In honor of Renaldo Snipes

[dempseyfire]

I recently purchased a Renaldo Snipes career set on DVD, and I have to say I think he's been fairly under-rated as he's usually solely remembered for his KD of Holmes. But he had maybe the best pair of legs out of all of the 1980s heavyweights (he could remain moving and jerking around even when exhausted) unlike most 80s heavyweights never came into the ring fat/out of shape, always showed a big heart, and brought decent athleticism to the ring. Not a one punch guy but had power to hurt anyone and get their respect. Not a slickster and developed some sloppy habits technique-wise but also could land some very beautiful counters from odd angles. One of his favorite moves was to feign getting hurt, stagger to the ropes, and then as his opponent went in to finish him, suddenly come alive with a huge counter-hook. That's how he took out big Lionel Washington in an entertaining brawl.

Not only was he usually a very entertaining fighter, I think the only fights he lost DEFINITIVELY through 1987 were to Holmes (the stoppage was premature but I think he was on his way out regardless), and Page. I thought he beat Evangelista, Witherspoon (Tim landed the bigger punches but Snipes won more rounds), and clearly beat Frank. I also thought Biggs was the rightful winner in their fight but it was close as Tyrell really let off the gas in the later rounds.

Tough, entertaining competitor who always came to fight, unlike his contemporaries like Page, Witherspoon, and Tubbs.

What are your recollections of 'Mr. Snipes?'

[Ambling Alp II]

The first thing that I think of when thinking of him is the "Mister" on his trunks.

I remember 3 of his fights on network TV before he fought Holmes for the title. He beat another prospect, Jumbo Cummings, easily won a decision over Eddie Mustapha Muhammad who was trying to move up to heavyweight, and the controversial win over Gerrie Coatzee.

Agree that he was losing the Holmes fight badly, but it was a premature stoppage. Thought he should have been given the chance to go farther.

There was not any one thing that he did particularly well, but he was a capable fighter. I always thought that he (along with Carl Williams) were at the same level as the WBA champs of the era, but was unlucky.

[Nile4000]

Tough fighter who, under the right circumstances, could have been heavyweight champion. His right was no joke, and if they put him in the ring with Mike Weaver, most likely could have pulled off a win for the champion ship in 1982

[BoxBuzz]

I remember an instance on video of Cobb taunting him in public, pretty sure Cobb felt he could beat him. (This actually may have been an article I read....bad memory lol) A fight that never came off for some reason.

[loaded_gloves]

Snipes was a hugely entertaining warrior of the 1980s, involved in so many entertaining fights; Coetzee, Holmes, Berbick, Spoon, a whole series of crazy wars when a diminished form but on the comeback trail i the late 80s- his punch up with giant Lionel Washington is astonishing.

Could of so easily been heavyweight champion of the world in another era or another night. Can you imagine Lennox Lewis recovering from that monster right hand he landed on Holmes inside a 10 count?

Are Snipes fights with Evangelista and Ricky Parkey out there? I've never been able to track them down.

[Seamus]

I had Snipes beating Witherspoon by a pt, and he even rallied well late against Page. He always came to fight, and was conditioned well, but I don't think his skills were anything special.

[dempseyfire]

The first thing that I think of when thinking of him is the "Mister" on his trunks.

I remember 3 of his fights on network TV before he fought Holmes for the title. He beat another prospect, Jumbo Cummings, easily won a decision over Eddie Mustapha Muhammad who was trying to move up to heavyweight, and the controversial win over Gerrie Coatzee.

Agree that he was losing the Holmes fight badly, but it was a premature stoppage. Thought he should have been given the chance to go farther.

There was not any one thing that he did particularly well, but he was a capable fighter. I always thought that he (along with Carl Williams) were at the same level as the WBA champs of the era, but was unlucky.

Ah I forgot to mention the Cummings fight. Great slug-fest between two undefeated prospects for those who haven't caught it. You don't see two undefeated HW prospects going at it like that anymore.

[loaded_gloves]

That Cummings one was always impossible to find, many years ago, when I was in the habit of pursuing fights.

Is it available now? Only ever seen the bite moment, which was played again and again by NBC, complete with 'Jaws' music.

If anyone knows sources for Snipes vs Cummings, Evangelista, or Parkey I'd be delighted to hear from you.

[pbchron]

Snipes landed one of the luckiest and hardest punches in heavyweight history. Holmes barely got up and was in terrible condition - so what does Renaldo do ? With the heavyweight championship one punch away, Reynaldo starts grinning, profiling and showboating and blows a wonderful chance because, I think, he knew in his subconscious that he didn't deserve it.

[hhascup]

I see Renaldo at the Ring 8 meetings in New York just about every month. The last time was on Tuesday, June 18th.

[dempseyfire]

Snipes landed one of the luckiest and hardest punches in heavyweight history. Holmes barely got up and was in terrible condition - so what does Renaldo do ? With the heavyweight championship one punch away, Reynaldo starts grinning, profiling and showboating and blows a wonderful chance because, I think, he knew in his subconscious that he didn't deserve it.

