Who you callin' a bum?

                                                                                                       

  By Alden Chodash

 

 

 

Myths in boxing are very common, especially when controversy surrounds some of the monumental events in boxing history. Some myths are made by the fighters who fell short in a bout of importance, some where made by their managers looking for publicity. But the myths that really made an impact sometimes came out of the minds of media members, such as the "Bum of the Month" Club who were unsuccessful in taking dominant heavyweight champion Joe Louis' crown. 

 

The sportswriters who created this mini-sensation were obviously critics arguing whether or not Louis' legendary title reign was legitimate. But not only were five of the opponents in Louis' reign Hall of Fame Members, but 20 out of 25 of the challengers were legitimate contenders who were ranked among the top-ten in the division. 

 

Louis, one of the greatest fighters pound for pound of all time, wasn't prone to adversity against these so-called "bums", he also gave some relatively unknown challengers a big chance to prove to the public that they were indeed world class. Chilean, Arturo Godoy was a prime example of a fighter, relatively unknown, came into prominence after nearly besting Louis for his title on February 9th of 1940, and later had somewhat of a successful career, winning 35 of his next 46 bouts.

 

One of the most classic cases of a fighter rising to prominence after giving champion Louis all he could handle was Jersey Joe Walcott. Walcott, a journeyman not thought to have much of a chance in his assignment of besting the "Brown Bomber", was thought by many to have been at the terribly wrong edge of a controversial decision against Louis, and after Louis regrouped to stop Walcott in the rematch, Walcott made history by becoming the oldest heavyweight champion three years later. 

 

So while the sportswriters of the day claimed Louis' management was being unreasonably generous to their champion, their matchmaking was very generous to the contenders of the heavyweight division. Also, if there was a man who might of been treated to harsh circumstances it was Louis who was made to put his title on the line nearly every month against fighters I know now were worthy and fighters who must of been thought of by some to be worthy considering the fact that they were ranked as high as they were. The reason the "Bum of the Month" myth was introduced to the public was because of Louis' dominance against his adversaries, or at least most.