Classic American West Coast Boxing

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Pick any night of the week and you could fine boxing in the Golden State
in years gone by

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

F.X. Toole is the pen name of boxing trainer Jerry Boyd (1930 — September 2, 2002). Toole is most noted for writing the collection of short stories Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner, which were adapted into the movie Million Dollar Baby in 2004. Directed by Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby won numerous awards across the world, to include the Academy Award for Best Picture. Million Dollar Baby also garnered Eastwood an Oscar for Best Director. Other Oscar wins for the movie included a Best Supporting Oscar for Morgan Freeman, with Hillary Swank taking home the Oscar for Best Actress. F.X. Toole's posthumous novel Pound for Pound was released in 2006 to rave reviews. “Cutman,” a one-hour dramatic series set in the world of boxing, drawn from short stories by F.X. Toole, is in development by AMC Television.

Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner is dedicated to Dub Huntley, the man who introduced Boyd to boxing, and many of the characters and events related in the book are from Dub Huntley's life and experience. Huntley trained Boyd to box when Boyd was in his 40's and the two became friends during that time. Immediately before his death, Boyd was acting as a cutman and assistant trainer to Huntley with female professional boxer Juli Crockett, who Huntley told Sports Illustrated in an interview was the basis for the characterization of the character, Maggie Fitzgerald, in Million Dollar Baby.

[dagosd2000]

THE FIRE

This story's been told before in different ways.

"So Campeon,how do you feel? Como estas?"
"Bien. Tengo dolor en mi espalda. Pero bien gracias a Dios."
The old fighter's arthritis was getting worse. He was old and the pain was getting worse. I'd see him grimace getting in and out of his chair in his living room. He'd sit there watching television with his cat resting on his lap. The old Champ's wife died years ago. Once in a while his daughter would come over from cross town to see how he was doing. If he was eating. Clean a little. The old Champ had his cat. The cat never left the house.

I'd drop in to see him and listen to him talk. Talk about the past. When he was fighting. How he got off the floor to win the title. How he fought in Paris in the Olympia Stadium and knocked out the French Champion, letting the air out of 60,000 fans hoping that their fighter would win the title. But he was invincible at that time. No one could have beat him at that weight. He was on top of the world. He sent the Frenchmen home crying.

But that was many years ago. The old Champ would talk boxing. Not all the time. That was in the past. He was satisfied with his career as a boxer. His Championship Belt was above the TV. He loved watching TV with his pet resting comfortably on his lap. He especially liked the old black and white movies.

On night I was on my way to visit him when I heard fire engines. I looked down the street. His house was on fire. The fire trucks were just arriving. The old Champ was standing in the street. He was shaking. He'd been smoking in bed. His room caught fire.
"Please Rogelio. They must get my cat out of the house. Please tell the firemen."
I told the firemen that the old Camp's cat was in the house. Could they rescue him?
"We'll try,but we can only go in once for a minute,"said one of them.
"His Championship Belt is in there also,"I said. "Can you get that too.?"
The old Champ had heard what I said.
"No,No, No. You must save my cat."
The firemen ran into the burning house. After a short time they ran out. Their faces were darkened by the smoke. One of the firemen had the old Champ's cat. The cat was all right. Singed,but all right.

The old Champ took the cat and held it in his arms.
"Gracias a Dios,"the old Champ said.
One of the firemen said they didn't have time to get the old Champ's Title belt. I looked at the old Champ holding his cat. He was crying.
"Te quiero,"he said to the cat.
The old Champ never said anything about his Belt.

[bennie]

THE FIRE

This story's been told before in different ways.

"So Campeon,how do you feel? Como estas?"
"Bien. Tengo dolor en mi espalda. Pero bien gracias a Dios."
The old fighter's arthritis was getting worse. He was old and the pain was getting worse. I'd see him grimace getting in and out of his chair in his living room. He'd sit there watching television with his cat resting on his lap. The old Champ's wife died years ago. Once in a while his daughter would come over from cross town to see how he was doing. If he was eating. Clean a little. The old Champ had his cat. The cat never left the house.

I'd drop in to see him and listen to him talk. Talk about the past. When he was fighting. How he got off the floor to win the title. How he fought in Paris in the Olympia Stadium and knocked out the French Champion, letting the air out of 60,000 fans hoping that their fighter would win the title. But he was invincible at that time. No one could have beat him at that weight. He was on top of the world. He sent the Frenchmen home crying.

