I went to school with Duane, nolan jr high and perishing high school in Detroit. We would fight Latin kings in the hallways at Pershing. He loved to fight. He was really a good dude. What saved me I moved to Texas. He was boxing with Jimmy Paul and Danny paul at kronx
Great video. My dad worked at Caesars for 40 years and the Thomas/Mugabi fight is the one I remember most as a little kid.. The Kronk gym story is a depressing one you should look into. Stewart and co. couldnt pay the bills to fix the pipes and let the gym and rec center fall into disrepair. With all those champions no one could step up and help the kids. I have Tommy Hearns yellow fight worn "KRONK" shorts and a pair of gloves Duane signed for me along with KRONK handwraps. Prized boxing possessions next to my Jake LaMotta and Joe Louis stuff
Kronk's history is fascinating but I'll do the individual fighters as opposed to one piece on the gym itself. It sounds as if you have some real collector items there, I'm envious.
@@RichtheFightHistorian that definitely fits your format more. Still unbelievable that you have multi generational talents and yet Cant manage to keep the most basic needs available for future talent. Thank you I am very proud of it. Most of my collection carried over from my childhood. Dad worked with Joe Louis when he was a floorman and Joe was a greeter. Same with Cooney and Ernie Shavers whom I have a lot of stuff from. Jake LaMotta I was lucky enough to befriend in college randomly. He would sit outside a restaurant on Arthur Avenue and just wanted people to talk to. Same with Vito Antuofermo, every year at the San Gennaro Feast. I purchased the rest. Keep up the great work. Your channel is invaluable and although it might not have the mainstream appeal a 300th Tyson bio does, to many of this it is pure gold. It is really appreciated
@@teshunarivers8397 that is neat. I was really sorry to hear about his passing, it bummed me out something fierce as he was a super nice guy. Same with Macho Camacho a few years later. Both really should never have happened. I still have his handwraps. Mean alot
@@teshunarivers8397 Unc was cool, i boxed down at Kronk the years he was there, when he was preparing to fight John the beast and came home with the belt.
The only problem is that he beat up the wrong 'Don King.' What a tragic ending to someone who found boxing which saved his life. Only to have it snatched from him like so many others. Thanks for sharing.
Love this channel! Respect to you , for a shinning a light on forgotten warriors 🙏. Your narration and obvious boxing knowledge, keeps me tuned into all your videos. From one boxing enthusiast to another , thanks for your hard work and dedication to the sweet science 🤝 Keep them coming ! Respect 💯🤝 🥊💣💥
Another great vid on a great channel - well done and I hope his family sees it. His story would make a good movie. Thomas seems like a great guy who was dealt a bad hand but look at what he accomplished - excellent boxer and he deserved to hold the title.
From one historian to another Thanks Rich Your channel helps put things in perspective. The word great is thrown around so much today most younger fans don’t realize what great really is. Ray Robinson was not called great by boxing guys, writers and boxing fans until he had almost 50 fights, when boxing was in its best era. And Robinson was 49 and 1. With a loss only to LaMotta who outweighed him by 16 lbs.
Thank uou to wheover is running this channel as an up and coming boxer myself it lets me dive deep head first into history of boxing and learn thank you
Emanuel Steward once said Thomas couldn't handle being a world champion, that winning the title went to his head (he apparently went crazy partying after he won it). Thanks for this one, Rich.
Much respect to you for putting these together man. These men were warriors and should not be forgotten. Salute to you bruv. EDIT: Btw, could you do a video on Frankie Randall please. Such a great forgotten champion who sadly passed away last year. The first man to beat Julio Cesar Chavez - other than Sweet Pea Whitaker that is, who was robbed.
Just 17,500 subscribers to what is undoubtedly the best boxer related channel on this site. Another long forgotten boxer. Thomas beating a prime and 34-1 Kalambay shows just how good Duane was. Awesome fight clips too. There is something to be said for hearing Manny Stewards voice also. A great trainer at work right before our eyes. Great work as per usual RTFH 🥊💥🥊
@@RichtheFightHistorian definitely. I just wish the boxing world would do like you do and give that recognition to fighters like Thomas. You know? They need to follow your example.
I had seen Duane a couple of times and read about him a lot. Good solid fighter. No shame in losing to Rosi and Aquino, 2 good fighters. The junior middleweights were good most of the 1980's. Duane would have made great matchups with Donald Curry, Matthew Hilton, Davey Moore, and Mike McCallum.
I know and grew up with Duane Thomas. He was a tough guy and well respected by friends and enemies. He lived on Nevada for a while and the neighborhood was another gang's area but they didn't bother him. R.I.P. Duane Thomas!
I love how you let the video do the talking.I went to school with this guy, and had very little training from the great Jack Farmer at the same time Duane did. I was no big time fighter, I just wanted to learn to fight in the streets. I remember the day they announced on the radio that that he was killed, but they said it had something to do with a neighbor dispute, not drugs.
