Tag: Joe Louis

Degrees of Separation: Linking Mike Tyson to one of his idols, Jack Dempsey

Boxing Junkie was able to link Mike Tyson to one of his idols, Jack Dempsey, in only seven steps.

Six degrees of separation is a theory that everyone in the world is separated by no more than six social connections.

In other words, you know someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows someone who knows Queen Elizabeth. Or so the concept goes.

We’re borrowing the six degrees concept – well, sort of loosely – to connect fighters from the past to their more contemporary counterparts in our new occasional feature, “Degrees of Separation.”

Example: Let’s connect Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. Super easy; we did it in two steps. Senior fought Grover Wiley, who fought Junior.

In this installment of the Boxing Junkie feature, we decided to link Mike Tyson — who is set for a comeback against Roy Jones Jr. on Nov. 28 — and a fighter he has always admired, the legendary Jack Dempsey.

Tyson and Dempsey had a lot in common in the ring. They were both ferocious, powerful knockout machines who captured the imagination of fans worldwide and have evolved into legends.

Even their records were similar. Dempsey finished 54-6-8, Tyson 50-6. And, believe it or not, they both had 44 knockouts.

The question for the purposes of this feature: Could we link them by opponents even though Tyson retired 78 years after Dempsey did? Turns out we could. And, remarkably, it took only seven steps.

Check it out:

Jack Dempsey fought …

Jack Sharkey, who fought …

Joe Louis, who fought …

Rocky Marciano, who fought …

Archie Moore, who fought …

Muhammad Ali, who fought …

Larry Holmes, who fought …

Mike Tyson

For fun, we wanted to know how many steps it would take to connect Jones with Dempsey. We did it in nine. Have a look:

Jack Dempsey fought …

Jack Sharkey, who fought …

Joe Louis, who fought …

Rocky Marciano, who fought …

Archie Moore, who fought …

Muhammad Ali, who fought …

Larry Holmes, who fought …

Evander Holyfield, who fought …

James Toney, who fought …

Roy Jones Jr.

Could you do it in fewer steps? Let us know via Twitter or Facebook. Or you can contact me on Twitter. And please follow us!

Read more:

Degrees of separation: Connecting John L. Sullivan to Deontay Wilder

Degrees of Separation: Linking Filipino greats Flash Elorde, Manny Pacquiao

Degrees of Separation: Linking Japanese greats Fighting Harada and Naoya Inoue

Degrees of Separation: Linking Tyson Fury to first U.K.-born heavyweight champ

Degrees of Separation: Connecting Canelo Alvarez with Mexican legends

Degrees of Separation: Linking the Mayweathers

Degrees of Separation: Linking Manny Pacquiao to Pancho Villa

Katie Taylor says she’ll silence critics in rematch with Delfine Persoon

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time on Saturday outside London.

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time at Fight Camp on Saturday outside London.

Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) added a belt to her lightweight collection when she defeated Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) by a majority decision in June of last year in New York, which some – including Persoon – believe was a gift for the Irish star.

If Taylor wins, she could face newly crowned welterweight champ Jessica McCaskill, who Taylor outpointed in 2017. McCaskill took Cecilia Braekhus’ titles in an upset this past Saturday.

“I’m in this sport to create history and leave a great legacy,” Taylor said. “These are the kind of fights that are going to leave a great legacy in my career. The first fight was too close for my liking. It has been hanging over my head over the last year, so I was delighted when the rematch was nailed down.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a more dominant performance on August 22nd and shutting up everyone that has criticized me over the last year. I did watch the fight back and it was obviously a very close fight. That’s why there is a rematch.

“I definitely couldn’t have given her more than five rounds, so for people to say it was a disgraceful decision or it was a robbery, is a disgrace in itself. I felt like I deserved to win the fight even though it was very close. I wanted this rematch.

“At the end of the day, I want to be involved in the biggest fights and the fights that people are interested in. This is a huge fight for me and for Persoon. It’s a huge fight for the sport. I think I’m going to be a completely different fighter on August 22nd.

“I think people are going to see a completely different performance and a completely different fight from my perspective. I got drawn into a bit of a fight in the first one and sometimes that happens. I’m definitely going to be a bit more disciplined in this fight.

“I’m going to be ready for whatever Persoon throws at me. I’m completely prepared for this fight. I’ve been training for a big fight since January, so I’m more than ready to step in and put on a dominant performance.”

Taylor-Persoon shares a card with the Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin fight for the “interim” WBC heavyweight title.

Katie Taylor says she’ll silence critics in rematch with Delfine Persoon

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time on Saturday outside London.

Katie Taylor said she will leave no doubt about her ability when she faces Delfine Persoon a second time at Fight Camp on Saturday outside London.

Taylor (15-0, 6 KOs) added a belt to her lightweight collection when she defeated Persoon (44-2, 18 KOs) by a majority decision in June of last year in New York, which some – including Persoon – believe was a gift for the Irish star.

If Taylor wins, she could face newly crowned welterweight champ Jessica McCaskill, who Taylor outpointed in 2017. McCaskill took Cecilia Braekhus’ titles in an upset this past Saturday.

