ALMOST a century has handed since Harry Greb breathed his final, frenetic breath however his legend exhibits no signal of fading. Among the afficionados any trace of one thing new prompts waves of delight – a contemporary four-second clip of him play-sparring with Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, an Instagram website devoted to his reminiscence, a brand new press clip of one his fights…
Part of his enchantment is that he died at 32 relatively than descending right into a punch-drunk haze, which certainly would have been his destiny had he lived on. Part too is that apart from two clips of him messing round with O’Brien, the search for the Holy Grail of a combat movie has drawn a clean. Just about each different old-timer is captured on celluloid however all Greb combat movies are misplaced. However, lately his followers have collected a formidable portfolio of information on his preventing life, together with these famed public sparring classes with Jack Dempsey.
There’s good cause for followers to take pleasure in iconoclasm in the case of huge names of the previous – to indicate a wariness about reputations which have extra to do with promotion and pulling energy than brilliance. And but, often, boxers emerge who’re to date forward of their time that we suspect they’d thrive in any period. With Greb we’re hampered by a scarcity of the eyeball take a look at, however ringside stories, movies of these he beat, feedback of opponents and his exceptional report all counsel he was distinctive and that he deserves his place alongside Sugar Ray Robinson and Henry Armstrong on the pound-for-pound prime rung.
Contemporary press stories counsel Greb would swamp opponents with a blur of leather-based. Several observers claimed he “got stronger” as fights progressed, which is physiologically unimaginable. Rather, he [i]appeared[i] to as a result of whereas his opponents slowed he may preserve his busy workrate. He educated laborious for the massive fights and all the time had considerably higher stamina than the opposition (and keep in mind he generally fought greater than 40 instances a 12 months).
But there was much more to the Pittsburgh Windmill than workrate and aggression. Ringside accounts counsel he had exceptional velocity of hand and foot and was frustratingly laborious to tag. You learn fixed references to how a lot faster he was than anybody else. Jack Johnson, who boxed an exhibition with Greb, commented: “It’s almost impossible to set you up for a punch. You’re the fastest man I ever boxed.”
He was properly previous his finest when he fought Mickey Walker however the Toy Bulldog marvelled on the velocity of his lateral motion. “Greb could hit from impossible angles. I still don’t know how he did it but once he hit me in the mouth while his hands faced in the opposite direction.”
A key facet of Greb’s arsenal was his defensive talent. He was usually described as ‘unorthodox’, which is one other manner of saying opponents couldn’t work out tips on how to tag him. His crouching, chin-low stance, foot velocity, head motion, anticipation, timing, and skill to pivot and alter route, meant he was exceedingly slippery. He had strikes seldom utilized by his rivals, together with his leaping left hook lead. He was additionally unusually versatile – known as “the great improviser” by some writers – capable of tough it up on the within as in opposition to Gene Tunney, field from longer vary, as when profitable each spherical in opposition to future world gentle heavyweight champion Maxie Rosenbloom, or a bit of each, as in opposition to Walker.
A bit like Muhammad Ali, his fixed motion prevented him from setting himself up for single knockout punches, however his pure bodily power meant that even heavyweights failed to carry him off. Again, this can be a characteristic of the combat stories – how a lot stronger he was than the opposition – and he had one of the most effective chins in boxing historical past. Giving away as a lot as 32lbs, the 5ft 8 ½ins Greb tangled with a number of of huge males, and all of the world’s finest gentle heavies, taking his share of flush punches, and but in 299 recorded fights he suffered solely a handful of knockdowns.
Harry was additionally remarkably constant. When you combat each week or two you’re certain to have off-nights – a chilly, a niggling damage, exhaustion – however Greb went by way of scores of fights with out dropping, even by way of newspaper choice.
He was undoubtedly a grimy fighter – thumbing, headbutts, low blows, rabbit punches – however his foul ways had been intelligent, normally on the blind aspect of the referee. Only one of his eight profession losses was by way of disqualification and that was for punching after the bell.
The famend American sportswriter Grantland Rice requested in 1926: “How was it that any one man, able to make 160-pounds at any time, could accomplish such astounding results for so many years? In the first place Greb has great natural speed. Something of the elastic qualities of high-grade rubber. In addition to this he has unusual physical strength. He is a Hercules on a smaller scale. Also, he has rare mental and physical coordination, unlimited courage and splendid stamina. He is far out of the ordinary in this respect, with a system that has been able to defy both time and nature for more than a decade.”