@@RichtheFightHistorian Hard to find much about his death, or his years in between leaving the ring and his comeback. This is about all i could dig up... DETROIT -- Former World Boxing Council super welterweight champion Duane Thomas was fatally shot while walking out of a party store Tuesday night. Thomas, 39, of Detroit, died after the shooting, police spokesman Claude Fox said. Other details were not immediately available. At the time of his death, Thomas was working with his old trainer, the late Emanuel Steward, to set up a Kronk Gym in London. There is no record of his burial. Somewhere, somehow, in a Cocaine deal gone sour, Duane Thomas emerged from a store and got shot in the chest, arms and legs. One of his nephews, Ed Williams went pro, also out of detroit and is currently 12/2/1. He said he was inspired by his Uncle Duane who used to try and sneak him into the gym with him :) Love your channel Rich, good stuff.
,Many boxing fans have forgotten about the legendary Kronk boxer Bernard "Superbad " Mays. Emanuel Steward compared him to Sugar Ray Robinson and said he was the greatest prospect he ever saw. A young Thomas Hearns said he almost quit boxing because of the beatings he took from sparring with Superbad.
Boxers have the most inspirational stories in my opinion and they prove that anybody can make something of their life through hard work and dedication. Again, how do you keep up this work rate?
Loved this one, my only recollection of Thomas was that he beat Mugabi, but then seemed to dissappear from my radar, I guess as I didn't really begin to follow boxing so closely until 1988, when I began buying Boxing News, KO, Boxing Illustrated and Ring magazines. I didn't realise, after beating Mugabi, unquestionably his best win he lost to Aquino, then Rosi and that was pretty much him done, what a rapid fall from the top. But for a few years he was a seriously talented fighter... I guess it's so ironic, you don't know what you've got until its gone, and by the time you find that out, it's too late to get it back.. Its gone for good Thanks Rich!
Great channel. I’d love to see an episode on Charley Burley maybe the best fighter to never get a title shot. Rated by the likes of George Benton and Archie Moore as the best fighter they ever saw.
Their are world champions today who are very lucky they wasn't fighting 30 years ago they would of got hurt. Those guys are straight up killers. Brilliant video again 👏
I would love to see a video on who the boxing world considers or considered the best cutman of all time . If possible. I understand if that's not possible. I just love stuff like that. Would also love to hear about Emmanuel Stewarts life. Another great video. Thanks for your hard work my friend.
Thanks. Researching cut men would take a long while and I don't know how successful it would be as they don't get a helluva lot of press. Was thinking about doing a few on old school trainers ; Ray Arcel, Eddie Futch. A piece on Steward would certainly be interesting as well.
@@RichtheFightHistorian Kinda figured that. Emmanuel Stewart one of my favorite people. Trainers be fine too. Thanks for responding my friend. You stay safe and God Bless.
I respect every fighter that steps in the ring...it's can be a lethal profession and tho I like to think I've got a lot of knowledge of boxing this channel just keeps on surprising me and it's fantastic to see these warrior's who may have been forgotten get the credit and exposure they deserve, Mugabe was an absolute beast ( and by saying he'd already been beaten is irrelevant to the fighter that's climbs in the ring with him , he doesn't know what kind of shape or what mental state Mugabe's in , we've seen so many fighters that bounce back stronger from a loss so I don't like that narrative ) and a lot of fighters rightly avoided him ...he gave hagler an hell of a fight so just that alone tells you that he was a warrior so for this guy to stop him is fucking impressive , I'll be honest I've only watched this video up until the hagler victory and I sincerely hope that he's not some cautionary tale that ended up getting ripped off or ( god forbid ) ended up punch drunk . These are very tough and brave men that usually fought their way out of poverty but the fact is ..they risk their lives or well being for our entertainment and when I hear of fighters getting ripped off by their promoters or managers it really pisses me off cos their just sat on their fat , greedy and corrupted asses...they use up fighters and then spit them out ...the likes of Don king and others of his ilk are just vultures masquerading as human beings ...boxing is a sport you don't play but as a hard-core fan I have to be honest and say there's a filthy side of it and they always have been . That's one of the main reasons I love this channel cos these fighters shouldn't be forgotten ...they should be celebrated for the entertainment they gave us ...and supported for being gladiators ...it takes a certain type of individual to climb into that ring knowing they might not be the same afterwards.... I'm reminded of a story about sugar ray Robinson where he'd had a dream that his upcoming opponent was going to die in their fight so he called the fight off but after none of the managers, promoters and family could convince him to go ahead with fight they went and got his priest ffs...who talked him into taking the fight ...and unfortunately his opponent died so imagine having to live with that ...( I think he donated his entire purse from his next fight to give to the family ) but it makes you wonder if he took it easy on the guy because of the dream but that in turn made his opponent braver . When Kovalev was fighting a guy in Russia he hit him with so many clean headshots but the guy was just taking them so kovalevs corner told him " stop hitting him in his head , go to the body cos this guy is too brave for his own good , so Kovalev changed tactics and went to the guys body ..but the guy mistook this for weakness and was attacking kovalev more and as we know it unfortunately cost him his life . I know this is a long comment but I just think it's important to remember that boxing isn't a sport you play and I'm just glad there's channels like this ...fans remember the champions but it takes two to make a great fight ...so keep it up mate
wow ,the fighters life stories are always so touching and inspiring. so bitter sweet how they rise and fall. God bless you & yours and may you rip in peace with our lord and saviour dt🛐
Yea I remember the fight with the beast to be honest I didn't think he would last 2 rounds but he really stepped it up on that fight. Great job my friend love all your work.