“I’m in this sport to create history and leave a great legacy,” Taylor said. “These are the kind of fights that are going to leave a great legacy in my career. The first fight was too close for my liking. It has been hanging over my head over the last year, so I was delighted when the rematch was nailed down.

“I’m looking forward to putting on a more dominant performance on August 22nd and shutting up everyone that has criticized me over the last year. I did watch the fight back and it was obviously a very close fight. That’s why there is a rematch.

“I definitely couldn’t have given her more than five rounds, so for people to say it was a disgraceful decision or it was a robbery, is a disgrace in itself. I felt like I deserved to win the fight even though it was very close. I wanted this rematch.

“At the end of the day, I want to be involved in the biggest fights and the fights that people are interested in. This is a huge fight for me and for Persoon. It’s a huge fight for the sport. I think I’m going to be a completely different fighter on August 22nd.

“I think people are going to see a completely different performance and a completely different fight from my perspective. I got drawn into a bit of a fight in the first one and sometimes that happens. I’m definitely going to be a bit more disciplined in this fight.

“I’m going to be ready for whatever Persoon throws at me. I’m completely prepared for this fight. I’ve been training for a big fight since January, so I’m more than ready to step in and put on a dominant performance.”

Taylor-Persoon shares a card with the Dillian Whyte-Alexander Povetkin fight for the “interim” WBC heavyweight title.

Video: Jessica McCaskill, Cecilia Braekhus post-fight interviews

Jessica McCaskill was ecstatic after her upset of Cecilia Braekhus Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. Braekhus was classy in defeat.

Jessica McCaskill was ecstatic after her upset of Cecilia Braekhus to become undisputed welterweight champion Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. Braekhus was classy in defeat.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) defeated Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) by a majority decision, the first setback in the Colombian-Norwegian’s decorated career.

Braekhus was making the 26th defense of her 147-pound title. Had she won, she would’ve broken Joe Louis’ record for consecutive successful title defenses.

McCaskill is now a two-division titleholder, as she also is a unified junior welterweight titleholder. She could face the winner of the Aug. 22 Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon lightweight title fight.

Braekhus, 38, hinted at retirement but no announcement has been made.

DAZN commentator Todd Grisham interviewed the fighters and analyst Sergio Mora gave his thoughts. Here is what they had to say.

[jwplayer 5BRIF7c3]

 

Video: Jessica McCaskill, Cecilia Braekhus post-fight interviews

Jessica McCaskill was ecstatic after her upset of Cecilia Braekhus Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. Braekhus was classy in defeat.

Jessica McCaskill was ecstatic after her upset of Cecilia Braekhus to become undisputed welterweight champion Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. Braekhus was classy in defeat.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) defeated Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) by a majority decision, the first setback in the Colombian-Norwegian’s decorated career.

Braekhus was making the 26th defense of her 147-pound title. Had she won, she would’ve broken Joe Louis’ record for consecutive successful title defenses.

McCaskill is now a two-division titleholder, as she also is a unified junior welterweight titleholder. She could face the winner of the Aug. 22 Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon lightweight title fight.

Braekhus, 38, hinted at retirement but no announcement has been made.

DAZN commentator Todd Grisham interviewed the fighters and analyst Sergio Mora gave his thoughts. Here is what they had to say.

[jwplayer 5BRIF7c3]

 

Jessica McCaskill stuns Cecilia Braekhus to win welterweight title

Jessica McCaskill defeated Cecilia Braekhus by a majority decision to win the undisputed welterweight championship Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Jessica McCaskill recorded one of the greatest upsets in women’s boxing history.

McCaskill defeated Cecilia Braekhus by a majority decision to ruin Braekhus’ perfect record and win the undisputed welterweight championship Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Braekhus was making her 26th title defense. Had she won, she would’ve broken Joe Louis’ record for most successful defenses.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) got off to a fast start and was the more active puncher overall. However, Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) rallied in the second half of the fight to bring the result into doubt.

The scores were 97-94 and 97-93 for McCaskill and 95-95.

The winner of the fight was expected to face the winner of the Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon lightweight title fight. McCaskill lost a majority decision to Taylor in June of last year.

McCaskill was moving up in weight to face Braekhus. She entered the fight as a junior welterweight titleholder.

 

 

 

 

Jessica McCaskill stuns Cecilia Braekhus to win welterweight title

Jessica McCaskill defeated Cecilia Braekhus by a majority decision to win the undisputed welterweight championship Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Jessica McCaskill recorded one of the greatest upsets in women’s boxing history.

McCaskill defeated Cecilia Braekhus by a majority decision to ruin Braekhus’ perfect record and win the undisputed welterweight championship Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

Braekhus was making her 26th title defense. Had she won, she would’ve broken Joe Louis’ record for most successful defenses.

McCaskill (9-2, 3 KOs) got off to a fast start and was the more active puncher overall. However, Braekhus (36-1, 9 KOs) rallied in the second half of the fight to bring the result into doubt.

The scores were 97-94 and 97-93 for McCaskill and 95-95.

The winner of the fight was expected to face the winner of the Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon lightweight title fight. McCaskill lost a majority decision to Taylor in June of last year.