He was born Edward Harry Greb in 1894, one of 4 youngsters in a working-class household in Pittsburgh. He was a boxing fanatic from childhood, identified to be useful along with his fists, recurrently standing as much as bullies. His strict father, Pius, opposed the preventing so Harry left residence at 16 and labored as an apprentice electrician whereas visiting boxing gyms, though he solely formally began his newbie profession on the age of 18 in 1913, profitable six bouts in two months earlier than turning skilled at simply above light-weight with a second-round knockout.
After six months as an expert the 140lb teenager gave away 14 kilos to the main middleweight contender Joe Chip and misplaced on a second-round knockout. More than six years on they fought once more with Greb shelling out a 12-round beating, the native newspaper reporting that Harry “overwhelmed” Chip whose “foot and hand speed was so much slower than Greb’s that his punches were mostly futile.”
This was the sample with a number of early opponents. The world middleweight champion George Chip (Joe’s brother) edged Harry for a newspaper choice in 1916. Eleven months on Greb reversed the favour after which trounced him of their third combat. In 1917 the excellent middleweight Mike Gibbons was given the newspaper choice in opposition to Greb, however in 1919 Harry acquired the higher of him. The identical occurred with Mike’s gentle heavyweight brother, Tom Gibbons, who took two newspaper choice over Greb. But Harry gained seven out of ten rounds in opposition to him of their third combat in 1920 after which gave him a one-sided 15-round beating in 1922.
Along the way in which Greb refined his expertise by preventing incessantly. Most had been “no decision” fights with no verdict given if it went the space however invariably Harry got here away with the newspaper thumbs-up.
In one of these no-decision fights, in 1918, the 23-year-old Harry took on Mike O’Dowd for the world middleweight title. The combat went the space so the title couldn’t change arms the newspaper verdict was a draw – the final time within the subsequent eight years and 229 fights {that a} middleweight would combat on something near even phrases with Greb.
He was at his peak between 1919 and 1922 – a spell wherein he fought 104 instances and beat a string of world middleweight and light-heavyweight champions and a number of other heavyweight contenders with out getting a title shot at any weight.
Some hint his decline from August 1921, when he gave away 17 ½lbs to tackle Kid Norfolk, one of the most effective heavyweights and light-weight heavies of his period. It was an amazing battle, with Greb taking up down the stretch, ending up with the newspaper verdict after a no-decision ten rounder. Norfolk was stated to have thumbed Greb in the suitable eye. Some stories instructed he was completely blinded at this level however that is unlikely, contemplating that he fought once more per week later.
More seemingly is that that he sustained a retinal tear from Norfolk’s thumb however that the retina solely grew to become indifferent after he was gouged within the eye when beating the heavyweight Bob Roper in November 1922, which prompted a seven-week layoff (together with a fortnight with bandages over each eyes). He fought Roper once more (for the ninth time) in January 1923 and the heavyweight, who had a 26-pound benefit, as soon as once more used his thumbs. After this, Greb did certainly go blind in his proper eye however continued to outbox the most effective though press stories counsel he was taking extra punches than earlier than and needed to regulate his type.
He was by no means given a shot on the world light-heavyweight title regardless of beating all of the world’s finest 175-pounders however he was lastly given a shot on the middleweight title, outpointing Johnny Wilson in January 1924. He defended it 3 times whereas additionally getting the higher of a number of extra prime light-heavyweights, together with Tommy Loughran, Max Rosenbloom, and Gene Tunney.
He misplaced his title in February 1926 on a break up choice Tiger Flowers, whom he had beforehand outboxed in a non-title combat – a end result prompting Jack Dempsey (who by no means fought a black man within the final 12 years of his profession) to comment: “I don’t see why Greb gave that n****r a chance.” Greb, who had no points concerning the color of his opponents, fought a return with Flowers however once more was outpointed – his last combat. Most of the ringside press gave Greb the choice in each these title fights.
Two months later, on October 22 1926, the 32-year-old died throughout an operation to repair his nostril, though accidents sustained in a previous motor accident might have contributed to his dying. His spouse, Mildred, had died six years earlier and his daughter, Dorothy, was raised primarily by his sister.