He was very underrated. First to give Roger Mayweather a loss, and a knock out at that. Gave a prime Chavez a tough fight. I remember watching a TH-cam fight video, and said "That guy boxed before". A year later, I learned it was Rocky Lockridge that knocked the young guy out cold. The guy stupidly walked up on him, shielded with the left and dropped the right over the top. Look it up, it was shortly after he had a stroke and was living on the streets.
I have my teacher to thank for getting into boxing cos one day he said " every time I look out of the window your fighting ..why don't you try boxing " so I did and I won a few tournaments but I couldn't box for shit ..but I could fight ( I had ginger curly hair and glasses so it was either fight or get bullied ) . I used to turn up at these tournaments and there'd be kids that had been bullied and there father's had spent stupid money on trainers and boxing lessons and they fucking hated me cos I'd climb in the ring with my ginger afro and terrible eyesight and I'd just corner them until they quit and climbed out of the ring ...and I felt sorry for them cos their fathers thought they could instil courage in them when some people just aren't like that ...I was very aggressive ...but when I faced a trained tough fighter he took me apart ...I couldn't see the jabs coming ...and my marauding style didn't work against their defensive skills ..I was hitting fresh air and one kid hit me that hard in the first rd that I didn't come around untill the bell went for the 3rd...but I caught him with a lucky punch and I won the Yorkshire schoolboys championship ...but they neglected to bring the trophys..so I got a free pie and peas voucher ...so that's my boxing story
Your forgot something interesting: "Mugabi takes a brutal accidental thumb in his left eye and can't continue. In a strange twist, before the fight Mugabi argued against using thumb tabbed gloves and sadly got his wish." - boxrec
Thanks, Copee. I can't handicap a Wilder fight. He can lose every second but then land that big right. Too many intangibles because of Fury's covid diagnosis and the unknown factor of Malik Scott in the corner. Really looking forward to it though.
I noticed that the kronk fighter don't wear the golden trunks till there champ's is this a thing in the gym or just me only see this help me out love to know ?
I think Thomas beat Mugabi on the same night Jimmy Paul lost to Greg Haugen. Emanuel bet $620,000 on Paul. He was supposed to win that one. The referee Joey Curtis, in my opinion, was absolutely a crook.
Buster Drayton despite having a statistically poor record was a great boxer. He upset British prospects Mark Kaylor and Jimmy Cable in what were considered big upsets at the time.
I love these stories. They provide so much insight about the minds of fighters. A short fuse often relates to a lack of intelligence. People of simple minds often respond with anger because they are unable to comprehend a real discussion. The BK’s were mostly known for simple minded children.
Alot of these fighters ive never heard of or basically know the names as opponents to other welĺ known fighters yet you seem to make everyone interesting. Think you should look into trying to make a career out of it like a type of Nick Broomfield. Finding the right person to make a documentary of is the difficult part.
Duane robbed our title, he thumbed my country man & childhood friend John “The Beast”Mugabi to win that championship. It was a sad day for us but that’s life.
He fought MUGUBY, after Hagler took everything out of him,and he got into drinking, and was doing a lot of cocain,a young MUGUBY would of destroyed Thomas
@@RichtheFightHistorian can’t comment on that Rich. All I know I was there and friends with David. He won. After that Braxton and his great trainer teamed up with Emanuel and they were @ Kronk. Those were the best of times in Detroit 🥊👍❤️
Rich Luther Burgess was Braxton’s trainer and he also was training Dwight Davison @ this time. Luther and James Toney’s great trainer Bill Miller both joined up with Emanuel @ Kronk. IMO Detroit had some of the greatest boxing minds and trainers in the world. Remember many were mentored by Eddie Futch. Detroit was a pugilistic hot bed! 🥊❤️👍
@@thomasskinner2475 He looks like a colorful character. I read he was also some kind of artist that used scrap metal or some other such material for his work but I may be mistaken.
Thomas had a mean streak and was able to beat Kalambay and Mugabi...something a b-level fighter wouldn't be able to do. Aquino and Rosi were damn good fighters so no disgrace in losing to them.
