One of the greatest boxers never to win a world heavyweight title, Jimmy Young, died early Sunday morning of heart failure.
He was 56.
The Philaldelphia stylist held his own in the greatest era for heavyweight boxing. He was robbed of the world heavyweight title against Muhammad Ali in 1976, when a fat, fading Ali struggled to catch up with a younger man as clever as he was, and snatched a horrible 15-round decision.
"To beat Ali in those days, you really had to beat him bad," said Jimmy, whose face at the verdict was captured in a memorable photo flashed around the globe.
Young fought all of the top heavyweights of his day. He twice outboxed and outpointed fearsome ex-convict Ron Lyle, lost a 15-round split decision to Ken Norton, and took a magnificent 12-round decision over George Foreman in Puerto Rico in 1977, flooring the then decidedly uncuddly Foreman in the last.
Ring magazine voted it Fight of the Year.
"Jimmy Young was a star," said Bert Randolph Sugar said. "Jimmy was stylish. He was brilliant. The problem is that he was in one of the best classes of heavyweights ever and all the other stars had bigger punches.
"People don't pay to see cute, clever heavyweights. They want 'Wham, bam, thank you, man.'"
Young was well-known in this country, where, as a young heavyweight, he was brought over to lose to Richard Dunn (he won), and as an old heavyweight, to John L. Gardner (again, he won).
His fight with Gardner in 1979 at Wembley summed up what Young was all about. He picked off the swarming Londoner in a magnificent display of counterpunching and proved much too classy.
But he went on much too long, like most fighters, and endured drink problems in later life. But Jimmy Young could fight, make no mistake about that, and ducked nobody.
He is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Jimmy Young - he walked with giants
Jimmy Young - he walked with giants
Last edited by bennie on 23 Feb 2005, 19:12, edited 3 times in total.
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Phenomenal-Nutrition
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 5185
- Joined: 10 Feb 2005, 14:53
Former boxer Jimmy Young dead
Jimmy Young, one of the most accomplished, stylish fighters ever to come out of Philadelphia, died early Sunday morning of heart failure following a 6-day stay at Hahnemann University Hospital.
Young, who compiled a 35-18-3 record with 12 knockouts in a career that spanned from 1969 to 1990, was 56. By all accounts, Young was attempting to put his life back in order after an October court appearance in which his public defender, Geoff Kilroy, claimed the onetime conqueror of George Foreman had exhibited all the symptoms of a condition known as chronic traumatic brain injury.
At the top of his form, the 6-1, 210-pound Young was among the leading luminaries in one of the golden eras of heavyweight boxing, a technician whose principal drawback was that he lacked power to go along with his technical artistry.
Many boxing experts will tell you that Young deserved better than the loss he received in his only shot at a world title, on April 30, 1976, when he was outpointed by Muhammad Ali in Landover, Md.
Young fought nearly all of the other top heavyweights in the 1970s. He outboxed and twice was awarded decisions over Ron Lyle, went 0-1-1 against Earnie Shavers, was stopped in four rounds by a young Gerry Cooney.
But what should have been his greatest moment, a 12-round decision over Foreman in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 17, 1977, proved to be almost anticlimactic, even though it sent Big George into a 10-year retirement.
"I didn't think anything would change for me just because I beat Foreman, and it didn't," Young said in 1988. "I figured everybody would make a big deal out of him losing instead of me winning."
Young also shrugged off the disappointment of the near-miss against Ali -- "To beat Ali in those days," he said, "you really had to beat him bad, you know what I mean?" -- but he was devastated by the split decision that went to Norton on Nov. 5, 1977, in a WBC elimination bout in Las Vegas.
"I got a lot of bad decisions," Young said. "The worst was the 15-rounder with Norton. They gave it to him and even he didn't think he won it. He was as surprised as I was when the decision was announced."
Young went 10-11-1 in the aftermath of the loss to Norton, briefly retired and worked as a roofer. He launched an ill-advised comeback that ended predictably, despite the rosy optimism of his then-promoter, Rick "Elvis" Parker.
"I see a happy scenario of Foreman and Jimmy fighting for big money on national television," Parker said in 1988. "If it ever happens, Jimmy would send George back into retirement again."
Foreman, of course, made megamillions in the second phase of his boxing life and as a commercial spokesman for products ranging from mufflers to grills. Young was targeted by the IRS and faded into an obscurity he didn't deserve.
"Jimmy Young was a star," boxing historian Bert Randolph Sugar said. "Jimmy was stylish. He was brilliant. The problem is that he was in one of the best classes of heavyweights ever, and all the other stars had bigger punches.
"People don't pay to see cute, clever heavyweights. They want 'Wham, bam, thank you, man.' "
Young estimated that he earned a "little under" $2 million in purses, but he said he didn't receive nearly as much of that as he should have.