But that was many years ago. The old Champ would talk boxing. Not all the time. That was in the past. He was satisfied with his career as a boxer. His Championship Belt was above the TV. He loved watching TV with his pet resting comfortably on his lap. He especially liked the old black and white movies.

On night I was on my way to visit him when I heard fire engines. I looked down the street. His house was on fire. The fire trucks were just arriving. The old Champ was standing in the street. He was shaking. He'd been smoking in bed. His room caught fire.
"Please Rogelio. They must get my cat out of the house. Please tell the firemen."
I told the firemen that the old Camp's cat was in the house. Could they rescue him?
"We'll try,but we can only go in once for a minute,"said one of them.
"His Championship Belt is in there also,"I said. "Can you get that too.?"
The old Champ had heard what I said.
"No,No, No. You must save my cat."
The firemen ran into the burning house. After a short time they ran out. Their faces were darkened by the smoke. One of the firemen had the old Champ's cat. The cat was all right. Singed,but all right.

The old Champ took the cat and held it in his arms.
"Gracias a Dios,"the old Champ said.
One of the firemen said they didn't have time to get the old Champ's Title belt. I looked at the old Champ holding his cat. He was crying.
"Te quiero,"he said to the cat.
The old Champ never said anything about his Belt.

Nice story, Rog. A pet is a friend.

[bennie]

Rick Farris at the GSBA luncheon

Rick looks every inch the college lecturer.

[bennie]

Sickly Tommy "Duke" Morrison continues to walk a road to nowhere when he meets someone named Corey Williams in Wyoming in the States on Saturday night.
Morrison, 40, was diagnosed with HIV years ago and outlawed from the sport but he recently managed to convince a few people he was misdiagnosed and is in fact HIV-negative. One look at the man states otherwise, I'm afraid. Tommy looks ill and he looks old. The one-time serious heavyweight contender admitted to a lifestyle of sleaze and more sleaze after he was diagnosed in 1996, began to desperately miss boxing and suddenly he is a walking miracle. He has won two out of two since returning to the ring in 2007 in the sort of places where people walk the dog and where they couldn't give a damn if Morrison bleeds all over an opponent.
There is talk of Tommy fighting in Australia this year against former rugby league player John Hopoate, a man best known for prodding his fingers into the backsides of league opponents before he was banned. Morrison has been reduced to the status of a circus act and faces the pitiful, blubbery Williams at Albany Fair Grounds in Laramie.
Williams, 7-9-2 (4), brings four losses in his last five fights, all of the losses by stoppage.

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The Studerbaker went the way of the Dinosaur

[bennie]

Antonio Margarito and his trainer are temporarily suspended

By Lance Pugmire
January 29, 2009

Boxer Antonio Margarito was temporarily suspended along with his trainer, Javier Capetillo, on Wednesday after the California State Athletic Commission announced it found a "foreign substance" in the boxer's hand wraps before his Saturday night loss to Shane Mosley at Staples Center.

Margarito and Capetillo have been ordered to appear at a hearing on the matter Feb. 10 in Van Nuys.

In the hour before his first title defense as World Boxing Assn. welterweight champion, Margarito (37-6) was stopped from putting on his gloves when Mosley's trainer Nazim Richardson told officials he believed the taping was excessively thick. When the tape was unwrapped, Richardson pointed out two pads inside one of the hand wraps that appeared wet and laced with "flecks" of a substance that appeared to be like "Plaster of Paris," Mosley's attorney Judd Burstein said Saturday night.

Mosley's promoter, Richard Schaefer, saw a cellphone photo of the stained wraps and said the substance appeared "gray," like "concrete."

The contents of the hand wraps were sealed by a state athletic commission official, and were inspected this week in Sacramento. The foreign substance was suspicious enough to merit the suspensions, state spokesman Luis Farias said, but that an identification of the material "is all pending."

That inspection will include an analysis of the substance found in Margarito's hand wraps by the California Department of Justice, said Tim Noonan, state athletic commissioner.

"The temporary suspension will remain in effect until CSAC has fully investigated the circumstances surrounding events at the Staples Center . . . on Jan. 24," the statement read. "An investigation as to whether either licensee violated CSAC rules is ongoing."

Bob Arum, Margarito's promoter, says he has retained an attorney for the boxer. Arum said Margarito was "fine" after learning of the suspension, "because he's completely innocent.