@@coreo2408 Not even casual. used to be a huge boxing fan but in 1993 when MMA/UFC came out i found out the truuth. and the truth is ground fighting is superior to stand up. pretty much quit watching boxing after that. Jitsu/wrestling and judo are the best in a street fight.
Mugabi was one of Hagler's toughest fights. He fought his ass off and probably hit Marvin harder then anyone ever hit him. He had power and Marvin I herd was pissing blood after the fight. John Mugabi wasn't the same after the fight. He got thumbed in the eye against Thomas and he reacted by turning his back and laying on ropes. The referee stopped it because of that, had he taking a knee and a count he may have been able to clear his vision enough to finish the round.
Boxing is the best art to learn for self defense, most fights start with a punch. In judo you need to get on the inside to make it work. Wrestling is superior to judo.
I went to school with Duane, nolan jr high and perishing high school in Detroit. We would fight Latin kings in the hallways at Pershing. He loved to fight. He was really a good dude. What saved me I moved to Texas. He was boxing with Jimmy Paul and Danny paul at kronx
I love this channel a day doesn't pass without me checking it out
Rich by far has the best boxing channel on TH-cam. Encyclopedic knowledge and appreciation of the sport. Nothing else like it
Same here
Great video. My dad worked at Caesars for 40 years and the Thomas/Mugabi fight is the one I remember most as a little kid..
The Kronk gym story is a depressing one you should look into. Stewart and co. couldnt pay the bills to fix the pipes and let the gym and rec center fall into disrepair. With all those champions no one could step up and help the kids.
I have Tommy Hearns yellow fight worn "KRONK" shorts and a pair of gloves Duane signed for me along with KRONK handwraps. Prized boxing possessions next to my Jake LaMotta and Joe Louis stuff
Kronk's history is fascinating but I'll do the individual fighters as opposed to one piece on the gym itself. It sounds as if you have some real collector items there, I'm envious.
@@RichtheFightHistorian that definitely fits your format more. Still unbelievable that you have multi generational talents and yet Cant manage to keep the most basic needs available for future talent.
Thank you I am very proud of it. Most of my collection carried over from my childhood. Dad worked with Joe Louis when he was a floorman and Joe was a greeter. Same with Cooney and Ernie Shavers whom I have a lot of stuff from.
Jake LaMotta I was lucky enough to befriend in college randomly. He would sit outside a restaurant on Arthur Avenue and just wanted people to talk to. Same with Vito Antuofermo, every year at the San Gennaro Feast. I purchased the rest.
Keep up the great work. Your channel is invaluable and although it might not have the mainstream appeal a 300th Tyson bio does, to many of this it is pure gold. It is really appreciated
I was at the mugabi. Fight. Duane is my cousin
@@teshunarivers8397 that is neat. I was really sorry to hear about his passing, it bummed me out something fierce as he was a super nice guy. Same with Macho Camacho a few years later. Both really should never have happened.
I still have his handwraps. Mean alot
@@teshunarivers8397 Unc was cool, i boxed down at Kronk the years he was there, when he was preparing to fight John the beast and came home with the belt.
The only problem is that he beat up the wrong 'Don King.' What a tragic ending to someone who found boxing which saved his life. Only to have it snatched from him like so many others. Thanks for sharing.
Yep, Don King the promoter was and is a slimy subhuman, but he sure knew how to put a fight together.
One of the best channels. I mean absolute best channels for us boxing Fanantics!
Love this channel! Respect to you , for a shinning a light on forgotten warriors 🙏. Your narration and obvious boxing knowledge, keeps me tuned into all your videos.
From one boxing enthusiast to another , thanks for your hard work and dedication to the sweet science 🤝
Keep them coming !
Respect 💯🤝
🥊💣💥
Thank you, I GVR. Will do.
This is now my favorite boxing TH-cam channel!
@@oncall21 same here..... class
Another great vid on a great channel - well done and I hope his family sees it. His story would make a good movie. Thomas seems like a great guy who was dealt a bad hand but look at what he accomplished - excellent boxer and he deserved to hold the title.
Mr Emanuel Steward best trainer ever RIP sir
Like hell! Eddie Dutch the king with others just below.
I met the great man here in London. He told me I was a beautiful boxer when I beat up one of his prodigy in the gym. How I wished he was my trainer.
after Eddie Futch
And also Eddie Futch
Freddie roach and Teddy atlas are right up there also but Stewart was around for a lot longer.
Absolutely love this amazing channel! Please 🙏🏾 never stop educating us! Knowledge reigns supreme 🔥
Hey thanks, Bonnie.
Great Channel man .I had forgotten about alot of the old Fighters I used to watch on Wide World of Sports. Ect.40 years ago
Great to see this channel growing and growing. Thanks for these informed uploads, RtFH.
My pleasure, Toracube. More to come.
