DC's Kenny Baysmore.. The nearly man..

Washington Dc's Kenny Baysmore looked like he had the potential to go all the way as a pro, he had amateur pedigree and had won the 1979 national golden gloves at bantamweight. Two years later Kenny would turn professional.
For three years Baysmore would stay unbeaten and by 1983 he would be voted Ring Magazines prospect of the year, an accolade reserved for prospective future standouts. In 1984 for his 18th fight he would beat Freddy Chumpitaz for the USBA  super featherweight title, a year later in 1985 he would win a 12 round split decision over tough Myron Taylor in defense of his title.  Kenny was now 20 / 0 with 18 knockouts, and matched into the toughest fight of his career, a USBA title defense against the former WBA super featherweight champion Roger Mayweather.  Roger had only lost 2 of his 22 fights, and it was an acid test for the promising Baysmore..  Mayweather was too much for the USBA champion, and served Baysmore his first loss, by third round knockout in Texas..  Roger would go on to fight the great Julio Cesar Chavez for the WBC title in a highly publicized affair, while Kenny had to reassess the direction of his career. The first loss, especially by knockout hurt Baysmore's confidence and it was important for him to get back on the horse as soon as he could..  A full year later he would regain his USBA title by outpointing Anthony English in Atlantic city..  After two more successful defenses of his title it was again time to step up..  This time against tough Harold Knight in his opponents back yard of Atlantic city..  Knight was unbeaten in 14 fights, but had took a couple of years out between 1985 and 87..   Kenny got off to a good start against Knight, using good lateral movement, but in round six he stood too long in front of the New Jersey man and got stunned, by round 7 Baysmore had not recovered and suffered his second defeat, again by knockout.  A year later Knight would unsuccessfully challenge Rocky Lockridge for his IBF title, in what would be his last fight. Kenny Baysmore would return three months later, but would find it tough gain momentum with his career, by 1990 after his next six fights Baysmore would win 2, lose 2 and draw 2, all to inferior opposition.  Kenny needed a break from boxing and would take a 2 year hiatus from the game. 1992 saw a refreshed Baysmore beat Floyd Favors and Cliff Hicks both by second round stoppage..  Baysmore then took on promising US based Russian Sergey Artimiev, Artimiev was 16 / 1 and held an amateur victory over Shane Mosley. The fight was a last ditch fight to propel his Baysmore's career. The Artimiev fight was ill fated, Baysmore would suffer three knockdowns en route to a 5th round TKO..   Artimiev looked destined for huge honors until he almost died following his 1993, 10th round knockout loss to Carl Griffiths..  Baysmore's final night in the spotlight was an appearance on the Bowe v Ferguson undercard in DC against Sharmba Mitchell. Mitchell 29 / 0 and a huge puncher knocked Baysmore out in one round..   Kenny would box 7 more times until 2001, losing each time by knockout..  Kenny Baysmore was better than his 28 / 13 / 2  (24 KOs) record but was never able to step up to world level as a major player..
A two time USBA champion and a national golden gloves champion, Baysmore was a highly popular DC fighter who should have achieved so much more..

Tony Tucker.. A talent that could have been great.

Tony Tucker looked like he had everything, he used his height, had a tremendous jab, had respectable power and a solid chin..  Tony enjoyed a very good amateur career. Capturing the 1979 National AAU light-heavyweight title, as well as winning a light-heavyweight gold medal at the 1979 Pan-Am games and winning the 1979 light-heavyweight World Cup, Tucker looked ahead to the 1980 Olympics. Tucker had a lot of tools that could have defeated Teofilo Stevenson, the Cuban favorite but Tucker was denied the opportunity due to the USA’s boycott of the Moscow games. However Tucker like most of the Olympic representatives took the opportunity to fly to Poland and compete, independently..  In Poland Tony won his bout, and in waiting around in the airport for his father he missed the scheduled flight home, taking the next flight out..   On arrival back to Grand Rapids the Tucker family were said to have thought they'd seen a ghost..  Unbeknown to Tucker, the plane carrying most of the remaining squad home had crashed killing all onboard..
Tony is a deeply religious man and always held the belief that God had spared his life for a purpose..
Tony turned pro in 1980 under the guidance of Kronks Emmanuel Steward, beating an overmatched Chuck Gardner in 3 rounds..
Over the next three years Tucker was matched strategically as to move him quickly through the ranks..  By 1984, he had beaten ranked Walter Santemore, got past durable Jimmy Young and after a solid win over the very dangerous James Broad in 1986, Tucker was 35/0, staring at a title shot...
Tony's title fight would come on the Tyson v Pinklon Thomas card in Las Vegas in 1987..  Michael Spinks had been stripped for not defending against the IBF number 1 contender who happened to be Tucker himself..    Tony Tucker would face James Douglas, a decent heavyweight who was notorious for blowing hot and cold throughout his career..   Tony would get off to a bad start, allowing James, who was more relaxed to get into a rhythm. It took until the eighth round until Tucker got a foothold, gaining Douglass respect with his jab..  Going into the tenth round it was still close, but Tucker looked the fresher, he backed James into the ropes and started to mount an assault, Douglas wasn't firing back, Tucker pouted it on and Mills Lane jumped in to save Douglas. Tony Tucker was 28 years old and the undefeated IBF heavyweight champion..    This victory was only the prelude to a huge Glory Hallelujah unification bout with WBA and WBC champion Mike Tyson..  Tony was a huge underdog in this fight and no-one gave him a hope.  Mike Tyson was the mechanical champion that everyone thought was invincible..  On this night, Tucker proved a lot of people wrong in defeat..  In round 1 Tony caught Tyson walking straight in with an uppercut, from that moment Tyson knew he had his hands full, Tucker however boxed conservatively, trying to nullify Mikes attacks only once standing toe to toe in the final seconds of a fight where he proved his true value, losing a unanimous decision to the best heavyweight around was no disgrace..
Following the Tyson loss,  problems found Tucker..
Most of Tony's problems was his father Robert. Tony's father signed a lot of paper with a lot of people , shares for up-front money and Tony was getting virtually nothing from his purses, all kinds of people had pieces of Tony Tucker..  Tucker had no choice but to tell his father Robert that he could no longer handle his career, he had almost broke his son..
1988 Tony Tucker went through a deep depression, he had no money, the Tyson purse was still ongoing and a lot of court hearings were getting him down..  He acquired a drug habit which he kept private and wouldn't box for three years..
Tony would return in 1989 under the watchful eye of Jack Cohen, a real estate investor who had seen Tucker's demise at the hands of Cocaine, lots of cocaine and deep depression...  Tucker was 30 pounds heavier, thick set, a sterner look on his face and the trademark Jeri curls had gone... Tony would rack up 14 straight wins in the next four years, beating respectable names, Orlin Norris, Lionel Washington, Oliver McCall, Frankie Swindell until in 1993, three years completely clean following numerous rehabs, he would be presented with a chance of a competed clean start..  WBC Champion Lennox Lewis offered to defend his new crown against Tucker, now heavily backed by Don King..     Tucker's $1.005,000 purse would be enough to square up all of the financial mess his father had made and enough to make him comfortable again..    Tucker would box very competently against Lewis, he had come a long way..  He got off the floor twice to go the full 12 against a man who would prove over the next 10 years as one of the best of the era...
In the next four years Tony would only lose to future world champions..    Orlin Norris the former cruiserweight champion, Bruce Seldon in a WBA championship fight on the Holmes v McCall card in Las Vegas, Henry Akinwande in Philadelphia, Herbie Hide, the WBO champion in Great Britain, then finally in an Nabf Championship fight to John Ruiz in 1998, the year he would fight his last bout, a one round knockout of Billy Wright..  Tony's record stands 57 / 7 with 47 knockouts..
Tucker now lives in Florida, has been clean of drugs since 1989 and coaches the next generation of young prospects in a local gym..  Tony still attends the major boxing events, I was lucky enough to speak with him in April of this year at the  Mayweather v Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas..    Tony Tucker is at peace with himself..     He only ever lost to world champions.

Quillin v Jacobs.. Dibella says it's the biggest fight ever at The Barclays Centre.

Come December 5th, the bout between middleweights Peter Quillin (32-0-1, 23 KO’s) and Danny Jacobs (30-1, 27 KO’s) will be one of the biggest bout to ever take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.
Both Jacobs and Quillin call New York home so it's got a turf war flavour to help promote the huge event..
Lou Dibella is convincing in selling the show, "This is the biggest fight in Barclays history and certainly the biggest fight I will have promoted in Brooklyn and it's going to have the biggest crowd, I think we’ve been doing great crowds with Garcia-Peterson, Garcia Malignaggi. Khan-Algieri did a good crowd. This is going to be a great fight.”
If Dibellas mathematical recipe is correct, of put on a 50/50 fight in the right area, watch the magic happen..
As far as the matchup, it's a natural, both Brooklyn natives, both champions in the same division, both big characters and both former NY golden gloves winners.
Its a matchup that’s been a long time coming. Both guys in their primes , Jacobs overcoming huge adversity in his life has built a huge following, Quillin has Cuban heritage bringing a hispanic element into play..  It's a mouthwatering fight, and there's no (Pacquiao v Mayweather) 18 months of messing around, the fights was easy to make and it's a classic.

