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"THE LAST GREAT CONTENDERS" -
The heavyweight division of the 1970s was arguably
the most competitive in boxing history. Joe Frazier,
George Foreman and Muhammad Ali all earned the
title of "Heavyweight Champion of the World" during
this time period. But in order to be the "baddest man on the
planet" they had to survive a crucible of contenders unlike
any other in the division's history. Names like Ken
Norton, Jerry Quarry, Earnie Shavers, Jimmy Young
and others dotted the landscape. No fighter who
competed during this era emerged from these battles
unscathed.
The heavyweight division of the 1970s was arguably
the most competitive in boxing history. Joe Frazier,
George Foreman and Muhammad Ali all earned the
title of "Heavyweight Champion of the World" during
this time period. But in order to be the "baddest man on the
planet" they had to survive a crucible of contenders unlike
any other in the division's history. Names like Ken
Norton, Jerry Quarry, Earnie Shavers, Jimmy Young
and others dotted the landscape. No fighter who
competed during this era emerged from these battles
unscathed.
"I AVOIDED HIM..."
Jerry Quarry was named by George Foreman as
the greatest fighter to never win a title and Foreman
freely admits to have avoided him. Many a viewer
felt Jimmy Young defeated both Muhammad Ali
and Ken Norton but his style was not "crowd
pleasing." Jeff Merritt was labeled as a "can't
miss" prospect by everyone who ever saw
him...But the drug lifestyle robbed him of his future.
Earnie Shavers punched "like a Mack truck" but a
soft chin and poor stamina led to untimely losses.
Jerry Quarry was named by George Foreman as
the greatest fighter to never win a title and Foreman
freely admits to have avoided him. Many a viewer
felt Jimmy Young defeated both Muhammad Ali
and Ken Norton but his style was not "crowd
pleasing." Jeff Merritt was labeled as a "can't
miss" prospect by everyone who ever saw
him...But the drug lifestyle robbed him of his future.
Earnie Shavers punched "like a Mack truck" but a
soft chin and poor stamina led to untimely losses.
"FOREMAN GOES DOWN!!"
Anyone who has seen Foreman versus Lyle will
never forget it. The last round of Holmes versus
Norton has made for many a barber shop
conversation. Quarry vs. Frazier is the equivalent
of the immovable object against the irresistible
force. Shavers vs. Lyle was a seldom seen
classic. Great fighters all competing for what was a
modern day answer to a gladiator tournament.
These brutal battles became the standard by which
all heavyweight fights are judged.
Anyone who has seen Foreman versus Lyle will
never forget it. The last round of Holmes versus
Norton has made for many a barber shop
conversation. Quarry vs. Frazier is the equivalent
of the immovable object against the irresistible
force. Shavers vs. Lyle was a seldom seen
classic. Great fighters all competing for what was a
modern day answer to a gladiator tournament.
These brutal battles became the standard by which
all heavyweight fights are judged.
"PAY UP, MOTHER F*CKER!"
What did Roy “Tiger” Williams say when
Muhammad Ali owes him money? The two
engaged in a fierce two day sparring session to settle
their dispute. This was an example of how
sometimes the best fights took place outside the
arena and in the gym, sparking rumors and
hearsay. Was Sonny Liston knocked cold by ex-
Marine Mac Foster in an Oakland gym? Did Earnie
Shavers leave Muhammad Ali's camp by choice or
was he thrown out?
What did Roy “Tiger” Williams say when
Muhammad Ali owes him money? The two
engaged in a fierce two day sparring session to settle
their dispute. This was an example of how
sometimes the best fights took place outside the
arena and in the gym, sparking rumors and
hearsay. Was Sonny Liston knocked cold by ex-
Marine Mac Foster in an Oakland gym? Did Earnie
Shavers leave Muhammad Ali's camp by choice or
was he thrown out?
| Pedro Agosto - Top Puerto Rican slugger Billy Aird - Beloved club fighter of Britain Rahman Ali - Brother of Muhammad Ali Ibar Arrington - Steel chinned ex-Navy champion Jody Ballard - Sparring partner of the greats Duane Bobick - The most criticized fighter of the era Rodney Bobick - Sparring partner for Ali, died in car accident Oscar Bonavena - Wild and wooly Argentinian Johnny Boudreaux - Was compared to Muhammad Ali Joe Bugner - Underrated veteran who fought them all George Chuvalo - Perhaps the toughest fighter of all time Henry Clark - Clever San Francisco heavyweight Dino Denis - Popular Massachusetts stick and mover Tony Doyle - Was considered Utah’s best boxing prospect Jim Lee Elder - Up and coming slugger who died from a brain tumor Lou Esa - Giant former bouncer out of Florida Mac Foster - Ex Marine who won 24 straight by knockout Jose Luis Garcia - Venezuelan slickster who ate himself out of contention Terry Hinke - Heavy left hooker who was Foreman’s sparring partner Morris Jackson - Nebraska power puncher Scrap Iron Johnson - The trial horse of the division Florida Al Jones - Giant Miami prospect hampered by a hand injury Leroy Jones - Good boxer forced to retire because of detached retina Boone Kirkman -Popular draw out of Washington state Scott Ledoux - Minnesota brawler who always gave his best Alvin Blue Lewis - Detroit tough guy Pedro Lovell - Popular Argentinian who fought out of L.A. Ron Lyle - Denver slugger who gave Foreman hell Danny McAlinden - Aggressive Irish brawler Humphrey McBride - The decade’s answer to Butterbean Jeff Merritt - Brutal left hooker who was knocked out by drugs Larry Middleton - Army champ who played spoiler Fili Moala - Power punching Tongan Randy Neumann - Intelligent boxer who worked as a writer, model, and investor Wendell Newton - Bahamian sparring partner for the champs Ken Norton - Always gave Ali fits Jack O’Halloran - Goliath who suffered from “gigantism” Jerry Quarry - One of the most popular fighters of the era Charlie Reno - Crafty but overweight clubfighter Young Sanford - Chicago journeyman managed by Redd Foxx Mike Schutte - The South African “Tank” Earnie Shavers - Arguably the hardest hitting heavyweight of all time Mircea Simon - Romanian defector had brief pro career Howard Smith - One of the best out of Los Angeles Ron Stander - Engaged in gore fests with Frazier and Norton Paul Sykes - Crazy jailbird out of Britain Mani Vaka - Free swinging Polynesian heavyweight Stan Ward - Powerful heavyweight out of Sacramento Chuck Wepner - No fighter shed more blood Roy Williams - A rough character out of Philly Jimmy Young - Fought brawn with brains |
| The Last Great Contenders Now available for purchase 145 pages |
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