"We're absolutely confident he's going to be exonerated," Arum told The Times. "He's not a cheater, he wouldn't know anything about cheating."

Asked if he maintained that same position about trainer Capetillo, Arum said, "That, I don't know."

State codes allow Margarito's boxing and Capetillo's training licenses to be suspended when "such an action is necessary to protect the public welfare," Noonan's statement said, explaining rules dictate "the amount and type of gauze and tape allowed under a fighter's glove." A lengthy suspension of Margarito would be obeyed in all other states, in accordance with the Professional Boxing Safety Act, which was amended to account for unsportsmanlike conduct suspensions after Mike Tyson bit off a chunk of Evander Holyfield's ear in a 1997 bout.

Margarito's manager, Sergio Diaz, told The Times in a text message, "I am assuming [the suspension] is a CSAC standard procedure."

The controversy has reached Puerto Rico, home country of Miguel Cotto, who was knocked out by Margarito in July for his first loss. Cotto and Margarito have a rematch tentatively scheduled for June 13, according to Arum.

Cotto's attorney, Gabriel Penagaricano, said his fighter and his camp are "all going to be paying attention" to the Feb. 10 hearing "for various reasons."

Arum said "nobody should be jumping to any conclusions" that Margarito's hand wraps were doctored against Cotto because that fight was in Las Vegas, where boxing authorities restrict wrapping to a specific type of gauze and supervise the wrapping intently.

"It couldn't have happened in Nevada," Arum said.

Times staff writer Kevin Baxter contributed to this report.

[email protected]

Listening to Arum is like listening to Judas. How can anyone quote him?

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DOUG DeWITT; TRUE GRIT
By Jim Amato

I enjoy watching all different types of fighters. I appreciate the art and finesse of a clever boxer like Willie Pep. I enjoy the rock-em- sock-em style of a Joe Frazier. There were men with great jabs like Larry Holmes. I was dazzled by the hand speed of Sugar Ray Leonard and more recently by Joe Calzaghe. I was in awe of the power of a Earnie Shavers or Julian Jackson. I was in even more awe of men with the granite jaws who could absorb the power shots like George Chuvalo and Tex Cobb did.

These were just a handful of fighters I have the ultimate respect for. Overall I think my favorite trait in a boxer is bulldog tenacity. They may not be the best boxer or the hardest puncher and at times their chin may betray them. Still as long as they are standing their opponents better be prepared to fight. I guess gritty is best adjective I can use to describe this type of fighter. Doug DeWitt fit the bill.

Doug was born on August 13, 1961 in Youngstown, Ohio. He boxed out of Yonkers, New York and turned professional in 1980. He won his first eight fights before dropping a decision to tough Ben Serrano. He bounced right back with three wins including a kayo over Danny McAloon. Later he would draw with Tony Suero and Serrano in a rematch.

Doug was also beating good fighters like Teddy Mann, Mike Tinley and Bobby Hoye. A 1984 first round knockout over Jimmy Sykes led to a match with “Dangerous “Don Lee. The “Dangerous “one had recently stopped the highly regarded contender Tony Sibson. Doug and Don battled to a draw. Next Doug would lose a verdict to Robbie Sims, the vastly under rated half brother of Marvin Hagler.

In 1986 Doug would show his grit as he lost decisions to two of the best punchers in the game at the time, Milt McCrory and Thomas “Hitman “Hearns. Just when you thought Doug’s chin was made of steel he suffered a 1987 KO loss to Jose Quinones. Later that year Doug would bounce back to win the USBA middleweight title by edging the crafty Tony Thornton.

A 1988 draw with Ronnie Essett led to Doug’s first shot at a world title. On November 8th he met WBA middleweight titleholder Sumbu Kalambay in Monte Carlo. Kalambay is largely forgotten these days but he was a very talented champion who holds wins over Herol Graham, Mike McCallum, Iran Barkley and Robbie Sims. In possibly his best career performance Kalambay clocked Doug in the seventh round.

Tenacity…In his very next fight Doug was rematches with Robbie Sims for the WBO version of the middleweight title. At that time the WBO was a fledging organization and did not carry the clout it has today. Be that as it may DeWitt pounded out a well deserved twelve round decision and was crowned the champion. He would successfully defend against former IBF junior middleweight champ Matthew Hilton. Matthew was a brutal puncher but Doug absorbed Hilton’s bombs and rallied to stop Matthew in the eleventh.