Finally.. Frampton v Quigg is On.. Feb 27th.

It looks like finally the Carl Frampton v Scott Quigg all British world title unification fight is finally on..  Northern Ireland's Frampton holds the IBF super-bantamweight belt while England's Quigg, is the current WBA title holder.
The long-awaited bout between the undefeated pair will unify both belts. Frampton is adamant that he is going into Scott Quiggs back yard to take the titles because he says "I'm the legitimate champion and It's what Champions do."
Frampton and Quigg have baited each other for a while now and only financial issues have caused previous negotiations to break down. Both respected champions are evenly matched, Frampton being the older by a year at 28..
Frampton claimed the IBF crown from Kiko Martinez in September 2014 and has defended his title twice, stopping Chris Avalos in Belfast in February before retaining his belt on points against Alejandro Gonzalez Jr after a shaky start on his debut in America.
Quigg has made five successful defences of his title since claiming the WBA belt in October 2013.
"I've finally got the fight I've wanted for so long," said Quigg.
"I've dedicated my life to this sport and I have never been more confident going into a fight. I know I will beat him in every department."
The much awaited bout is scheduled for February 27th at The Manchester Arena..

Sinan Samil Sam Passes aged 41.

Former heavyweight Sinan Samil Sam died Friday morning in his native Turkey from liver failure at the age of 41.
6-foot-3inch Sam was an outstanding amateur, winning the super heavyweight title at the 1999 World Championships in Houston, Texas before turning pro the following year.
Sam signed with Turkish promoter Ahmet Oner of Arena boxing and boxed out of Germany, winning his first 18 fights, including knockouts of fringe contenders Przemyslaw Saleta and Danny Williams. He suffered his first loss in 2003, dropping a decision to Juan Carlos Gomez on HBO’s “Night of the Young Heavyweights” in Buffalo, N.Y.
Sam was a highly respected durable fringe contender for the next few years, defeating Decent opposition, Lawrence Clay Bey and Denis Bakhtov while losing to Luan Krasniqi, Oleg Maskaev and Oliver McCall.
Sam retired in 2008 with a record of 31-4, 16 knockouts, after winning the European heavyweight title for a second time.
Sam was hospitalized in intensive care in 2010 with liver failure after vomiting blood due to excessive alcohol consumption, Sam was rushed to hospital last week with suspected liver failure..  41 is far too young to go, he was a folk hero in his native Turkey and was affectionately known as The bull of the Bosporus..

Clifford Etienne.. Breaking the habit of a lifetime..

Clifford Etienne took up boxing while serving a 40-year prison sentence for armed robbery in his home state of Louisiana. A hard puncher with torrid determination, Etienne won the state prison boxing championship in his first year. Etienne became a affiliated member of the notorious "Gunslingers" prison boxing team in Louisiana and reportedly had a 30–0 prison record. He was released on good behavior after serving 10 years.
Clifford had his sights on turning to professional boxing now as a means to going straight. He turned pro in 1998 with a one round knockout in Mississippi. By 2000 Etienne had racked up 19 straight wins and was named 2000's "Most Exciting Fighter to Watch" in the heavyweight division by Ring Magazine, largely the result of his unanimous decision over then-undefeated Lawrence Clay Bey. The fight was widely considered to be one of the best heavyweight matches of that year. He had also beaten Relentless Lamon Brewster, the future WBO heavyweight champion, on points after ten rounds in the May of that year. Clifford then landed a contract with Showtime, this elevated Clifford's profile and his stock was set to rise, but it would quickly fall after an upset first pro loss to Puerto Rican Fres Oquendo, who stopped Etienne in the eighth round of their fight in March 2001.
Clifford now had to try rebuild and by 2002 he had racked up five solid wins in a row plus a gutsy draw with highly ranked former IBF champion Franz Botha..  Etiennes fight with Botha caught the eye of the Tyson people who were on the lookout for a comeback opponent for the former champion...  In 2003 , in Memphis, Tyson v Etienne was made and Clifford was catapulted to the world's stage for an unlikely chance to pull off a huge upset.. Unfortunately Tyson showed up on this occasion and overwealmed Etienne who was prepared to exchange in the early seconds, but it wasn't for long, Etienne suffered a first-round knock-out only 49 seconds after being caught with a right hand.
After the loss to Tyson, Etienne's future seemed to be that of a journeyman opponent.  Former Olympian Calvin Brock stopped Etienne in the third round in January 2005.
The same year Etienne's last fight would be against Nikolai Valuev, who would go on to become the WBA champion. Valuev knocked Etienne out in the third round of their fight in Germany.
2006 saw Clifford Etienne find trouble again..
News Story..
Clifford Etienne was arrested Wednesday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on charges of armed robbery, kidnapping and the attempted murder of a police officer. Etienne allegedly robbed a local business, car-jacked a vehicle containing a woman and her children, then pulled a gun on police officers. He is being held in East Baton Rouge Parish Prison with a $70,000 bond.
On June 22, 2006, following his trial in Baton Rouge, Etienne was found guilty and sentenced to 150 years in prison without parole for an allegedly cocaine fueled crime spree that included robbing a check cashing business, Carjacking, kidnapping a family, and attempting to shoot two policemen. In April 2013 his sentence was reduced from 150 years to 105 years due to a technicality. Regardless..  Clifford Etienne won't be likely to see freedom in his lifetime..

Unbeaten Charlo destroys Alcine in six.

Unbeaten IBF number 2 super welterweight Jermell “Iron Man” Charlo (27-0, 12 KOs) scored a sixth round TKO over former world title holder Joachim Alcine (35-8-2, 21 KOs) on Saturday night at the NRG Arena in Houston, Texas. Charlo dropped Alcine in round six and got the stoppage with his follow up barrage. Time was 1:21.  Alcine boxing out of Canada by way of Haiti has seen better days, coming off a split draw to Delvin Rodriguez in May, he had lost 5 of his last 8 outings..  Charlo however is racking up a virtual who's who of victims, and seems headed towards a very bright future...  Jermell has 12 knockouts in his 27 victories, but every single one of his points victories have been relative shutouts,  unanimous ..

Davey Pearl.. A small man, with huge presence.

Despite his 5 foot 4 inch size, David 'Davey' Pearl commanded great respect and affection from those who knew him in boxing..
Not only was he a terrific referee, he was a man of solid principles, hard nosed but a lovely guy as well, you'll rarely hear a harsh word spoken of Pearl, he was as straight as they come.. Pearl was truly dedicated to boxing, first as a judge then as a referee.
"I know he either lied about his age so he could continue working, or Nevada knew and decided it just didn’t matter," Mike Katz said. "Even at 80, and as small as he was, he still had the command necessary in the ring."
Before his celebrated career as a referee of more than 70 championship fights, Pearl took up boxing as part of a self-defense program.
After five years in the armed services, Pearl got a job judging professional fights. That led to referring, although it was several years before he landed a title fight.
"I was doing mostly club fights in Vegas, and they were always telling me I was too small to do a title fight," Pearl said in an earlier interview.
He finally got his chance to do a title bout, a junior middleweight world championship bout yet It wasn’t long after that fight that Pearl was asked to referee the biggest fight of his life the Ali-Spinks fight in 1978. That one elevated Pearls refereeing profile.
To Pearl refereeing wasn't about the money, it was his passion  (Pearl said the most he ever received as a referee was $1,500 for a fight, and when he received $1,000 for officiating Ali-Spinks, it was the first four-figure check ever paid to a Nevada referee), he’s had to rely on other sources of income. Despite his size, Davey refereed many more huge events, involving men who would dwarf him in physical stature, Larry Holmes v James Smith, and Shavers.. Mike Dokes v Lynn Ball, Dwight Muhammad Qawi v Jerry Martin and the huge first fight between Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns..  Yet years before all of these fights Davey was involved at the highest level in a different capacity..  In 1968 Pearl refereed the Sonny Liston v Bill McMurray fight in Reno, little did he know then that a year later Davey would become Sonnys official manager and friend...  Pearl was with Sonny for the final two fights of his career ending with a victory over Chuck Wepner in 1970..  Davey spoke openly about Liston,  proclaiming that Sonny sure as hell never killed himself with an overdose, Pearl was adamant that Liston was murdered, and that Sonny was portrayed by Ali as a monster and typecast in public as such..  Sonny was a great guy, a family guy, very caring, a complete contrast to what you've been fed..
Pearl had worked in casino bingo halls and had operated bars in Las Vegas, including the popular Davey’s Locker on East Desert Inn Road, which became synonymous with boxing characters..   During his final years, Davey was suffering from Alzheimer's, boxing friend and fellow referee Toby Gibson took the time to care for the ailing Pearl until his passing in 2006 aged 88..
Sadly two years later in an unrelated incident Toby Gibson would take his own life..
Davey Pearl was survived by his wife, Janet but was preceded in death by his twin brother, Lou, in 2004.

Daveys passing catchphrase that is so often used by referees today is "I've explained the rules to you both in the dressing room!"  That was a Davey Pearl original..

