Philippines, 13 Oct 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Jack Fiske, Reporter, 1917-2006


PhilBoxing.com




Jack Fiske, widely recognized as the Dean of Boxing Writers in the United States and beyond, epitomizes the essence of what a sportswriter should be.

“Jack has a style akin to Pierce Egan’s—stinging, swift, sufficient—much like a left hook from Joe Frazier or Muhammad Ali’s jab,” my father once said of his friend.

Jacob Quincy Finkelstein was born on July 15, 1917, in New York City and grew up in the rough and tumble streets of the Bronx. He enlisted during WWII and served as a medic in the Army Air Forces in Australia and New Guinea. After his military service, he enrolled at the University of Alabama and later managed the school boxing team.

Mr. Fiske worked for The Birmingham Post (Alabama), Newport News Daily Press (Virginia), Daily Press, Trentonian (New Jersey), Alameda Times-Star, and Richmond Independent (California) before joining The San Francisco Chronicle in 1950. He wrote about boxing for over 40 years. His widely-circulated and syndicated column, "Punching The Bag," was the premier source of boxing information in the United States from 1947-1992.

His house on Robblee Street was a veritable boxing museum filled with rare books, artworks, photos, and memorabilia he amassed during his adventures in and around the squared circle.

Renowned for his concise and hard-hitting analysis, Mr. Fiske covered notable ring battles, including the first Muhammad Ali - Sonny Liston bout (February 25, 1964), Sandy Saddler - Gabriel “Flash” Elorde at the Cow Palace (January 18, 1956), and wrote about the rise of Filipino greats Luisito Espinosa in the San Francisco Bay Area (1988-90) and Morris East (1992).

Mr. Fiske possessed a keen eye for detail and dove headfirst into the brutality of boxing. A representative of the old school of journalism, he submitted his vivid fight descriptions via payphones, relying on notes hastily written on whatever sheet of paper was at his disposal. Fight fans eagerly awaited and were always ready to devour "The Chronicle's Perspective."

Near the end of his storied career in sportswriting, he collaborated with his friend Hermie Rivera and co-wrote about the great Filipino boxers of the past.

The following articles inspired the development of our very own Philippine Boxing Hall of Fame.


"Little Brown Dolls: A Gallery of Philippine Boxing Champions" (Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 20, 1994)


"The Best Of A Nation: The All-Time Top 10 Of The Philippines" (The Bible of Boxing, The Ring), August 1994).

The Philippine Boxing Historical Society honors Mr. Jack Fiske for his dedication and integrity in chronicling the sport of boxing.

Notes:

The photo of the late Jack Fiske was taken by his equally late friend Hermie Rivera and is part of our collection. The attached photos and the articles both men have co-authored have been republished for non-commercial use and are in accordance with the United States Fair Use Doctrine.



Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “The Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin Ready to Shine October 29 at the 50th Anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila (Analysis)
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 19: JOE FRAZIER FIGHTS ALI, QUARRY AND ELLIS AGAIN
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Berchelt captures "Reynosa" WBC commemorative belt after triumphant return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • Supeyia Fights Mamdouh in Brico Santig’s Thailand Show; Elmo Traya and Raymond Yanong Also in Action Oct 25 LIVE on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • PIJUS LABUTIS MAKES HISTORY WITH MAIDEN MATCHROOM MAJOR TRIUMPH IN HANOI
    , Mon, 13 Oct 2025
  • ARSLANBEK MAKHMUDOV DEFEATS DAVE ALLEN AND DEMANDS TO FACE AJ NEXT
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Domingo faces Fajardo in Thrilla in Manila 2 Countdown
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Doroma-Aranas 2 on October 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FOR FISTS OF FURY 8, TOMORROW NIGHT AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camique Busts the "Mafia" in Tanzania!!!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • DAY FOUR: NEUHAUSEN, CAPITO, VERGARA AND LABUTIS CHARGE INTO SEMI-FINALS IN HANOI
    , Sun, 12 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING BOXFEST XVI LIVE ON DAZN RESULTS: DEONTE BROWN DEFEATS GRIMARDI MACHUCA
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SBA Expands Scouting Tour to Discover New Talents for Season 2 Team Expansion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Alvin Camigue KOs unbeaten Ibrahin Mafia in Tanzania
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DARE TO ENTER: ORTIZ VS. LUBIN LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY, GOLDEN BOY ANNOUNCES STACKED PRELIMINARY CARD FEATURING FAN FAVORITES ERIC PRIEST AND ROBIN SAFAR
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ennis vs. Lima: Boots is Back in Philly
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Weigh-in Complete: Philadelphia's Jaron Ennis and Uisma Lima Set for WBA Interim World Title Fight
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Ronny Alvarez Training Camp Notes Ahead of Most Valuable Prospects 16 on DAZN
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Bruce “Shu Shu” Carrington Featured in Exclusive Global Boxing Network Interview
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • SHEFFIELD WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS ALLEN AND MAKHMUDOV FACE-OFF FOR FINAL TME
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • Manchester says Goodbye to Ricky Hatton
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • DAY THREE: CHUA AND GORST KNOCKED OUT AS BIADO, YAPP AND SHAW MARCH INTO LAST 16
    , Sat, 11 Oct 2025
  • JARON ‘BOOTS’ ENNIS AND UISMA LIMA PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • RED OWL BOXING: BOXFEST XVI – OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025
  • Irish amateur star Jim Donovan Right back in ring after pro debut
    , Fri, 10 Oct 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.