Uploaded February 2014 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
When Packey McFarland retired, he was lauded as one of the best pound for pound fighters of his time. Caught in purgatory, he couldn't make the then lightweight limit (not the 135lbs we know today) and had no light welterweight division to compete for honours in. So he fought anywhere between 135 and welterweight, and sometimes higher depending on trim he was. One of the very, very best to never win a title and one of the greatest fighters of all time, with his only loss still not quite verifiable and likely undefeated in his whole career of over 100 bouts, Chicago's favourite son had wins over ATGs such as Freddie Welsh and Jack Britton on his ledger when he retired.
Coming back out of his self imposed exile after nearly two years, Packey was sought after to take on the critics' new darling, Mike Gibbons, McFarland was not in his best shape. Gibbons had been on quite a roll, and whilst he'd had a very tricky outing against Soldier Bartfield a few months before he was younger and taller than the great veteran McFarland and widely considered the cleverest P4P fighter of the time.
In these highlights you see both men exhibiting their cleverness and masterful in-fighting skills. The papers were split, but most seemed to favour Packey, though they were undoubtedly swayed by how surprisingly successful he was. Some picked Gibbons, some felt a draw was fair.
One thing is certain; McFarland's stock only rises with a performance this game, taking the circumstances into account. Still undefeated, he never fought again, and should be remembered as one of the very greatest fighters ever.
For more rare footage like this I would strongly suggest you drop ragingbull_22@hotmail.com an email.
When Packey McFarland retired, he was lauded as one of the best pound for pound fighters of his time. Caught in purgatory, he couldn't make the then lightweight limit (not the 135lbs we know today) and had no light welterweight division to compete for honours in. So he fought anywhere between 135 and welterweight, and sometimes higher depending on trim he was. One of the very, very best to never win a title and one of the greatest fighters of all time, with his only loss still not quite verifiable and likely undefeated in his whole career of over 100 bouts, Chicago's favourite son had wins over ATGs such as Freddie Welsh and Jack Britton on his ledger when he retired.
Coming back out of his self imposed exile after nearly two years, Packey was sought after to take on the critics' new darling, Mike Gibbons, McFarland was not in his best shape. Gibbons had been on quite a roll, and whilst he'd had a very tricky outing against Soldier Bartfield a few months before he was younger and taller than the great veteran McFarland and widely considered the cleverest P4P fighter of the time.
In these highlights you see both men exhibiting their cleverness and masterful in-fighting skills. The papers were split, but most seemed to favour Packey, though they were undoubtedly swayed by how surprisingly successful he was. Some picked Gibbons, some felt a draw was fair.
One thing is certain; McFarland's stock only rises with a performance this game, taking the circumstances into account. Still undefeated, he never fought again, and should be remembered as one of the very greatest fighters ever.
For more rare footage like this I would strongly suggest you drop ragingbull_22@hotmail.com an email.
