up with a list takes a little more work in this division than some others. Here are the ten greatest light heavyweights who ever lived. 1. Archie Moore (1935-1963): Credit: Bettmann/ CORBIS Sure, it’s become en vogue to call Ezzard Charles the greatest light heavyweight of all time. While I won’t argue with ... Thu, 12 Jan 2012 07:45:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 http://network.yardbarker.com/boxing/article_external/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 Top 10 Best Light Heavyweight Boxers of All-Time http://www.yardbarker.com/boxing/articles/top_10_best_light_heavyweight_boxers_of_all_time/9293252 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 12/31/2011 By Lonnie Wheatley TULSA, Okla. (December 31, 2011) – The Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout continues to break through new barriers, with the 27th edition of the event held over New Year’s weekend at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway breaking a world record entry count for Micro and Mini Sprints that was set at the previous year’s event. And when Saturday night’s final New Year’s Eve checkered flag flew, California’s Heath Dunkerken and Washington’s Brock Lemley were among the headliners of the event that attracted 790 competing entries from throughout the nation and beyond, though there were plenty of other accolades to go around. Dunkerken nabbed his first Golden Driller trophy by leading 27 of 30 circuits in the headline Outlaw Micro Sprint Car championship feature event, beating teammate Michael Faccinto to the stripe before a bustling crowd. While Dunkerken topped the headline class, Lemley was the only driver among the eight different classes of compet... Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:01:53 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/dunkerken_lemley_among_tulsa_shootout_stars/9067225 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/dunkerken_lemley_among_tulsa_shootout_stars/9067225 Dunkerken & Lemley Among Tulsa Shootout Stars! http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/dunkerken_lemley_among_tulsa_shootout_stars/9067225 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png 12/30/2011 By Lonnie Wheatley TULSA, Okla. (December 30, 2011) – With nearly 800 entries from throughout the nation and beyond battling it out through 100 heat races and 34 qualifying races on Thursday evening and all day Friday, the stage has been set for Saturday’s 27th Annual Speedway Motors Tulsa Shootout feature events at the QuikTrip Center’s Tulsa Expo Raceway. A total of 790 competitors mixed it up in Micro Sprint, Mini Sprint and Chevy ECOTec Midget action on the 1/5-mile clay oval with two classes contesting 38 heat races on Thursday before another 62 heat races and 32 qualifying races took place on Friday. In the headline Outlaw Micro Sprint class, Broken Arrow’s Donnie Ray Crawford earned the pole position for Saturday night’s championship feature event with California’s Heath Dunkerken alongside. Others earning pole positions include Owasso’s Harlan Hulsey (Outlaw Non-Wing), Hanford, California’s Mitchell Faccinto (“A” Class), Bixby’s Kevin Bayer (Non-Wing), J... Fri, 30 Dec 2011 23:03:43 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/stage_is_set_for_tulsa_shootout_saturday/9038659 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/stage_is_set_for_tulsa_shootout_saturday/9038659 Stage is Set for Tulsa Shootout Saturday! http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/stage_is_set_for_tulsa_shootout_saturday/9038659 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png