Lessons From The Old Master

Joe Gans was a pugilistic pioneer. He innovated many now common boxing techniques and his crafty ways and unmatched ring intelligence earned him the nickname “The Old Master.” More than one boxing reporter from Gans’ era pegged him as the greatest boxer who had ever lived. Nat Fleischer rated him the best lightweight of all time, while historian Charley Rose ranked him second only to Benny Leonard. Eminent boxing historian Monte D. Cox regards Gans as not only the greatest lightweight ever — ahead of Leonard, Roberto Duran, Tony Canzoneri, and Henry Armstrong — but he goes further, ranking him second only to the great Sugar Ray Robinson in terms of the best boxers of all-time, at any weight.

Joe Gans

Born on November 25, 1874, Joe Gans packed a lot of living and a lot of fighting into his short time on Earth. Sadly, he developed tuberculosis after his famous 42 round struggle with Battling Nelson. His health progressively worsened until he died at the age of 35 in his home city of Baltimore. But we remember Gans and with the anniversary of his birth just passed, now is as good a time as any to once again pay tribute to “The Old Master.” Here Lee Wylie gives us an in-depth dissertation on what made Gans so great. Check it out:

“From the beginning, what set Gans apart was the sophistication of his ring technique. Gans developed a style that capitalized on his exceptional athleticism and quickness. He delivered blows in a precise, correct and studied manner, with grace and economy of movement. Building upon the smart ring craft of his predecessor, George Dixon, historians credit Gans with inventing the uppercut and popularizing the basic techniques in terms of stance, footwork, blocking and counter-punching, as well as the central importance of the jab. After Gans, all boxers learned these techniques.

Gans (right) poses with fellow all-time great Joe Walcott before their 1904 bout.

“Newspaper stories from the time attest to Gans’ high reputation. In 1906, The Boston Globe described him as “one of the most wonderful fighters from a scientific view that the world has ever known. There is not a trick or point that he does not know.” The San Francisco Chronicle stated that “[t]here never was a fighter who could block with such skill and precision as Gans.” His contemporaries also recognized his brilliance. Pound-for-pound great Sam Langford (who defeated Gans under rather exceptional circumstances) declared him the finest boxer who ever lived. Three-time champion Bob Fitzsimmons regarded him as “the cleverest fighter, big or little, that ever put on the gloves.” Benny Leonard, who learned to box while Gans was still champion, idolized “The Old Master,” his ring craft strongly influenced by his predecessor’s.”    –From “Fight City Legends: The Old Master” by Michael Carbert

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2 thoughts on “Lessons From The Old Master

  • November 25, 2019 at 1:23 pm
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    While recognizing the value of clinching as legit and Joe Gans being a master of that technique, I find clinch fighting the most unappealing approach of all. I remember how awful it was to watch Vito Antuofermo clinch fight his way to becoming a middleweight champion. That said Joe Gans was indeed a great boxer.

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    • January 8, 2022 at 1:10 am
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      Most definitely “clinch” fighting was the style of that time in the pioneer days of boxing, about 125 yrs ago

      Reply

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