Motivated Malik Scott springs the upset over Thompson.

In a mini upset, 35-year-old Malik Scott (38-2-1, 13 KOs) was forced to get up off the deck to defeat 44-year-old #9 WBC heavyweight Tony Thompson (40-6, 27 KOs) by a 10 round unanimous decision on Friday night on Premier Boxing Champions on Bounce TV at The Venue at UCF in Orlando, Florida.
Scott used good movement to out maneuver the older man throughout the majority of the bout which did prove entertaining viewing. Scott's mobility paired with fast hands was the undoing of the largely pedestrian Thompson who was looking to secure a third world title shot, this time against WBC King Deontay Wilder who sat ringside. Malik was by far the sharper of the two, but by his own admission needs more activity having only fought once in a full year, another solid win over former title challenger Alex Lepai in Australia..  Scott was hurt by a single right hand in the ninth round but was experienced enough to regroup from the knockdown and stick to the game plan..  Scotts win could throw him into a position where he could be considered for a title in the near future if he is moved right, but considering that he lost to a current champion, Wilder in  a single round it's not a rematch many would be queuing up to see..   But it does seem for the minute that in his 15th year as a pro Malik Scott has found his finest hour..  

Warriors boxing tonight.. Thompson v Scott..

The Venue, University of Central Florida, Warriors boxing presents, a heavyweight eliminating between Malik King Scott and Tony Thompson..  Thompson looking for a third heavyweight title shot while long time contender Scott is looking for his first..  PBC..      Friday Oct 30th..

Eddie Futch.... The Master..

Eddie Futch was born in Hillsboro Mississippi in 1911 but moved with his family to Detroit when he was five years old. The Futch family lived in the Black Bottom section of the City..   Futch played semi-professional basketball with the Moreland YMCA Flashes and planned to attended the YMCA College School at the University of Chicago, but the Great Depression changed his plans and forced him to work shifts at The Wolverine hotel to bring much needed funds into the family home...  Here Eddie would meet friend and trainer / Promoter Don Arnott..  In 1932, Futch won the Detroit Athletic Association Lightweight Championship, and in 1933, he won the Detroit Golden Gloves Championship. Eddie trained at the Brewster Recreation Center Gym, and often sparred with the future champion Joe Louis. However health issues and a potential heart murmur prevented Futch from turning professional, and he began training boxers. Eddie Futch was a phenomenal trainer, perhaps the greatest strategist who ever lived. He prepared fighters to perform their best at the highest levels of the sport for several decades.  The list of Champions who worked under Futch's tutelage include Don Jordan, Joe Frazier, Larry Holmes, Riddick Bowe, Michael Spinks, Alexis Arguello, Marlon Starling, Wayne McCullough and Montell Griffin ...  Jordan however was Futch's first world champion, crowned in 1958.
Eddie Futch was noted for his work with heavyweights, he was first hired by Joe Frazier, and his chief cornerman and manager Yank Durham to help him prepare for a fight in 1967, with Scrap Iron Johnson..  He trained Frazier to stay low and create a sense of perpetual motion and pressure Johnson consistently ..  Futch was using Fraziers height as an advantage, making the opponent continually punch down, making Joe a tough target to hit without taking as much punishment as a boxer with a more conventional fighting style would.
The tactic proved to be highly effective, and Frazier remained undefeated, winning the New York title from Buster Mathis, the man he had replaced in the Tokyo Olympics and WBA crown from Jimmy Ellis with solid knockouts. All of which led to the inevitable victorious showdown with Muhammad in March 1971 at New York's Madison square Garden.. Futch would be by Joes side for all three historic bouts with Ali..  Eddie would train four of the five men who would beat Ali..
For Kenny Norton Futch's master plan for his first Ali fight was for Ken to try and out-jab Ali. Although a pressure fighter, Norton had a good jab. Futch reckoned this would play mind games with Ali, who was so proud of his own jab. The plan seemed effective..    For Frazier v Ali 1, Futch told Frazier to wear down Ali with persistent body punches,  Futch also believed that Frazier's constant bobbing and weaving would make Ali uncomfortable because he would often have to punch down , which was something he was not used to doing. Finally, Futch noticed that Ali's uppercuts were thrown sloppily and technically incorrectly, he instructed Frazier to throw a left hook over the top of Ali's right uppercuts, and told his fighter to beat Ali to the punch when doing so, something that worked perfectly in the 15th round when an exhausted Ali threw a half-hearted uppercut, Frazier feinted a left and then unleashed a huge sweeping left hook at Ali's head, which floored him and created an famous moment in boxing history.
Frazier won the fight by a unanimous decision and was recognized as the undefeated, undisputed heavyweight boxing champion of the world.
Four and a half years after the Fight of the Century, Frazier and Ali met for a third and final time in a fight known as the "Thrilla in Manila" in September 1975. Futch served as Frazier's manager and chief second for the fight, having inherited those duties from Durham who died from a stroke shortly after Frazier's defeat by Foreman in 1973.
Futch's would ultimately save Joe from himself in the 14th round of one of the most brutal heavyweight fights ever witnessed..  A decision Frazier held bitter against Futch for years..  Eddie would stand alongside dominant heavyweight champion Larry Holmes another of the elite club to beat Ali, then prepare another Ali tamer in Jamaican Trevor Berbick, albeit against a much faded Ali..
Eddie would then work with his fighter Holmes nemesis,  Michael Spinks, who would become the only light heavyweight in history to arrest the heavyweight title..
Following Michael Spinks defeat at the hands of Mike Tyson, Eddie had no invested interest in a ranked heavyweight, until he met Riddick Bowe..  Everyone labeled Bowe a quitter, an underachiever who wouldn't rise when the going got tough, but Futch had faith..  Eddie said "he'd judge Bowe as he found him" and after brief introductions Futch set Bowe a strict training regime while he was supposedly out of town..  This was the acid test..  On a cold winters morning unsupervised would this underachieving quitter set out on his 5 mile runs at 5am..  Futch watched from a vantage point unbeknown to Bowe and to the young mans credit, he never missed a beat..  Futch proclaimed that he would make Riddick Bowe a champion.  31 fights later he would fulfill his promise to Futch and outpoint Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas to claim his crown..  Unfortunately after Bowes defense against Britains Herbie Hide Futch left understudy Thell Torrence in charge, washing his hands of his young charge who had began to lack discipline, at 84 years of age Futch didn't have time for bullshit..    Eddie still had the magic to steer Montell Griffin towards becoming the first man to beat Roy Jones Jr. and Wayne McCullough one of the most exciting champions in his division..    October 10th 2001 , Eddie Futch passed away in Las Vegas...  I was in town the week of his life celebration at Caesars Palace, it was the final farewell of one of boxings leading lights..   An extraordinary man..

Evander Holyfield... Size meant nothing.

Undisputed Cruiserweight champion Evander Holyfield made it public that he would move up into the heavyweight division in 1988..  Bulking up to 200 pounds was something that many boxing connoisseurs frowned upon.. Slowly but surely over 18 months Diet regime, weight training and balance coaching turned Evander into a heavyweight on paper..  Still the jury was out on how the new bulked Holyfield would fare with the bigger heavyweights...   Lou Duva didn't cherry pick opponents for Evander, over the next year he would face durable on form contenders..  Pitting Evander in against James Tillis like a lab experiment, successfully, then ex champion Pinklon Thomas and later Alex Stewart but most notably the former WBA champion Mike Dokes..  It was one of the best heavyweight brawls of the 80's..  It looked inevitable that Evander would cross paths with a current champion at some point had he remained unbeaten and it would again be another huge challenge but Evander would succeed as World Champion over the Huge Buster Douglas, Mike Tyson's unlikely conqueror..  In the years following Evander beat men who technically should have been far to massive for the former cruiserweight but in Holyfields case, size meant nothing..

Jack Blackburn.. A modern day boxing genius..

Jack Blackburn had an extensive career as a fighter but is honored in the Hall of Fame for his achievements as a trainer, most notably of Joe Louis. Charles Blackburn was Born in Versailles, Kentucky in 1883, the son of a minister.  Blackburn would later settle in Indiana where he first began boxing. Jack would soon move to Pennsylvania first to Pittsburgh and then Philadelphia to further his boxing career. Blackburn had a great Jab, quick reflexes and a powerful left hook, and weighed only 135 pounds, but would often fight much larger opposition.  Jack was competitive against greats like Joe Gans and Sam Langford (who considerably outweighed him ), and gave Philadelphia Jack O'Brien no end of trouble before settling for a no-decision in 1908.

In January 1909, Blackburn's career was halted when out of character he would set off on a furious rampage with a gun in Philly following a dispute...  Blackburn would kill three people, one being his wife..   He was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to ten to fifteen years in the penetentiary. Blackburn proved a model prisoner, gave boxing instructions to the warden and his children and was released on good behavior after four and a half years.

Blackburn returned to the ring, boxing both Ed ("Gunboat") Smith and Harry Greb before retiring from prize fighting in 1923 after losing by knockout to Panama Joe Gans and Ray Pelkey. Blackburn's career record was a stellar 38-3-12 with nearly 50 no-decisions, although claimed to have fought 385 times.

