First off, I am a huge fan of boxing and cross train in it. I have reaserched an old article from BB magazines archives about a boxing vs judo match in the 50's (hope they won't mind). The match is between Milo Savage (top boxing contender) and Gene Labelle (BB judo). Here it is:
Bibliography:
Can A Professional Boxer Beat a Judo Expert?
In the August 1963 issue of Rogue magazine, a magazine of national distribution, an article appeared entitled, "The Judo Bums". The article, written by Jim Beck, added fresh fuel to one of sports enduring and smoldering controversies: whether a judoka could beat a boxer or vice versa. Although impromptu matches have been held occasionally between a boxer and a judoka, none has been held (to the author's knowledge) under specific rules and conditions or between a ranking professional boxer and a ranking judoka. Beck's article, therefore, brought to a culmination the controversy that has raged for years as to which sport is the superior form of self defense.
Beck made some of the following acerb comments on judo: "Judo . . . is a complete fraud . . . Every judo man I've ever met was a braggart and a show off . . . Any boxer can beat a judo man." Beck then described an alleged fight between himself and a judoka in which he, Beck, naturally prevails using boxing. The author met Beck. He stands approximately 6'9'' and weighs about 155 pounds. And he is no Rocky Graziano.
2nd Round: LeBell blocks a blow from Savage.
OFFERED $1,000
In concluding Beck proposed a contest between a judoka and himself ?? . . . no, but a boxer of a caliber of Gene Fullmer. His parting comments were, "Judo bums hear me one and all! It is one thing to fracture pine boards, bricks, and assorted inanimate objects (here, he's confused between the sports), but quite another to climb into a ring with a trained and less cooperative target. My money is ready ( Beck offered $1,000 to any winning judoka). Where are the takers?"
A judoka brought the article to the attention of Gene LeBell. LeBell promptly contacted Beck through Rogue magazine and offered to meet any boxer Beck selected. Gene, the 1954 and 1955 National AAU Judo Champion, was free to meet a professional boxer because of his semi-professional standing. He owns and operates his own judo school in Hollywood, California. Other judokas would lose their amateur standing if they fought a professional boxer.
1st Round: Start of fight.
CONTRACT WAS PREPARED
After much vacillating on the part of Beck a contract was prepared by the author which set forth the following specific rules: the fight is scheduled for five rounds, three minutes per round. The boxer will wear a judo-gi top (Judo robe) and a belt. He can also wear boxing trunks, boxing shoes, and to his great advantage —use unweighed speed bag gloves which completely cover his hands. He can apply any legitimate punch and hit in any circumstance. He will not be curtailed by NBA rules. Gene, the judoka, will wear his judo-gi, no shoes, and no gloves. He can apply any recognized judo or karate technique except the karate kick. A winner will be declared under the following conditions: when his opponent is disabled or is counted out for ten seconds. A referee will be the sole judge.
MILO SAVAGE
Beck selected Milo Savage, a high ranking middleweight. Savage had been fighting professionally since 1945. He had beaten such fighters as Holly Mims, Moses Ward, and Bobby Boyd. He lost two close decisions to former champion Gene Fullmer. He won his last eight fights, six by knockouts and was negotiating to meet champion Dick Tiger. Savage therefore seemed to be a true representative for boxing.
2nd Round: Savage throwing a blow.
The match was set for December 2, 1963 at the Fair Grounds in Salt Lake City, Utah, Beck's and Savage's home town. On the night of the fight, contrary to the rules agreed and set forth in the contract. Savage wore a short, tight karate-gi given to him by Beck who answered that he did not know the difference between a judo-gi and a karate-gi. Savage also wore a pair of unusual, speed bag gloves. There was a metal or plastic plate under the leather running from the knuckles to the wrist and to the tip of the thumb. His fingers were not covered. It was potentially a lethal weapon. Savage, who proved to be a great competitor, asserted that he would fight LeBell in an overcoat if necessary. But Beck and Savage's manager insisted on the gloves and the karate-gi. Gene nevertheless consented to fight him under those conditions.
A large partisan crowd was present including Salt Lake's favorite fighting brothers, Gene, Jay, and Don Fullmer.
ROUND ONE
Savage and Gene moved cautiously toward each other. During the entire fight Savage never extended his arms except to throw his fast powerful punches. He maintained perfect balance and refused to rush the judoka. Instead he moved cautiously throwing jabs with those deadly gloves. Just before the round ended, Gene managed to grab Savage's short jacket but the boxer was able to jerk away. In the engagement Gene pulled his left shoulder, an old contest injury he had reinjured a few weeks earlier.
Gene LeBell
ROUND TWO
Realizing that he could apply only a limited number of techniques because of his "bum" shoulder, LeBell's strategy was to set Savage up for a "front choke". He succeeded to flip the boxer with a "corner throw" and immediately straddled him. Savage kept punching and finally managed to put his legs into Gene's trying to break the hold. But Savage's effort was futile. LeBell would not relax. Meanwhile LeBell kept maneuvering for a better position, but the bell rang before he could end the contest. It was easily noticeable that Savage was able to elude the judoist because of his powerful strength and fighting instinct.
