Ernest Anthony, AKA Tony Anthony, had quite a good amateur record. In 1951, Anthony won the Sub-Novice 135 lb. title in the New York Golden Gloves. In 1952, Anthony won the New York Golden Gloves in the Open 147 lb. division. Anthony also won the National AAU 156 lb. title in 1952.
I remember Tony Anthony for his 1957 challenge to Archie Moore for the Light Heavyweight title. I remember thinking that Anthony would probably beat Moore in that fight.
Tony Anthony turned pro just a couple of months after Floyd Patterson turned pro in 1952. Patterson, who also had a great amateur record, won the Heavyweight title beating Archie Moore in 1956. So, when Anthony fought Moore about 9 months later, I thought that Anthony-Moore would be Patterson-Moore all over again.
There were many similarities between Patterson and Anthony. Anthony, who was born about a month after Patterson, had a similar pro record to Floyd Patterson. Patterson's record was 30-1 going into his title fight with Moore in 1956, whereas Anthony's record was 30-4-1 going into his title fight with Archie Moore. Patterson and Anthony had faced some of the same opponents like Yvon Durelle, who they had both knocked out, Willie Troy, Archie McBride, Gordon Wallace, Calvin Brad, and Royer-Crecy(I can't remember his first name). Both Floyd and Anthony fought Durelle twice and Anthony fought McBride twice.
So, in view of all the similarities between Patterson and Anthony, I was looking for a repeat of the Patterson-Moore fight, with Anthony possibly knocking out the Old Mongoose (Moore). How wrong I was. Moore knocked out Anthony in the 7th round, and kept the Light Heavyweight crown for nearly another 5 years.
Anyway, Tony Anthony never did get another shot at the title, even though he was ranked number 1 in the Light Heavyweight division in 1958 by Ring Magazine. I kind of wish that Tony Anthony got some kind of title before before he retired, but it wasn't to be. Too bad. Anthony had a lot of potential.
If anyone knows any more about Ernest Anthony's amateur record, or anything else about his boxing career, I would be interested in knowing more. Thanks in advance.
Ernest Anthony
Tony Anthony
I must admit, I didn't really know that much about Tony Anthony's opponents back in 1957. I did know that Anthony had a great amateur record, and had done pretty well as a pro going into the Moore title fight. I had read a couple of boxing mags and Anthony was built up in some articles about him.
I was convinced that Tony Anthony would beat Moore. Moore had been beat up pretty good by Marciano, and Floyd Patterson had beaten Archie Moore pretty easily the previous November (1956) for the heavyweight crown. It was almost 10 months since the Patterson fight, and I did not think that the 10 months would help Moore, who was in his forties. Moore appeared to be on the way out.
The 10 months could do nothing but help Anthony, who was now 22, about 4 months shy of 23. Anthony had recently knocked out top light heavyweight contender Chuck Speiser, and had fought contender Yvon Durelle to a draw, knocking down Durelle in the 6th round. Everything seemed to be going Anthony's way, at least to my way of thinking at the time. As I said before, I was expecting to see a repeat of the Patterson-Moore fight.
Anyway, the Mongoose still had something left in the tank and proved once more to be the great fighter that he was. He was not through.
I was convinced that Tony Anthony would beat Moore. Moore had been beat up pretty good by Marciano, and Floyd Patterson had beaten Archie Moore pretty easily the previous November (1956) for the heavyweight crown. It was almost 10 months since the Patterson fight, and I did not think that the 10 months would help Moore, who was in his forties. Moore appeared to be on the way out.
The 10 months could do nothing but help Anthony, who was now 22, about 4 months shy of 23. Anthony had recently knocked out top light heavyweight contender Chuck Speiser, and had fought contender Yvon Durelle to a draw, knocking down Durelle in the 6th round. Everything seemed to be going Anthony's way, at least to my way of thinking at the time. As I said before, I was expecting to see a repeat of the Patterson-Moore fight.
Anyway, the Mongoose still had something left in the tank and proved once more to be the great fighter that he was. He was not through.
Ernest Anthony, AKA Tony Anthony
I just found out that the Moore-Anthony title fight almost never happened. The governing bodies in boxing decided to strip Moore of the Light Heavyweight title in 1957 due to the fact that Moore had not defended his title in over a year, and only once in over 2 years. Part of the reason for this was because he had 2 heavyweight title fights in the past 2 years (Marciano and Patterson). The plan was to have the 2 top contenders fight for Moore's vacated Light Heavyweight title. The 2 top contenders were Tony Anthony and Harold Johnson. The governing body ended up changing their minds, but insisted that Moore fight the number one contender, who was Tony Anthony.
