Joe Gans in 1899

Joe Gans (November 25, 1874 - August 10, 1910) was born Joseph Gaines in Baltimore, Maryland. Gans was rated as the greatest lightweight boxer of all time by boxing historian and Ring Magazine editor, Nat Fleischer. He fought form 1891-1909, and is believed to have contracted tuberculosis in 1908. His final record included 131 wins (88 KOs) 9 losses and 13 draws. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (381x645, 103 KB)Obtained at [1] Picture taken in 1899. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (381x645, 103 KB)Obtained at [1] Picture taken in 1899. ... November 25 is the 329th (in leap years the 330th) day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1874 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... August 10 is the 222nd day of the year (223rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1910 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... This article is about the city in the US state of Maryland. ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich (R) Senators Paul Sarbanes (D) Barbara Mikulski (D) Official language(s) English Area 32,160 km² (42nd)  - Land 25,338 km²  - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000)  - Population 5... The lightweight division is the 130 pounds (59 kilograms) to 135 pounds (61 kilograms) weight class in the sport of boxing. ... Front cover of the first issue of Ring Magazine Ring Magazine is a boxing magazine that was first published in 1922. ... Nat Fleischer (1887-1972) was a noted Jewish-American boxing writer. ... 1908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Gans won the lightweight championship by knocking out Frank Erne on May 12, 1902, Erne had successfully defended the title against Gans earlier, when Gans was forced to quit due to a serious eye injury. May 12 is the 132nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (133rd in leap years). ... 1902 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

There is some dispute as to whether Gans relinquished the crown in November of 1904. According to the Ring Record Book, compiled by Nat Fleischer, Gans relinquished the crown after winning a fight on a foul from Jimmy Britt. Britt was battering Gans, who claimed weakness from having to make weight, but Britt was disqualified when he struck Gans when Gans was down. Fleischer claims Gans stated he could no longer fight effectively at the lightweight limit and gave up the crown. According to this version of history, Gans later regained the title on September 3, 1906 by defeating Battling Nelson on a foul after 42 rounds. September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years). ... 1906 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ...

British boxing historian Gilbert Odd, lists Gans as champion from 1902-1908. There is no corroborating evidence of Gans' abdication of the title, and Gans continued to fight as a lightweight; thereby casting doubt on his attributed stated reason for surrendering the crown. Whatever the true facts may be, he was defeated by Battling Nelson by KO in 17 rounds on July 4, 1908, thereby eliminating any further claim to the title by Gans. July 4 is the 185th day of the year (186th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 180 days remaining. ... 1908 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ...

Gans fought many great fighters during his career. He drew with the original Joe Walcott who Nat Fleischer ranked as the greatest welterweight ever. He also fought and defeated Jack Blackburn, and lost on a decision to Sam Langford. Gans is listed among the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Joe Walcott, The Barbados Demon was born in Demarara, British Guyana on March 13, 1873, and died October 1, 1935. ... Welterweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. ... Sam Langford (b ~1883 - d. ... In 2003, Ring Magazine published a list of 100 greatest punchers of all time in boxing, as voted by the magazines writers. ...

Many experts consider Joe Gans to be the greatest pound for pound fighter of all time. Here is a summary of his skills and assessment as a boxer by Monte Cox, who places Gans as number one on his greatest non-heavyweight fighters of all time. "1. Joe Gans (Lightweight Champion 1902-1908). Joe Gans was perhaps the most complete fighter who ever lived. Gans combined the iron man toughness of the old timers with the complete skills of a great boxing stylist. Joe mastered every part of the game the jab, defense, feinting, countering, and body punching. Called “The Old Master” because he was fundamentally flawless, he rarely made a mistake in the ring, he never wasted a punch, and his trip-hammer blows traveled only a few inches. He attacked vital points with pinpoint accuracy and threw every punch perfectly, in combinations and with bewildering speed. He also possessed one punch knockout power in either hand enough to starch welterweights. When The Old Master knocked them out they often had to be carried back to their corner after the 10 count. Gans defeated an impressive list of opponents, Young Griffo, Dal Hawkins, Bobby Dobbs, Kid McPartland, Elbows McFadden, Frank Erne, Jack Blackburn, Mike “Twin” Sullivan, Jimmy Britt and Bat Nelson. He also held welterweight champion Barbados Joe Walcott to a draw in a fight most thought Gans won according to newspaper accounts. Joe Gans was a complete fighter who would be great in any era. His skills were so astonishing that he was considered to good to be true, and yet he was true. His 14 title defenses are still a division record. In a head to head comparison with Ray Robinson, the most popular choice for greatest fighter of all time, Gans was equal in speed, skill and punching prowess and superior in his defense. Defensively Robinson relied primarily on his height, reach and footwork to avoid punches. When cornered he would duck, turn sideways and roll with punches but he was often hit cleanly by his opponents. Robinson was not clever when it came to eluding punches. In his '51 fight against Jake Lamotta he was even hit by Jake's slow jabs. Gans, a master at stopping an opponent's leads, would never be hit by this kind of a punch. Gans classic defense with glove and elbow blocking was much tighter. Joe Gans defensive capability was far superior to Robinson, and his speed, power and athleticism is comparable. In terms of sheer talent Gans was every bit as good as Sugar Ray, and technically better overall.