The Genius Boxer Ray Robinson Avoided | Charley Burley Breakdown

Charley Burley is widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters to never win a world title. In this documentary analysis, I delve into his only recorded fight with Oakland Billy Smith, breaking down Burley's unique style, techniques, and the profound impact he had on boxing. A genius!
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Footage of Burley vs Smith 2 (Legend of Boxing in Color):
• The Only Footage of Ch...
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Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:51 - Part 1: Beginnings and hardships
04:40 - Part 2: The Genius of Charley Burley (breakdown)
05:30 - Stance and Style
06:38 - Lead hand
08:35 - Footwork
10:50 - The Right Hand
13:30 - Inside fighting
14:47 - Feints and Setups (counters)
16:18 - Defense
19:12 - Strategy and Ring craft
20:51 - Part 3: Impact and Legacy
No copyright infringement is intended. All content used in adherence to Fair Use copyright law.
#charleyburley #boxing #boxinglife #boxinghistory #boxingfans #boxingdocumentary

[@LegendaryS.O.G]

One of my favorite fighters of all time. Yesterday I watched his fight. Great analysis as always. I would like to know more about the styles of Ezzard Charles, Henry Armstrong, Archie Moore, Ray Robinson and James Toney

[@BoxingLife]

Much appreciated! Yes would love to do something for all of them too!

[@Markzuckfuckerburg]

@@BoxingLifeWould love some on winkey wright, Salvador Sanchez, Willy pep, Paul Williams, William zepeda.

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Henry Armstrong the one guy without a size advantage that I think could beat Floyd. He’d get inside fights without needing to push them to the ropes

[@domagoj4843]

Boxing Legends tv. here on YT...

[@btwentwo]

Charles Farrell writes extensively about what he calls the "black code of fighting" in his book, and cites Burley and the West Coast Murderers' Row as prime examples. Men who had to fight all the time, trained together, and created over the generations a style that could withstand the damage that a relentless schedule inflicts. I highly recommend his book "(Low)life"-he's a thoughtful guy and a good writer with a lot of stories. Relevant excerpt: "between them, Charley Burley, Eddie Booker, Holman Williams, Henry Hank, Holly Mims, Ralph "Tiger" Jones, and George Benton fought 735 times. Collectively they suffered eight kayo losses. Keep in mind that, during the eras in which they fought, if a bout was stopped as the result of a cut caused by a head butt, the damaged fighter still lost by TKO. Using today's boxing rules, those eight kayo losses would have been cut in half. Further keep in mind that these fighters all spent their careers taking on monsters (including often having to fight each other), but that none of them was a world champ. None ever even fought for a title." Seeing the way the "black code," if we accept his term, flows into boxers like Mayweather and particularly James Toney, makes for a rewarding way to see boxing styles play out over history.

[@BoxingLife]

Really intresting and thanks for sharing this. There is channel called TheUmmahFightCamp and he does great video on the origins of this style. In terms of that a lot of black blue collar workers at the time of the 1920s-30s also helped develop this style as they didn't have the same amount of time to train in the gym compared to pros. So, therefore, developed a style for sparring so they could defend themselves on the ropes when they where tired. I guess Burley combined elements of this within his, but with more defensive footwork.

[@SOLE_II_SOUL]

I’m glad Burley is getting his due for the modern fans who may not know him. The whole Black Murderers row were feared.

[@reece417]

Please give us a Salvador Sanchez and Julio Caesar Chavez Sr. film study

[@BoxingLife]

I will!

[@reece417]

@@BoxingLife Thank you

[@timhughes3684]

@@BoxingLifeSal Sanchez please!

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Sal deserves it. Super unique style

[@SamuelJohnYoungIII]

Canelo Alvarez was an Overrated PED Junkie and should not be used as a Great Boxer example!!!

