Search - 45 Fantastic Fights of the Century on DVD

Complete History?

JPGRfan | Ohio | 03/13/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've searched, and so far, I have not come across a boxing (mainly Heavyweight) DVD, with more footage from the early years 1900-1950,
than this one. The only one that comes close is the DVD "The Kings of the Ring".

I realize, the earlier you go back, the footage will be horrible, limited camera views, but, its part of Boxing history, so, show it.
In VHS, you can probably find a few good ones with older fights,
if you look long enough.

The footage is fair to good quality on most of them. Lots of fights on here too, from 1909 to the 1950s, maybe one from the early 60's.
Going back to Jack Johnson, Jess Willard(Not fighting Johnson), James Braddock, Max Baer, Joe Louis, Jack Dempsey and many more.

More DVD's like this, need to be released. I wouldn't call this the best, I'd call this one, the only one, with a more complete history of the early fights. Some of these might be considered rare fights, that you might not find on other DVDs.

I say its worth the 10 dollars.

Buy it.

"

Great old footage

M. Bulik | 11/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was really impressed with this movie. I actually bought it at a Dollar store (for a buck!). The producers did a good job transfering the footage to DVD. It don't have too many huge fights, but it has some fight s from as far back as 1909! It does have most of the greats like Liston, Joe Louis, both Rockys, Max Baer, and many more.

Definaltey worth the buy if you like the classic fights."

ONE OF A KIND

B Ardell Young | Camden, SC United States | 04/08/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I did not realize such DVD's existed and found it by accident. It provides footage of fighters not seen in fifty years or more. DVD actually has footage of a Jim Corbett fight from early 1900s. It is not the best quality but neither was Corbett, who was at the end of his career. However, it provided a view of Corbett's boxing style and why it was so successful at the turn of the century.

There are several Joe Louis matches which allows viewer to see strengths and weaknesses in his boxing ability. It was surprising to see the number of times Louis was knocked down by different fighters and what allowed him to win so many fights: the power of his right hand.

It does not have many fights after 1950 but those matches are not as rare. Any boxing fan will love this DVD. I purchased a second copy for a friend because he is a big fight fan."

Not quite up to scratch, but worth the price.

Mitri Matte | Seoul, Korea | 06/15/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Because it's hard to find anything on the older fighters, this DVD does fill a kind of boxing black hole; among the fighters on this compilation are ones that you rarely get to see at all.
For instance, you get the Will of the Wisp against rough-housing Sandy Saddler; it was the first time I'd ever seen Pep fight, and he's simply mesmerizing (watch him and you'll see where Orlando Canizales picked up his style). Jersey Joe Walcott's on this DVD too - he does the herky-jerky, slips and slides and shuffles his way past Joe Louis (though Louis gets the nod - go figure!). And the amazing Kid Chocolate's on the menu as well.
One of the truly great fights though, the 1909 Clash of the Titans between Stanley Ketchel and Jack Johnson, - a vicious middleweight against a skilful heavyweight - is extremely disappointing. After several minutes of the fight, suddenly, magically, inexplicably, we see Johnson down and then Ketchel on his back - without seeing the punches that did the damage! Additionally, the Walcott-Louis fight included here needs redoing - Walcott's torso disappears into the dark background of the crowd so that Louis appears to be fighting just a pair of boxing trunks with legs attached! This DVD also gives you the Tunney-Dempsey fights twice - why? No man can say!
All in all, it's worth buying to have some of the old-time greats on your DVD shelf, but don't expect too much from either the film quality or the footage.
"