Along along with his win over Walker, Greb is finest identified for his 5 bouts with Tunney and a typical false impression is that an inexperienced Gene realized from their first combat and returned to whip Harry of their subsequent 4, however that is merely incorrect.
In May 1922, Harry (162lbs) mauled Gene (174 ½lbs) for the US light-heavyweight title. Greb was presumably previous his peak – his sight in the suitable eye deteriorating – whereas Tunney was no greenhorn, having his 53rd combat however Greb was throughout him, breaking his nostril, gashing his eye and placing him by way of a world of ache.
Some hint Greb’s repute for wild dwelling to the aftermath. Tunney signed with a brand new, well-connected supervisor Billy Gibson who was stated to have used his press contacts to smear Greb, portraying him as a drunkard and philanderer exterior the ring and a grimy fighter inside it. It is true that Greb had a style for quick vehicles and ‘womanising’ however there isn’t any dependable report that he was a drunkard or that he uncared for coaching. Before the Walker combat it will appear Greb performed on his repute to get extra beneficial betting odds for his backers. He made certain he was seen by the press staggering out of a membership, pretending to be drunk, supported by two ladies. But it was all an act and he educated laborious.
Anyway, by the point of the Tunney return in February 1923, Greb was blind in a single eye, however the majority ringside view was that he deserved the nod and the group booed the choice. William Muldoon, New York State’s Athletic Commission boss, referred to as the decision in Tunney’s favour “unjustifiable” whereas Gene admitted, “No one was as surprised as I was when Joe Humphries lifted my hand in token of victory.” He went on to say: “Realising there was some justice in Greb’s claim of a bad decision, I offered him a return.”
This time, their third combat, Gene deserved the win. However, of their fourth bout in 1924, Greb gained the newspaper choice. By their fifth, in March 1925, the 181lbs Tunney was at his peak whereas Greb was in decline and got here in with a rib damage, and he was soundly overwhelmed in one other no choice 10-rounder.
So how ought to we view Greb on reflection? At middleweight it’s laborious to price him as something aside from primary. Watch movies of Walker and also you see a two-fisted dynamo, and but a one-eyed, 31-year-old Greb, having his 279th combat, trounced him, coming near knocking him out within the 14th spherical. Walker went on to change into an impressive world middleweight champion. Harry additionally acquired the higher of all the opposite main middleweights of his period.
At light-heavyweight he belongs close to the highest. Films of Loughran reveal a boxer of dazzling talent and but Greb outfought him in three of their 5 fights (one draw, one loss). He beat six world light-heavyweight champions and lots of prime contenders. And though he seldom weighed far more than a middleweight, he had 41 fights in opposition to heavyweights, beating a number of among the many prime ten.
His performances evaluate favourably with Dempsey’s in opposition to frequent opponents. Dempsey had 5 fights in opposition to Willie Meehan, dropping two, profitable one with two attracts. Greb twice fought the 198 lb. Meehan, profitable 15 of their 16 rounds. In 1921 Dempsey defended in opposition to Bill Brennan who gave him hell – wobbling him, tearing his ear and outboxing him earlier than getting stopped with physique blows within the twelfth. Greb fought Brennan 5 instances, every ending in a one-sided trouncing of the larger man. In 1923 Dempsey laboured to a factors win over Tommy Gibbons. In 1922 Greb gained nearly each spherical in opposition to a brisker model of Gibbons. Greb additionally did higher in opposition to Gunboat Smith and much better in opposition to Tunney.
When Jack opted to defend in opposition to Gene, Harry was one of the few to foretell the title would change arms. Having been many aggressive sparring rounds with Dempsey and 60 with Tunney, he was in a superb place to guage. “I fought ‘em both,” he stated. “Gene’s too smart for him. He’ll counter-punch him silly. He’s tough as hell too and the best body puncher I ever fought. He looks like a gentleman in the ring, and he acts like one, but there the resemblance will end if Dempsey plays rough.”
