Traveling fighters

[marbleheadmaui]

Despite all the squabbles in the 168 tourney about where fights should be held and willingness of chowderhead fans to acquiesce when their favorite fighters refuse to fight under adverse circumstances, boxing is replete with men who sought out the toughest fights, did what they had to do to arrange them, and in the immortal words of Sam Langford "Brought their judges with them."

Here are some of them.

Joe Gans-The Old Master fought the following fighters in their hometowns. HOFer Frank Erne, Rufe Turner, Sam Langford...in Boston...the day after fighting HOFer Dave Holly in Philly (think about that for a second) and Jimmy Britt. Partial list of course

Archie Moore-In their hometowns, Ezzard Charles, HOFer Harold Johnson (twice), Yvonne Durelle (twice).

Dick Tiger-One of boxing's very best men. He came out of Nigeria so he was always on the road. In other's hometowns, Pat MaCateer, Wilf Greaves (twice), Hank Casey, Joey Archer, HOFer Joey Giardello, Hurricane Carter.

Danny Lopez-Little Red fought most of his fights in Southern California, it is one trip he took that we shouldn't forget. Ghana David Kotey had taken the lineal featherweight title from ATG Ruben Olivares 30 months before and he offered Lopez a shot...in Accra! Lopez at the time was trained by a 72 year old who was unable to make the trip. So Lopez went ALONE! Not just without a trainer, but ALONE. In front of 100,000 Ghanian's and even with some funny business with round times Lopez took the crown.

Alexis Arguello-El Flaco Explosivo was exemplary. Ernesto Marcel in Panama, Leonel Hernandez in Venzuela, Royal Kobayashi in Tokyo, Alfredo Escalera in PR (twice), Bobby Chacon in Inglewood, Jim Watt in London and James Buscemi in Beaumont.

Eusabio Pedroza-El Alacran's schedule has to be seen to be believed. Here are his title defenses...Panama (home), PR, Tokyo, Panama, Houston, Papua New Guinea, Tokyo, Panama, South Korea, Atlantic City, Panama, Venezuela, Atlantic City, Panama, Charlotte, Rome, Rome, Venezuela, Panama, London.

Azumah Nelson-The Professor was a go anywhere, fight anyone kind of guy. Bazooka Gomez in PR, Pat Cowdell in the UK, Danilo Cabrera in PR, Jim McDonnel in UK, Jeff Fenech in Australia, JJ Leija in San Antonio (twice).

Carlos Ortiz-The PR legend fought HOFers Laguna, Locche, Loi and Elorde all in their hometowns as well as ranked guys Teo Cruz, Dave Charnley and Arthur Persley in theirs. That's ten fights, seven nations across four continents.

Brian Mitchell-The South African 130 lineal champion had to fight on the road due to the boycotts against the apartheid South African government. Mitchell defended almost always on the other guys turf. Here's a list of locations. PR, France, Italy, Panama, Spain, London,, US and all of those more than once.

One of the great other sides of the coin was light heavy James Scott, a convict in New Jersey's Rahway State Prison who beat a series of ranked 175's in the early 1980's. All the fights were held in the prison. A very strange home court.

So pardon me if I have little patience for fighters or fans who use fight location as an excuse not to fight. Negotiate all you want, but fight the damned fights!

[Mars_ax]

Despite all the squabbles in the 168 tourney about where fights should be held and willingness of chowderhead fans to acquiesce when their favorite fighters refuse to fight under adverse circumstances, boxing is replete with men who sought out the toughest fights, did what they had to do to arrange them, and in the immortal words of Sam Langford "Brought their judges with them."

Here are some of them.

Joe Gans-The Old Master fought the following fighters in their hometowns. HOFer Frank Erne, Rufe Turner, Sam Langford...in Boston...the day after fighting HOFer Dave Holly in Philly (think about that for a second) and Jimmy Britt. Partial list of course

Archie Moore-In their hometowns, Ezzard Charles, HOFer Harold Johnson (twice), Yvonne Durelle (twice).