Blackburn would then become a trainer and guide Sammy Mandell to the lightweight title in 1926. Blackburn also trained Bud Taylor, who won the bantamweight title in 1927. Blackburn worked closely for a short time with the great Jersey Joe Walcott.

Blackburn then met Joseph Louis Barrow..  at first Jack was apprehensive about Louis, predicting that a black heavyweight would have limited opportunities. Nevertheless, Blackburn worked tirelessly with Louis, schooling him every step of the way in every aspect of fighting, focus on balance and accuracy. According to Eddie Futch, Blackburn changed Louis from a "box and move" type to a more aggressive fighter. Though Blackburn was tough on Louis, the two grew close and called each other "Chappie." Louis later said, "Chappie made a fighter out of me. He was my closest friend."  Blackburn was a huge disciplinarian, one specific time during a public workout, Blackburn would scowl at the onlooking press and direct Joe to continue with what he'd call "The real pain" behind locked doors, in private..

Blackburn later had issues with drink, along with bouts of arthritis during the time he trained Louis. In 1935, he was indicted for perjury and manslaughter in a case that was later dropped. Soon Blackburn's health would catch up with him and in 1942, he died of a heart attack...  One of the modern day greats...

Troublesome.. The life of Heavyweight Jeff Simms..

Jeff Simms was dangerous, he spent seven years in Sumter county correctional and later Belle Glade correctional facility on a manslaughter charge from when he was 17.. He gained notoriety after splitting Muhammad Ali's lip badly in a sparring session.. Simms moved to Yonkers to train from his home in Florida.. In 1982 Simms got himself ranked number 10 by the WBC.. But was unable to box.. Because he had three bullets lodged in him, one in his neck, one in his upper back and one in his buttock.. It wasn't the first time.. Several years earlier Simms got into an altercation with a roommate who left the apartment only to return through a fire escape window to shoot Simms numerous times,, but as Simms said it "Those bullets didn't stick." His friend Renaldo Snipes tells it straight, I never walk out with Jeff... He attracts lead.. Lol. He can't fly by airplane because of the metal detectors.. Jeff laughed.. Jeff flirted with trouble.. Simms had lost to Earnie Shavers after knocking him over... and beaten Floyd Cummings to get himself into contention.. Jeff Simms gave rising heavyweight Tyrell Biggs a nightmare in 1987, breaking Biggs collarbone in the second round before dropping a close decision..  Jeff would lose badly to twice heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon in the legendary Blue Horizon in philly in 1990, but in a strange twist contributed to Mike Tyson's shock loss to Buster Douglas less than a year later..  Jeff dropped and hurt Tyson's original opponent choice Jose Ribalta on the Tyson v Williams undercard, causing Don King to scratch Ribalta as a convincing foe and drafting in Douglas...  The rest is history..  Jeff Simms would box three more times after 1990, losing each, to Bonecrusher Smith, Trevor Berbick and Phil Jackson, all credible opponents in truth, before retiring from the game..  Sadly in 1993, Jeffs wild ways would catch up with him when he was shot and killed in Florida, not far from his home..   A very dangerous heavyweight, but always troublesome...

Charles Sonny Liston... A Champions demise.

Charles Sonny Liston found it hard to make good solid friendships, he had seen unimaginable hardship for most of his adult life..  Sonny took himself on an odyssey of a journey as a young man, from the cotton fields of Arkansas, to St Louis, Philadelphia, Devner Co, finally calling Las Vegas his home, an astonishing feat for a man who couldn't read a word, could only write a handful of words, yet from humble beginnings, via the penitentiary, Charles Liston became the heavyweight champion of the World against all the odds..  Sonny will always be remembered as a teamsters strongarm, an enforcer, but it wasn't by choice, it's all he knew..  Sonny moved out to Las Vegas after his former St. Louis friend and trainer Johnny Tocco had convinced him that it was a safer place to be, but men he called friends were not far removed from Sonnys side..  Irving 'Ash' Resnick, a casino worker who had a close relationship to organized crime, befriended Sonny, have him and Geraldine their first house in Las Vegas..  Ash was the friendly face of the Mob, the man chosen to manipulate Liston to benefit Gangsters Frankie Carbo and Frank Palermo, who owned shares in the fighter ..  We will never know if Sonny threw the Ali / Clay fights, guys associated with Sonny back then like Tocco and Davey Pearl feverishly doubted that Sonny would sell out like that, but behind that sullen exterior , Charles L Liston was still very much a kid, he felt beholden to Resnick for all of the favours he had done for Liston in Vegas..  Sonny believed that Ash and his connections had his best interests at heart..  Amidst a comeback following his two mysterious losses to Ali, there were rumors of a fixed fight, where Liston and Resnick made a huge purse by betting against themselves, also a condition that Sonny would benefit from a share of future earnings from future Muhammad Ali fights, these were only hearsay, but amidst other shady alleged fixed fights in the era, nothing would surprise me.  Liston would see his championship skills erode terribly, he would lose dramatically by knockout to a former sparring partner Leotis Martin, and find himself at a crossroads, his finances were poor, most of Sonnys ring earnings were syphoned out to the Mob, leaving Liston to pay taxes and expenses out of the crumbs he had left..  Any money promised by Resnick from any deal had evaporated and Sonnys relationship with Ash had deteriorated, struggling Liston had a dispute with Ash Resnick over money and or a business deal....   A month later Sonny was found dead of an apparent heroin overdose..    Geraldine Liston found Sonny upon returning from a visit with her sister, Sonny had been dead for about six days..  Needle tracks were found in his arms, yet all who knew Sonny knew that needles were the single thing he feared the most..      To this day Charles Listons death remains one of the biggest mysteries surrounding a high profile fighter.

Deontay Wilder crowned WBC heavyweight champion.

Last night at the MGM in Las Vegas, heavyweight challenger Deontay Wilder took a well deserved unanimous points decision over WBC champion Bermane Stiverne to become Americas first heavyweight title claimant since 2006. It was the first heavyweight title fight to be held at the venue since 1997, when Evander Holyfield won his controversial return fight with Mike Tyson by DQ. In winning the title Wilder answered a whole questionnaire of unknowns concerning his capabilities to take a shot, go past 4 rounds (all of Deontays previous 32 wins came inside 4 rounds) ability to fight under pressure against a top rank opponent, all questions were answered in the affirmative.. Bermane took Deontays initial onslaught unmoved and even when visually hurt, the cast iron Haitian fought with the heart of a lion. Wilder built a significant points lead after 5 and it left Stiverne a huge mountain to climb, as well as trying to get past Deontays telephone pole jab. After 7 the Alabama man seemed to tire which offered the champion an opportunity to make up for lost rounds, but his inability to cut off the ring left the result without doubt as Wilder stormed into the final round still trying to engage, against his corners wishes. There was no bravado at the end from Stiverne, he knew his reign had come to an end as the 29 year old Olympian became the newest US holder of the coveted green belt. Wilder scornfully shouted at cameras, "Who can't go twelve rounds, who can't take a shot.." A highly articulate addition to the heavyweight championship picture Deontay is a likeable man, with an infectious smile..  Bermane simply had no words after the fact, "it wasn't my day, I wasn't 100%, no head movement like I wanted, no combinations! it wasn't me."  Congratulations to team Wilder, head coach and former 1984 Olympic hero Mark Breland for a successful challenge and hopefully a colourful reign.

Las Vegas Weigh in.. Heavyweights.

WBC heavyweight championship ...  6 foot 7 inch Deontay Bronze bomber Wilder weighed in at a staggeringly low 219lbs for his title shot at the MGM grand garden today, while Heavyweight Champion Bermaine Stiverne tipped in around a usual 239lbs. Wilder held court for a minute in the final presser yesterday telling Stiverne "He been walking round like he's been champ for years when he really just been here five minutes..  He just a transient champ, short term.." Stiverne held his own telling Wilder..  "you telling me I ain't seen nothing like you....   I have seen plenty .. Just like you.."   " when this fight is over, no one is gonna hear about Deontay Wilder for a very long time..  " the final stare down following the weigh in saw Wilder turn away first..  Observations : Wilder is a huge guy who usually comes in comfortable around 228..  219 is light for a guy who may purely rely on power..  Stiverne is looking unmoved at Wilders bravado..  Tomorrow is going to bring a fabulous and intriguing fight..

Purses concerning Saturdays main event.. Wilder v Stiverne.

I was just staggered to learn that Deontay Wilder, the challenger in this weekends fight, who hasn't even been pushed past the 4th round is earning more than the reigning champion Bermaine Stiverne at $1 million to $910.000. Stiverne earned his championship after two solid victories over Chris Arreola..  Many would say that Deontay hasn't earned the privilege of the high end purse split yet..     Judgement day is not far away,

Stiverne v Wilder. Burden of proof.