"My managers took 50 percent and the government took half of what was left," Young said in 1988. "I supposedly got $1 million for my fight with Norton, but all I took home was $262,000.
"About 2 years ago, some IRS guy came by my house and said they were going to subpoena my contracts with (promoter) Don King. I said, 'I never had any contracts with Don King.' Not always, at least. Sometimes he'd just give me some money after a fight and say, 'This is your share.' "
Despite his problems, Young was remembered by his wife, Barbara, as "well-loved by his family" and a good man "who'll be missed by many."
Jimmy Young is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren.
RIP.
Jimmy Young, one of the most accomplished, stylish fighters ever to come out of Philadelphia, died early Sunday morning of heart failure following a 6-day stay at Hahnemann University Hospital.
Young, who compiled a 35-18-3 record with 12 knockouts in a career that spanned from 1969 to 1990, was 56. By all accounts, Young was attempting to put his life back in order after an October court appearance in which his public defender, Geoff Kilroy, claimed the onetime conqueror of George Foreman had exhibited all the symptoms of a condition known as chronic traumatic brain injury.
At the top of his form, the 6-1, 210-pound Young was among the leading luminaries in one of the golden eras of heavyweight boxing, a technician whose principal drawback was that he lacked power to go along with his technical artistry.
Many boxing experts will tell you that Young deserved better than the loss he received in his only shot at a world title, on April 30, 1976, when he was outpointed by Muhammad Ali in Landover, Md.
Young fought nearly all of the other top heavyweights in the 1970s. He outboxed and twice was awarded decisions over Ron Lyle, went 0-1-1 against Earnie Shavers, was stopped in four rounds by a young Gerry Cooney.
But what should have been his greatest moment, a 12-round decision over Foreman in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on March 17, 1977, proved to be almost anticlimactic, even though it sent Big George into a 10-year retirement.
"I didn't think anything would change for me just because I beat Foreman, and it didn't," Young said in 1988. "I figured everybody would make a big deal out of him losing instead of me winning."
Young also shrugged off the disappointment of the near-miss against Ali -- "To beat Ali in those days," he said, "you really had to beat him bad, you know what I mean?" -- but he was devastated by the split decision that went to Norton on Nov. 5, 1977, in a WBC elimination bout in Las Vegas.
"I got a lot of bad decisions," Young said. "The worst was the 15-rounder with Norton. They gave it to him and even he didn't think he won it. He was as surprised as I was when the decision was announced."
Young went 10-11-1 in the aftermath of the loss to Norton, briefly retired and worked as a roofer. He launched an ill-advised comeback that ended predictably, despite the rosy optimism of his then-promoter, Rick "Elvis" Parker.
"I see a happy scenario of Foreman and Jimmy fighting for big money on national television," Parker said in 1988. "If it ever happens, Jimmy would send George back into retirement again."
Foreman, of course, made megamillions in the second phase of his boxing life and as a commercial spokesman for products ranging from mufflers to grills. Young was targeted by the IRS and faded into an obscurity he didn't deserve.
"Jimmy Young was a star," boxing historian Bert Randolph Sugar said. "Jimmy was stylish. He was brilliant. The problem is that he was in one of the best classes of heavyweights ever, and all the other stars had bigger punches.
"People don't pay to see cute, clever heavyweights. They want 'Wham, bam, thank you, man.' "
Young estimated that he earned a "little under" $2 million in purses, but he said he didn't receive nearly as much of that as he should have.
"My managers took 50 percent and the government took half of what was left," Young said in 1988. "I supposedly got $1 million for my fight with Norton, but all I took home was $262,000.
"About 2 years ago, some IRS guy came by my house and said they were going to subpoena my contracts with (promoter) Don King. I said, 'I never had any contracts with Don King.' Not always, at least. Sometimes he'd just give me some money after a fight and say, 'This is your share.' "
Despite his problems, Young was remembered by his wife, Barbara, as "well-loved by his family" and a good man "who'll be missed by many."
Jimmy Young is survived by his wife, five children and nine grandchildren.
RIP.
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DavidPayne
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 6248
- Joined: 11 Mar 2004, 11:00
Greatest of respect for a great fighter.
However, I'm sure the rose-tinted nostaligics will now elevate him into the top ten heavyweights of all time based purely on the fact he's now deceased.
Sceptic moi?
Did anyone else notice a curious symmetry between him and Chris Byrd.
Do you think come 2050 we'll be telepathically communicating with Bert Sugar from beyond the veil about the beauty of Chris Byrd and how he would fight anyone and walked with giants?
I dont mean to show dissrespect, in a left-field mood today.
RIP
However, I'm sure the rose-tinted nostaligics will now elevate him into the top ten heavyweights of all time based purely on the fact he's now deceased.
