Life couldn't be better … fite night … the beer and soft drinks are in place … as is the chips and pretzels. And then you hear it from one of the hacks doing commentary over the magic-lantern … "Rattlesnake is a good one … problem is he's only a Cruiserweight … too small for the big guys in the heavyweight division."

Ah, yes … the ol’ Cruiserweight division … that's the one the purveyors of pugilism will have us believe they introduced to protect those unfortunates caught in a 176-195 pounds trick bag. Yeah, right! Try selling that pitch to the to the ghost of former great Jack Dempsey … and be prepared to quickly bob and weave.

The date was July 4 of 1919 that the "Manassa Mauler" celebrated Independence Day bouncing bombs off the head of big Jess Willard … all 6-6 of him … Dempsey claimed the title on 3rd round knockout … weighed in at 187 while Willard was a hefty 245.

And Joe Louis … the "Brown Bomber" ruled the heavy scene for a dozen years … arguably the best heavyweight ever … much of the time he fought at under 200 pounds … spotted Tony Galento 33 pounds in their title tilt on June 28, ‘39 … and took out "Two-Ton" in four candles.

Ezzard Charles you ask? … the "Cincinnati Cobra" scaled an anemic 187 while winning the bauble on June 22, ’49 … and lets not forget Arnold Cream … fought under name of Jersey Joe Walcott … the big day arrived July 18, ’51 when he was crowned king of the heavies at 194 lbs.

Another past champion coming to mind is Brooklyn's Floyd Patterson … inaugurated on November 30, ’56 … at all of 182 lbs. And that "little" guy from Brockton, Mass … Rocky Marciano … remains today the only retired undefeated heavyweight champion in boxing history … claimed the title on September 23, ’52 at 184 lbs … during his entire unblemished career he never once scaled higher than 189.

On that note, considering the various associations, councils and federations do not bestow its jeweled belts as gifts to the respective new champions - today they're scaled upwards into the thousands - I would suggest putting a disc on the ol’ phono when next hearing of a fite format change implemented out of compassion.

A Tony Bennett rendition of "Cold, Cold, Heart" will do nicely, thank you.

Semper fi,

Geo Elsasser a.k.a. Sam Skid

Click here to visit Geo El's "Nostalgic Corner"