Archive for May, 2009
« Previous EntriesMANCINI VS ARROYO
Friday, May 29th, 2009Author’s Note;
Since this article was first published in th June 1997 issue of BOXING WORLD magazine, Harry and Ray have put any animosity behind them.
“Why We Missed The Battle Of Youngstown”
Let us make believe that it is 1984 again and the management of Ray Mancini decided NOT to defend his W.B.A. lightweight title [...]
The Sad Saga of Thad Spencer
Thursday, May 28th, 2009At one time he was the most prominent heavyweight in the world beside of the deposed Muhammad Ali and streaking Olympic Gold Medalist Joe Frazier. He was the favorite to win the hastily put togetherWBA elimination tourney that was set up to find a successor to the alleged draft dodger Ali. When he beat ex-WBA [...]
CLOSET CLASSIC… Bob Foster vs Andy Kendall
Wednesday, May 27th, 2009Not too long ago one of my favorite writers, Ted Sares asked me if I could come up with some bouts as he described them as ” closet classics “. I came up with a few for Ted. Here recently I was making a tape for a friend. One of the bouts was the 1969 [...]
THE COURAGE OF SCOTT LEDOUX
Saturday, May 23rd, 2009Scott LeDoux was a heavyweight contender in the 1970’s and 80’s. Today is battling his toughest opponent ever, ALS or better known as Lou Gerhig’s Disease. There is no cure or treatment. This once robust fighter has already been weakened enough to need a walker to get around.
In his fifty bout career Scott met [...]
NINO BENVENUTI
Friday, May 22nd, 2009He was a celebrated Olympic hero and undefeated as a professional until losing an extremely debatable verdict in Korea. Nino came to New York and captured the American fans with his suave, arrogant demeanor. He took two out of three against the great Emile Griffith and he was the middleweight champion of [...]
EDDIE MACHEN ; He Met The Best
Monday, May 18th, 2009 He was one of the best heavyweights of his era and possibly one of the
best heavyweights to have never claimed the title. He fought the best of the
late 1950’s and 60’s with a high degree of success.
Eddie Machen was born on July 15, 1932 [...]
REMEMBERING HENRY HANK
Sunday, May 17th, 2009Henry Hank of Detroit was born in 1935 and began his long professional career in 1953. In less then two years he was fighting the likes of Virgil Akins.
By 1959 Henry was good enough to mix it up with the best middleweights and light heavyweights in the world. Fighting men like Holly Mims, George Benton, [...]
AARON ” SUPERMAN ” DAVIS
Thursday, May 14th, 2009He may be one of the most overlooked champions of the 1990’s. He had style and skill. He won 49 of 55 bouts and a piece of the welterweight title. He knocked out 31 but he himself was never stopped. His name was Aaron Davis and they called him ” Superman “.
Davis was born in [...]
ECKHARD DAGGE
Thursday, May 14th, 2009Eckhard was an accomplished amateur who won 66 of 80 contests. When he was not picked for the 1972 Olympic team in Munich, he decided to turn pro in 1973. He won his first thirteen fights beating the likes of Matt Donovan, Denny Moyer, Manuel Gonzalez and former world champion Billy Backus. He lost his [...]
The Great Masahiko ” Fighting ” Harada
Friday, May 8th, 2009 He just may be the most popular Japanese fighter of all time. In a career
that lasted a little over a decade he squeezed in 63 pro contests. He was
the winner of 55 of those. He won world championships in two weight
divisions and he came very close to becoming a three weight class
titleholder. [...]