This channel and Rummys Corner is the best!! Boxing you tube channels out there. Keep up the good work lads 🥊👍
Much appreciated
From one historian to another
Thanks Rich
Your channel helps put things in perspective. The word great is thrown around so much today most younger fans don’t realize what great really is. Ray Robinson was not called great by boxing guys, writers and boxing fans until he had almost 50 fights, when boxing was in its best era. And Robinson was 49 and 1. With a loss only to LaMotta who outweighed him by 16 lbs.
That's great. Thanks for channel)
That KO in the Rosi fight was nasty, great video even if it ended in a sad note, this was a pretty good tribute to his career.
Rich, Another great vid. Thank You!
You are digging deep into your bag Rich, I love it! Thank you! 🤩🐜
My pleasure.
Glad I found your channel, finding out about these Warriors of the square ring 🥊.
Superb. Thanks again Rich. Great insight. Well made. Absolutely love your channel.
Glad you enjoy it!
🥊💐Rest In Power Former Jr. Middleweight Champion, “Duane Thomas” 💐🥊 💯✊🏿🖤✊🏿⚔️
Brilliant content I love this channel. Thanks so much
Glad you enjoy it!
Thank uou to wheover is running this channel as an up and coming boxer myself it lets me dive deep head first into history of boxing and learn thank you
My pleasure. Keep that chin tucked.
Emanuel Steward once said Thomas couldn't handle being a world champion, that winning the title went to his head (he apparently went crazy partying after he won it). Thanks for this one, Rich.
You bet!
Like the vid Rich. Cant believe much tradegy is among such glory with these guys
Thanks, Andy. Yeah, seems par for the course, especially with 80s fighters.
Nice work again, shining a light on some of the lesser remembered fighters. Keep them coming, they're much appreciated.
Thanks, will do!
_Thx Rich, i read so much about him in the KO magazines but never saw him fight, specially at that time. A lot of memories.👍✅_
Yeah, I really wish he had some more exposure as he did have a crowd pleasing style.
Much respect to you for putting these together man. These men were warriors and should not be forgotten. Salute to you bruv.
EDIT: Btw, could you do a video on Frankie Randall please. Such a great forgotten champion who sadly passed away last year. The first man to beat Julio Cesar Chavez - other than Sweet Pea Whitaker that is, who was robbed.
Thanks, Marcos. Randall will be a bit further done the road but his story is a good one.
I didn't know that 😳! RIP to a true warrior in Frankie Randall🙏
Just 17,500 subscribers to what is undoubtedly the best boxer related channel on this site.
Another long forgotten boxer. Thomas beating a prime and 34-1 Kalambay shows just how good Duane was.
Awesome fight clips too. There is something to be said for hearing Manny Stewards voice also. A great trainer at work right before our eyes.
Great work as per usual RTFH 🥊💥🥊
Thanks so much.
Good work on this one my brother. Duane Thomas is a familiar name when he beat John Mugabi that was amazing. Sad though how he ended.
Thanks, Quadir. There was some good competition at 154 at that time and he did well for himself.
@@RichtheFightHistorian definitely. I just wish the boxing world would do like you do and give that recognition to fighters like Thomas. You know? They need to follow your example.
I had seen Duane a couple of times and read about him a lot. Good solid fighter. No shame in losing to Rosi and Aquino, 2 good fighters. The junior middleweights were good most of the 1980's. Duane would have made great matchups with Donald Curry, Matthew Hilton, Davey Moore, and Mike McCallum.
Kronk exploded with Talented young fighters, and the Coaches were all superb and dedicated to the craft.
I know and grew up with Duane Thomas. He was a tough guy and well respected by friends and enemies. He lived on Nevada for a while and the neighborhood was another gang's area but they didn't bother him. R.I.P. Duane Thomas!
Keep these type of videos coming to expose fans today of guys they are totally unfamiliar with
Dude, I`m so happy I found your channel. It´s really something else, I love it! =)
Thanks for the support, MacMuskelAttack.
Great upload
Your videos are excellent.
Awesome work!
Never heard of this guy, great video 📼
I love how you let the video do the talking.I went to school with this guy, and had very little training from the great Jack Farmer at the same time Duane did. I was no big time fighter, I just wanted to learn to fight in the streets. I remember the day they announced on the radio that that he was killed, but they said it had something to do with a neighbor dispute, not drugs.
Yeah, I'm just going by the newspaper articles. I couldn't find any detailed reports on his murder.
@@RichtheFightHistorian Hard to find much about his death, or his years in between leaving the ring and his comeback. This is about all i could dig up...
DETROIT -- Former World Boxing Council super welterweight champion Duane Thomas was fatally shot while walking out of a party store Tuesday night.
Thomas, 39, of Detroit, died after the shooting, police spokesman Claude Fox said. Other details were not immediately available.