Bermaine Stiverne is the WBC heavyweight champion of the world, he will make his first defence on Saturday in a highly anticipated grudge match with Unbeaten puncher Deontay Wilder. Wilder is currently 32 fights unbeaten with all of his victories coming by Knockout, in fact Wilder hasn't been past 4. Stiverne has 24 wins, 21 by knockout, along with a single loss and a draw, but his path to he championship has seen a sterner level of competition in comparison to that of Wilders. Stiverne came from Haiti to Las Vegas via Canada where he had a modest amateur grounding, based now in the Mayweather boxing club with trainer Don House, Stiverne is a throwback heavyweight, his style wouldn't look out of place in amongst the heavyweights of the 1980s. Deontay is a 21st century heavyweight, 6 foot 9 and solid, really hasn't put a foot wrong in his 6 years as a pro, but the lack of rounds is a factor that may hurt him at World level, that seasoning that is most invaluable for any top level fighter is still a work in progress, he hasn't had to reach for anything much apart from his natural power. Stiverne secured his belt last May with a solid knockout win over tough Chris Arreola in LA, following a previous victory 6 months earlier to earn him the WBC silver belt..  The more proven man in this match is no doubt Stiverne, but the hype and expectation is on Wilder, if he is what his record advertises he may reign for a long time. Stiverne and Don House are thinking otherwise.. The pressure is on Deontay, he is the one with all to prove, yet the Champion is making a first defence of commendable proportions. Everyone who has stood in front of Deontay Wilder have fallen in front of him dead bodies, stiffs or patsys they still got removed inside of 4.  The victory will come down to who has the most faith in what they do, Deontay believes that with Mark Breland he is confident that if things get rough, he will be well equipped to weather the storms, and Stiverne has the knowledge that he is capable at world level of going through the gears and handling whatever Wilder can dish out..  Is Deontay the fraud Stiverne claims he is? Is Stiverne just a one trick pony who got lucky on the back of a vacated title?  Saturday evening is full of expectation..  It's a fabulous fight..

Big Art Tucker... A success story.

Arthur Tucker, more commonly known as Big Art Tucker, was born in Newark New Jersey. Art would often find himself taking the wrong paths as a youth, this lifestyle would land him in Rahway Prison, now known as East New Jersey state prison. During his stay, he and other inmates organized the Lifer’s Group Juvenile Awareness Program, a program which would air on national tv as Scared Straight. This program was formed to help juveniles progress through the system by using tough love methods, tactics that would seem harsh, a raw, direct approach, this program was acclaimed for its success.
Arthur was turning his life around, he earned an Associates Degree in Business from Mercer County College whilst in Rahway, and later he would find his other calling. Art found boxing. Within a few months he was competing against and demolishing anyone who dared try to compete with him. Towering over the majority of his opponents at the height of 6’6”, Rahway is where he got his start as a professional Boxer on the undercard of famed Rahway inmate James Scott.
After serving 12 years, two in solitary confinement, Arthur was released by the Governor of New Jersey on Executive Clemency. Tucker continued his boxing career outside of prison and on August 4th 1987 Art would score his first victory as a free man, he would remain unbeaten through 1988 beating John Big Red Morton and Mark young. 1989 would see him knock out the huge Lucious Kirkley at the felt forum and decision Andrew Stokes, compiling a record of 16 and 0 with 12 KOs . Next was a fight at Caesars AC, on the Meldrick Taylor v Courtney Hooper undercard against tough journeyman Kimmuel Odum. Odum had never been stopped and had been in against quality opposition, losing by a majority decision on his debut to Oliver McCall and losing only once more to Jamaican Melton Bowen. As the fight unfolded Art looked uneasy, Odum was catching Tucker too often, and looked unmoved by anything Art threw in return, in round 6 Tucker was dropped more from exhaustion than anything, but Odum saw the breakthrough. Art Tucker had met someone who could match him for the first time since jail, a further knockdown in round 8, spelt curtains as Odum would knock Tucker out in the penultimate round..  This was the toughest moment for a man who sought solace in boxing as a way out of a dark place.. Could Art bounce back from such a hard knock? Tucker would answer that 10 months later disposing of 7 footer Marseilles Brown in a single round..  Tucker was ranked as high as 9 in the WBA, but what happened next was a badly calculated risk..  Art would be matched with 1988 Olympic silver medalist Riddick Bowe in Bowe's 18th outing, he was currently 17 and 0..  The result was ominous...  Bowe knocked Tucker out in the third round of a mismatch. It had only been two fights since the Odum debacle, Bowe was a horrible match.
Art would return to winning ways until 1991, when in a challenge for the USBA title he would be knocked out by former Champion Tim Witherspoon in the 3rd, followed by a knockout loss to another future champion Tommy Morrison in a 2 round stoppage..  Art Tucker had come a long way in boxing for a late starter, his story is a success. On the 7th April 1993, 5 years after first beating him, Tucker would win a points decision over Mark Young, it would be Art Tucker's last fight. In ten years Arthur Tucker had done a complete 180 with his life, he would amass a respectable record of 21wins, 5 losses and a single draw. 15 wins by knockout.
Still an avid fan of the sport, Big Art enthusiastically seeks to use his experiences inside and out of the ring as a problem solving facilitator where he enables people to make informed choices about their lifestyle. He is a licensed bail bondsman with Octavia Bail Bond and the Co-Founder of Cops, Cons, and Kids, a voluntary non-profit organization designed and established to address issues and situations concerning at-risk youths and ex-convicts making the transition back into society in an effort to build self-esteem and life skills. He is also the National of Islam’s F.O.I. Captain of Muhammad Mosque #25 in the City of Newark, under the guidance of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, where he trains God fearing men to be humble, tolerant, courteous, honest, and dependable.
Art has also done Executive Security for many professionals and artists in the entertainment business. However, one of his biggest post-boxing achievements was his assistance in the historical gathering of “Bloods” and “Crips” gang members of six different sects in one room, without incident, to sign a cease-fire peace treaty. He is constantly working to help make this peace treaty a reality.
Art takes his work with Cops, Cons, and Kids very personal and has entered the homes of many families armed with that tough love style.
Art has been honored by the City of Newark as an “Unsung Hero.” He is a firm believer that “building strong communities starts with building strong individuals.” Whether fighting in the ring or fighting for a human cause, Arthur Tucker.. Is a success story.
Art resides in East Orange, New Jersey with his wife of 12 years, Toya, and is the parent of 4 sons (1 sadly deceased) and 6 daughters.

Back to business.. Tyson takes on The Black Rhino.

Back to business..
On February 22nd 2003, Mike Tyson was scheduled to fight rugged ex- convict, Louisiana native, Clifford Etienne in Memphis Tennessee, at the site of Mikes damaging defeat to Lennox Lewis, The Pyramid. The fight was tentatively scheduled, cancelled, then rescheduled for various reasons, in which time Tyson was to acquire a large tribal tattoo on his face, this would become an issue, money would become an issue and when Etienne himself threatened to pull out his wife literally ordered him to fight, telling Clifford not to bother coming home without the purse ($900.000.) There were so many sub plots surrounding this event, Mike had tried desperately to get Buddy Mcgirt to work with him in preparation for Etienne, but Buddy was morally obliged to decline the offer due to his agreement to work with Clifford in this fight..  Freddie Roach was hired. Etienne was a game fighter, he had only tasted defeat once, at the hands of Fres Oquendo a couple years earlier, but solid wins over Lawrence Clay Bey and The Tysonesque Clifford Couser got him a ranking and an NABF title. In his last fight Etienne would climb off the floor twice to salvage a draw against former IBF champion Francois Botha, a man Mike demolished after a slow start five years earlier. Mike was coming back to the site of the catastrophic Lewis fight to try and exorcise a few demons, his weight was right, and he looked physically rejuvenated, but Mikes mind is an enigma, anything can happen.. Mike had interestingly called Roach from his hotel room in the middle of the night and requested that freddie wrap his hands, so that it would "remind him of how it felt," in Mike Tyson's world, expect anything.
On fight night Clifford looked relaxed, pretty unmoved, unlike your Bruce Seldons who's ring walk would resemble an execution walk..  Etienne was focused.  Mike and Roach knew that if they gave Cliff a foothold in the fight he would gather momentum from it.. he could fight, but wasn't the best boxer going backwards. Mike had to jump on him..  Clifford would crowd Mike from the bell, trying to trade but also suffocate Tyson's work, in doing so, Etienne would push Tyson back into the corner where both fighters would fall, Etienne on top, for which he would get a warning..  What followed was completely out of the text book, Etienne missed Tyson with a left jab–right hand combination, Tyson then missed with a left hook, but rebounded with a strong right hand that sent Etienne down, Clifford was paralyzed removed his mouthpiece but look unable to even move, 49 seconds into round 1.
Mike praised Clifford on his willingness to fight, the pair exchanged compliments of which Mike would reveal, "Cliff told me to stop bullshitting, " a reference to Mike not fulfilling his potential as a fighter..  Mike wasn't the force he once was, but was still a handful fir most of the heavyweights in the top ten.  Mike did later reveal that he had in fact broke his back, or at least injured it weeks before the fight, but wanted to fulfill the obligation to Etienne to earn the payday.  Clifford Etienne would box on for three more years, losing to Olympian Calvin Brock and future world champion, Nikolay Valuev..

