'Smokeless Joe'

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Rover
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Rover »

Didn't Jumbo get life?
HomicideHenry
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by HomicideHenry »

Yup. Ol' Jumbo broke the Illinois 'three strikes rule' and is serving life.

As for 'Smokeless Joe', he only did it because of Ali. He would go to the ends of the earth in order to get a fourth match with the man who he felt robbed him of his dignity. However, I will say, despite all the rumors and heresay about his match with Jumbo, Frazier did better than I would have expected, if not argue he did enough to of actually won the match (it was labeled a draw). The film is available on youtube for anyone to watch. I think had he gotten his hands on Ali in 1980-1981, he would have defeated Ali and the anthology would of been 2-2 between them. Ali, however, was in it for the money gunning for Holmes, while Frazier was in it for redemption.
Dart340
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Dart340 »

I didn't remember or know Frazier's motivation was a fourth match with Ali, Homicide. Thanks for the info and perspective. I thought Frazier did surprisingly well against a sturdy fringe contender coming off a long layoff and seemingly intending to use the fight as a way to "train himself into shape".
Rover
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Rover »

Il Duce wrote:Floyd 'Jumbo' Cummings

No 'Spring Chicken' himself when he faced 'Smokin Joe' Frazier.

Listed at Age 31......???

Had committed Murder in Illinois, and only got Sentenced to 12 Years, and important
bouts with Renaldo 'Mr'. Snipes and 'Smokin Joe' Frazier.

Later, mis-behaved again......... :shame:
Jumbo was a naughty boy!
:OhYes:
Expug
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Expug »

Il Duce wrote:I agree,

Floyd 'Jumbo' Cummings a little too big for 'Smokin Joe's comeback fight.

The better bout for Chicago would have been Smokin Joe against popular Chicago
club-fighter Heavyweight George Mostardini.

George not so big at 6' 1" 212 lbs., but he was very popular in the Windy City in
1980/1981 - including after his (December 1980) loss to Jumbo Cummings.
Good call on a Mostardini fight. He was popular around here at the time and that would have lots of interest. I would see Jumbo in the gym once in awhile back in those days and he was a big big dude man huge. Didn't weigh a ton but totaly jacked.
Expug
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Expug »

We had an exhibition match here at the ampitheatre and I believe it was Mostardini vs Leon Spinks. Mr T was Leons bodyguard and a riot broke out. T was literaly throwing people around.must have been around 78 or so. Seamus might remember this also.
Rover
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Rover »

Expug wrote:We had an exhibition match here at the ampitheatre and I believe it was Mostardini vs Leon Spinks. Mr T was Leons bodyguard and a riot broke out. T was literaly throwing people around.must have been around 78 or so. Seamus might remember this also.
:lol:
Little prep for Rocky III?
Expug
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Expug »

Pretty much. Those were wild times in Chicago back then. Mr T had won a contest called "The worlds toughest bouncer". He was working at the night club BBC I believe. Somehow he got in with Leon and then it was on to Rocky 3,The A Team, etc. He was a rough cat back in the day.
Expug
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Re: 'Smokeless Joe'

Post by Expug »

I knew a guy who used to spar with George at the old navy pier boxing gym here. He said George could definitely punch. I guess his best win was against Roughouse Fischer. He was a little before my time so I've never met him. Luke Capuano was also around at that period and he was a better fighter. He fought Mike Rossman a couple times and put in good performances. He was a lightheavy/ cruiser.
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