Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Controversial · Post by **Controversial** » 18 Apr 2021, 15:11

George Foreman posted about this HW on Facebook a few days ago, not sure anyone would remember him as he only has 6 fights recorded. Wouter done some digging and the surname is Nolen not Nolan.

https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/15777

“There is this New Heavyweight; Just out of prison in California. “Cornell Nolan”

He is bigger and stronger than “Sonny Liston.”

There were stories that he was kept separated from all the inmates because of his anger; took a half dozen guards to restrain him. Now he out to pursue a Pro-boxing career.

Back in the day there were 2 Boxing gyms in Oakland Cal. Dick Sadler used the Main Street gym with all his stable of fighters; including Charlie Shipes, Sonny Liston and George Foreman.

The reason for my finding Liston in the first place was because of too few big guys to spar with. He needed me and I him. Well, I did not like facing Liston in sparring ( a true bad man ) but comes Spring and Sadler decided I was to turn Pro. Liston was back in Vegas; but I needed work.

So without consulting with me, Sadler asked the camp of this strong man Cornell Nolan, would they like to spar; Cornell had a fight coming up as well. Cornell Nolan was actually bigger than Liston; Sonny Liston would nod his head when you said Hello, Nolan would Give off grunts.

How do you do “Grunnt” I’m thinking one big, bad guy after another coming out of Jail. And this what I have face? I did not like Sadler doing this to me. “Once he loses ( Nolan) his temper 6 men could not control him. But what could I say to Sadler?

The first session started; I was green; work your jab, Sadler kept saying. And did I work it. I threw a right had out of pure nervousness. When I did it knocked Mr. Nolan against the ropes, there some blood. He looked at me and waved Grunt-Grunt, “meaning come on.” Well Sadler said cheerfully “that’s it” we will see you tomorrow.

I remember thinking “yeah right” Charlie Shipes told me He had a friend who’d seen Carnell running the next morning and he kept saying he was going to have to hurt that Kid. ( me )

So I went to Sadler “Hey Dick, look I think I have scratched on my eye; I have a scratch under my eye. I didn’t want the next session with with Cornell Nolan.

I said again can you see it? Sadler looked at me and said “son in this business you’ll end up scratches on your Backside” though he had a more harsh word than Backside.

I did not want this workout today. Well to the Oakland gym we went and waited for hours; then someone from Nolan camp said his car can’t start and he won’t make it to the gym. Seems my jab and right were greater than my fear. And I also learn to always show up; the other guy has his fears as well.

George Foreman

Caractacus · Post by **Caractacus** » 19 Apr 2021, 14:50

George Foreman should write another book, except this time focus on his boxing career
naming sparring partners,corner-men, and some of his earlier more obscure fights
in his professional career.

margaret thatcher · Post by **margaret thatcher** » 20 Apr 2021, 05:10

interesting story

evrenb · Post by **evrenb** » 20 Apr 2021, 06:34

It's funny how many derided Foreman's commentary and insights over the years. But he lived the life, he met those men of the past. He had two boxing careers. He is a freak of nature.

I like this information on Cornell Nolan who's brother gained a greater notoriety in history.

I also like how George cites Jesus Pimentel as having the greatest left hook he ever saw...

George's Twitter is a wealth of information about history of boxing at that time...little tidbits....but it inspires you to find out more !!

Controversial · Post by **Controversial** » 20 Apr 2021, 10:16

evrenb wrote: ↑20 Apr 2021, 06:34 It's funny how many derided Foreman's commentary and insights over the years. But he lived the life, he met those men of the past. He had two boxing careers. He is a freak of nature.

I like this information on Cornell Nolan who's brother gained a greater notoriety in history.

I also like how George cites Jesus Pimentel as having the greatest left hook he ever saw...

George's Twitter is a wealth of information about history of boxing at that time...little tidbits....but it inspires you to find out more !!

I agree. I was trying to find more info out on Cornell's brother W.L Nolen who by all accounts was also a prison boxing champion and murdered in prison in 1970. Apparently W.L Nolen was one of the founding members of Black Liberation Movement in the California Prison System, along with George Jackson.

margaret thatcher · Post by **margaret thatcher** » 20 Apr 2021, 12:00

i liked george as a commentator because

1. he didnt talk too much
2. he wasnt a total cheerleader like most commentators are today for whoever the more popular fighter is

he also had a sense of humor

Caractacus · Post by **Caractacus** » 22 Apr 2021, 14:44

W.L Nolan wasn't murdered he was one of five men shot by a prison guard (a sharp-shooter)
during a big prison fight in January 1970 at Soledad prison in "O" wing.
from what I read he was there serving one to life for an armed robbery of a Grocery store several years earlier in Oakland.

Controversial · Post by **Controversial** » 22 Apr 2021, 15:34

Caractacus wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 14:44 W.L Nolan wasn't murdered he was one of five men shot by a prison guard (a sharp-shooter)
during a big prison fight in January 1970 at Soledad prison in "O" wing.
from what I read he was there serving one to life for an armed robbery of a Grocery store several years earlier in Oakland.

Shot dead by a prison guard from a sniper tower, some would say that's murder.

Caractacus · Post by **Caractacus** » 22 Apr 2021, 15:45

what was his fight record ?
was he also trained by Dick Sadler ?

Controversial · Post by **Controversial** » 22 Apr 2021, 16:24

Caractacus wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 15:45 what was his fight record ?
was he also trained by Dick Sadler ?

You mean W.L Nolen? I have no idea, not sure he was a pro, from the little I've seen online he was referred to as a prison boxing champ, maybe a decent amateur when he was younger?

Caractacus · Post by **Caractacus** » 22 Apr 2021, 19:38

I was referring to Cornell Nolen's fight record,but,
I had read where W.L Nolen boxed in preliminary's in the Bay area, San Jose and Stockton before he went to prison around 1967.

Controversial · Post by **Controversial** » 23 Apr 2021, 06:04

Caractacus wrote: ↑22 Apr 2021, 19:38 I was referring to Cornell Nolen's fight record,but,
I had read where W.L Nolen boxed in preliminary's in the Bay area, San Jose and Stockton before he went to prison around 1967.

I linked Cornells record in my first post.

Caractacus · Post by **Caractacus** » 23 Apr 2021, 14:55

W.L Nolen was the younger brother of Cornell Nolen.

Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)

Re: Cornell Nolen (1960s HW)