Larry Middleton RIP

[JMac]

There is word that Larry passed away. He was a tough guy who fought lots of good heavyweights in his day.
http://boxingalongthebeltway.blogspot.com/

[The Great John L]

Very sad. He was quite a good fighter with height, power and good handspeed.

RIP champ.

[sweetsci]

Larry looks like he was an interesting guy. I'm watching him vs. Norton on YouTube. The announcers said that he was into yoga and was an artist and an architect. Rest In Peace, Larry.

[JMac]

Larry Middleton

Got his Professional start under the guidance of Mack Lewis, at his East Baltimore Gym in September 1965.

Back in early 1972, Larry was 20-1-1 {13 KO's} and was 'miles' better than either Terry Daniels or Ron Stander,
both of whom earned Heavyweight Championship Bouts against Joe Frazier......in 1972.

Mack Lewis >
"We all know why Joe Frazier/Yank Durham won't accept my fighter as a Challenger."

"Mr Mack" as he was called Lewis died in 2010. He coached all the best boxers in Baltimore. His former IBF light middleweight champion, Vincent Pettway runs his gym now.

[evrenb]

RIP Larry...another from the 70's is gone...

[Old bones Ian]

I watched his fight against Joe Bugner just the other day, outhustled Joe that day and outpointed him. Larry was back in a British ring a couple more times beating future British champ Danny McAlinden, and then losing by the narrowest margin (1/4 of a point) to Jerry Quarry in a world title eliminator.

[misterpunch]

I remember how good he was - actually gave bugner a thorough pasting if you ask me. larry was better than his career record suggests and I offer my sympathies to his family. RIP

[sweetsci]

Larry was now slotted as the #9 WBA Heavyweight following his 10-Round Decision win over #6 WBA-ranked Joe Bugner...

Re: Middleton's ranking - Following this bout Ring ranked Larry #9 also. He rose to #8 and then #7 in the Spring of 1972 before falling out after his losses to Quarry & Lyle (x2). He, for some reason, returned to Rings rankings (at #9 and #10 depending on the month) during mid to late 1974 despite a UD loss to Oscar Bonavena and subsequent inactivity.

[sweetsci]

Yeah, that British broadcast of Middleton - Bugner was pretty funny. Very British-centric, though understandably. More "Another blow for British boxing!" etc. than "a terrific performance from the underrated Middleton."

[Flump]

Thursday- April 20, 1972

Civic Center - Baltimore, Maryland

"LARRY MIDDLETON STOPS NEW YORK'S STALLINGS"
-Baltimore Heavyweight Seeks Bout With Champion-

Larry Middleton, the #8 WBA-ranked Heavyweight won his '22nd' straight victory last night by stopping
New York Heavyweight - Bob Stallings by a 6th Round TKO.

The 30 year-old - Middleton {206 lbs.} used his long left jab and 6' 5" frame to keep the shorter 6' 1" Stallings
{208 lbs.} on the outside, where the southpaw New Yorker couldn't get inside to utilize his strength and solid
body-punching. Middleton kept pumping in left-hands and an occasional hard right-hand into the face of Stallings
thru the first 4-Rounds, winning each of the Rounds on the Judges Scorecards.

Middleton rattled Stallings in Rounds 5 and 6 with an assortment of hard right-hand leads, and nearly toppled
the 27 year-old Stallings with '3' jarring right-hands during Round 6. Stallings had his right-eye nearly closed
shut by the end of the Round, and on the advice of the Ringside Physician, the bout was stopped between the
6th and 7th Rounds and Middleton was awarded a TKO 6 victory.

Larry improves to 23-1-1 {14 KO's}.

Bob Stallings, a durable New York Heavyweight falls to 26-12-0 {as reported by his Manager}.

Larry Middleton >
"I'm ready now. I have beaten '3' good Heavyweights in a row. Where is Joe Frazier, but looking for easy fights
out in the Mid-West, when I'm here right around the corner from him."

Il Duce, what can you tell me about Stallings? His record indicates that he was a solid journeyman who was capable of an upset, did you see him fight?