In 1990 Doug defended against Britain’s Nigel Benn. It was a savage affair that ended in the eighth round after Doug took quite a beating. No longer a champion Doug returned in 1992 and drew with Tyrone Frazier. He then got a point call over Dan Sherry. In his last fight Doug was outclassed by James Toney in six rounds ending his distinguished career.

DeWitt closed out with 46 bouts. He won 33 lost 8 and drew five times. He scored 19 knockouts and he was taken out four times. He met six other men who claimed a world title. He was smart in the ring and put his punches together well. His best asset was his fighting spirit. It made him a champion.

[Expug]

DOUG DeWITT; TRUE GRIT
By Jim Amato

I enjoy watching all different types of fighters. I appreciate the art and finesse of a clever boxer like Willie Pep. I enjoy the rock-em- sock-em style of a Joe Frazier. There were men with great jabs like Larry Holmes. I was dazzled by the hand speed of Sugar Ray Leonard and more recently by Joe Calzaghe. I was in awe of the power of a Earnie Shavers or Julian Jackson. I was in even more awe of men with the granite jaws who could absorb the power shots like George Chuvalo and Tex Cobb did.

These were just a handful of fighters I have the ultimate respect for. Overall I think my favorite trait in a boxer is bulldog tenacity. They may not be the best boxer or the hardest puncher and at times their chin may betray them. Still as long as they are standing their opponents better be prepared to fight. I guess gritty is best adjective I can use to describe this type of fighter. Doug DeWitt fit the bill.

Doug was born on August 13, 1961 in Youngstown, Ohio. He boxed out of Yonkers, New York and turned professional in 1980. He won his first eight fights before dropping a decision to tough Ben Serrano. He bounced right back with three wins including a kayo over Danny McAloon. Later he would draw with Tony Suero and Serrano in a rematch.

Doug was also beating good fighters like Teddy Mann, Mike Tinley and Bobby Hoye. A 1984 first round knockout over Jimmy Sykes led to a match with “Dangerous “Don Lee. The “Dangerous “one had recently stopped the highly regarded contender Tony Sibson. Doug and Don battled to a draw. Next Doug would lose a verdict to Robbie Sims, the vastly under rated half brother of Marvin Hagler.

In 1986 Doug would show his grit as he lost decisions to two of the best punchers in the game at the time, Milt McCrory and Thomas “Hitman “Hearns. Just when you thought Doug’s chin was made of steel he suffered a 1987 KO loss to Jose Quinones. Later that year Doug would bounce back to win the USBA middleweight title by edging the crafty Tony Thornton.

A 1988 draw with Ronnie Essett led to Doug’s first shot at a world title. On November 8th he met WBA middleweight titleholder Sumbu Kalambay in Monte Carlo. Kalambay is largely forgotten these days but he was a very talented champion who holds wins over Herol Graham, Mike McCallum, Iran Barkley and Robbie Sims. In possibly his best career performance Kalambay clocked Doug in the seventh round.

Tenacity…In his very next fight Doug was rematches with Robbie Sims for the WBO version of the middleweight title. At that time the WBO was a fledging organization and did not carry the clout it has today. Be that as it may DeWitt pounded out a well deserved twelve round decision and was crowned the champion. He would successfully defend against former IBF junior middleweight champ Matthew Hilton. Matthew was a brutal puncher but Doug absorbed Hilton’s bombs and rallied to stop Matthew in the eleventh.

In 1990 Doug defended against Britain’s Nigel Benn. It was a savage affair that ended in the eighth round after Doug took quite a beating. No longer a champion Doug returned in 1992 and drew with Tyrone Frazier. He then got a point call over Dan Sherry. In his last fight Doug was outclassed by James Toney in six rounds ending his distinguished career.

DeWitt closed out with 46 bouts. He won 33 lost 8 and drew five times. He scored 19 knockouts and he was taken out four times. He met six other men who claimed a world title. He was smart in the ring and put his punches together well. His best asset was his fighting spirit. It made him a champion.

I liked Dewitt.
Tough kid with alot of heart.
He won a ten rounder in 87 over a gymmate of mine and a guy I used to spar with quite often. Lenny Lapaglia.
Lenny was a tough kid too. Big puncer.Their fight was a real barn burner.I think it was on espn.

