Craig Payne

Alister · Post by **Alister** » 08 Feb 2004, 10:53

Although he never turned out to be anything in the pros, I've heard that Craig Payne was an outstanding amateurboxer, beating both Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson. Can anyone tell me more about him?
Thanks!

Alister

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 08 Feb 2004, 11:49

Payne beat Tyson on points in March 1981 in the Heavyweight final of the National Golden Gloves Championships in St Loius.

Payne also beat the great Cuban Teofilio Stevenson.

I've never heard of Payne fighting Holyfield, maybe somebody else can help you with that one.

Hope that helps mate.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 15 Feb 2004, 10:12

craig payne never fought holyfield. he was a kronk based fighter who out hustled tyson.

craig payne turned pro in 1985 and knocked out some stiff.

however, he fell in love with the vegas night life. he didnt bother turning up for training and his pro trainer eddie futch dropped him. futch worked his ass off to keep the wayward james broad-axe broad in check and as soon as payne showed up he was the wrong influence broad needed.

payne squandered his talent and whole batch of other heavys who he dragged from training to party hard, including james broad. payne was morbidly obsese by the time he came back to the ring in 1991. he still had a cement chin and despite the mostrous flab he carried around he was still nimble and showed flashes of brilliance with his combinations.

damn shame.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 15 Feb 2004, 11:33

overhand_right wrote:craig payne never fought holyfield. he was a kronk based fighter who out hustled tyson.

craig payne turned pro in 1985 and knocked out some stiff.

however, he fell in love with the vegas night life. he didnt bother turning up for training and his pro trainer eddie futch dropped him. futch worked his ass off to keep the wayward james broad-axe broad in check and as soon as payne showed up he was the wrong influence broad needed.

payne squandered his talent and whole batch of other heavys who he dragged from training to party hard, including james broad. payne was morbidly obsese by the time he came back to the ring in 1991. he still had a cement chin and despite the mostrous flab he carried around he was still nimble and showed flashes of brilliance with his combinations.

damn shame.

Very true I remember watching Payne fight a few years back on EUROSPORT I think, can't recall the opponent, but I do recall a very fat Payne who at times showed some classy moves.

What a waste.

Nile4000 · Post by **Nile4000** » 04 Jan 2006, 12:22

Didn't he upset Tyrell Biggs at one time?

Greg Nicholas · Post by **Greg Nicholas** » 04 Jan 2006, 22:17

He got robbed against Lennox Lewis and there was apparently almost a riot.

Ken · Post by **Ken** » 23 Jun 2006, 16:59

Holyfield was only a #178 as an amatuer. Payne was close to #300. Never fought.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 25 Jul 2006, 09:41

Payne became obese as a pro thats the whole point. he wasnt as an amateur he was waaaay lighter.

locoxelbox · Post by **locoxelbox** » 27 Jul 2006, 16:31

KOJOE90 wrote:Payne beat Tyson on points in March 1981 in the Heavyweight final of the National Golden Gloves Championships in St Loius.

I think the fight was in 1983. In 1981 Tyson was only 15. The fight was really close but in my mind there's no doubt Tyson won it. Payne was talented but had to run a lot to avoid Tyson (who was a bit raw at the time).

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 27 Jul 2006, 17:46

locoxelbox wrote:
KOJOE90 wrote:Payne beat Tyson on points in March 1981 in the Heavyweight final of the National Golden Gloves Championships in St Loius.
I think the fight was in 1983. In 1981 Tyson was only 15. The fight was really close but in my mind there's no doubt Tyson won it. Payne was talented but had to run a lot to avoid Tyson (who was a bit raw at the time).

Your right it was 1983.

mr. detroit · Post by **mr. detroit** » 28 Jul 2006, 11:34

Payne Was Never A Kronk Fighter, He Fought Out Of The Livonia Boxing Club Under The Great Paul Soucy. He Did Beat Biggs @ The Trials But Lost A Box Off The Next Day To Biggs And Was Apparently Robbed On Points That Cost Him His Olympic Shot. Payne Still Comes To The Gym To Get Work With Some Of Us. (talked 2 Him Just A Few Days Ago)

Julio' · Post by **Julio'** » 02 Aug 2006, 00:41

Craig Payne was an extremely gifted fighter. I did not know him when he was an amatuer but saw him regularly later in his career at the gym.

The problem that he had seemed to be with his weight. Even carrying this extra weight he still had speed and was a skilled fighter.

It would have been great to see what he would have done had he kept it all in order.

Mr. Detroit,
I fought under Paul Soucey as an amatuer. Are you working out of Dynamic right now? F.P?

Julio'

mr. detroit · Post by **mr. detroit** » 02 Aug 2006, 10:38

Yes, Been There Since They Opened.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 02 Aug 2006, 10:51

mr. detroit wrote:Payne Was Never A Kronk Fighter, He Fought Out Of The Livonia Boxing Club Under The Great Paul Soucy. He Did Beat Biggs @ The Trials But Lost A Box Off The Next Day To Biggs And Was Apparently Robbed On Points That Cost Him His Olympic Shot. Payne Still Comes To The Gym To Get Work With Some Of Us. (talked 2 Him Just A Few Days Ago)

Any chance of getting Mr Payne logged on to Boxrec so he can tell us a few stories about his Boxing career?

mr. detroit · Post by **mr. detroit** » 02 Aug 2006, 11:07

I Can Definitly Ask Him Next Time I See Him.

overhand_right · Post by **overhand_right** » 04 Sep 2006, 11:20

Mr Detroit, can you please ask big Craig why exactly he turned pro in 1985, yet didnt bother to fight again for another SIX years...?

If you could find out exactly what he was thinking, i will finally be able to get to sleep at night.

Thanks bud.

MERC · Post by **MERC** » 18 Sep 2006, 08:58

Mr Detroit, I currently train at Dynamic... how often do you go?