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(If you DON'T see an index frame on the left...click RING MEMORABILIA above.) Boxing Autographs
ARCHIE MOORE "The Old Mongoose" Archie Moore... the most durable of modern fighters and also one of the most talented. He won the World Light-Heavyweight Championship at the age of 36 and kept it for almost 10 years. He was still knocking out opponents in his late 40's. To build up his "big hitting" muscles he would walk on his hands and do 250 push-ups each day. When he punched...he punched with maximum power.
Jack Doyle Britain had never seen anyone quite like Irish Jack Doyle. In 1933 he drew 90,000 fans to White City to see him box and he was also making 600 pounds sterling per week on stage as a singer. He was 19, a 6ft 5in giant, dubbed the handsomest man alive and had the world at his feet. He had a giant appetite for life and by the time he was 30 he earned and squandered a 3/4 million pound fortune. He dated Hollywood starlets and married actress Movita. His motto: "a generous man never went to hell". When he died in London in 1978, he was shoeless and destitute. His life story is destined for a Hollywood movie. On offer is an original, vintage 8 x 10 signed and inscribed by the Irishman himself, Jack Doyle. It's for sale at $195.
EZZARD CHARLES Ezzard Charles was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia on July 7, 1921. Unbeatable as an amateur, he won 42 consecutive fights, before turning pro in 1940. Charles started his career as a middleweight, before moving up to light-heavyweight and ultimately to the heavyweight division. A skillful and clever boxer and a hard puncher, Charles defeated such greats as Archie Moore, Charley Burley, Joey Maxim and Jimmy Bivins. In 1948, after defeating Moore for the third time, Charles met Sam Baroudi in Chicago. Baroudi was KO'd in the tenth and died several days later. Charles lost the "killer instinct" and was never again the aggressive finisher that had earned him his nickname. Ezzard Charles defeated Jersey Joe Walcott in 1949 for the NBA heavyweight title - left vacant after Joe Louis' retirement. He defeated the returned Joe Louis in 1950 in Yankee Stadium to earn universal recognition as the heavyweight champion. In 1951, Walcott proved his mettle as he regained the title from Charles and later KO'd him in a their third meeting. In 1954, at the age of 33, and "fight worn" from his many bouts, Charles lost a close decision to the reigning champ Rocky Marciano before being KO'd by "The Rock" three months later. Charles retired in 1959 and died broke in 1975, paralyzed below the waist by lateral sclerosis, a mere shadow of the man that ruled the squared circle. WANTED: A nice vintage autographed photo of Ezzard Charles - The Cincinnati Cobra
JAMES J. BRADDOCK "Cinderella Man"
James J. Braddock was born in New York City on June 7, 1906 and started his pro career in 1926. Fame came very late for Braddock, who started his career as a welterweight and grew into a heavyweight. His first seven years were very uneven and included his failure to win the light heavyweight title from Tommy Loughran. Braddock, with a family to support, was reduced to the breadlines in the depression era of the early 1930's. In 1934, he was given an opportunity against rising young heavyweight prospect John "Corn" Griffin. Braddock, proving he was no stepping stone, KO'd Griffin in three rounds. He defeated two more fighters and earned a shot at the champion, Max Baer in June 1935. Baer, after a year as champion (defeating Primo Carnera in 1934), was not known for his strict training regimen and Braddock won comfortably on points. Braddock made the most of his fame as heavyweight champion and hit the public relations trail with paid appearances, business ventures and a few boxing exhibitions. His first defense came two years later in 1937 in Comiskey Park against Joe Louis. He fought gallantly and dropped Louis before being KO'd in the eighth round. He had one more fight, defeating Tommy Farr, before retiring at age 31. This incredible rags to riches story has enjoyed a recent resurgence with the excellent period film "Cinderella Man" and Braddock nicely portrayed by the talented Russell Crow. WANTED: A nice vintage autographed photo of James J. Braddock - The Cinderella Man
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