[Rick Farris]

Henry Cooper . . .

Bennie, I'm about to re-read a book I've had for more than 25 years, "Our 'Enry", the the biography of Henry Cooper. With the new year upon us, I'm going to be faced with many names of boxers who are potential World Boxing Hall of Fame inductees. Being that we are the "WORLD" Boxing HOF, I would like to guide my collegues on the selection commitee to look beyond the borders of the United States when it comes to recognizing boxers.

I was surprised to discover that Henry Cooper has yet to be inducted. He has held every British, Commenwealth and European title and fought the best of a great era. He is also one of only three men to floor the great Ali. None of Ali's knockdowns were as serious as the one caused by Cooper's devistating left hook. The bell, and a little glove doctoring, gave the young Cassius Clay the time he needed to recover in the corner.

Henry Cooper was a beautiful boxer and had championship power in both hands. It's necessary that his name be on this years WBHOF ballot, which is sent out to select voters world-wide. I'm going to push this one, Henry's presence woud ad an element of class to the WBHOF Banquet this year.

"IF" Henry gets voted in, and "IF" he can fly across the pond to receive his induction bronze, etc., maybe you would be interested in presenting him with the award? I know times are tight, but "IF" you could join us later this year, our boxrec group would be pretty much perfect.

I know all about "IF", so we'll see where I get in my Henry Cooper efforts. I will guarantee this, his name will be on the ballot.

-Rick Farris

[Rick Farris]

DOUG DeWITT; TRUE GRIT
By Jim Amato

I enjoy watching all different types of fighters. I appreciate the art and finesse of a clever boxer like Willie Pep. I enjoy the rock-em- sock-em style of a Joe Frazier. There were men with great jabs like Larry Holmes. I was dazzled by the hand speed of Sugar Ray Leonard and more recently by Joe Calzaghe. I was in awe of the power of a Earnie Shavers or Julian Jackson. I was in even more awe of men with the granite jaws who could absorb the power shots like George Chuvalo and Tex Cobb did.

These were just a handful of fighters I have the ultimate respect for. Overall I think my favorite trait in a boxer is bulldog tenacity. They may not be the best boxer or the hardest puncher and at times their chin may betray them. Still as long as they are standing their opponents better be prepared to fight. I guess gritty is best adjective I can use to describe this type of fighter. Doug DeWitt fit the bill.

Doug was born on August 13, 1961 in Youngstown, Ohio. He boxed out of Yonkers, New York and turned professional in 1980. He won his first eight fights before dropping a decision to tough Ben Serrano. He bounced right back with three wins including a kayo over Danny McAloon. Later he would draw with Tony Suero and Serrano in a rematch.

Doug was also beating good fighters like Teddy Mann, Mike Tinley and Bobby Hoye. A 1984 first round knockout over Jimmy Sykes led to a match with “Dangerous “Don Lee. The “Dangerous “one had recently stopped the highly regarded contender Tony Sibson. Doug and Don battled to a draw. Next Doug would lose a verdict to Robbie Sims, the vastly under rated half brother of Marvin Hagler.

In 1986 Doug would show his grit as he lost decisions to two of the best punchers in the game at the time, Milt McCrory and Thomas “Hitman “Hearns. Just when you thought Doug’s chin was made of steel he suffered a 1987 KO loss to Jose Quinones. Later that year Doug would bounce back to win the USBA middleweight title by edging the crafty Tony Thornton.

A 1988 draw with Ronnie Essett led to Doug’s first shot at a world title. On November 8th he met WBA middleweight titleholder Sumbu Kalambay in Monte Carlo. Kalambay is largely forgotten these days but he was a very talented champion who holds wins over Herol Graham, Mike McCallum, Iran Barkley and Robbie Sims. In possibly his best career performance Kalambay clocked Doug in the seventh round.

Tenacity…In his very next fight Doug was rematches with Robbie Sims for the WBO version of the middleweight title. At that time the WBO was a fledging organization and did not carry the clout it has today. Be that as it may DeWitt pounded out a well deserved twelve round decision and was crowned the champion. He would successfully defend against former IBF junior middleweight champ Matthew Hilton. Matthew was a brutal puncher but Doug absorbed Hilton’s bombs and rallied to stop Matthew in the eleventh.

