Joe Savage: UK Bare Knuckle Boxing Champ and Legend ???

[Hulk]

Joe Savage - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia

Who was this fella ? Was he legit or full of hot air like Frank Dux from "BloodSport" ?

Either way he most certainly got smashed by Burt Cooper with the gloves on.

[greynotsoold]

A bunch of years ago, there was this tournament, a one night shot, that involved a variety of fighters. Savage was one of these; Tony tubbs and, I think, Bonecrusher Smith were as well. Donell Nichols (Nicholson?) came out of this with increased standing; he got to the finals, maybe?
At any rate, the story goes that Tubbs and Smith didn't like one another so much and a sparring session between them got serious. Savage, it is said, took one look at that and left, went back to the UK.

[Andre]

Sounds right mate, when you look at the fight above, he was exposed and dropped like a tree.

[Hulk]

A bunch of years ago, there was this tournament, a one night shot, that involved a variety of fighters. Savage was one of these; Tony tubbs and, I think, Bonecrusher Smith were as well. Donell Nichols (Nicholson?) came out of this with increased standing; he got to the finals, maybe?
At any rate, the story goes that Tubbs and Smith didn't like one another so much and a sparring session between them got serious. Savage, it is said, took one look at that and left, went back to the UK.

Thank you. I found this article about that tournament you mentioned in 93 I think it was:

Boxing: Savage makes sad exit from the world of hype: Giles Smith on a badly timed blow for a British bareknuckle boxer who is seeking a wider stage - Sport - The Independent

Also heres a better video of his fight with Cooper:



From reading about this character he seems like a bit of a nutcase, barroom brawler tough guy and con man who thought he could talk his way into some big money in boxing, but forgot he wasn't a boxer.

I reckon Cooper would have nearly murdered him in an anything goes bare knuckle fight.

Cooper was a scary individual when he was motivated and in shape.

[Spicoli]

Man I remember that. Cooper looked like he was badly abusing a highly intoxicated circus bear!! That "tourney" was a trip, some dope, no names mentioned, actually payed about $29.95 for it on ppv Thought Cooper would win the whole deal until he lost to some Aussie, oops. I think here was some former Karate guy turned boxer who lost points twice for spinning back fists on "accident" also?!

[Master]

Brutal knockout from Cooper.