At the time of his death, Thomas was working with his old trainer, the late Emanuel Steward, to set up a Kronk Gym in London. There is no record of his burial. Somewhere, somehow, in a Cocaine deal gone sour, Duane Thomas emerged from a store and got shot in the chest, arms and legs.
One of his nephews, Ed Williams went pro, also out of detroit and is currently 12/2/1. He said he was inspired by his Uncle Duane who used to try and sneak him into the gym with him :) Love your channel Rich, good stuff.
@@Hetstaine Thanks, Hetstaine. Will look up some of Ed Williams' fights.
@@Hetstaine Hey thanks. Where did you find your info?
Love your channel bro.
,Many boxing fans have forgotten about the legendary Kronk boxer Bernard "Superbad " Mays. Emanuel Steward compared him to Sugar Ray Robinson and said he was the greatest prospect he ever saw. A young Thomas Hearns said he almost quit boxing because of the beatings he took from sparring with Superbad.
Great video on my uncle Duane Thomas.
Thank you, Jamie.
Boxers have the most inspirational stories in my opinion and they prove that anybody can make something of their life through hard work and dedication. Again, how do you keep up this work rate?
Have to produce content when I have the time...There may be some occasions where quite a few days will go by when I won't be able to post.
@@RichtheFightHistorian That's totally understandable. You are doing an amazing job at this TH-cam thing. Keep it up! 💪🏿💪🏿
prolific 🥊👍
Well said Sir.
This is an amazing video.
Loved this one, my only recollection of Thomas was that he beat Mugabi, but then seemed to dissappear from my radar, I guess as I didn't really begin to follow boxing so closely until 1988, when I began buying Boxing News, KO, Boxing Illustrated and Ring magazines.
I didn't realise, after beating Mugabi, unquestionably his best win he lost to Aquino, then Rosi and that was pretty much him done, what a rapid fall from the top.
But for a few years he was a seriously talented fighter... I guess it's so ironic, you don't know what you've got until its gone, and by the time you find that out, it's too late to get it back.. Its gone for good
Thanks Rich!
Thank you, Bruce.
Great channel. I’d love to see an episode on Charley Burley maybe the best fighter to never get a title shot. Rated by the likes of George Benton and Archie Moore as the best fighter they ever saw.
Yeah, this is my favorite boxing channel and I belong to a ton of them.
Their are world champions today who are very lucky they wasn't fighting 30 years ago they would of got hurt. Those guys are straight up killers. Brilliant video again 👏
Thanks, Martin.
What a great story , and the way you told it.
Thanks for watching!
I would love to see a video on who the boxing world considers or considered the best cutman of all time . If possible. I understand if that's not possible. I just love stuff like that. Would also love to hear about Emmanuel Stewarts life.
Another great video. Thanks for your hard work my friend.
Thanks. Researching cut men would take a long while and I don't know how successful it would be as they don't get a helluva lot of press. Was thinking about doing a few on old school trainers ; Ray Arcel, Eddie Futch. A piece on Steward would certainly be interesting as well.
@@RichtheFightHistorian Kinda figured that. Emmanuel Stewart one of my favorite people. Trainers be fine too. Thanks for responding my friend. You stay safe and God Bless.
I respect every fighter that steps in the ring...it's can be a lethal profession and tho I like to think I've got a lot of knowledge of boxing this channel just keeps on surprising me and it's fantastic to see these warrior's who may have been forgotten get the credit and exposure they deserve, Mugabe was an absolute beast ( and by saying he'd already been beaten is irrelevant to the fighter that's climbs in the ring with him , he doesn't know what kind of shape or what mental state Mugabe's in , we've seen so many fighters that bounce back stronger from a loss so I don't like that narrative ) and a lot of fighters rightly avoided him ...he gave hagler an hell of a fight so just that alone tells you that he was a warrior so for this guy to stop him is fucking impressive , I'll be honest I've only watched this video up until the hagler victory and I sincerely hope that he's not some cautionary tale that ended up getting ripped off or ( god forbid ) ended up punch drunk .
These are very tough and brave men that usually fought their way out of poverty but the fact is ..they risk their lives or well being for our entertainment and when I hear of fighters getting ripped off by their promoters or managers it really pisses me off cos their just sat on their fat , greedy and corrupted asses...they use up fighters and then spit them out ...the likes of Don king and others of his ilk are just vultures masquerading as human beings ...boxing is a sport you don't play but as a hard-core fan I have to be honest and say there's a filthy side of it and they always have been .
That's one of the main reasons I love this channel cos these fighters shouldn't be forgotten ...they should be celebrated for the entertainment they gave us ...and supported for being gladiators ...it takes a certain type of individual to climb into that ring knowing they might not be the same afterwards....