In 1990 Doug defended against Britain’s Nigel Benn. It was a savage affair that ended in the eighth round after Doug took quite a beating. No longer a champion Doug returned in 1992 and drew with Tyrone Frazier. He then got a point call over Dan Sherry. In his last fight Doug was outclassed by James Toney in six rounds ending his distinguished career.

DeWitt closed out with 46 bouts. He won 33 lost 8 and drew five times. He scored 19 knockouts and he was taken out four times. He met six other men who claimed a world title. He was smart in the ring and put his punches together well. His best asset was his fighting spirit. It made him a champion.

I liked Dewitt.
Tough kid with alot of heart.
He won a ten rounder in 87 over a gymmate of mine and a guy I used to spar with quite often. Lenny Lapaglia.
Lenny was a tough kid too. Big puncer.Their fight was a real barn burner.I think it was on espn.

Pug . . . I've seen Lennie Lapaglia fight, he was a tough guy!

[Expug]

Rick, he was rolling along pretty good until he was kod Twice by a clubfighter named Danny Blake.
Strange losses they were.
Although Blake, who Ive fought on the same card with, had one of the best chins Ive ever seen.
Take a look at his record.

[raylawpc]

Henry Cooper . . .

Bennie, I'm about to re-read a book I've had for more than 25 years, "Our 'Enry", the the biography of Henry Cooper. With the new year upon us, I'm going to be faced with many names of boxers who are potential World Boxing Hall of Fame inductees. Being that we are the "WORLD" Boxing HOF, I would like to guide my collegues on the selection commitee to look beyond the borders of the United States when it comes to recognizing boxers.

I was surprised to discover that Henry Cooper has yet to be inducted. He has held every British, Commenwealth and European title and fought the best of a great era. He is also one of only three men to floor the great Ali. None of Ali's knockdowns were as serious as the one caused by Cooper's devistating left hook. The bell, and a little glove doctoring, gave the young Cassius Clay the time he needed to recover in the corner.

Henry Cooper was a beautiful boxer and had championship power in both hands. It's necessary that his name be on this years WBHOF ballot, which is sent out to select voters world-wide. I'm going to push this one, Henry's presence woud ad an element of class to the WBHOF Banquet this year.

"IF" Henry gets voted in, and "IF" he can fly across the pond to receive his induction bronze, etc., maybe you would be interested in presenting him with the award? I know times are tight, but "IF" you could join us later this year, our boxrec group would be pretty much perfect.

I know all about "IF", so we'll see where I get in my Henry Cooper efforts. I will guarantee this, his name will be on the ballot.

-Rick Farris

Rick, Clay/Ali was knocked down four times in his career - not three - by Sonny Banks, Cooper, Frazier, and Chuck Wepner.

Also, recent video tape analysis has shown that Clay got, at most, 8 extra seconds between rounds against Copper as a result of the torn glove in that fight. The self-serving myth perpetuated by Angelo Dundee that he bought Clay several minutes is simply an untruth.

(As a former cornerman, however, I can think of a few times I would have liked to have an extra eight seconds between rounds . . . )

[Rick Farris]

Rick, he was rolling along pretty good until he was kod Twice by a clubfighter named Danny Blake.
Strange losses they were.
Although Blake, who Ive fought on the same card with, had one of the best chins Ive ever seen.
Take a look at his record.

I know what you mean, Brian. You never know what a boxer is likely to do. With little exception, we're all pretty much crazy.

-Rick

[Rick Farris]

Henry Cooper . . .

Bennie, I'm about to re-read a book I've had for more than 25 years, "Our 'Enry", the the biography of Henry Cooper. With the new year upon us, I'm going to be faced with many names of boxers who are potential World Boxing Hall of Fame inductees. Being that we are the "WORLD" Boxing HOF, I would like to guide my collegues on the selection commitee to look beyond the borders of the United States when it comes to recognizing boxers.

I was surprised to discover that Henry Cooper has yet to be inducted. He has held every British, Commenwealth and European title and fought the best of a great era. He is also one of only three men to floor the great Ali. None of Ali's knockdowns were as serious as the one caused by Cooper's devistating left hook. The bell, and a little glove doctoring, gave the young Cassius Clay the time he needed to recover in the corner.

Henry Cooper was a beautiful boxer and had championship power in both hands. It's necessary that his name be on this years WBHOF ballot, which is sent out to select voters world-wide. I'm going to push this one, Henry's presence woud ad an element of class to the WBHOF Banquet this year.