In 2005 Clifford Etienne would be sentenced to 105 years in prison following an armed hold up of a check cashing business where he would take $2000 and attempt to shoot three people, two of which
were police officers, the gun jammed and Etienne would hijack the car of one of the men, driving away with two young children still inside the car..  It's a terrible ending to a man who looked to have turned his life around through boxing, in jail.  Etienne will never see freedom.

Oba Motor City Carr.. Titles eluded him.

Detroit's Oba Carr turned pro in December of 1989 with a first round knockout of Marcus Reed in Auburn hills, Carr was on a fast track from the off. In 1990 Oba boxed a staggering 14 times, 1991 would again see an enthusiastic Carr box 7 times, one of which was a Split decision victory over former world champion Livingston Bramble where he would have to climb off the floor to secure the win, Carrs record was now 22 and 0.
By the September of 1994 Oba Carr would be 32 and 0 with 20 knockouts, and ranked number 1 by the IBF and looking at a shot at IBF Welterweight champion Felix Trinidad. In December 1994 the fight would happen in Mexico, Trinidad was 24 and 0, and a terrific puncher, a factor that lost Oba the fight, the action was competitive but after a couple of demoralizing knockdowns he would soon appear in above his head, the champion had Carr on the floor 3 times in all and won by TKO in round 8. Losing to Trinidad was no disgrace, and Oba got back on the winning trail, scoring 7 straight victories and capturing the NABF belt from the then undefeated Derrell Coley in Las Vegas..  This would set up another title opportunity in New York and on October 4th 1996 Carr would face WBA Champion, Ghanaian Ike Quartey, who was 32 / 0 at the time. This would be one of Obas career best performances losing a very close Majority decision to a capable champion in Madison Sq Garden.
The two tough losses served Oba Carr well, he returned a much more competent fighter and for the next three years, apart from a draw with Anthony Jones, Carr would go unbeaten in ten fights, with victories over tough campaigners Jaime Balboa, Ross Thompson and former world champion Frankie Randell. This winning streak earned Oba his last throw of the dice at world level, in his 52nd pro fight Carr would face the hottest welterweight around, 1992 Olympic star, Oscar Dela Hoya. Having lost in both attempts previously for the IBF and WBA titles, this would be for the coveted World boxing council title. On 22nd May 1999 ten years after turning pro Carr would put up a struggle for ten rounds at the Mandalay bay in Las Vegas, but going into the penultimate round Oscar rallied  and managed to stop a game Oba Carr to retain his title.. Oba would continue to chase his dreams in the ring again 9 more times until finally hanging up his gloves in 2002, with a record of 54 wins, 6 losses and 1 draw (31 KOs)  an amazing record for a fighter who never actually acquired a world championship. Carr would become real close to Mike Tyson and his team in the 90's, for a time Carr would have Tyson confident Steve crocodile Fitch on board as part of his team. I met Oba in Las Vegas a few times in the 1990s and found him an extremely humble, personable man who's dress sense was impeccable..   Unfortunately I did hear recently that Oba had been suffering from some health issues, of which I am unclear unclear about the nature of.  Oba was a class act, he deserves the best.

Panama Lewis.. A black eye for boxing.

Carlos Panama Lewis was a disciple of trainer Chickie Ferrara. In the early 1980s, he was considered one of the best trainers around, mentioned in the same breath as Manny Steward and Angie Dundee for a time, most notably for his work with light-welterweight champion Aaron Pryor.  In 1982, Pryor fought Alexis Argüello. Before the fourteenth round of the fight a cornerman held up a plastic water bottle as HBO tv cameras would catch Lewis yelling the infamous "Not that bottle, the one I mixed." Line. Pryor would knock Alexis out, but Lewis' comments would fuel rumors that the bottle contained stimulants. Lewis said later that the mix was only Perrier and tap water. Lewis was never formally sanctioned, the incident tarnished his reputation, which was confirmed by his cheating discovered in subsequent fights. It was later alleged in an interview with former Lewis-trained boxer Luis Resto in the HBO documentary film Assault in the Ring, that Lewis would (allegedly) break apart pills used to treat asthma and pour the medicine into the water, giving Resto greater lung capacity in the later rounds of a fight. Resto would feature heavily in Lewis's most despicable chapter.

This the most notorious incident in Lewis's career took place on June 16, 1983. Panamas fighter Luis Resto, was fighting undefeated prospect Billy Collins, Jr. in a bout televised by ABC's Wide World of Sports. The fight was the undercard for a fight between Roberto Durán and Davey Moore.
Resto would win the 10-round bout by unanimous decision over a broken looking Collins. After the fight, Resto came to Collins' corner to shake hands with Collins' father and trainer, Billy Sr. When Billy Sr. grabbed Resto's hand, he noticed that Resto's gloves were thinner than normal, keen to attract attention Sr shouted his concerns about the gloves to the officials present. Collins Sr. demanded that the New York State Boxing Commission impound the gloves. An investigation found that each glove was missing a whole ounce of padding. There was also a 0.75-inch hole in the palm of each glove. In the bout, Collins suffered a torn iris and permanently blurred vision, devastatingly ending his boxing career.
After an investigation, the New York State Boxing Commission determined Lewis had tampered with the gloves. On July 1, 1983, it permanently revoked Lewis' state boxing license. Since most state boxing commissions honor sanctions imposed by other states, this action had the effect of banning Lewis from ever having another official role in an American bout. Resto's win was subsequently changed to a no contest.
In October 1986, Lewis and Resto were both put on trial and found guilty of assault, criminal possession of a weapon (Resto's hands) and conspiracy. Lewis was also found guilty of tampering with a sports contest. Prosecutors charged that since Lewis had deliberately removed the padding from Resto's gloves, the bout with Collins amounted to an illegal assault. Lewis was sentenced to six years in prison, Resto to three years. Lewis was released from prison in 1990.

Sadly Collins died on March 6, 1984, when he crashed his car into a culvert near his home in Antioch, Tennessee. Many think he may have committed suicide because he was unable to continue boxing as a result of the actions of Lewis and Resto.
Years later, during the filming of the documentary Assault in the Ring, Resto admitted that he knew Lewis had not only tampered with the gloves, but had also dipped his hand wraps in plaster of Paris, dramatically—and illegally—increasing his punching power. He also said that Lewis had taken the padding out of his gloves on at least two other occasions. It was also alleged by Resto that the plot centered around a large amount of money bet on Resto, the underdog, by a third party who had met with Lewis prior to the fight.
Lewis maintains his innocence to this day, and many of his defenders allege that someone removed the padding from Resto's gloves after the bout, saying an official with the New York State Boxing Commission had left the gloves in his car after receiving them from the state boxing commission. However pictures of Collins' face after the bout suggested otherwise it was horrific and many felt it was improbable a light puncher like Resto could have inflicted such damage on his own.
When confronted by Resto and Assault in the Ring director and producer Eric Drath, Lewis again denied any wrongdoing and said that it was cornerman Artie Curley who had wrapped Resto's hands. An agitated Lewis said that if Curley were alive today, "none of this would have happened to him."
I came across Lewis in 1993, he appeared to be working with Don King heavyweight Tony Tucker, he was everything I expected him to be, a self absorbed, remorseless parasite looking for a payday off the back of a heavyweight title challenger. Thirteen years later I would run across him again, in Atlanta working with heavyweight contender Sultan Ibragimov. I was with Friday Ahunanya for the bout against Sultan at the Gwinnett Centre in Duluth Ga, I recognized Lewis at the weigh in and alerted Georgia State officials to who he was, and why he had no business working a fight in the US. Lewis had been chief coach for Ibragimov for most of his career, largely unchallenged because Ibragimov had been boxing mostly overseas around his Russian homeland or in States where he could go undetected. The Georgia commission weren't much interested at first but later that evening we were informed that Lewis had been briefed by officials that he could not appear ringside on fight night..  Defiant, Lewis made a desperate attempt to have his voice heard by his corner by way of two way radio... Sultan won the heavyweight fight on a cut eye stoppage but I considered it a moral victory to have such a low life character removed from his part in a sport he has no business in..  
Carlos Panama Lewis remains high on my list of filthy stains on our sport. His actions were unforgivable.

The Technician.. Jerry Ballard.

Jerry Ballard was a street kid, he found boxing in his home town of Baltimore and following a short amateur career would turn pro in 1991. Despite losing his 6th fight to Robert Hawkins in 1995. By 1997 Jerry had amassed an impressive record of 21wins with only a single loss, amongst the victories he would acquire the WBOs NABO title and the lightly regarded IBC belt beating fellow DC native Corey Sanders. He would go on to get a draw with former WBA heavyweight champion Greg Page before tackling tough John Ruiz in his 23rd fight. On the Holyfield v Bean undercard in Atlanta.. I had met Jerry in Las Vegas in  1997 when he beat Tiwon Taylor on another Holyfield undercard v Michael Moorer. Jerry took the time to talk with me in the lobby of the Mirage hotel and I found him extremely amusing, a joker who loved to privately poke fun a folks in the casino, people watching.. We ate a couple of times and had a rapport, however I did see another side to Jerry the evening following the fight.. Jerry complained of a headache ever since the event and was extremely moody, we walked through the forum shops at Caesars and he got into an altercation with a man in the Guess store, Jerry almost got physical over a tiny issue about the guys attitude as we entered the store. Jerry had a temper, his good mood was great, but he could turn on the flip of a coin. 

