December 21: This Day in Boxing History — Notable Fights and Ring Milestones

December 21: This Day in Boxing History — Notable Fights and Ring Milestones

December 21 has served as the backdrop for a range of noteworthy fights over boxing history, from early 20th‑century bouts between leading pugilists of the era to modern heavyweight clashes that carried global attention.

1908 — Monte Attell vs. Jimmy Walsh

Bantamweight contenders Monte Attell and Jimmy Walsh met in a 15‑round bout at the Coliseum in San Francisco that resulted in a draw. Contemporary reports noted that Walsh failed to make the agreed weight limit, meaning the fight was not contested as a title match despite the prominence of both boxers in the division at the time. Ringside observers and newspaper accounts from The Montreal Gazette described the contest as competitive throughout, with Walsh appearing to edge the latter rounds and Attell showing early effectiveness in tight exchanges.

1908 — Sam Langford Knocks Out Fireman Jim Flynn (Reported)

Boxing archives and period reporting from December 21, 1908 reference bouts involving Sam “The Boston Tar Baby” Langford and Fireman Jim Flynn, two of the early era’s most accomplished heavyweights. Langford, widely regarded by historians as one of the greatest fighters never to win a universally recognized world title, scored a first‑round knockout of Flynn in a bout reported in contemporary news media. While comprehensive scorecards from the era are incomplete, multiple archival sources confirm Langford’s dominant performance on this date, underscoring his feared punching power and versatility across weight classes in the early 1900s.

As a note, Langford’s nickname would later be thought to be racist. However, what it actually meant at the time that he fought referred to “a difficult to solve situation, something that becomes more difficult the more you struggle with it”.  Actually, a very fitting nickname for a man who might be arguably the best to ever do it. Fireman Jim Flynn is best known for knocking out heavyweight Jack Dempsey in the first round of their bout.

2019 — Jermell Charlo Reclaims WBC Light Middleweight Title

Jermell Charlo regained the WBC light middleweight championship with an 11th‑round knockout of Tony Harrison at Toyota Center in Ontario, California. Charlo had previously lost a close decision to Harrison earlier in the year, and the rematch was ordered by the WBC after an ongoing dispute over the first result. Charlo dropped Harrison multiple times before securing the stoppage, which restored his status atop the 154‑pound division and opened discussions of future unification opportunities.

2024 — Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury II
December 21, 2024, saw one of the highest‑profile heavyweight rematches in recent years when Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury squared off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with Usyk’s undisputed heavyweight titles on the line. Usyk won by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight in his favor. The contest drew attention not only for the technical quality of the championship rounds but also for the broader geopolitical context, as Usyk, a Ukrainian fighter, competed internationally amid ongoing conflict in his home country. The event was part of a burgeoning trend of major boxing cards hosted in the Middle East. This was a very competitive and entertaining bout.

December 21

December 21’s place on the boxing calendar reflects a blend of early era pugilism and modern marquee match-ups. From drawn battles in the sport’s early organized years to championship reversals and rematches in the contemporary heavyweight division, the date has consistently produced fights that contributed to the sport’s evolving narrative and competitive landscape.