Dick Tiger-One of boxing's very best men. He came out of Nigeria so he was always on the road. In other's hometowns, Pat MaCateer, Wilf Greaves (twice), Hank Casey, Joey Archer, HOFer Joey Giardello, Hurricane Carter.

Danny Lopez-Little Red fought most of his fights in Southern California, it is one trip he took that we shouldn't forget. Ghana David Kotey had taken the lineal featherweight title from ATG Ruben Olivares 30 months before and he offered Lopez a shot...in Accra! Lopez at the time was trained by a 72 year old who was unable to make the trip. So Lopez went ALONE! Not just without a trainer, but ALONE. In front of 100,000 Ghanian's and even with some funny business with round times Lopez took the crown.

Alexis Arguello-El Flaco Explosivo was exemplary. Ernesto Marcel in Panama, Leonel Hernandez in Venzuela, Royal Kobayashi in Tokyo, Alfredo Escalera in PR (twice), Bobby Chacon in Inglewood, Jim Watt in London and James Buscemi in Beaumont.

Eusabio Pedroza-El Alacran's schedule has to be seen to be believed. Here are his title defenses...Panama (home), PR, Tokyo, Panama, Houston, Papua New Guinea, Tokyo, Panama, South Korea, Atlantic City, Panama, Venezuela, Atlantic City, Panama, Charlotte, Rome, Rome, Venezuela, Panama, London.

Azumah Nelson-The Professor was a go anywhere, fight anyone kind of guy. Bazooka Gomez in PR, Pat Cowdell in the UK, Danilo Cabrera in PR, Jim McDonnel in UK, Jeff Fenech in Australia, JJ Leija in San Antonio (twice).

Carlos Ortiz-The PR legend fought HOFers Laguna, Locche, Loi and Elorde all in their hometowns as well as ranked guys Teo Cruz, Dave Charnley and Arthur Persley in theirs. That's ten fights, seven nations across four continents.

Brian Mitchell-The South African 130 lineal champion had to fight on the road due to the boycotts against the apartheid South African government. Mitchell defended almost always on the other guys turf. Here's a list of locations. PR, France, Italy, Panama, Spain, London,, US and all of those more than once.

One of the great other sides of the coin was light heavy James Scott, a convict in New Jersey's Rahway State Prison who beat a series of ranked 175's in the early 1980's. All the fights were held in the prison. A very strange home court.

So pardon me if I have little patience for fighters or fans who use fight location as an excuse not to fight. Negotiate all you want, but fight the damned fights!

Among the currently active, "The Road Warrior" Glen Johnson comes to mind, he has no problem going into the other pug's backyard.

It's an advantage fighting on your hometurf, so these guys who are willing to fight anyone anywhere, get my respect.

[marbleheadmaui]

Despite all the squabbles in the 168 tourney about where fights should be held and willingness of chowderhead fans to acquiesce when their favorite fighters refuse to fight under adverse circumstances, boxing is replete with men who sought out the toughest fights, did what they had to do to arrange them, and in the immortal words of Sam Langford "Brought their judges with them."

Here are some of them.

Joe Gans-The Old Master fought the following fighters in their hometowns. HOFer Frank Erne, Rufe Turner, Sam Langford...in Boston...the day after fighting HOFer Dave Holly in Philly (think about that for a second) and Jimmy Britt. Partial list of course

Archie Moore-In their hometowns, Ezzard Charles, HOFer Harold Johnson (twice), Yvonne Durelle (twice).

Dick Tiger-One of boxing's very best men. He came out of Nigeria so he was always on the road. In other's hometowns, Pat MaCateer, Wilf Greaves (twice), Hank Casey, Joey Archer, HOFer Joey Giardello, Hurricane Carter.

Danny Lopez-Little Red fought most of his fights in Southern California, it is one trip he took that we shouldn't forget. Ghana David Kotey had taken the lineal featherweight title from ATG Ruben Olivares 30 months before and he offered Lopez a shot...in Accra! Lopez at the time was trained by a 72 year old who was unable to make the trip. So Lopez went ALONE! Not just without a trainer, but ALONE. In front of 100,000 Ghanian's and even with some funny business with round times Lopez took the crown.