[@statsandfactsboxing]

I studied his fight against Oakland Billy in 0.5 if you want to go through them go ahead Charley Burley vs Oakland Billy 1. Round - Charley is Constantly moving in circles when hes not punching - He is also more on the backfoot and Jabs AND FEINTS alot . He would move backwards after Jabbing against the taller opponent (drawing him into his counter ) - He is really instantly pro actively moving back after jabbing to see how Billy responds - he would use alot of headmovement slipping to the in- and outside so his opponent would get used to the movement and he can up - jab ( his best punch ) unpredictable. Sometimes just slip to the inside , sometimes slip upjab - Burley would slip / bend to the outisde over his rear leg! after the upjab 2. Round - charley would again use his jab followed by defensive footwork ( moving back pro actively ) - He would use his traditional tap jab ( maybe to trigger his opponents jab ) to then slip to the inside and throw a lead uppercut to the body , using headmovment to slip to the outside over his rear leg right after - burley keeps being VERY defensively responsible after the jab hes really expecting something to come back at him - Best Detail in Round 2 : he starts throwing a jab instantly moving backwards . right after he would feint the jab but not move backwards but slip to the inside and throw the lead uppercut to the body, then slip to the outside and move out of range behind the shoulder 3. Round - Burley would keep Billy turning at the beginning using jabs or feints when hes not circling - Even tho he is the smaller man , he is GREATLY defensively responsible and on the backfoot aswell - When he is usually moving backwards after the jab , HE MAKES HIS OPPONENT STEP TOWARDS HIM then switches his shoulder trajectory to throw a lead bodyshot . He pulls his opponent into his counter, - Burley is really aggressive to land his inside slip upjab and turns it into a gazelle punch. He pivots out to the lead side or uses headmovment to slip over his rear side right after - burley is fishing with the jab , i dont know what counter he is looking for , and he is greatly defensively responsible fishing with the jab always ready to move out of range 4. Round - burley starts the fight by turning and feinting when planted, sees Billy doesnt respond to a tap jab so then he shoots a lead uppercut after a tap jab and ends up in the clinch - burley keeps using jabs from different angles and his great upjab with footwork, he really is very defensively responsible when jabbing - when both fighters stand toe to toe burley effortlessly smothers billys overhand right - ( check round 3 notes ) he would also pull his opponent into his right cross , jab - move back , move back in against the aggressive billy with a right cross ) - after burley would move out of range when jabbing being very defensively responsible he would close the gap again using his lead upjab , it looks like a gazelle punch , it is infact 5. Round - burley tries to time his overhand over billys jab right away - When his opponent had his face well protected when burley moves in using jabs , he would instead throw a wild right cross that looks like an overhand to the body so jabs with footwork moving forward into a wild rear hook to the body - ive seen Burley trying to land a big overhand after finding the range with a tap jab 3 times this round already - burley really loves to land his upjab, he would step up and over while changing shoulder trajectory sometimes to get an angle sometimes he doesnt step when changing shoulder trajectory - it seems like burley is really trying to land that overhand - when Burley slips to the inside he can always weave the opponents lead hook with footwork angling to the right then shooting the rear cross lead hook

[@patrickbrowne4606]

One of the things that impresses me the most about the great Charles Butley was the time back in 1942 when he fought the great Ezzard Charles, Holman Williams (a tremendous fighter) and then Ezzard Charles AGAIN within a period of about one month. Today’s fighters barely fight three times a YEAR let alone a month. That’s just one example of how radically different boxing is now compared to back in the day. I really wish there was more footage of Burley available, especially his fights against Charles, Moore, and other fighters closer to his size..this fight against Smith is against a guy who’s a natural light heavyweight, and he’s several inches taller and several pounds heavier than Burley. I’d LOVE to see one of his fights against Fritzie Zivic, who was a welterweight and around the same size. But the man was so avoided he HAD to fight middleweights, light heavyweights, and even HEAVYWEIGHTS at times! HE was TRULY an uncrowned champion!

[@devilface97]

Zivic had his people buy burleys contract to make sure he didnt have to fight him again

[@patrickbrowne4606]

@@devilface97 I read about that! This really shows that Burley was the REAL champion..not only had he beaten Zivic in two of their three fights, the managers of Fritzie were so afraid of Burley that they bought his contract! Zivic had them make SURE that he wasn’t going to fight him again!