McCaskill was moving up in weight to face Braekhus. She entered the fight as a junior welterweight titleholder.

 

 

 

 

Video: Cecilia Braekhus vs. Jessica McCaskill news conference

Cecilia Braekhus will defend her welterweight titles against Jessica McCaskill on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. If she wins, Braekhus (36-0, 9 KOs) will have broken Joe Louis’ record of 26 successful title defenses. McCaskill (8-2, 3 KOs) is a junior …

Cecilia Braekhus will defend her welterweight titles against Jessica McCaskill on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

If she wins, Braekhus (36-0, 9 KOs) will have broken Joe Louis’ record of 26 successful title defenses.

McCaskill (8-2, 3 KOs) is a junior welterweight beltholder.

Also on the card, which will be streamed on DAZN: junior middleweight prospect Israil Madrimov (5-0, 5 KOs) faces Eric Walker (20-2, 9 KOs); Shakhram Giyasov (9-0, 7 KOs) takes on Wiston Campos (31-7-6, 19 KOs) in a junior welterweight fight; Raymond Ford (5-0, 2 KOs) faces Eric Manriquez (7-10-1, 3 KOs) in a featherweight matchup; and Nikita Ababiy (8-0, 6 KOs) fights Jarvis Williams (8-2-1, 5 KOs) in a middleweight bout.

Here is a video of the news conference, courtesy of DAZN.

[jwplayer qUXHTEWo]

 

Video: Cecilia Braekhus vs. Jessica McCaskill news conference

Cecilia Braekhus will defend her welterweight titles against Jessica McCaskill on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla. If she wins, Braekhus (36-0, 9 KOs) will have broken Joe Louis’ record of 26 successful title defenses. McCaskill (8-2, 3 KOs) is a junior …

Cecilia Braekhus will defend her welterweight titles against Jessica McCaskill on Saturday in Tulsa, Okla.

If she wins, Braekhus (36-0, 9 KOs) will have broken Joe Louis’ record of 26 successful title defenses.

McCaskill (8-2, 3 KOs) is a junior welterweight beltholder.

Also on the card, which will be streamed on DAZN: junior middleweight prospect Israil Madrimov (5-0, 5 KOs) faces Eric Walker (20-2, 9 KOs); Shakhram Giyasov (9-0, 7 KOs) takes on Wiston Campos (31-7-6, 19 KOs) in a junior welterweight fight; Raymond Ford (5-0, 2 KOs) faces Eric Manriquez (7-10-1, 3 KOs) in a featherweight matchup; and Nikita Ababiy (8-0, 6 KOs) fights Jarvis Williams (8-2-1, 5 KOs) in a middleweight bout.

Here is a video of the news conference, courtesy of DAZN.

[jwplayer qUXHTEWo]

 

Cecilia Braekhus says Claressa Shields not GWOAT while she’s still around

Cecilia Braekhus says that Claressa Shields is not the greatest female boxer while she’s still active.

Editor’s note: This article originally appears on DAZN.com.

***

For the first time in a long time, there are several women jockeying for position as the best female boxer in the world: Amanda Serrano, Katie Taylor, Cecilia Braekhus and the self-proclaimed GWOAT (Greatest Woman Of All Time) Claressa Shields.

Aug. 15 is the start of a mini-tournament that could determine who the greatest women’s boxer in the world is. That’s when Brækhus defends her undisputed welterweight title against unified super lightweight champion Jessica McCaskill. The victor is scheduled to face the winner of the following week’s rematch between Katie Taylor and Delfine Persoon.

At the very least, the conclusion of the tournament will help bring some clarity to an increasingly intriguing and crowded picture at the top of women’s boxing.

But one name missing is Shields, who has routinely proclaimed herself as the top pound-for-pound female fighter on the planet. Along the way, she’s also engaged in a war of words with Braekhus, and it’s possible the two could cross paths at some point should they continue their winning ways.

“Nothing is impossible in boxing,” Braekhus tells DAZN about facing Shields before she retires. “But right now my focus is on this mini-tournament.”

But it’s clear that the 38-year-old has paid attention to the rise of Shields over the years. If she didn’t before, she certainly had to when there was trash talk between the two after Braekhus was seen hanging out with Shields’ bitter rival Laila Ali. Despite the back and forth on social media, Braekhus thinks that she’s good for the sport.

“Oh, she’s great,” Braekhus said of Shields. “Her road here is a little bit different with the trash-talking but that’s working for her. This is what male fighters have done forever. I’m not taking any of this personally. But I will answer her when she comes after me on a professional level

“She’s a great boxer, and there are no hard feelings.”

As Braekhus prepares to break Joe Louis’ record of 25 consecutive title defenses, she kindly scoffs at Shields’ claims to be the greatest.

“Well, I don’t agree with her to be the greatest woman boxer, because I have been in this sport so long,” she said. “Especially with names like Lucia Riker, Laila Ali, Regina Halmich in the history books. And you still have myself, Katie Tayler and Amanda Serrano.

“Let’s just say that she has the possibility to be one of the greatest, but right now she is not.”

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