Off The Field & Into The Squared Circle

[HomicideHenry]

To some boxing is all about aggression and turning loose all those pent up emotions through fists smashing against an opponents skull. It's those same individuals who believe an agressive sport such as football wouldn't be too much of a leap to make as a professional boxer---and nine times out of then, despite the ballyhoo and publicity, the football player ends up on the seat of his pants.

Several times a gridiron star gets it into his head to get into the fight game, figuring that their stats in football, their ability to run 100 yards in under 5 seconds, and going toe to toe with 300 pound linemen on a regular basis makes them athletic enough and tough enough to take on an opponent with padded gloves.

This list is a testament to the old saying, 'There's always somebody bigger and better', where those men of college and professional football fame, thought it would be easy to make the transition from a team sport into a game of one on one, with no referee to blow the whistle, no time outs, no bench to take a break half way through, and with no helmet to cushion the blows.

The earliest football star to get big media attention for his boxing debut was 'Big' Wayne Munn, a 6'6" 240 pound college football star who also was a professional wrestler, the first non-wrestler to win the world's championship. Munn, with his backers and connections, believed he could get the world boxing championship as well. He was matched up with 'Agile' Andre Anderson, a journeyman heavyweight who was better than his record indicated, as he often took dives to get quick cash alongside his fight purse. However, Anderson was getting tired of being told what to do, and when it was brought up to him to lose to Munn, he said he would do it, though he knew he was going to hand Munn's ass back to him. The match was Munn's first and last boxing match, as Anderson kayoed the gigantic Munn out in the 3rd round. Anderson, for his troubles, was shot and killed a few months later, reportedly from mobsters who were connected with the Munn fight.

Fast forward some 20 years later, you will have heard about 'Wildman' Jimmy Harryman. Harryman was a college football player out of Washington State and played professionally for the Calgary Chargers. Beginning in 1959, Harryman would rack up 9 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, and have 7 kayos to his credit, before retiring in '65.

Also in the 1950's and 60's there was Charlie Powell. Powell was 6'3" and built like a body builder, but was limited. However, he gave a kid named Cassius Clay some trouble when he fought him in 1963. Powell hurt Clay with body shots early, but would get kayoed in the 3rd round. It was the highlight of his career.

Also roaming the scene was Charley Norkus. Norkus was thought to be the next big thing, and even champion Rocky Marciano believed Norkus to be his successor. Unfortunately for Norkus he couldnt get over the hump to be among the top heavyweights of the day. But, he arguably had the best record against the best opposition, of any other football player who attempted boxing.

In the 1970's, for a time, Buster Mathis left boxing to join the Canadian Football League. Mathis was also the first man to ever win the 'Super-Heavyweight' boxing title, kayoing Claude 'Humphrey' McBride. Mathis at 6'4" and ranging from 240-320 pounds was a true behemoth for the day---but he fell short against Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, among others.

In 1979 the highly popular Lyle Alzado claimed he was leaving the Oakland Raiders for a career in boxing. Lyle, truthfully, was trying to make Oakland give him a better contract deal, but to prove he was serious, he did an eight round exhibition bout with Muhammad Ali on ABC. Lyle lasted the whole eight rounds, and even taunted Ali, though it was clear to all who watched that Ali had 'won' the fiasco.

In the 1980's there was Ed 'Too Tall' Jones, the 6'9" lineman of the Dallas Cowboys. Immediately there was talk of a Jones-Holmes show down, however for that to happen Jones would have to defeat a ranked heavyweight. His debut wasn't too impressive, as Jones was downed by a 5'9" Mexican who had more losses than Jones had sacks. Jones continued boxing for the next two years, but hung up his gloves with a record of 6-0-0.

In the 1990's there were four football players who attempted to become boxing stars. Alonzo Highsmith and Ron Gastineau were the only two of the four who turned pro and did alright against mediocre opposition. The other two were 'The Refridgerator' William Perry and Laurence Taylor. Both Perry and Taylor were involved in Art Dore's Toughman program, often in shows pitting football players against pro wrestlers, or the NFL versus the AFL. Perry tried to go pro to secure a bout with Butterbean, but failed the medical examinations. Taylor, knowing his limitations, never went professional.