[@ethankim85]

Ezzard Charles beating Burley twice in the latter's prime at only 20 years old has to be one of the greatest achievements in boxing history.

[@devilface97]

It was good win for charles, but charles was naturally bigger and already had a fair amount of experience by then. Burley was injured badly in sparring a few days before the first fight, and accepted the rematch the same week he fought another hall of famer. It was a good win for young ezzard, but burley was at his best fighting other welterweights

[@ethankim85]

@@devilface97 The injury point was fair but I would like to point out that Charles was only two years into the game at that point and had yet to reach his prime. Case in point, he later lost to Marshall and Bivons who he would absolutely crush in subsequent rematches. Charles prime was not until 1946 while Burley was six years into his career, on a twenty fight win streak and clearly in the peak of his career.

[@devilface97]

@@ethankim85 you make a great point. Wish we had those fights on film, the first fight especially was a good one from the write up.

[@xGhostRidah]

That goes to show you that Ray Robinson would beat Charley. Especially if the money was righ.

[@RajSingh-lr7lj]

Great video! You did him absolute justice with this video, I really appreciate you giving these old school legends the respect they deserve. What a sad world we live in, where great boxers sometimes get overlooked because they have quiet personalities or just dont like to boast all that much.

[@BoxingLife]

Much appreciated Raj! Yeah I hope overtime this video helps raise awareness of Burley!

[@blackjaguarlord]

This is the best documentary I've ever seen on Burley; KUDOS!

[@hazzyhugh8729]

He was very smart..always protecting his chin during the clinch.

[@gesto70]

Wow! What a great video and analysis. Very good. While others seem to follow trends you are out in front.

[@BoxingLife]

Thank you Gesto! Hopefully raises more awareness of these guys!

[@adriannavares]

another great video man you should do another video on another boxing legend Salvador Sanchez. Charlie Burley vs SRR, and Sal Sanchez vs JCC thw two best fights in boxing that we could have had but unfortunately those didn't happen

[@xGhostRidah]

You want to know how Charley fought in his prime? My grandfather told me, what we saw in a prime Roy Jones, that's how he fought. He also said Charley would've been too big for Ray because he was a natural middleweight weight but, he did say he would give Ray Robinson the edge because of his footwork and speed. Btw, he saw Ray Robinson fights between 1942-44 in New York. He only saw 3 of Charley fights in his prime.

[@billystone8204]

Before even seeing what will be on display I know the video will be great besides Sam Langford do you think Benton or burley are best fighters to never win world title 🥊life4life

[@BoxingLife]

It's hard to say Billy! Going off what past opponents say, you have to probably say between Burley and Langford. Benton didn't get the opportunities either, but his era maybe slightly weaker.

[@sakutarousama290]

@@BoxingLifeHolman Williams and Cocoa Kid could go there as well

[@billystone8204]

@@BoxingLife amazing video and I never knew he refused to go the Olympic Games due to it being in Germany Jamie 🫡🥊life4life💯🔥

[@statsandfactsboxing]

hey @boxing life. Thank you for the great uploads , keep it up.

[@BoxingLife]

Thank you, my man! Truly appreciated!

[@danieldijmarescu5291]

Amazing work again, Jamie! It's much appreciated how deep you dig!

[@BoxingLife]

My pleasure Daniel! Thank you!

[@easyrawlins2392]

Very good video. It displays why I love boxing so much. The technique the warrior mentality the tough training. Boxing is a great sport. I love how you really researched too make this video. What a gem of a video. Thank you

[@kmyattjr]

Great video as always man!

[@marksimmo8626]

Great up load iv never heard of burley what a great fighter so true he had championship quality

[@BoxingLife]

Thanks Mark! He was some fighter!