"IF" Henry gets voted in, and "IF" he can fly across the pond to receive his induction bronze, etc., maybe you would be interested in presenting him with the award? I know times are tight, but "IF" you could join us later this year, our boxrec group would be pretty much perfect.

I know all about "IF", so we'll see where I get in my Henry Cooper efforts. I will guarantee this, his name will be on the ballot.

-Rick Farris

Rick, Clay/Ali was knocked down four times in his career - not three - by Sonny Banks, Cooper, Frazier, and Chuck Wepner.

Also, recent video tape analysis has shown that Clay got, at most, 8 extra seconds between rounds against Copper as a result of the torn glove in that fight. The self-serving myth perpetuated by Angelo Dundee that he bought Clay several minutes is simply an untruth.

(As a former cornerman, however, I can think of a few times I would have liked to have an extra eight seconds between rounds . . . )

Tom, I remember Ali going down in the 9th round of the Wepner fight. Chuck stepped on his foot, which caused the knockdown. Left hooks caused Ali's true knockdowns in the Banks, Cooper & Frazier bouts. As for the extra eight seconds, anything over 60 seconds is a bonus. As you mentioned, there were times when I also could have used an extra eight seconds sitting on the stool between rounds. This brings to memory the film of the fight, and the between rounds close-up of a dazed Cassius Clay shaking his head, trying to clear the fog. He really got nailed by that hook, didn't he?

By the way, I'm with you on the Dundee myth, without question self-serving BS, as is so much to the legend of Angelo Dundee. Angie is an organized cornerman who knows how to blow smoke up a fighters ass in the corner, as well as the media. A teacher? No. A conditioner? Not really. Lots of experience? Yes. Story teller? One of the best. In my opinion, that's about it.

-Rick

[raylawpc]

Henry Cooper . . .

Bennie, I'm about to re-read a book I've had for more than 25 years, "Our 'Enry", the the biography of Henry Cooper. With the new year upon us, I'm going to be faced with many names of boxers who are potential World Boxing Hall of Fame inductees. Being that we are the "WORLD" Boxing HOF, I would like to guide my collegues on the selection commitee to look beyond the borders of the United States when it comes to recognizing boxers.

I was surprised to discover that Henry Cooper has yet to be inducted. He has held every British, Commenwealth and European title and fought the best of a great era. He is also one of only three men to floor the great Ali. None of Ali's knockdowns were as serious as the one caused by Cooper's devistating left hook. The bell, and a little glove doctoring, gave the young Cassius Clay the time he needed to recover in the corner.

Henry Cooper was a beautiful boxer and had championship power in both hands. It's necessary that his name be on this years WBHOF ballot, which is sent out to select voters world-wide. I'm going to push this one, Henry's presence woud ad an element of class to the WBHOF Banquet this year.

"IF" Henry gets voted in, and "IF" he can fly across the pond to receive his induction bronze, etc., maybe you would be interested in presenting him with the award? I know times are tight, but "IF" you could join us later this year, our boxrec group would be pretty much perfect.

I know all about "IF", so we'll see where I get in my Henry Cooper efforts. I will guarantee this, his name will be on the ballot.

-Rick Farris

Rick, Clay/Ali was knocked down four times in his career - not three - by Sonny Banks, Cooper, Frazier, and Chuck Wepner.

Also, recent video tape analysis has shown that Clay got, at most, 8 extra seconds between rounds against Copper as a result of the torn glove in that fight. The self-serving myth perpetuated by Angelo Dundee that he bought Clay several minutes is simply an untruth.

(As a former cornerman, however, I can think of a few times I would have liked to have an extra eight seconds between rounds . . . )

I remember Ali going down in the 9th round of the Wepner fight. Chuck stepped on his foot, which caused the knockdown. Left hooks caused the true knockdowns in the Banks, Cooper & Frazier bouts. As for the extra eight seconds, anything over 60 seconds is a bonus. As you mentioned, there were times when I also could have used an extra eight seconds sitting on the stool between rounds. This brings to memory the film of the fight, and the between rounds close-up of a dazed Cassius Clay shaking his head, trying to clear the fog. He really got nailed by that hook, didn't he?

-Rick

Ali's knockdown by Wepner admittedly was a fluke - combination foot and body punch as Ali was pulling away. But the ref - Tony Perez, if memory serves - called it an "official" knockdown, so what can you do? As John Adams once said, "Facts are hard things," and the facts are Ali got dropped four times in his career despite the weirdness of that Wepner knockdown.