It makes one think, what would have happened if Moore was stripped of his title. Who would have won between Anthony and Johnson? I hate to say it, but I think that the winner would have been Johnson, who was a great fighter in his own right. Harold Johnson fought for years, and fought many of the best light heavyweights and heavyweights around. It may have been an interesting fight, but I think that Johnson would have probably prevailed.
If Tony Anthony fought for a few more years, and stayed in the Light Heavyweight division, then I think that he would have had a chance against Willie Pastrano, when Pastrano got to be champ in 1962. In 1959, Anthony started fighting some heavyweights, and this was probably the beginning of the end of his boxing career. Maybe Anthony didn't think that he could remain in the Light Heavyweight division, and decided to see how he could fare against heavyweights. Anyway, Tony Anthony had his last fight when he was only 25.
It makes one think, what would have happened if Moore was stripped of his title. Who would have won between Anthony and Johnson? I hate to say it, but I think that the winner would have been Johnson, who was a great fighter in his own right. Harold Johnson fought for years, and fought many of the best light heavyweights and heavyweights around. It may have been an interesting fight, but I think that Johnson would have probably prevailed.
If Tony Anthony fought for a few more years, and stayed in the Light Heavyweight division, then I think that he would have had a chance against Willie Pastrano, when Pastrano got to be champ in 1962. In 1959, Anthony started fighting some heavyweights, and this was probably the beginning of the end of his boxing career. Maybe Anthony didn't think that he could remain in the Light Heavyweight division, and decided to see how he could fare against heavyweights. Anyway, Tony Anthony had his last fight when he was only 25.
Harold Johnson
Speaking of Harold Johnson, I believe that he should have gotten a shot at the light heavy title sometime during the late 1950's. Three things hurt Johnson. One is that Harold Johnson had already fought Archie Moore 5 times. Only one of these matches was for the title, and that was in 1954 with Moore winning on a knockout in the 14th round.
Another thing that held back Johnson was that he was apparently drugged during a bout in 1955. Johnson collapsed in the ring and drugs were found in his system. Johnson himself was cleared of any wrongdoing, but the incident held back Johnson's career for a couple of years.
The main thing keeping Johnson from a shot at Moore's title during the late 1950's was Moore himself. IMO, Moore's skills were declining due to the fact that Moore was into his 40's by then. Moore did not want to fight Johnson again and opted to fight Yvon Durelle instead. Durelle was tough, but not in the same class as Johnson, and Moore probably knew that he would have a very tough time with Johnson and would very likely lose his title if he fought Johnson again. So, Harold Johnson had to wait until 1961 for even a shot at a piece of the light heavy title when he was about 33. In 1962, Johnson won the world title.
Another thing that held back Johnson was that he was apparently drugged during a bout in 1955. Johnson collapsed in the ring and drugs were found in his system. Johnson himself was cleared of any wrongdoing, but the incident held back Johnson's career for a couple of years.
The main thing keeping Johnson from a shot at Moore's title during the late 1950's was Moore himself. IMO, Moore's skills were declining due to the fact that Moore was into his 40's by then. Moore did not want to fight Johnson again and opted to fight Yvon Durelle instead. Durelle was tough, but not in the same class as Johnson, and Moore probably knew that he would have a very tough time with Johnson and would very likely lose his title if he fought Johnson again. So, Harold Johnson had to wait until 1961 for even a shot at a piece of the light heavy title when he was about 33. In 1962, Johnson won the world title.
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worrypascanada
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Re: Ernest Anthony, AKA Tony Anthony
Hello,Scypion wrote:I just found out that the Moore-Anthony title fight almost never happened. The governing bodies in boxing decided to strip Moore of the Light Heavyweight title in 1957 due to the fact that Moore had not defended his title in over a year, and only once in over 2 years. Part of the reason for this was because he had 2 heavyweight title fights in the past 2 years (Marciano and Patterson). The plan was to have the 2 top contenders fight for Moore's vacated Light Heavyweight title. The 2 top contenders were Tony Anthony and Harold Johnson. The governing body ended up changing their minds, but insisted that Moore fight the number one contender, who was Tony Anthony.
I am a researcher of Yvon Durelle career and have a great interest in the light-heavyweight division for the 1950's. I am very curious about the information you are presenting on striping Archie Moore LHWT belt in 1957. Would you share the source, so I can possibly retrace this document? Last year, I had my first telephone communication with Tony Anthony, himself, via his son, of course.
Thanks in advance for all replies.
Robert Richard
http://www.yvondurelle.com