I'm reminded of a story about sugar ray Robinson where he'd had a dream that his upcoming opponent was going to die in their fight so he called the fight off but after none of the managers, promoters and family could convince him to go ahead with fight they went and got his priest ffs...who talked him into taking the fight ...and unfortunately his opponent died so imagine having to live with that ...( I think he donated his entire purse from his next fight to give to the family ) but it makes you wonder if he took it easy on the guy because of the dream but that in turn made his opponent braver .
When Kovalev was fighting a guy in Russia he hit him with so many clean headshots but the guy was just taking them so kovalevs corner told him " stop hitting him in his head , go to the body cos this guy is too brave for his own good , so Kovalev changed tactics and went to the guys body ..but the guy mistook this for weakness and was attacking kovalev more and as we know it unfortunately cost him his life .
I know this is a long comment but I just think it's important to remember that boxing isn't a sport you play and I'm just glad there's channels like this ...fans remember the champions but it takes two to make a great fight ...so keep it up mate
Too long that piece dude !
@@serenityinside1 it depends on which way you look at it ....if you move your phone or computer it actually looks quite small ...dude
Fighters might not play but they definitely participate. Long winded term paper dude
Pretty cool dude when i was down at Kronk during those years he was there.
wow ,the fighters life stories are always so touching and inspiring. so bitter sweet how they rise and fall. God bless you & yours and may you rip in peace with our lord and saviour dt🛐
Yea I remember the fight with the beast to be honest I didn't think he would last 2 rounds but he really stepped it up on that fight. Great job my friend love all your work.
Thanks, Ron.
My guy bares a striking resemblance to Oba Carr lol anyhow could you make one of these about Rocky Lockridge ?
I should have one on Lockridge soon.
@@RichtheFightHistorian cool 😎 !
He was very underrated. First to give Roger Mayweather a loss, and a knock out at that. Gave a prime Chavez a tough fight. I remember watching a TH-cam fight video, and said "That guy boxed before". A year later, I learned it was Rocky Lockridge that knocked the young guy out cold. The guy stupidly walked up on him, shielded with the left and dropped the right over the top. Look it up, it was shortly after he had a stroke and was living on the streets.
Kronk Gold, my favourite colour.
The kronk trunks to me are a sign of an assassin
Miss you Dwayne and Emanuel you will forever be in my heart we had great times together
I have my teacher to thank for getting into boxing cos one day he said " every time I look out of the window your fighting ..why don't you try boxing " so I did and I won a few tournaments but I couldn't box for shit ..but I could fight ( I had ginger curly hair and glasses so it was either fight or get bullied ) .
I used to turn up at these tournaments and there'd be kids that had been bullied and there father's had spent stupid money on trainers and boxing lessons and they fucking hated me cos I'd climb in the ring with my ginger afro and terrible eyesight and I'd just corner them until they quit and climbed out of the ring ...and I felt sorry for them cos their fathers thought they could instil courage in them when some people just aren't like that ...I was very aggressive ...but when I faced a trained tough fighter he took me apart ...I couldn't see the jabs coming ...and my marauding style didn't work against their defensive skills ..I was hitting fresh air and one kid hit me that hard in the first rd that I didn't come around untill the bell went for the 3rd...but I caught him with a lucky punch and I won the Yorkshire schoolboys championship ...but they neglected to bring the trophys..so I got a free pie and peas voucher ...so that's my boxing story
You should sue them for that trophy, haha. Cool story.
Your forgot something interesting: "Mugabi takes a brutal accidental thumb in his left eye and can't continue. In a strange twist, before the fight Mugabi argued against using thumb tabbed gloves and sadly got his wish." - boxrec
Not forgotten, I addressed that in the Mugabi piece I did. This video is on Thomas' POV.
Rich you just keep raising that bar big fella, brilliant stuff...who you think will win wilder or Fury...I'm from the UK so I gotta go with Fury.
Thanks, Copee. I can't handicap a Wilder fight. He can lose every second but then land that big right. Too many intangibles because of Fury's covid diagnosis and the unknown factor of Malik Scott in the corner. Really looking forward to it though.
I’m smelling an upset ; tho I really like fury . But like rich said the covid could be a factor, fury seems a bit more out of shape this time .
Love the channel, but the music is way louder than the narration.
I noticed that the kronk fighter don't wear the golden trunks till there champ's is this a thing in the gym or just me only see this help me out love to know ?
As far as I know they could all wear the red & gold, champ or contender.
Thanks for your reply rich 👍
Rest in Peace Champ!!! A really cool guy. We met years ago at the Kronk boxing gym...
... His father left his mother before he was born. Wow, never heard of that before in Thomas' background /culture
I would think he was looking past aquino who he thought would be an easy 1st defense.
I think Thomas beat Mugabi on the same night Jimmy Paul lost to Greg Haugen. Emanuel bet $620,000 on Paul. He was supposed to win that one. The referee Joey Curtis, in my opinion, was absolutely a crook.