[@koreymatthews7137]

The roll from 17:20-17:28 is beautiful

[@daeviontaylor]

Give us a video on Mr untouchable Niccolino Locche

[@bentejallow5272]

his stance reminds me a bit of Gervonta Davis/Abdul Wahid his stance

[@godfirst2072]

Great documentary. Thank you for sharing.

[@martinmulligan8451]

Always love a Jamie breakdown ❤

[@BoxingLife]

Always appreciated Martin! 👊

[@tbreezo6293]

Do a video on Puello

[@endlessfeast]

Fantastic film study

[@conwaytwitty8634]

Thanks so much! I always wanted to learn more about Burley and this is the definitive resource. I never knew Robinson ducked him! What an era that was for boxing! Thanks for the fight analysis too. Brilliant.

[@gleasonsgym]

one of the legends.

[@user-dh5cv6go1v]

He reminds me of Wilfredo Benitez. Interesting life story, tku for post.

[@elel2608]

This is why I rate Ezzard Charles as maybe a top 5-7 GOAT. Dude fought EVERYBODY, including Charley Burley.

[@FayzBoxing]

Great video on the almost mythical Burley 🥊

[@MM-Red]

Can you please give us a film study of Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez and Alejandro "Cobrita" Gonzalez. My 2 favorite fighters from the early 90s

[@Gakkad]

Any chance you can get amateur spars or fights from around the uk??

[@Just_a_Reflection]

Thanks for this. The Leader of Murderers Row🥊!

[@surrealistidealist]

Ezzard Charles was avoided a lot, too. He even beat Charley Burley twice!

[@romanboxing3959]

An underrated fighter named Jimmy Leto beat Burley. You should find out about Leto. He fought everyone

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Inside slip spear jab. Black-Americans tend to be exceptionally good at head movement. Rhythm results in this upper body fluidity

[@zaedaone]

Coming from someone in this gen his style really reminds of like a primal ancestor of shakurs style

[@drummersagainstitk]

Thank you so much for your work. It is important. The edits and production are tremendous. I'm a fight historian and know Eddie Futch called him the best etc. However IMO! Charley wouldn't have lasted very long against several modern MW. Ex. Mouzon and GGG would make quick work of him based on the film bec he telegraphed many of his shots IMO!!!!. Fighters in those days stuck to what worked with little variance. He was boring to watch for a modern fan today. STILL he was great, no question.

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Reminds me of Joe Ganz who was also well ahead of the timez

[@devilface97]

John henry lewis was a big inspiration on burley and he fought like a big joe gans

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Giving Archie Moore a boxing lesson is a feat in and of itself. Moore became THE professor of boxing. Burley-Moore was a higher ring iq version of Floyd-Marquez

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Bivol a modern master at using his feet to make them miss by inches

[@toddsamways7390]

Amazing video 🫡

[@BoxingLife]

Much appreciated Todd!

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Bivol the best today at countering a jab with your own jabs. He uses a parry jab or catch & shoot. Fights become much easier when you throw the opponent’s jab out the window. Most won’t be able to get anything going

[@user-tu4gj7xq7s]

James "the mule killer" Bell heavy weight boxer out of Pittsburgh was forced by the mob to take a dive told me he sparred with Black Dynamite and told me Charlie hit harder than anyone heavy weights included

[@MarleneWalker-su8ku]

Turns down a golden opportunity in the middle of a depression on absolutely correct moral grounds regarding Germany at that time .That makes him a hero in my eyes.Acut above a lot of the empty virtue signalling in this day and age , which is usually wide of the mark and done to enhance personal profile and financial success.

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Burley feints is his most impressive offensive asset imo. Smith no longer knew what was coming and had trouble defending

[@Los21x]

When he got backed up in the corner he was rolling the shoulders than he shifted out

[@mr.boxingmoves486]

Great great video sir 👏👏👏👏 But I have a question 🤔 If you had to come up with a black murderous row of the 21st century who would be your top 5📝🤔

[@mktf5582]

please do Len Johnson = black british fighter.