Sceptic moi?
Did anyone else notice a curious symmetry between him and Chris Byrd.
Do you think come 2050 we'll be telepathically communicating with Bert Sugar from beyond the veil about the beauty of Chris Byrd and how he would fight anyone and walked with giants?
I dont mean to show dissrespect, in a left-field mood today.
RIP
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 45231
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
DavidPayne wrote:Greatest of respect for a great fighter.
However, I'm sure the rose-tinted nostaligics will now elevate him into the top ten heavyweights of all time based purely on the fact he's now deceased.
Sceptic moi?
Did anyone else notice a curious symmetry between him and Chris Byrd.
Do you think come 2050 we'll be telepathically communicating with Bert Sugar from beyond the veil about the beauty of Chris Byrd and how he would fight anyone and walked with giants?
I dont mean to show dissrespect, in a left-field mood today.
RIP
To compare Byrd with Young is fanciful... for one thing Young fought in a far more talented and competitive era and for anouther Young was a far better boxer than Byrd for my money. Many have admired the talents of Young since he was active so this is not the case of rose tinted specs David.
You can only compare Young to fighters before him. Jimmy Bivins springs to mind. Young was the ultimate ring mechanic, everything flowed smoothly off the jab. He looked deperately unlucky to lose a 15-round decision to Ken Norton after his big win over Foreman. That put him back, and it was Norton who was then awarded the WBC title when it was stripped from Leon Spinks.
Larry Holmes never wanted any part of Jimmy Young, which said it all. Larry knew Young could take away his jab.
Larry Holmes never wanted any part of Jimmy Young, which said it all. Larry knew Young could take away his jab.
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jamesmcdonnell
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 45231
- Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11
The story of Young when he came over to fight John L. Gardner is funny. Lawless and Duff brought him over to lose, of course. Young was lacking ambition and made Tim Witherspoon look slim. He really was here for the payday.
But the fight was postponed for a week (I forget why now) and Young was forced out of his hotel and into the gym out of sheer boredom. In seven days he whipped himself into decent shape and then whipped Gardner, flooring him in the last to win clearly on points.
But the fight was postponed for a week (I forget why now) and Young was forced out of his hotel and into the gym out of sheer boredom. In seven days he whipped himself into decent shape and then whipped Gardner, flooring him in the last to win clearly on points.
The loss to Norton ruined Young... he just lost heart really and was usually out of shape for his fights after that. I think it was at about that point that he started drinking... I remember reading him saying that he used to drink for much of the latter half of his career. Very sad... another very talented man used and abused by King.
I am genuinely upset on hearing this sad news, Jimmy Young has always been one of my favourite Heavyweights. One of Philly's finest Heavyweights was thrown into tough company early in his career fighting the likes of Earnie Shavers and the feared Roy Williams, whilst still a novice. Young learnt his craft well in the ring and around the gyms and slowly over the years crept up the ranking to become a Heavyweight contender in the Golden Era of Heavyweight Boxing the 1970's.
He gained some worthy victories over the likes of Garcia, Lyle, Ballard and of course Foreman. Unfortunatley there was also the debatable loses to Ali and Norton. After the Norton lose, a fight some claimed was fixed to set up another Ali v Norton fight it was all down hill for Young. I've heard he was told prior to the Norton fight that he was never going to recieve another title shot as his style was not a crowd pleasing style.
Jimmy Young then gave into his demons and became a man lost in a world of drink and drugs. But even the shell of this talented fighter had enough to take the distance young talented fighters such as Ocassio, Dokes, Tucker, Page, Simms and Tubbs. If only Young had managed to live a clean life, the early 80's Heavyweight scene may have been very different.
Jimmy Young was also used a a sparring partner for Norton whilst Norton was preparing for his third fight with Ali. I have read that Young was thrown out of camp after two weeks becuase Norton coundn't handle him. In the late 1980's Young was also one of Tysons chief sparring partners. Whatever your opinions on Tyson, he knows his Boxing and has a lot of respect for Jimmy Young and always refers to him as "My main man" I have been told.
The two best fighters of his era that he never fought were the late Jerry Quarry and Larry Holmes. Young has been stated as saying that Quarry just may have had the style to beat him, sadly we will never know.
As for Holmes V Young, I've said it before on Boxrec many, many times I will always believe Jimmy Young may well have had the beating of Larry Holmes. If it had been Holmes in the ring with Young that night and not Foreman.....? Holmes is an all time great but styles make fights, just look at the trouble a novice Witherspoon gave a peak Holmes, and I would rate Young a slightly better fighter that Witherspoon.