Alexis Arguello-El Flaco Explosivo was exemplary. Ernesto Marcel in Panama, Leonel Hernandez in Venzuela, Royal Kobayashi in Tokyo, Alfredo Escalera in PR (twice), Bobby Chacon in Inglewood, Jim Watt in London and James Buscemi in Beaumont.

Eusabio Pedroza-El Alacran's schedule has to be seen to be believed. Here are his title defenses...Panama (home), PR, Tokyo, Panama, Houston, Papua New Guinea, Tokyo, Panama, South Korea, Atlantic City, Panama, Venezuela, Atlantic City, Panama, Charlotte, Rome, Rome, Venezuela, Panama, London.

Azumah Nelson-The Professor was a go anywhere, fight anyone kind of guy. Bazooka Gomez in PR, Pat Cowdell in the UK, Danilo Cabrera in PR, Jim McDonnel in UK, Jeff Fenech in Australia, JJ Leija in San Antonio (twice).

Carlos Ortiz-The PR legend fought HOFers Laguna, Locche, Loi and Elorde all in their hometowns as well as ranked guys Teo Cruz, Dave Charnley and Arthur Persley in theirs. That's ten fights, seven nations across four continents.

Brian Mitchell-The South African 130 lineal champion had to fight on the road due to the boycotts against the apartheid South African government. Mitchell defended almost always on the other guys turf. Here's a list of locations. PR, France, Italy, Panama, Spain, London,, US and all of those more than once.

One of the great other sides of the coin was light heavy James Scott, a convict in New Jersey's Rahway State Prison who beat a series of ranked 175's in the early 1980's. All the fights were held in the prison. A very strange home court.

So pardon me if I have little patience for fighters or fans who use fight location as an excuse not to fight. Negotiate all you want, but fight the damned fights!

Among the currently active, "The Road Warrior" Glen Johnson comes to mind, he has no problem going into the other pug's backyard.

It's an advantage fighting on your hometurf, so these guys who are willing to fight anyone anywhere, get my respect.

Hear! Hear! Johnson absolutely belongs in this group!

[Spicoli]

James Scott was something else. Only seen a couple of his televised fights but had every bit the ability of Champions. Mitchell has to be one of the more unique cases for a Champ and always had that over his head, though he try best to distance himself. Gilberto Roman did a fair number of defenses in opponents backyard.

[marbleheadmaui]

James Scott was something else. Only seen a couple of his televised fights but had every bit the ability of Champions. Mitchell has to be one of the more unique cases for a Champ and always had that over his head, though he try best to distance himself. Gilberto Roman did a fair number of defenses in opponents backyard.

How come people never talk about Gilberto Roman (present company excepted of course)? What a fighter!

[ross]

Chris Eubank fought in America, England, Wales, Scotland, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, South Africa and Dubai

[marbleheadmaui]

Chris Eubank fought in America, England, Wales, Scotland, Portugal, Germany, Ireland, South Africa and Dubai

And whas considered a nutjob wherever he went! I had the good fortune to spend about 18 months in London when Eubank and Benn and Michael Watson were big things. Good times.

[Dropanuke]

Artic warp cannons and armies of barbaric megalons

[Master]

Tom Johnson fought all over the world, so did Winky before he beat Shane.

[CutMeMick]

Roman was a beast at traveling... No excuses.

In just 1 year he went Japan, France, Argentina, Thailand (I met him when he returned from this trip in Mexico) and back to France.
He fought in the US, Mexico and also Korea.


Emile deserves a mention from US to Denmark, Argentina, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, UK, his birth place Virgin Islands, Australia, France, Monaco, Italy I can go on and on.

[Jimanuel Boogustus]

As far as modern day American Boxers go, I think Winky Wright got around.
Muhammad Ali went to loads of different countries too, I think.