So how would Greb have coped in opposition to the Manassa Mauler? Dempsey had benefits of 20+lbs and 4 and a half inches in top and attain. He was stronger, a heavier hitter and his aggression would have made life tough within the early rounds. But Harry was a lot faster and retained his velocity and workrate by way of 15 rounds. He was much more elusive and had a extra dependable chin and no-one may grasp Greb when it got here to the tough stuff. The longer it went, the higher fHarry’s possibilities as a result of Dempsey tended to fade. But we’ll by no means know. Dempsey’s supervisor Jack ‘Doc’ Kearns responded to a suggestion of a Greb combat with these phrases: “No, thanks. We want no traffic with that Seven-Year Itch.”
Harry Greb (light-heavyweight)
Dempsey and Greb traded leather-based a number of instances, with out headguards. The first was at New York’s Kelton’s Stadium the day earlier than Greb outboxed Tommy Gibbons in July 1920. The New York Times had this headline: ‘Dempsey Gets a Black Eye: Harry Greb Does Trick in Exhibition Bout’. They reported {that a} left hook did the job. Some stories stated they fought 4, two-minute rounds with their second session minimize quick after two rounds.
Their subsequent collection happened in Benton Harber, Michigan in September 1920 when Dempsey was making ready for Billy Miske. Both had been at their peaks and their classes had been extensively reported. Each account drew the identical conclusion: Harry was boss.
Their three rounds on September 2 was described by the New York Times as a “real” combat. “Dempsey hasn’t seen so many gloves in a long time as Greb showed him,” they reported. “Greb was all over him and kept forcing him around the ring. Dempsey could do but little with the speedy light heavyweight, while Greb seemed to be able to hit Dempsey almost at will. Time and again Greb made the champion miss with his famous right and left hooks to the head and countered with heavy swings to the head and hooks to the body.” They added that Greb managed to land at will “without leaving himself open to Jack’s snappy hooks and short swings.” The Pittsburgh Post reporter wrote that Greb “went into Dempsey like a hurricane, piling up points with his rapid, erratic style and eluding the champion’s retaliatory efforts with ease.”
They sparred once more on September 3. The Washington Post reported Greb minimize Dempsey’s tongue “so severely that he spat blood for the remainder of the round”, whereas the Pittsburgh Post famous this damage was the end result of “a crushing right”. The NYT reported: “Greb promptly rushed Dempsey. The onslaught was so sudden that Jack was caught off his guard and took a solid left hook into the body, plied with all the force at Greb’s command, which is considerable. Then the fur began to fly. It was a whirlwind three rounds for the edification of the biggest crowd that shoe-horned its way into the grandstand at the baseball park. There were 2,000 people present and they were treated to as much action in three rounds as is usually crowded into a real bout.” This prompted the group “to burst into cheers and prolonged applause”. It famous that Dempsey “was puffing very hard…. It was an unusually fast workout, but it seemed to take him longer than it should to recover his wind.”
They sparred once more on September 4 however this time Greb was underneath directions to take it simple, as a result of the Miske combat was solely two days away.
One account stated additionally they sparred 4 rounds in Atlantic City in 1924, although I’ve seen no different stories of this. According to Boxing and Wrestling Magazine, “Harry came snorting out of his corner raising hell with the heavyweight champion’s middle. Dempsey looked confused, he hesitated about throwing punches at first. He became desperate along about the second round and started putting ginger behind his left hooks. But Greb raced around so fast and poked so many jabs into Jack’s face that the great Mauler couldn’t land one solid wallop during the entire exhibition.” The subsequent day, one native paper carried the headline ‘Greb Makes Dempsey Look Like a Kitten.’”
Grantland Rice instructed of how Greb by no means stopped making an attempt to get a combat with Dempsey, who saved on defending in opposition to males Harry had overwhelmed. “The heavyweight champion may have recalled the day when Greb, weighing 164 pounds, came to his training camp and boxed three rounds,” he wrote, referring to at least one of their 1920 classes. “In that meeting Dempsey’s flying fists failed to land a solid blow as Greb swarmed all over the champion and hit him more times than he had ever been hit before.”
Dempsey on Greb, 1922: “The fastest thing I ever saw in action. Hitting him is one of life’s most difficult jobs… he’s always doing the unexpected… he’s one of those phantom targets which you hit more by luck than through the use of skill.”
Greb on Dempsey 1922: “A bout with Dempsey is the ambition of my life… I feel that I can outbox Dempsey in a bout of 12 to 15 rounds. There would always be the chance of a knockout by Dempsey of course. That would be his best bet.”
Source link