There was a great interview with Young in Boxing News by Tris Dixon about two years ago. Young seemed to have a photographic memory when it came to his career. He claimed to have had about six more fights than listed on his record and that he fought untill 1990 (?). I imagine these extra fights may well have neen unlicensed fights, but that is just my theory.
Young was a very highly skilled, awkward, slippery fighter with great defensive skills, very durable with a great chin (the Cooney lose was a cut and Young was shot by then) he was also a underated body puncher. He just lacked a little power & size.
By all accounts Jimmy Young was a kind and gentle man whom has been taken before his time.
Rest In Peace Jimmy, Boxing will not forget you.
He gained some worthy victories over the likes of Garcia, Lyle, Ballard and of course Foreman. Unfortunatley there was also the debatable loses to Ali and Norton. After the Norton lose, a fight some claimed was fixed to set up another Ali v Norton fight it was all down hill for Young. I've heard he was told prior to the Norton fight that he was never going to recieve another title shot as his style was not a crowd pleasing style.
Jimmy Young then gave into his demons and became a man lost in a world of drink and drugs. But even the shell of this talented fighter had enough to take the distance young talented fighters such as Ocassio, Dokes, Tucker, Page, Simms and Tubbs. If only Young had managed to live a clean life, the early 80's Heavyweight scene may have been very different.
Jimmy Young was also used a a sparring partner for Norton whilst Norton was preparing for his third fight with Ali. I have read that Young was thrown out of camp after two weeks becuase Norton coundn't handle him. In the late 1980's Young was also one of Tysons chief sparring partners. Whatever your opinions on Tyson, he knows his Boxing and has a lot of respect for Jimmy Young and always refers to him as "My main man" I have been told.
The two best fighters of his era that he never fought were the late Jerry Quarry and Larry Holmes. Young has been stated as saying that Quarry just may have had the style to beat him, sadly we will never know.
As for Holmes V Young, I've said it before on Boxrec many, many times I will always believe Jimmy Young may well have had the beating of Larry Holmes. If it had been Holmes in the ring with Young that night and not Foreman.....? Holmes is an all time great but styles make fights, just look at the trouble a novice Witherspoon gave a peak Holmes, and I would rate Young a slightly better fighter that Witherspoon.
There was a great interview with Young in Boxing News by Tris Dixon about two years ago. Young seemed to have a photographic memory when it came to his career. He claimed to have had about six more fights than listed on his record and that he fought untill 1990 (?). I imagine these extra fights may well have neen unlicensed fights, but that is just my theory.
Young was a very highly skilled, awkward, slippery fighter with great defensive skills, very durable with a great chin (the Cooney lose was a cut and Young was shot by then) he was also a underated body puncher. He just lacked a little power & size.
By all accounts Jimmy Young was a kind and gentle man whom has been taken before his time.
Rest In Peace Jimmy, Boxing will not forget you.
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DavidPayne
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 6248
- Joined: 11 Mar 2004, 11:00
Very true, though of course Byrd has some career left yet and also tackled Tua, V. Klitschko, W Klitschko, Rahman, Ibeabuchi and Golota and of course the washed up version of Holyfield and has arguably been facing even bigger men than Young was matched with.jamesmcdonnell wrote:I don't think Chris Byrd's achievement quite compare, had he fought anything like prime versions of Holyfield, Tyson or Lewis, then perhaps, but he didn't even face Bowe. Not entirely his fault I know, but his best achievement is probably his win over tua or an injury win over Vitali.
But as I said, the similarities are flawed.
Don't even go there Mr Payne. To compare Jimmy Young with Chris Byrd exposes you already.DavidPayne wrote:Very true, though of course Byrd has some career left yet and also tackled Tua, V. Klitschko, W Klitschko, Rahman, Ibeabuchi and Golota and of course the washed up version of Holyfield and has arguably been facing even bigger men than Young was matched with.jamesmcdonnell wrote:I don't think Chris Byrd's achievement quite compare, had he fought anything like prime versions of Holyfield, Tyson or Lewis, then perhaps, but he didn't even face Bowe. Not entirely his fault I know, but his best achievement is probably his win over tua or an injury win over Vitali.
But as I said, the similarities are flawed.
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MightyWarrior
- Heavyweight
- Posts: 13284
- Joined: 23 Jan 2003, 14:01
I've just rewatched Young vs Foreman... great fight... I think Young was great to watch... such a great technician and so fluid and fast... no wonder he gave a slowing Ali trouble. I think Youngs punch is underrated, he seemed to shake up foreman a few times.
It was very sad to see him in the interview after the fight so pleased and hopeful and Howard Cosell wishing him the best for the future and watching it now you know it was really all down hill for Young after that fight.
It was very sad to see him in the interview after the fight so pleased and hopeful and Howard Cosell wishing him the best for the future and watching it now you know it was really all down hill for Young after that fight.