"Guts"

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The Extraordinary History of Maritime Boxing

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Essence:

A documentary film, celebrating and commemorating the boxing history of Canada’s Maritime provinces from 1890-2007. Approximately 80% were Black. Profiling the fighters, fights, personalities and elements which produced this rich heritage. Boxing has been such a critical element in the progress of Black culture and civil rights. A channel for minorities, it was the ”first breakthrough” where Blacks could compete with whites on equal ground. Joe Louis and Jack Johnson were as important in making a better society as Rosa Parks and Jackie Robertson.

Extraordinary, because in proportion to its size and population the Maritimes has generated more boxers of quality in the past 120 years than any other region in North America - two world champions, the invention of shadow boxing and the punching bag, dozens of champions, great boxers, and perhaps the greatest boxer of all (according to Ring Magazine, the boxing bible), Sam Langford, who fought 600 fights but never held a world title.

Top Ten Highlights of Maritime Boxing 1890-2005

1. George Dixon wins three world boxing titles / invents many boxing techniques.
2. Sam Langford – fights 600 fights / Ring Magazine names him greatest fighter ever.
3. Yvon Durelle’s historic fight with Archie Moore - 1959, Acadian cultural hero.
4. Trevor Berbick wins Canadian, Commonwealth, world heavyweight titles.
5. Clyde Gray’s career - wins Canadian, Commonwealth titles, but loses world title three times.
6. Rockabye Ross - Canadian middleweight champion - 1946-1957.
7. Kid Howard - Canadian and Commonwealth champion - 1960.
8. Buddy Daye/Jackie Carter classic fight for light middleweight crown - 1964.
9. Blair Richardson - Canadian/Commonwealth champion - dies tragically.
10. Dave Downey - Canadian middleweight champion - 1970s.

Subjects and issues:

Sam Langford’s career - “the Boston Tar Baby”. The chemistry between the Maritimes and the world boxing centres of Boston and New York. The Maritime ethnic minorities - Black, Acadians and Irish - who developed a boxing tradition. The Creighton Street Gym in Halifax where many champions developed. The colour bar - 1908-1937 after Jack Johnson won the world title from Joe Louis. The rebirth of boxing after World War II. Muhammad Ali’s visit to Halifax in the ‘80s. The 1970s and ‘80s - Gray, Anderson, Clarke, Berbick. The 1990s and Kirk Johnson and David Defiagbon. Da Costa 400 Implementation Report 3/31/05.

Goal:

This is a subject never documented before. The film will crystallize Maritime boxing for the future generations. Inherently dramatic, heroes, triumph and tragedy. A natural part of the 400th anniversary of Black Canadiana.

History/Status:

For at least ten years Telefilm Canada has said they would provide funding if we could find a broadcaster and production company. The search proved futile - even with the discovery of colour-tinted film of George Dixon boxing in 1898 and Langford in 1905 and 1912. With the impetus of the anniversary, the popularity of Black culture, the organization push of Da Costa 400 and new funding sources – it’s reasonable to assume it will happen. It’s time.

Legacy:

A re-evaluation of boxing, acknowledgment of its importance.

Recommendation

Absolutely. This film should have been done ten years ago. There is amazing vintage film available - Langford’s fights in 1905, 1916, and 1921, and George Dixon fighting in 1898 in primitive colour footage. The sad fact is, many of the great fighters from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s are getting old. For the record, for the future.

Budget/Action Plan:

Film is very expensive - even a documentary. This is probably a $450,000 to $500,000 film. I propose a Phase 1 and Phase 2. The Phase 1 film would be the basis for funding and recruiting a broadcaster and production company to do a full one-hour quality documentary. Quality needs to be the goal. A film that could be sold to ESPN, PBS, BBC and many of the world’s sports networks.

copyright - Da Costa 400