Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post Reply
coreygardner
Light Heavyweight
Posts: 121
Joined: 21 Sep 2011, 13:42

Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by coreygardner »

Does anyone have fight videos or know of any of Tony Gardner, the "KO King"?

He was from Memphis, Tennessee and fought out of Oklahoma City. Gardner was said to have the hardest right hand and he had 25 straight victories, 22 by knockout, 19 straight knockout victories in a row from 1974 to 1976 before he got his title shot. He was counted out for the WBC Jr. Middleweight Title and the NABF Middleweight Title during his career.

Gardner claimed the NABF Jr. Middleweight Title after he knocked out Ray Christian in one of the greatest fights in Oklahoma City.
Dart340
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 304
Joined: 01 Jan 2007, 18:55

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Dart340 »

I've asked the same question and looked far and wide to find nothing. There's probably local footage down in the Bahamas from the Obed title fight, which is understandably rare and not in the public domain. You'd think there would be something from his NABF fight with Ray Seales or his losses to Chiaverini or to one of the Orlando boys, as they were pretty well pushed both locally and known nationally.

Maybe your best bet is to try and locate the "KO King" himself. Betting he lives in Memphis to this day.
Rover
Light Heavyweight
Posts: 7323
Joined: 20 Aug 2011, 00:28

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Rover »

The "KO King" sure seems to have KO'd a lot of peasants.
Dart340
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 304
Joined: 01 Jan 2007, 18:55

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Dart340 »

Duce, you say film exists of both Vincent-Gardner fights, and I have respect for your research, but how can you be sure? I've never seen a shred of any film of Gardner's fights- heck, there's only one small photo of the guy on the net- and don't know of anyone else who has seen any either. Have you seen any footage yourself or know where it can be found?

And yes, Rover, there were a long line of clubfighters on Gardner's KO list
Dart340
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 304
Joined: 01 Jan 2007, 18:55

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Dart340 »

So any film would be in the archives of an Orlando TV Station? Not in the public domain though?

Gardner seems to inspire a lot of discussion on boxing history boards, mostly because of his obscurity.
Dart340
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 304
Joined: 01 Jan 2007, 18:55

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Dart340 »

Duce, was hoping you'd post a link to that feature on Gardner from the Arizona Republic leading up to the Baldwin fight. I couldn't access it.
Rover
Light Heavyweight
Posts: 7323
Joined: 20 Aug 2011, 00:28

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Rover »

I'd love to see the Obed fight.
Dart340
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 304
Joined: 01 Jan 2007, 18:55

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Dart340 »

You forgot to add Tommy Howard in that list too...

Duce, did you ever see Gardner in person or on tape or are you as in the dark about him as the rest of us are?
Dart340
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 304
Joined: 01 Jan 2007, 18:55

Re: Tony Gardner, the "KO King"

Post by Dart340 »

Any chance you could post it, Duce? I couldn't access it- don't have your connections....
Post Reply