Clinch and LaBell giving left Thigh Sweep.
ROUND THREE
Savage threw a perfect left jab and a right-cross. The right just grazed Gene as he ducked. And both men crashed into the ropes. Gene attempted a "standing front choke" but Savage quickly attacked his opponent's body and slipped away from the grip. Gene then grabbed Savage for a "hip throw" but the boxer ceased punching and grabbed Gene's leg—thereby, preventing the judoka to move in for the throw. At that moment Savage tried a "foot sweep". It only jammed Gene's foot but the movement undoubtedly revealed that Savage must have had some judo instruction before the fight. The author also noticed that several times the boxer had attempted to ward off the judo expert with "jigoti"(judo defensive position).
3rd Round: Savage doing a Judo Foot Sweep on LeBell.
ROUND FOUR
Savage leaned against the ropes and compelled Gene to come to him. Gene moved under Savage's jabs and managed to throw Savage with a spectacular left sided "maki hard goshi". He quickly followed with a "neck choke." In a few seconds the boxer was "out cold". The choke was what Gene wanted to use. He explained that he had several opportunities to apply an arm-bar but fear that he might seriously disable Savage. He wanted to prove that judo could be effective without maiming the other party.
RIOT WAS AVERTED
Throughout the contest the partisan crowd continuously screamed mercilessly, "C'mon Milo, knock him out!" "Put the red-head away!" "Smash him !" But when Gene LeBell quickly ended the bout and effectively vanquished their idol, the crowds became violent. They threw bottles, paper cups, and other debris into the ring. Fortunately quick-thinking Jay Fullmer climbed into the ring to congratulate LeBell, thereby averting a riot.
4th Round: Clinch before throw by LeBell.
Throughout the bout Savage was not able to land a devastating blow. His most effective punches were to Gene's body but they were not crinoline.
LeBell trying to jockey behind savage towards the end of the fight.
THE FUTURE ?
What about the future, will there be more bouts ? Most likely. There will more Becks along the way who will not attempt to learn the sports or arts, but will stir controversies between them. But before they open their mouths they should take this advice. Was it Joe Louis who sagely said: "The sport of judo and boxing should never be compared because they are so different. If I were to meet a judo man and hit him first, I'll bury him. But if I don't and he grabs me, he'll bury me."
4th Round: Savage in prone position after knockout.
CONTROVERSY SETTLED ?
It is doubtful whether or not this contest will really settle the controversy between boxing and judo. There will always be those who will say "if" this or that had happened the result would have been different. But perhaps this is the way it should be between the adherents of the two great sports. What was settled on December 2, 1963 was that a ranking professional boxer lost to a ranking judoka under rules which gave each contestant the best possible advantages for the use of his techniques.
Bibliography:
Can A Professional Boxer Beat a Judo Expert?
In the August 1963 issue of Rogue magazine, a magazine of national distribution, an article appeared entitled, "The Judo Bums". The article, written by Jim Beck, added fresh fuel to one of sports enduring and smoldering controversies: whether a judoka could beat a boxer or vice versa. Although impromptu matches have been held occasionally between a boxer and a judoka, none has been held (to the author's knowledge) under specific rules and conditions or between a ranking professional boxer and a ranking judoka. Beck's article, therefore, brought to a culmination the controversy that has raged for years as to which sport is the superior form of self defense.
Beck made some of the following acerb comments on judo: "Judo . . . is a complete fraud . . . Every judo man I've ever met was a braggart and a show off . . . Any boxer can beat a judo man." Beck then described an alleged fight between himself and a judoka in which he, Beck, naturally prevails using boxing. The author met Beck. He stands approximately 6'9'' and weighs about 155 pounds. And he is no Rocky Graziano.
2nd Round: LeBell blocks a blow from Savage.
OFFERED $1,000
In concluding Beck proposed a contest between a judoka and himself ?? . . . no, but a boxer of a caliber of Gene Fullmer. His parting comments were, "Judo bums hear me one and all! It is one thing to fracture pine boards, bricks, and assorted inanimate objects (here, he's confused between the sports), but quite another to climb into a ring with a trained and less cooperative target. My money is ready ( Beck offered $1,000 to any winning judoka). Where are the takers?"
A judoka brought the article to the attention of Gene LeBell. LeBell promptly contacted Beck through Rogue magazine and offered to meet any boxer Beck selected. Gene, the 1954 and 1955 National AAU Judo Champion, was free to meet a professional boxer because of his semi-professional standing. He owns and operates his own judo school in Hollywood, California. Other judokas would lose their amateur standing if they fought a professional boxer.
1st Round: Start of fight.
CONTRACT WAS PREPARED
After much vacillating on the part of Beck a contract was prepared by the author which set forth the following specific rules: the fight is scheduled for five rounds, three minutes per round. The boxer will wear a judo-gi top (Judo robe) and a belt. He can also wear boxing trunks, boxing shoes, and to his great advantage —use unweighed speed bag gloves which completely cover his hands. He can apply any legitimate punch and hit in any circumstance. He will not be curtailed by NBA rules. Gene, the judoka, will wear his judo-gi, no shoes, and no gloves. He can apply any recognized judo or karate technique except the karate kick. A winner will be declared under the following conditions: when his opponent is disabled or is counted out for ten seconds. A referee will be the sole judge.