The year 2000 brought Michael Grant. Grant, who was a headliner in collegiate football, dropped the idea of playing professionally and went into boxing instead. Without so much as an amateur bout under him, he went head first into the pros. He eventually became the #1 heavyweight contender for Lennox Lewis' title, but was blowed away in the 2nd round. Grant never recovered from the loss, as the secret was out: to beat Grant you got to land on his chin.

As of late, there isn't that many well known football players college or otherwise in the boxing game, save for Deontay Wilder whose fought a few times on FNF's, and is currently undefeated and is quite the fan favorite with his brawling style and kayos.

[fourreal]

I heard a former collage/NFL football player by the name of Johnny Morant was in Duva’s camp for a minute or two contemplating a pro career, but it never happened

[bjermaine]

imo, nothing makes for a worse fighter than a former football player.

[HomicideHenry]

imo, nothing makes for a worse fighter than a former football player.

wrong...former baseball players are worse (remember Jose Cansenco's run in celebrity boxing?)

[Brutu]

There was a Nebraska state football star named Monte Munn
back in the 1920's who was being trained by Jack Johnson .

[Brutu]

Back in the mid-1960's two football stars considered going into boxing.
fullback Cookie Gilchrist and Ernie"Big Cat"Ladd.
Ladd became a well known wrestler.

[Brutu]

Tom McNeeley(Peter's Dad)who fought Floyd Patterson in 1961 for the HW title had played college football at Michigan State University

[hhaehre]

Despite what looks like an OK record former US football player Mark Gastineau was a truly awful boxer. It is rumoured that most of his wins were fixes anyway. I remember seeing a youtube clip of Gastineau fighting and he useless - stiff and unskilled. He turned his back on his opponent when he was hurt, before being stopped.

Gastineau looked exactly like most people do when they step into the ring for the first time. Taking their eyes of their opponent, turning their backs on their opponent, not keeping their hands up, not tucking the chin in, standing square in front of their opponent etc. The amazing thing is that Gastineau still looked like this after 15 pro fights.

Arild Haugen, former "Norways Strongest Man" and "World Strongest Man" competitor is making his professional boxing debut in the near future and many casual fans around here expect him to do well. Personally I think it would take a miracle for him to succeed at the highest level with the kind of muscle bound physique he has from the Strong Man Competitions. Somehow most people think that if you are strong you will automatically do well in boxing.

[wouter]

In the late 80s Tony Mandarich was to be trained by Lou Duva for a fight with Mike Tyson. His supposed challenge for the heavyweight title was heavily hyped by the media, but Mandarich naver made it into the boxing ring.

[HomicideHenry]

thanks for the tip off, wouter!

[Robinson]

imo, nothing makes for a worse fighter than a former football player.

Ken Norton and Earnie Shavers were former NFL gridiron players werent they ?

Marcus Jones is a pretty strong and talented MMAer with a decent NFL background.

Here in Australia we have had some good boxers come from different football
codes, the two Mundines being ones that come to mind. Famechon played
AFL as well I believe as did Ambrose Palmer.

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

imo, nothing makes for a worse fighter than a former football player.

Ken Norton and Earnie Shavers were former NFL gridiron players werent they ?

Marcus Jones is a pretty strong and talented MMAer with a decent NFL background.

Here in Australia we have had some good boxers come from different football
codes, the two Mundines being ones that come to mind. Famechon played
AFL as well I believe as did Ambrose Palmer.

Check out Mal Meninga boxing Kev Boroevich over 3 rounds at heavyweight - Meninga had some excellent skills, fast hands and
a lovely Foremanesque jab - he could have done something in boxing I truly believe.

[Brutu]

Earnie Savers and George Foreman only played footaball in high school(some).
Ken Norton played football while in the marines.

