Larry “Hard Luck” Middleton

[neverlast]

Larry “Hard Luck” Middleton



What would you say about a fighter who met the likes of Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonevena and Joe Bugner? All boxers who either held or fought for the world’s heavyweight championship. Yet this fighter never came close to a world title shot. You could call him “Hard Luck”. I would call him Larry Middleton.

Larry began his career in 1965 and didn’t exactly set the world on fire. He drew with Jimmy Haynes, in his pro debut and two fights later, was stopped by Jerry O’Neal. He won three fights in a row in 1966 but was inactive in 1967. He won two fights in 1968 to bring his total of bouts to eight over a four-year period. Larry began to pick up the pace in 1969 winning a decision over dangerous Roy “Tiger” Williams. He followed with three more victories. He then added four more wins in 1970. In 1971, Larry scored two quick knockouts and then traveled to England to meet highly regarded Joe Bugner. At this time Middleton owned a 16-1-1 record and had won fifteen in a row. Still no one really gave him a chance against Bugner. In a huge upset, Larry won a convincing decision and gained a world rating.

In 1972, Larry solidified his ranking with wins over Tony Doyle, Dan McAlinden and Bob Stallings. Back in England, Larry was matched with highly rated Jerry Quarry. Although Jerry won the ten round verdict, Larry gave him all he could handle. In Middleton’s next fight he was crushed in three rounds by an up and coming Ron Lyle. Ten months later on October 31, 1973, Larry met Lyle again. He went the distance but dropped a ten round verdict. Larry closed the year by halting Jack O’Halloran.

Middleton was still ranked in 1974 and on March 4th he drew with former champion Jimmy Ellis. Two months later Larry dropped a twelve round duke to long time contender Oscar Bonevena. 1975 started Larry on his way from contender to trial horse. A five round knockout loss to Howard “Kayo” Smith did severe damage to his career. In 1976 Larry dropped a decision to Duane Boloick and Scott Ledoux. In what would be his last chance in the limelight, Larry met Ken Norton on July 10th. In a game effort, Norton halted Larry in the tenth round thus ending his run as a formidable contender

[neverlast]

I was recently contacted by the daughter of 1970's heavyweight contender Larry Middleton. She is looking for any films of her father's fights. I have his bout with Ken Norton. I'm not sure if there is anything else out there on Larry.

She would be grateful for any footage especially Middleton's bouts with Bugner, McAlinden, Quarry, Ellis, Bonavena and Lyle.

If anyone has anything available, please respond here or contact me at,

[email protected]

Thank you !

[cosand]

Middleton is CLASSIC example of those fighters who's wins vs losses do not do justice to the the lagacy his career deserves, fighters some get extreamly disturbed by when I and others mention them as fighters who rank in a historical way with other fighters with much better records, title shots and titles.
His biggest wins were against Bugner and Williams. Not exactly an all time great resume, but so what ? He stepped into the right with some of the greats of his era, and never let down and never shamed himself.
Some recent champions could take a lesson from guys like Middletion, Evangalista, Perallta, Chuvallo, Bonevena and others who never turned down a shot at a fighter who presented an oppertunity, regardless of the odds against them.

Great post Neverlast !

[Collins2000]

Middleton is CLASSIC example of those fighters who's wins vs losses do not do justice to the the lagacy his career deserves, fighters some get extreamly disturbed by when I and others mention them as fighters who rank in a historical way with other fighters with much better records, title shots and titles.
His biggest wins were against Bugner and Williams. Not exactly an all time great resume, but so what ? He stepped into the right with some of the greats of his era, and never let down and never shamed himself.
Some recent champions could take a lesson from guys like Middletion, Evangalista, Perallta, Chuvallo, Bonevena and others who never turned down a shot at a fighter who presented an oppertunity, regardless of the odds against them.

Great post Neverlast !

This makes me think about the worst thing about boxing today - that is, that almost any top 10 fighter can become a 'world champion' which in its own way not only degrades the present fighters but also, in a suble way, the past fighters too.

Imagine how many now almost forgotten contenders would have been 'champs' had there always been 4 or more titles up for grabs.

OK, I'm not 100% happy with how I've worded this post but maybe you guys can help me clarify my thoughts by adding your own views.

Also, i wouldn't have a problem with 17 weight classes as long as there was only 1 champ per division and a guy could hold titles in more than 1 division at the same time (as long as he was willing and able to defend those titles) thus showing their true domination of a weight range. Now it's all jumbled up and, honestly, although I have views on who are the elite fighters across a specific weight range I have absolutely no idea or interest in whose belt, if any, they hold at this time. It seems almost irrelevent now.