Dick Richardson vs Cassius Clay (Summer of 1963)

[ali2013]

Dick Richardson,

The British Heavyweight, who was the European Heavyweight Champion from March 27, 1960 thru June 17, 1962.

In 1963, Dick was hoping to be lined up with visiting American Heavyweight - the colorful Cassius Clay.

The 29 year-old Heavyweight, was coming off back-to-back knockout losses, to Ingemar Johansson and
Henry Cooper, that dropped his record to 31-14-2 (24 KO's).

But Dick still packed a decent wallop, and was hoping for a crack at the 'Louisville Lip'.

The 206 lb. banger, still believed if he could get one good opening, he would do to Cassius Clay
what he did to Karl Mildenberger (KO 1) in February 1962.

After witnessing Henry Cooper drop Cassius, and nearly knocking him out, the big Welshman
thought he had just as good a chance at catching the talented American.

Is Dick still around?

[Rover]

RIP Dick.

[misterpunch]

erskine is not completely forgotten by those of us who watched the british heavy scene back in the early 60's.

i met dick richardson when he played in an all star 11 football match in about 1970 - great big good humoured fellow who wasnt the best footballer by a long stretch but thoroughly enjoyed himself anyway.

but i think 5 rounds would have seen ali take care of him

[Fireball]

Dick Richardson,

The British Heavyweight, who was the European Heavyweight Champion from March 27, 1960 thru June 17, 1962.

In 1963, Dick was hoping to be lined up with visiting American Heavyweight - the colorful Cassius Clay.

The 29 year-old Heavyweight, was coming off back-to-back knockout losses, to Ingemar Johansson and
Henry Cooper, that dropped his record to 31-14-2 (24 KO's).

But Dick still packed a decent wallop, and was hoping for a crack at the 'Louisville Lip'.

The 206 lb. banger, still believed if he could get one good opening, he would do to Cassius Clay
what he did to Karl Mildenberger (KO 1) in February 1962.

After witnessing Henry Cooper drop Cassius, and nearly knocking him out, the big Welshman
thought he had just as good a chance at catching the talented American.

These unrealistic assessments of his skill vs Ali's skill is one reason people called him "Dick" and not Richard.

[misterpunch]

i can see your comic intent but to go to the ring with the name richard richardson just would not happen

[Fireball]

i can see your comic intent but to go to the ring with the name richard richardson just would not happen

How abou Richard Dickson?

[misterpunch]

not a fighters name.

how about ricardo charon - he might need to dye his hair and grow a zapata

[misterpunch]

maybe lose a few letters from the surname...dick HARDON

[HomicideHenry]

There were so many people who could of had the shot at Ali and other champions, but something always kept them from being great. Bruce Woodcock never did get Louis (which may of been a good thing that he didnt) and Richardson never got Ali. Then again neither did Jack Boddell or John L. Gardner, the latter of which I think could have beaten Ali in 1978-1979.

[misterpunch]

in a similar way that terry downes beat sugar ray robinson, i suppose

[johnnykayo]

dick richardson was a minder and driver to freddie starr for many years,joe erskine was also a minder to shirley bassey for a few years cos she knew joe very well cos of their upbringing on the same street in tiger bay,cardiff. poor old joe died penniless in a council flat in the valleys about 20 years ago now.

[misterpunch]

nice of millionaire shirley to look after her old pal when he was in need

[johnnykayo]

nice of millionaire shirley to look after her old pal when he was in need

apparently she paid for the funeral cos didnt even know joe was in destitution

[HomicideHenry]

There were so many people who could of had the shot at Ali and other champions, but something always kept them from being great. Bruce Woodcock never did get Louis (which may of been a good thing that he didnt) and Richardson never got Ali. Then again neither did Jack Boddell or John L. Gardner, the latter of which I think could have beaten Ali in 1978-1979.

Gardner would have been a horrible fight for Ali at that stage of his career, but I do know it was seriously talked about. I had never heard of Bodell being suggested as an opponent for Ali though. Either way, seeing as Ali-Bodell would have had to have been in the early 70s, I'm sure it would have been quite a straightforward win for Ali.

It was around the time of the Quarry/Boddell fight. You have to remember Quarry was brought into England to be a sacrificial lamb for Boddell, considering Quarry had just lost to Ellis and Chuvalo. It upset the Muhammad Ali vs Jack Boddell applecart when Quarry kayoed Boddell in the first round.

Mid-1979

A 10-Round Draw between..........John L. Lewis and Muhammad Ali

In the spring of 1979,
Muhammad fought a 'smoker bout' at his Pennsylvania Training Camp with Eddie 'Animal' Lopez,
and had the slight edge over 10-Rounds, despite weighing close to 240 lbs.

At the time, 26 year-old John L. Gardner, at 30-1-0 (25 KO's), with only a couple of world class wins.

Muhammad wasn't completely done yet.

Do gym fights, sparring sessions, exhibitions, actually count? Ali also had a fight with Scott LeDoux in the same year and looked like crap against him too. However I think Gardner would of beaten Ali. He simply didnt have the work rated or the love for the sport any more.

[misterpunch]

fair play johnnykayo about shirleys gesture towards joe's funeral.

[johnnykayo]

fair play johnnykayo about shirleys gesture towards joe's funeral.

thanx misterpunch he was a nice old lad joe as he kept a pub in merthyr for many years,eh good luck in your quest on finding stuff on johnny read,im sure their must be a load of stuff on that case if you look.