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Alvarez has a wide right to the body. Almost like a hook. Burley and Ray Robinson would throw it like an overhand

[@israeloagiledintlhe4166]

It makes sense why Robinson would avoid him , cause a counter puncher beats a boxer 9 times out of 10, the most recent example was Crawford's destruction of Spence, cause once his jab was taken away , he was a sitting duck, and this guy is the true definition of P4P, which is, can your skills translate in other weight classes other than your own🤷🏾‍♂️ ....

[@brucemedley635]

Even sugar ray robinson had bogeymen he didn't want to fight not just charley burley

[@mattsharkey8437]

Way to steal from CHAMPSIDE lol

[@LeadLeftLeon]

“His pure boxing style wasn’t appreciated as well.” Burley would counter and drop the punch count of opponents like Floyd

[@youtubetubeyou5112]

Dude he looks like Crawford 🥊

[@c.antoniojohnson7114]

@@youtubetubeyou5112 He was before Crawford.

[@davonbenson4361]

7:30, 10:04.

[@user-qh5br9jl9g]

That right hand looks awkward, weird hard and hard as hel l to defend! Fuck that!

[@robgrant5272]

Just because Ray avoided him doesn’t mean burley would have beaten him

[@mofozi]

No it definitely doesn't but it does put him at an elite level to be avoided by the accepted pound for pound

[@statsandfactsboxing]

3 comments for algorithm 💎

[@BoxingLife]

Thank you 👊

[@vince11harris]

Sugar Ray was a great fighter but he ducked the wholes Murderers Row

[@LeadLeftLeon]

The unconventional young Roy Jonez reminded an old school trainer of you guessed it Charley Burley!

[@lilcaramell]

ray didn’t avoid him he just wasn’t consistent enough to land a shot at him his tactics would of frustrated ray but ray would of won in the end

[@TFB97]

Great video, but why does everyone say Burley was black? His mum was white so he was mixed race.

[@MichaelHickey2003]

Probably just by his appearance, doesn't look white

[@antoniomosley9410]

Good point

[@Robertoduran1106]

If you have a black grandparent you’re regarded as black in America in general

[@tyrismaxey]

Why do ppl try this. 1 drop off black blood was the slave masters rule and the nation's law. That mixed stuff is PC now, not in the 1950's America. He's Black.

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Boxes with a black American style. And during those segregated timez America was quite racist: one drop rule. Meaning a quarter black person still would be considered black rather than white

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Mike Tyson greatest boxing historian ever. He could know about Burley

[@JosephMarquez-pj9dp]

Although Sugar ray robinson was a great fighter he did by pass a lot of black fighters. Jack Johnson also avoided black fighters especially after fighting Sam Langford only once he refused to fight him again.

[@LeadLeftLeon]

Keep in mind Burley beat better opponents than ggg ever did

[@wesallstar9273]

Murders Row

[@kevinbradley310]

Fencing

[@frankcerbantes9429]

The mob controlled boxing of the last century boxers just suffer the same or worst of todays MOB. Controlled boxing s duty Bussines

[@tyrismaxey]

Ray Robinson: I'll fight 200 other ppl and win 185 of them, but i ain't fighting 1 dude, oh no! I'm scared. Me: 😐 cut the clickbait titles out, your content is too good for that.

[@BoxingLife]

Appreciate the feedback, I may change it, but the video wasn’t performing as it should with other titles. But in all seriousness why did they price out Burley then twice? Also Robinson did say those quotes about not being sure if he could beat him. So there was clearly some uncertainty from him.

[@vince11harris]

Robinson also said that Im too pretty to fight Burley

[@devilface97]

Burley himself said ray ducked him, but he admitted he didnt hold any grudge over it as there was no money in a bout between them. Robinson also should have fought cocoa kid, and archie moore. Henry armstrong also avoided burley

[@tyrismaxey]

@@BoxingLife At least you are honest

[@wraithstrongopark]

i enjoyed this.

[@jefframsey7406]

Floyd Mayweather adopted all those positive moves, one aspect is is shoulder roll which obviously one technique Burley perfected.