MILO SAVAGE
Beck selected Milo Savage, a high ranking middleweight. Savage had been fighting professionally since 1945. He had beaten such fighters as Holly Mims, Moses Ward, and Bobby Boyd. He lost two close decisions to former champion Gene Fullmer. He won his last eight fights, six by knockouts and was negotiating to meet champion Dick Tiger. Savage therefore seemed to be a true representative for boxing.
2nd Round: Savage throwing a blow.
The match was set for December 2, 1963 at the Fair Grounds in Salt Lake City, Utah, Beck's and Savage's home town. On the night of the fight, contrary to the rules agreed and set forth in the contract. Savage wore a short, tight karate-gi given to him by Beck who answered that he did not know the difference between a judo-gi and a karate-gi. Savage also wore a pair of unusual, speed bag gloves. There was a metal or plastic plate under the leather running from the knuckles to the wrist and to the tip of the thumb. His fingers were not covered. It was potentially a lethal weapon. Savage, who proved to be a great competitor, asserted that he would fight LeBell in an overcoat if necessary. But Beck and Savage's manager insisted on the gloves and the karate-gi. Gene nevertheless consented to fight him under those conditions.
A large partisan crowd was present including Salt Lake's favorite fighting brothers, Gene, Jay, and Don Fullmer.
ROUND ONE
Savage and Gene moved cautiously toward each other. During the entire fight Savage never extended his arms except to throw his fast powerful punches. He maintained perfect balance and refused to rush the judoka. Instead he moved cautiously throwing jabs with those deadly gloves. Just before the round ended, Gene managed to grab Savage's short jacket but the boxer was able to jerk away. In the engagement Gene pulled his left shoulder, an old contest injury he had reinjured a few weeks earlier.
Gene LeBell
ROUND TWO
Realizing that he could apply only a limited number of techniques because of his "bum" shoulder, LeBell's strategy was to set Savage up for a "front choke". He succeeded to flip the boxer with a "corner throw" and immediately straddled him. Savage kept punching and finally managed to put his legs into Gene's trying to break the hold. But Savage's effort was futile. LeBell would not relax. Meanwhile LeBell kept maneuvering for a better position, but the bell rang before he could end the contest. It was easily noticeable that Savage was able to elude the judoist because of his powerful strength and fighting instinct.
Clinch and LaBell giving left Thigh Sweep.
ROUND THREE
Savage threw a perfect left jab and a right-cross. The right just grazed Gene as he ducked. And both men crashed into the ropes. Gene attempted a "standing front choke" but Savage quickly attacked his opponent's body and slipped away from the grip. Gene then grabbed Savage for a "hip throw" but the boxer ceased punching and grabbed Gene's leg—thereby, preventing the judoka to move in for the throw. At that moment Savage tried a "foot sweep". It only jammed Gene's foot but the movement undoubtedly revealed that Savage must have had some judo instruction before the fight. The author also noticed that several times the boxer had attempted to ward off the judo expert with "jigoti"(judo defensive position).
3rd Round: Savage doing a Judo Foot Sweep on LeBell.
ROUND FOUR
Savage leaned against the ropes and compelled Gene to come to him. Gene moved under Savage's jabs and managed to throw Savage with a spectacular left sided "maki hard goshi". He quickly followed with a "neck choke." In a few seconds the boxer was "out cold". The choke was what Gene wanted to use. He explained that he had several opportunities to apply an arm-bar but fear that he might seriously disable Savage. He wanted to prove that judo could be effective without maiming the other party.
RIOT WAS AVERTED
Throughout the contest the partisan crowd continuously screamed mercilessly, "C'mon Milo, knock him out!" "Put the red-head away!" "Smash him !" But when Gene LeBell quickly ended the bout and effectively vanquished their idol, the crowds became violent. They threw bottles, paper cups, and other debris into the ring. Fortunately quick-thinking Jay Fullmer climbed into the ring to congratulate LeBell, thereby averting a riot.
4th Round: Clinch before throw by LeBell.
Throughout the bout Savage was not able to land a devastating blow. His most effective punches were to Gene's body but they were not crinoline.
LeBell trying to jockey behind savage towards the end of the fight.
THE FUTURE ?
What about the future, will there be more bouts ? Most likely. There will more Becks along the way who will not attempt to learn the sports or arts, but will stir controversies between them. But before they open their mouths they should take this advice. Was it Joe Louis who sagely said: "The sport of judo and boxing should never be compared because they are so different. If I were to meet a judo man and hit him first, I'll bury him. But if I don't and he grabs me, he'll bury me."
4th Round: Savage in prone position after knockout.
CONTROVERSY SETTLED ?
It is doubtful whether or not this contest will really settle the controversy between boxing and judo. There will always be those who will say "if" this or that had happened the result would have been different. But perhaps this is the way it should be between the adherents of the two great sports. What was settled on December 2, 1963 was that a ranking professional boxer lost to a ranking judoka under rules which gave each contestant the best possible advantages for the use of his techniques.
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