I hear kronk I think manny. Youngins think Pacquiao. Nope the man Emmanuel Stewart. He learned from someone though. Kronk is legendary.
I believe he was the first boxer to beat John The Beast Mugambe .
Second. Hagler was first.
Ok wasn't sure I remember him beating The Beast I know Hagler beat him also. Unbelievable how long ago that was.
RIP Champ
🔥🔥🔥
Buster Drayton despite having a statistically poor record was a great boxer. He upset British prospects Mark Kaylor and Jimmy Cable in what were considered big upsets at the time.
Buster Drayton was so tough, unorthodox and strong.
RIP Champ! You are missed🙏
Damn completely forgot all bout Thomas
I love these stories. They provide so much insight about the minds of fighters. A short fuse often relates to a lack of intelligence. People of simple minds often respond with anger because they are unable to comprehend a real discussion. The BK’s were mostly known for simple minded children.
I think he was the 6th champion, not the 5th (the 5th was Gaby Canizales)
Canizales wasn't with the Kronk when he won the title in '86.
Alot of these fighters ive never heard of or basically know the names as opponents to other welĺ known fighters yet you seem to make everyone interesting. Think you should look into trying to make a career out of it like a type of Nick Broomfield. Finding the right person to make a documentary of is the difficult part.
Thanks, Chris. I'll have to look up Nick Broomfield.
RIP🏆
Kronk's 5th world champion and 32nd Kronk member to die in a drug related incident.
Can’t be true
Tommy hearns not one of those 😂😂
@@matthewnikitas2904 No, but sadly has brain damage. But what a warrior! One thing about Hearns; the other guy was usually knocked out......
@@milojanis4901 Look at the situation of Gerrald McClellan he was originally from the Kronk Gym…
Those guys must had tough sparring sessions.
@@matthewnikitas2904 Tommy is a solid human being.
Me i told him to take up boxing because he looked up to me i saved Dwayne on the streets
RIP 🙏🏾😔
Rip duane thomas
Rih champ!😎
Duane robbed our title, he thumbed my country man & childhood friend John “The Beast”Mugabi to win that championship. It was a sad day for us but that’s life.
Aquarius 0 to 1000 in a blink of an eye tempers
He fought MUGUBY, after Hagler took everything out of him,and he got into drinking, and was doing a lot of cocain,a young MUGUBY would of destroyed Thomas
I think he lacked technique
Thomas didn’t defeat David Braxton. I was there ringside in Detroit. Braxton beat him by D.
That fight is posted on the channel.
@@RichtheFightHistorian can’t comment on that Rich. All I know I was there and friends with David. He won. After that Braxton and his great trainer teamed up with Emanuel and they were @ Kronk. Those were the best of times in Detroit 🥊👍❤️
@@RichtheFightHistorian I was friends with Don Thibodeaux too. GREAT man extremely talented guy. He is missed 🥲
Rich Luther Burgess was Braxton’s trainer and he also was training Dwight Davison @ this time. Luther and James Toney’s great trainer Bill Miller both joined up with Emanuel @ Kronk. IMO Detroit had some of the greatest boxing minds and trainers in the world. Remember many were mentored by Eddie Futch. Detroit was a pugilistic hot bed! 🥊❤️👍
@@thomasskinner2475 He looks like a colorful character. I read he was also some kind of artist that used scrap metal or some other such material for his work but I may be mistaken.
He couldn’t punch tho, guys could take his best shots easy..
I didn't know Detriot had Latin Kings
Never heard of of these guys
He got beat by two nobodys so he was only a b fighter!!!
Thomas had a mean streak and was able to beat Kalambay and Mugabi...something a b-level fighter wouldn't be able to do. Aquino and Rosi were damn good fighters so no disgrace in losing to them.
@@RichtheFightHistorian I had no Idea he beat Kalambay. That says loads about his ability.
@@RichtheFightHistorian it was a disgrace so Thomas a ok b + fighter than ok may he rest uo
Mugabi sucked. so overrated. Hagler took it easy on him
Very fitting profile name for a casual :)
@@coreo2408 Not even casual. used to be a huge boxing fan but in 1993 when MMA/UFC came out i found out the truuth. and the truth is ground fighting is superior to stand up. pretty much quit watching boxing after that. Jitsu/wrestling and judo are the best in a street fight.
@@ufcman8015 oh so you’re a street fighter now ? Hahah
Mugabi was one of Hagler's toughest fights. He fought his ass off and probably hit Marvin harder then anyone ever hit him. He had power and Marvin I herd was pissing blood after the fight. John Mugabi wasn't the same after the fight. He got thumbed in the eye against Thomas and he reacted by turning his back and laying on ropes. The referee stopped it because of that, had he taking a knee and a count he may have been able to clear his vision enough to finish the round.
Boxing is the best art to learn for self defense, most fights start with a punch. In judo you need to get on the inside to make it work. Wrestling is superior to judo.