I think it was more Larry counterpunching the crap out of him after the KD and Snipes being tired.

hhscup: How is Renaldo doing? Any post-boxing health issues? He sure did take a lot of big shots in his career.

[hhascup]

Snipes landed one of the luckiest and hardest punches in heavyweight history. Holmes barely got up and was in terrible condition - so what does Renaldo do ? With the heavyweight championship one punch away, Reynaldo starts grinning, profiling and showboating and blows a wonderful chance because, I think, he knew in his subconscious that he didn't deserve it.

I think it was more Larry counterpunching the crap out of him after the KD and Snipes being tired.

hhscup: How is Renaldo doing? Any post-boxing health issues? He sure did take a lot of big shots in his career.

He seems to be doing very well. He always comes over to me to say hello and he is currently involved in numerous charity fund-raising projects.

[pbchron]

I don't remember Holmes doing any counterpunching when he first got off the canvas. Larry looked like he didn't even know what planet he was on and staggering around. He was primed for the KO in that instance but Snipes was too busy showboating to seize the moment and become "heavyweight champion of the world." What a wasted opportunity.

[Nile4000]

One fight that should've been made was Renaldo against James Tillis.A strong 50/50 chance, would've been a great one.

[Flump]

Snipes was a good fighter, always in shape with that strange herky jerky movement, but he was also very inconsistent, and in spite of his knockdown of Holmes not all that big a puncher. I would place him above say Quick Tillis and Tex Cobb but a little below the likes of Weaver, Dokes, Tubbs et al. A solid heavyweight who didn't quite have the tools to be a champion.

In his last fight I was willing him to take out that preening muppet JL Gonzalez but he was too old to get near him. Luckily we didn't have to wait long for Gonzalez to get starched.

[dempseyfire]

Snipes was a good fighter, always in shape with that strange herky jerky movement, but he was also very inconsistent, and in spite of his knockdown of Holmes not all that big a puncher. I would place him above say Quick Tillis and Tex Cobb but a little below the likes of Weaver, Dokes, Tubbs et al. A solid heavyweight who didn't quite have the tools to be a champion.

In his last fight I was willing him to take out that preening muppet JL Gonzalez but he was too old to get near him. Luckily we didn't have to wait long for Gonzalez to get starched.

Where I'd disagree is I think he's right there with the Dokes and Tubbs of the 80s. If he'd gotten the decision vs Witherspoon he'd clearly have better scalps than both of them. A Snipes-Weaver fight would've been really interesting; definitely a war.

[Flump]

I have to confess dempseyfire that I've never seen the 'Spoon fight so couldn't comment, but yes him and Weaver, anytime between 81 and 91 would have been a scrap.

He was also due to fight Tyson but then Ruddock II happened instead, I believe Mr Snipes was paid step aside money.

[loaded_gloves]

He was also due to fight Tyson but then Ruddock II happened instead, I believe Mr Snipes was paid step aside money.

Way off.

Snipes was to fight Tyson in 1990 but broke his right hand against Jamie Howe and was out of action for two years. Alex Stewart got the fight instead and turned in a poor performance.

[Flump]

I thought I had this right Loaded....

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-0 ... son-boxing

[wouter]

Snipes was to fight Tyson in 1990 but broke his right hand against Jamie Howe and was out of action for two years. Alex Stewart got the fight instead and turned in a poor performance.

I seem to remember that Snipes took the Jamie Howe fight, after his camp had already turned down the Tyson offer. Tyson then took on Henry Tillman.

[RazorKO]

I liked Snipes, he always came to fight and he gave us some good battles.

I still think though that Coetzee was robbed blind against him.

[loaded_gloves]

I thought I had this right Loaded....

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-0 ... son-boxing

Well that taught me a lesson!

Seems like Snipes had two fights fall through with Tyson then. I have extensive material from back then and never seen a single solitary reference to Tyson fighting Snipes after Ruddock. I know his right hand was mangled for a fair while after crushing it on Howe's hip.

Apologies.

[Flump]

I thought I had this right Loaded....

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-0 ... son-boxing

Well that taught me a lesson!

Seems like Snipes had two fights fall through with Tyson then. I have extensive material from back then and never seen a single solitary reference to Tyson fighting Snipes after Ruddock. I know his right hand was mangled for a fair while after crushing it on Howe's hip.

Apologies.

No stress mate, I have a head full of useless information.

I think by that stage of Snipes career it would have been a bad match, but he'd have ceratinly gone out trying.

[montrealsuper]

Very very good HWT contender. Didn't seem to have the politics in his corner, Don King used him as a pawn more or less. If the politics were behind Snipes, they could have easily made him a champion.

Very underrated, high quality fighter.

[montrealsuper]

This is a pretty good interview with Renaldo Snipes mainly talking about his world title challenge against Holmes:

http://spam.com/articles/when-i ... s-fight--2