I travelled to Georgia for the Ruiz fight which was for the NABF title, Jerry was confident. To look at Ballard was an imposing figure, muscular, and surly come fight time, he strutted into the Georgia dome ring and stomped around marking territory, Ruiz looked ordinary in comparison but in boxing this means very little. Jerry started slow, looking to land wide telegraphed shots, Ruiz would jab and move using the ring, this pattern continued. By round three Jerry had not got near Ruiz who was starting to move through the gears, Jerry was tiring. Round four looked ominous for Ballard, his heavy muscles were exhausting him and John knew it, pouring on the pressure with combinations he began to push Jerry backwards, ruthlessly punishing his man at will until a last left hook forced Ballard to quit as he slumped into the ropes, the first and only stoppage loss on his record. This was to be the highlight of Ballards career and it ended shockingly..  I spoke to Jerry that evening, very few words.. he didn't see it coming, it crushed him! 

The year later he would fight twice more both victories, the latter a stoppage of tough Garing Lane in DC..  This would be his last fight.. Sadly six months later on August 3rd 1999 I got a phone call from a friend in Maryland, who knew I was friends with Jerry, it wasn't good news..  Jerry had got involved in a confrontation with a guy in a club in Baltimore, it spilled onto the street in the early hours of the morning... According to witnesses Jerry would pursue his antagonist towards his vehicle and appeared to have been struck...  Jerry would never back down and took off after the man into the darkness.. Jerry Ballard had been fatally stabbed in the neck, but unknowingly made chase and collapsed with his obvious injuries. Jerry probably would have lived if he would have tended to his neck wound immediately but bled to death in an alley over a mile from where he was last seen. Some people live by a certain code, Jerry Ballard was one of those people, he wore his heart on his sleeve but was nobody's fool..  Sadly it cost him his life..  

Jerry's boxing record was 21 wins, 2 losses and a single draw..  All wins were by knockout.

1980s The ever changing titles.

The 1960s and 70s was dominated by names like Ali, Frazier, Foreman and Norton.. The mid 1990's was ruled by Lewis, Holyfield, Bowe and Tyson.. But going into the 1980s we had a whole bunch of very decent hungry fighters who climbed over each other to get a shot of even just a ranking. Don King was the organ grinder during the post Ali years and most all of the top twenty active heavyweights were contracted to him in one way or another..  King was unavoidable said Larry Holmes, he was like taxes, you had to go through him if you wanted you cut. Larry was the first champion of note in this decade, he earned it the hard way boxing on Ali undercards in the 70s until he got a chance to box the new court appointed champion Kenny Norton in 1978. Holmes dismissed good challengers often getting up off the floor in dramatic defenses, but regardless of bravado Larry put away a lot of contenders, who would later become champion in their own right, Trevor Berbick, Tim Witherspoon and Mike Weaver. Even the fringe contenders were tough cookies... Philadelphia's David Bey, beat future champion Buster Douglas, ex champion Greg Page and gave a tough challenge to Larry in 1985, although past his best in 1987 almost hijacked Tyrell Biggs coming out party on the Tyson v Smith undercard in Las Vegas. The title would change hands frequently.. John Tate would beat Coetzee for the WBA , Weaver would upset Tate, Mike Dokes would dethrone Weaver, Michael Dokes would lose to Coetzee, who would lose to Greg Page.. To Tubbs.. To Witherspoon.. To Bonecrusher Smith..   While the WBC saw Tim Witherspoon pass on to Pinklon Thomas who looked capable, until Trevor Berbick mugged him in Las Vegas as part of the unification series..  Which would soon see Mike a Tyson sweep the board.. Last piece was the IBF.. Michael Spinks relieved Larry Holmes in a controversial fight..  Only to later be stripped for failure to comply to Unification series rules and face number 1 contender Tony Tucker.. Tucker Would box James Buster Douglas for the vacant crown, winning by TKO on the Tyson v Thomas undercard..  The last chapter of the 1980s heavyweight scene saw Mike unify by beating a game Tucker and defend against 1984 Olympic champion and WBA #1 Tyrell Biggs.  Looking back at the 1980s the level of competition was so great no single  champion could relax and rest on his laurels because there was a Renaldo Snipes or a Mitch Green looking for your spot. Since the late 90s it's all been about size.. But you couldn't measure the desire of those warriors before them..
We always have the memories..

Stiverne v Wilder MGM Grand. Jan 17th 2015

The big one..  The best heavyweight fight in 10 years.
Don't Blink.

Bold threat to Joshua... Chambers.

Former world heavyweight title challenger Eddie Chambers (41-4, 22 KOs) says he’s confident that he’d beat the 6’6” British heavyweight Anthony Joshua (10-0, 10 KOs) if he agreed to fight him. Chambers, who has previously fought heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko, says he’d wrap one of his arms behind his back and still beat the British heavyweight. While the 6’1” Chambers would be giving up a considerable amount of size and reach against the 6’6” Joshua, you can’t rule out a knockout win for Chambers because he’s got a little pop in his punches. Chambers has arguably been beaten only once since his loss to Wladimir, and that was when he made an ill-advised move down to cruiserweight to face the defensive artist Thabiso Mchunu in 2013. Chambers looked too weight drained for him to compete against the Mayweather-like Mchunu. In his fight before that, Chambers was beaten by Tomasz Adamek by a controversial 12 round decision in 2012. Chambers fought one-handed for much of the fight, and yet he still dominated Adamek.
”If I fight @anthonyfjoshua I would wrap 1 arm behind my back & still beat him. That’s how confident I am!.. #Skills,” Chambers said on his twitter on Sunday.
Joshua is really easy to hit due to his slow, flat-footed fighting style. He pushes his punches, and doesn’t have the snap on his shots the way that more explosive heavyweights like Deontay Wilder. In the amateur ranks, Dillian Whyte dropped Anthony with a left-right combination in the process of beating him by a decision.
 Whyte trapped Joshua into a war, and got him arm weary from all the muscles he has in his arms. It was the perfect strategy because Joshua wore out quickly and didn’t have much on his shots by the 2nd round. That fight is obviously the blue print in how to beat Joshua. You make him fight a war to wear him down, and then take over the fight when he gasses out. The only thing with Chambers is whether he has the chin to fight in a brief 4-round wore with Joshua to get him tired enough so that he can take over the fight after the 4th? If Chambers can handle some of Joshua’s best punches in the first three rounds, he’d have an excellent chance of beating him by a knockout. Joshua carries around a lot of muscle on his frame. It’s unclear if he’s lifting too much weights, or if this is simply how his body is. Whatever the case, all the muscles on his upper body make him slow and force him to throw arm punches instead of being limber enough to put his whole body into each shot like the best heavyweights do. I don’t know that Joshua can strip down the muscles get faster. It just looks like he’ll always be built like Frank Bruno with the huge muscles that don’t seem to help him.
Hearn wants to match Anthony Joshua against Haye in 2015 in stadium fight.

Fridays Story.. One fight from greatness.