Another hard thing was Cooper left hook! Yes, he really nailed Clay with it!

[kikibalt]

In the 1940's-50's "Senator" Johnny Forbes had a good size stable of boxers which included
GIL cadilli, Carlos Chavez, Nick Diaz, Keeny Teran and Vince Delgado, et' al'.

Luke Langello was always to be seen at the gyms.

[Boxingnut]

DOUG DeWITT; TRUE GRIT
By Jim Amato

I enjoy watching all different types of fighters. I appreciate the art and finesse of a clever boxer like Willie Pep. I enjoy the rock-em- sock-em style of a Joe Frazier. There were men with great jabs like Larry Holmes. I was dazzled by the hand speed of Sugar Ray Leonard and more recently by Joe Calzaghe. I was in awe of the power of a Earnie Shavers or Julian Jackson. I was in even more awe of men with the granite jaws who could absorb the power shots like George Chuvalo and Tex Cobb did.

These were just a handful of fighters I have the ultimate respect for. Overall I think my favorite trait in a boxer is bulldog tenacity. They may not be the best boxer or the hardest puncher and at times their chin may betray them. Still as long as they are standing their opponents better be prepared to fight. I guess gritty is best adjective I can use to describe this type of fighter. Doug DeWitt fit the bill.

Doug was born on August 13, 1961 in Youngstown, Ohio. He boxed out of Yonkers, New York and turned professional in 1980. He won his first eight fights before dropping a decision to tough Ben Serrano. He bounced right back with three wins including a kayo over Danny McAloon. Later he would draw with Tony Suero and Serrano in a rematch.

Doug was also beating good fighters like Teddy Mann, Mike Tinley and Bobby Hoye. A 1984 first round knockout over Jimmy Sykes led to a match with “Dangerous “Don Lee. The “Dangerous “one had recently stopped the highly regarded contender Tony Sibson. Doug and Don battled to a draw. Next Doug would lose a verdict to Robbie Sims, the vastly under rated half brother of Marvin Hagler.

In 1986 Doug would show his grit as he lost decisions to two of the best punchers in the game at the time, Milt McCrory and Thomas “Hitman “Hearns. Just when you thought Doug’s chin was made of steel he suffered a 1987 KO loss to Jose Quinones. Later that year Doug would bounce back to win the USBA middleweight title by edging the crafty Tony Thornton.

A 1988 draw with Ronnie Essett led to Doug’s first shot at a world title. On November 8th he met WBA middleweight titleholder Sumbu Kalambay in Monte Carlo. Kalambay is largely forgotten these days but he was a very talented champion who holds wins over Herol Graham, Mike McCallum, Iran Barkley and Robbie Sims. In possibly his best career performance Kalambay clocked Doug in the seventh round.

Tenacity…In his very next fight Doug was rematches with Robbie Sims for the WBO version of the middleweight title. At that time the WBO was a fledging organization and did not carry the clout it has today. Be that as it may DeWitt pounded out a well deserved twelve round decision and was crowned the champion. He would successfully defend against former IBF junior middleweight champ Matthew Hilton. Matthew was a brutal puncher but Doug absorbed Hilton’s bombs and rallied to stop Matthew in the eleventh.

In 1990 Doug defended against Britain’s Nigel Benn. It was a savage affair that ended in the eighth round after Doug took quite a beating. No longer a champion Doug returned in 1992 and drew with Tyrone Frazier. He then got a point call over Dan Sherry. In his last fight Doug was outclassed by James Toney in six rounds ending his distinguished career.

DeWitt closed out with 46 bouts. He won 33 lost 8 and drew five times. He scored 19 knockouts and he was taken out four times. He met six other men who claimed a world title. He was smart in the ring and put his punches together well. His best asset was his fighting spirit. It made him a champion.

I liked Dewitt.
Tough kid with alot of heart.
He won a ten rounder in 87 over a gymmate of mine and a guy I used to spar with quite often. Lenny Lapaglia.
Lenny was a tough kid too. Big puncer.Their fight was a real barn burner.I think it was on espn.

.

[kikibalt]

Rick told us about meeting an ex-fighter at a bay area watering hole
one time, his name was Tommy Garland, Garland fought and lost to
Jerry McSwain pictured above.