[Brutu]

Ernie Ladd was officially measured by the NFL at 6 ft.9 inches tall.
Here is a link to some video where you can see him move in a ring and get some idea how he may have moved as a boxer
if he had taken it up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9VYy-ZEijc

[Brutu]

Are we talking about pro football players?
I think Abe Simon played football in college.
Ross Purrity too.
Tommy Morrison played football in HS I think.

[John Galt]

Brutu, I don't think anyone is "officially measured by the NFL." Especially in Ernie Ladd's day. Today, at the combines the players are measured exactly and most "lose" an inch or two, sometimes more from their listed height in college when they are measured. Most athletes, like the general public exaggerate their height by an inch or more.

I did read a story once about the NBA. Someone measured NBA players and none of them were as tall as listed. One point guard, listed at 6-2 was actually 5-11. Of course NFL, and NBA players are probably closer to their advertised size than professional wrestlers. The Tale of the Tape with boxers is another measurement that is not official. Boxers aren't measured by anyone. They can put down any measurements they want and the promoter will use those measurements for the fight promotion.

[Robinson]

I have never been measure in height for amateur wrestling or
MMA< my height is given by me without ever being confirmed
or checked.

Only once in a pre fight medical was my height measurements
taken.

[Brutu]

Max Marek,
was a Notre Dame football star who took up boxing,and on April.1933 fought Joe Louis(and won)in a 4 rounder at the A.A.U finals for the light-Heavyweight championship in Boston,MA..It went the distance but reportly Louis took one of the worst poundings in his ring career.So much that reportly that when Louis turned pro his team avoided another fight with Marek.

[Brutu]

Bob Pastor who fought Joe Louis twice ,had been a college football player at NYU(New York University.

[wouter]

Max Marek,
was a Notre Dame football star who took up boxing,and on April.1933 fought Joe Louis(and won)in a 4 rounder at the A.A.U finals for the light-Heavyweight championship in Boston,MA..It went the distance but reportly Louis took one of the worst poundings in his ring career.So much that reportly that when Louis turned pro his team avoided another fight with Marek.

If you've seen that reported, I'd like to know where. While Marek did beat Louis in the amateurs, it wasn't a pounding (Louis's loss to Johnny Miler was) and nobody avoided anyone.

[Brutu]

Thats what I had read.
imop Joe Louis himself wouldnt have avoided anyone, but his managers and promtor did.
i.e
LeRoy Haynes,Tiger Jack Fox,Eddie Blunt.

[wouter]

Thats what I had read.Joe Louis wouldnt have avoided anyone but his managers and promters did.i.e
LeRoy Haynes,Tiger Jack Fox,eddie Blunt.

Well, where did you read it then?

[Brutu]

In a book published in 1938.
I'll get back to you as soon as I can remember the title and author.

[wouter]

In a book published in 1938.
I'll get back to you as soon as I can remember the title and author.

I thought so.

[Brutu]

Max Marek,
was a Notre Dame football star who took up boxing,and on April.1933 fought Joe Louis(and won)in a 4 rounder at the A.A.U finals for the light-Heavyweight championship in Boston,MA..It went the distance but reportly Louis took one of the worst poundings in his ring career.So much that reportly that when Louis turned pro his team avoided another fight with Marek.

If you've seen that reported, I'd like to know where. While Marek did beat Louis in the amateurs, it wasn't a pounding (Louis's loss to Johnny Miler was) and nobody avoided anyone.

Just remembed where I had read that;
Its was in the book,

FAMOUS AMERICAN ATHLETES OF TODAY(Sixth Series)1938
by Harold Kaese
Chapter V
Joe Louis:the Brown Bomber
by LeRoy Atkinson,
Sports writer Worcester(MA)Telegram-Gazette
pp133-169.
as far as the reference to,
"Marek probably delivered in that Boston ring one of the worst beating Louis ever assimilated".
is on pp.137-138 of that book.