Friday Ahunanya appeared to have a promising future ahead of him after turning pro in 1998 according to Johnny Tocco, I spoke to johnny often in his small gym off Charleston and Main in North Las Vegas , if anyone in this gym has potential it's the young Nigerian kid...  I met Friday that year, he was to become my friend..  In the next three years he would advance to 16 / 0 with the scalp of unbeaten US Olympian Nate Jones under his belt..  Friday hadn't made the 96 Olympics in Atlanta and set his sights on following his dream to America in pursuit of success in the paid ranks. Still unbeaten by 2001 Friday was matched in the biggest fight of his life on the undercard of the Rahman v Lewis rematch. Friday would tackle Belarus' Unbeaten Olympian Sergei Liakhovich in a championship eliminator. Friday would struggle with  Liakhovich's Height and jab and with eye damage had to concede for his first professional loss. It didn't deter Friday, who only months later slowed the unbeaten Roll of French Knockout artist Josue Blocus in Atlantic City..  Through 2003 Ahunanya would remain unbeaten. 2004 would bring a fight for the NABO and NABA titles against Lance Whitaker in Florida, Friday was leading comfortably for three rounds before running onto a short uppercut in the fourth, a replay showed the thumb of the glove stabbing Friday in his eye and he dropped to his knees and was counted out in what still remains the only stoppage blemish on his impressive record..  Until 2007 Friday wouldn't win a fight , mostly due to the level of competition... A loss on cuts to future champion Sultan Ibragimov in a fight where the Russian had been on the floor, followed by a draw with highly ranked Dominick Guinn in Las Vegas. Next was a foolish trip to Germany to box Olympic star and future world champion Alex Povetin in a fight first scheduled for 8 rounds then dubiously changed to 6 rounds on the day of the fight (and for less money.) Friday would be at a totally unfair disadvantage against the German based Prospect who ran out of the blocks  and never gave seasoned 12 round fighter Ahunanya any hope of landing in such a short bout. Friday had served as chief sparring partner for Mike Tyson on his comeback and for Lennox Lewis after his loss to Rahman, in fact Friday made headlines after knocking Tyson over in one particular sparring session, an incident Friday always played down until Mike publicly testified to. After such a bad run of luck, 2007 would bring a new chapter which would start with wins over Ramon Hayes and James Walton, followed by a very entertaining draw against Franklyn Lawrence and the chance to box another unbeaten prospect in New Zealand, Shane Cameron. Cameron was 19 and 0, and to fight in his own back yard brought shades of Germany to mind but with the PABA/WBO Asia Pacific/WBA NABA Heavyweight Titles on the line it was a chance we couldn't refuse. Friday was finding his mark with meaningful punches but falling behind on points, the telling shots however were taking their toll on Cameron's face, he had a history of cuts and as rounds went on Optimism for victory was high, the 12th and final round saw Friday rally and drop the sorry looking New Zealander and upon rising the writing was on the wall, Ahunanya would score his finest Win on foreign soil against all the odds as the referee stopped it at 2.14 of the 12th.
2008 brought a new challenge, Banner promotions heavyweight Alonzo Butler, another undefeated fighter posed the threat, Banner (Art Pelullo) promoted the event in Las Vegas on ESPN and according to the promoter, Friday wasn't deemed good enough to feature as Alonzo's Opponent, despite of his win over Cameron..  ESPN finally agreed to give a Ahunanya the green light to fight and in an upset Butler was dropped and out boxed over 10 giving Friday another unbeaten scalp.. This would be Fridays last victory.
In 2010 after a two year absence Friday would travel once more to New Zealand to box former world title challenger and national hero David Tua, losing on points in a tough fight, the following year Friday would lose on points to another former World title Challenger Chris Arreola in Atlantic City. Fridays final bout was at the Morongo Resort in California where he would lose a wide decision to Cuban prospect Mike Perez. During his career Friday was promoted by Don King, Warriors Boxing, Crown Boxing and Banner Promotions.. Managed and trained by Luis Tapia, Friday lost to 3 future world champions and faced 10 unbeaten fighters handing six of them their first loss..  Currently retired Friday lives in Las Vegas where he is married with children and occasionally spars with young prospects like Andy Ruiz and Joseph Parker..   Friday Ahunanya was an accomplished Amateur, Nigerian national champion at heavyweight, winning a bronze medal at the all Africa games in Harare.. Losing in the semi finals to Omar Ahmed of Kenya.  As a profesional his record stands ..
24 wins 8 losses 3 draws 13 wins by knockout.

Styles make fights.

Moments after beating Adrian Stone at Caesars in Las Vegas, Sugar Shane Mosley was trying to hype a more significant fight in the after fight presser in the garden behind Caesars...  Cedric Kushner produced an oversized cheque of $10 Million that he offered to Dela Hoya to make a huge fight happen after such an easy defence...  As this was taking place an unassuming onlooker grabbed to microphone.. Vernon Forrest asked .. Why not me??  Mosley laughed it off telling Vernon that the wouldn't be much interest in a Forrest v Mosley event...   Six months later Vernon Forrest schooled Shane and handed him his first loss.
Six months later the Viper proved that it wasn't a fluke by repeating the favour. Sometimes certain fighters have another guys number, styles make fights. Marco Antonio Barrera had met his match with Poison Junior Jones. Mike Tyson was outgunned in every department by Evander Holyfield.. Julio Cesar Chavez, on old version was no match for Oscar Dela Hoya.. Or Frankie Randall..

Nigel Benn and co.. G-Mex Manchester..

This great shot was from the front of the G-Mex centre in Manchester a couple of days before Nigel Benn's fight with Hector lescano.. Featured on here are Nigel Benn, heavyweight Michael Murray ,Tony Ekubia and Liverpools Sugar Gibilru.. Benn beat Lescano in 3, while Gibilru lost to Paul Harvey on points.. Heavyweight Murray knocked out Steve Gee in 7 rounds..  Ekubia however didn't even box on this night..  Michael Murray was a dark horse, he boxed Herbie Hide twice once for the British heavyweight title , beat highly ranked Markus Bott in his own back yard in Germany, lost in the fastest stoppage in British history when he got a dislocated shoulder in 9 seconds of the first round...  Michael fought John Fury twice, John is the father of Heavyweight prospect Tyson Fury..   Sadly Michael died in 2011.

Who's Who..? Heavyweight roll call.

This photo I took from the 1990s is of a training camp in California..  Featured in this are former world heavyweight title challenger to Larry Holmes, Scott Ledoux ..  Heavyweight contender and brother of former WBA heavyweight champion Tony, Nate Tubbs.. Contender Elijah Tillery, top rated heavyweight Mark Wills..  Featuring at the very back Olympic Superheavyweight Gold medalist from 1984, former Heavyweight title challenger to Mike Tyson, Tyrell Biggs..  Scott is sadly passed now, Elijah boxed two notorious fights with a young Riddick Bowe, Nate Tubbs was serving sparring partner to Mike Tyson and also handed future heavyweight champion Corrie Sanders his first loss by KO. Mark Wills was a dangerous heavyweight throughout the 80's boxing everyone, beating a peak Greg Page on national Tv. Who's son Damien Bolo Wills carries the Wills name into the ring today as a promising heavyweight. Tyrell Biggs fought a whole list of top heavyweights after turning pro.. James Tillis, Renaldo Snipes, David Bey, Lennox Lewis, Gary Mason, Francisco Damiani, Riddick Bowe and Jeff Simms...  Lennox is rarely seen in public but a documentary is being filmed called whatever happened to Tyrell Biggs featuring Biggs and his commitment to young aspiring fighters in his neighbourhood in Philly..   This photo has a bit of history attached..

New faces... Dorsett Barnwell. Heavyweight.

Dorsett the Bullet Barnwell is a new face on the block, this colourful New Yorker is 12/0 with (5 ko's) as a pro but was a hugely successful amateur winning the bronze medal in the world junior Championships in Morocco 2006.. Barnwell wasn't looking for boxing when he walked into Norfolk's Barraud Park Recreation Center, home of the city's amateur boxing program, he was a 265 pound guy built for football, but after enjoying new found success in the gym he never turned back, his next plans were to fight in the national Police Athletic League championships, the first of several qualifiers for the 2008 Olympic Trials. The Olympics is really something Dorsett dreamed of ever since lacing on gloves, being able to call yourself the best in the country at your game..  Boxing later at heavyweight rather than Super heavyweight served him well, being a more accessible division for opponents at amateur level.
 Barnwell has had his encounters with trouble outside of the ring almost losing his arm in a shooting incident involving a female.. Amateur trainer Gary Russell said Inside the ring Dorsett is ruthless he was 18 years old and with just 30 amateur bouts he was far advanced for his years, in his 4 year 12 fight winning streak he has been hardly tested, but in his more recent fights he is showing signs of improvment, taking his time, boxing more looking for openings and not looking for knockouts.. Dorsett would admit that he was more out for fighting in the early days, but now several years polished he is a capable boxer. Dorsett resides in Norfolk Virginia but these days he is broadening his horizons spending weeks away from home learning, in the Alps in camp with Wladimir Klitschko alongside another young gun Anthony Joshua, and most recently in Alabama helping prepare Deontay Wilder for his Jan 17th WBC date with Bermaine Stiverne in Las Vegas..  From what I hear from Joshua and people in the game in Vegas is that Barnwell is headed for a bright future...  He is only 27 and has time on his hands..  12 and 0 now..    Who knows what the next two years can bring..

Albert Williams.. We will never know..

Big Albert Williams 18/1 with a single draw (14 ko's) Albert was born in Newport News Virginia and served in the gulf for the US marine corps..  Al was chief sparring partner for Heavyweight Champion Lennox Lewis through most of his career. During that time Lennox class started to rub off on Al, he would rack up 11 straight wins before a single loss to Darren Hayden in Reno.. From 1994 through to 1998 Williams wouldn't lose a fight, only 2 draws to tough Jameel McCline on the Briggs v Wilson, night of the young heavyweights card in Atlantic City and a controversial draw with Ed Mahone in Las Vegas following a huge melee at the weigh in. Al was without direction at the beginning of his career but in Mike Tyson's absence in 93/4, team Tyson members Stacey McKinley and Steve Fitch would steer him towards a bright future along with father figure Gerald Landry as advisor Williams looked destined for Titles.. He was looking at a deal with powerpunch promotions and Cedric Kushner going into 1998. Alberts last victory came in May 1999 against Lorenzo Boyd.. One month later Albert Williams passed away from a heart defect at home..
On this particular day Al and his trainer Kenny Croom would leave Nevada Partners gym after a tough days sparring with David Defiagbon..  The pair would leave and head for a favourite casino for a catfish dinner.. Al wasn't  himself and went home to relax with his stepson and fiancée Lisa.. Al would sit on the bedroom floor watching cartoons with his boy.. Soon after the little man went to call his mom and said that daddy was cold..  Albert had passed peacefully..  Ironically Alberts father died of the same issue at the same age ..   We will never know how good he could have been.  NB..  Mike Tyson paid for Alberts funeral in Newport News Va.