I'm back! I recently lost a majority of the footage I was planning to upload after my laptop packed up a number of months ago and I made the fatal mistake of not having backed them up anywhere. Stupid. I only have a few fights I was able salvage and then I don't know what I will do with the channel...
Thought I would upload an oldy as my first video back. Two of the best light weights in the world, Packey McFarland of Chicago vs Freddie Welsh of Wales face each other again for a third time with the British version of the World Lightweight title on the line (although this is debated in some sources).
Packey McFarland is considered by many to be one of the best fighters in history to never compete for a World title. From the best of every bodies knowledge he was active from 1903 or 1904 - 1915 and amassed a professional record of 70-0-5. The only known loss he suffered was an exhibition in 1904 but even that was disputed, some say he was knocked out others say he lost a newspaper decision and other sources say it wasn't even him in the ring! Out of 75 fights with no official losses he never once had the opportunity to compete for a World title other than this chance here with Freddie Welsh for the British World title which was not universally regarded anyway. At this time in 1910 McFarland had not yet fought the big names of the division but there was no doubt he was a very technically sound fighter and more than once he had fought opponents above his weight grade and won. At this point in his career, Freddie Welsh was arguably the best fighter he had taken on. He first met Welsh in 1908 and won by decision, although there was some controversy when many claimed McFarland had dropped Welsh in the forth with an illegal punch. They had a rematch 6 months later and this time it ended in a draw after 25 rounds with James J. Jefferies as the referee. Heading into the 3rd match, McFarland had a substantially more impressive 59-0-3 record.
Freddie Welsh is one of Britain's best boxers of all time although he started and ended his career in the USA. Starting in 1905 he quickly established himself as one of great defensive fighters of the sport. He was confident against brawlers who relied on aggression as he was elusive with his movements and able to draw opponents in making them miss with feints and slick body movement while looking for counter punch opportunities. Although he was easily able to outclass most aggressive fighters he did struggle a little against other boxers who employed similar tactics to his own. Welsh started to get noticed on a world stage in 1908 following his first two fights with McFarland. Although he lost the first and drew in the second boxing pundits took notice of his skills and realized both men were near equals. Welsh scored the first truly big win of career in late 1908 when he won a 15 round decision against reigning World Featherweight Champion, Abe Attel, and then the following year would win the European and English Lightweight titles. Although Welsh's record of 50-8-8 was not as impressive as McFarland's heading in to their third contest, he had fought more overall experienced fighters and had 2 titles to his name, were McFarland had none...
1 ноя 2021
