Gene Labell vs. Milo Savage

[Zeke]

After reading about this mixed fight on another thread, I did some checking. I found an article in a martial arts magazine titled "When Judo Gene saved the martial arts". The author said that Milo Savage was the #3 heavyweight boxing contender at the time of the fight. Not true. Savage started his career in 1948 at middleweight, eventually fighting as a light heavyweight in 1960. He apparently did not box after April, 1960. His fight with Labell was in 1962. Savage was never a heavyweight contender. In fact, his record online is 1-5-1. Savage may well have been an old, washed up boxer looking for a pay day when he fought Labell. The surprising thing is that he lasted so long and extended Labell in their fight.

Royce Gracie's win over Art Jimmerson in the first UFC was probably a more impressive win for the martial arts over boxing. At least Jimmerson had a winning record at light heavyweight. Jimmerson was not a top contender either, but was closer to it than Milo Savage. This is not a put down of Labell, but it just shows how stories can be blown out of proportion.

[Tuff]

Good research.

Has anyone worn a boxing glove in a fight since UFC I ?

[Zeke]

I believe that Jimmerson was the last fighter to try wearing boxing gloves into the octagon. Melton Bowen did wear gloves like the ones the fighters wear now when he fought. At that time gloves were not required.

[Redneck]

Jimmerson was also the first Boxer to wear one glove.
It might explain why noone else ever bothered to try it.