George Strong
Circa 1894
"Back in 1899," says Paddy Carroll,the old-time fighter and fight promoter. "I was running a boxing club as I always do when they'll let me and was wondering where I could dig up a good square semi windup bout for my next show, when a stocky, good looking young man with a tin ear as the only hallmark of the fighter, came into my office and handed me his card: "George Strong, Puglist," was all it read. Sizing him up, I could see that he was a featherweight, a compact, well-knit featherweight, and apparently good enough to put up a swell fight with anyone of his division.
""Looking for a match are you, son?" I questioned him.
"Yes, Mr. Carroll." he replied. "Anyone from 122 to 126 pounds and I'll even take 'em on at 100 to get a match."
"Ever fight anybody that amounted to anything?" I asked him.
"He smiled cheerfully."
"Well, rather he responded. "Fact is Mr. Carroll, I've fought 'em all. I've fought George Dixon three times, Oscar Gardner four times, Johnny Van Heest, Ike Weir, Frankie McHugh, AustralianBilly Murphy, English Murphy-all of them, Mr. Carroll."
"Naturally, I was impressed. "Got the documents to prove it?" I demanded.
"Yes sir, I have." he answered. "Here's my record, and he yanked out a strip of printed paper about two feet long. It contained a list of fights, mostly with the leaders of the featherweight division, and was in one way the oddest, most unique record that I ever saw. Why so?
"Opposite every name without exception, was either 'L' or a 'K'. That boy had met 200 fighters, more or less, including all the stars and every one of them, every featherweight in North America had beaten him. He didn't have a solitary 'W' on his record. From the time he first entered the ring-ten years before-to the current day and date, Mr. Strong had not won a solitary battle.
"Well, son." said I. "You seem to have fought them all, but they all seem to have defeated you."
"Yes Mr. Carroll." said he. "They all beat me, but I gave them all good fights. I never won a fight in my life, Mr. Carroll, but some day I'll beat somebody."
"I laughed long and healthy and then booked Mr. Strong, whom I promptly re-christened the Winless Wonder for the semi-windup of the coming show. His opponent was a new performer who had been going well and beating a lot of second raters and seemed about ripe for faster doing and by advertising Strong's many battles with Dixon, Gardner, and the others, I worked up a good deal of interest in the match.
"Well, the battle started as per schedule and Young Kelly, the local light, didn't seem to get his stride. The Winless Wonder, with experience and pluck to help him, beat the boy all around the ring. For three rounds he slammed and walloped Kelly and as the gong ended the third session it looked as if the youngster couldn't go much farther.
"Son." I said as I passed Strong's corner. "It seems you are going to break your record at last and win a fight."
"I hope so, Mr. Carroll." Strong replied. "I hope so, but I can't believe my luck will let me."
"They rushed together again and again Strong whaled the junior around the ring. At last Kelly recieved a glorious belt on the side of his head and went to the floor. He got up at eight call and Strong toppled him again. He got up at nine; Strong rushed furiously; Kelly fell; Strong tripped over Kelly's foot and dove headlong through the ropes. As he fell his head struck the press table and he was stunned. The poor fellow couldn't go on; the referee had to give Kelly the decision end the incomparable record of the Winless Wonder remained unbroken."
-Philadelphia Evening Bulletin September 27, 1911
Vintage Original Cabinet Sized Photograph
Horace E. Hunt. Denver, Colorado Studio
Size: 4 1/4 X 6 1/2 inches
Condtion:Excellent Plus. Image Very Strong and Clear. Corner chip to mount as pictured. "George Strong" printed in ink on the mount.
Price: $ 245.00
Shipping & Handling $10.00 in the United States $15.00 to Foreign Destinations
3000-0246
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