Al Jones (Memphis) died

[DavidEpstein]

Found this 2006 obituary, not sure if this is heavyweight Al Jones (Memphis), but could be.
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/co ... id=9219393

[bennie]

If it is the Memphis heavyweight, then Jones had an incredibly brave manager. Our own Chris Finnegan outscored an Al Jones in the 1968 Olympic semi-finals but he is from Detroit and boxed at middleweight. Jones enlisted the help of teammate George Foreman in an attempt to intimidate Finnegan before the bout but Finnegan had plenty of balls.

[goose 5]

Could you please give us more details about the Foreman-Finnegan incident ?

[bennie]

Could you please give us more details about the Foreman-Finnegan incident ?

In his autobiography, Finnegan writes prior to his Olympic semi-final bout with Jones: "After the bandages had been officially stamped, we went off to the gloving-up room, and that's where the Yanks started trying it on.
"I was sitting opposite Jones, who was as black as the ace of spades, when who should sidle in and plonk himself down right beside me but George Foreman. They were obviously trying to psych me out, for although I wasn't going anywhere near that bloody great gorilla in the ring, his presence was a touch of the old evil eye.
"I didn't let it bother me."

[goose 5]

Thanks much for sharing that.

[bennie]

Thanks much for sharing that.

OK mate. Finnegan outscored Jones on a majority and then won the gold by beating a Russian, also on a close verdict, although Finnegan boxed well in both bouts. His autobiography is near the knuckle by today's standards but his love of a ruck shines through and he is certainly a character. He labelled John Conteh "pickle head" after Conteh butted him out of their second meeting.