R.I.P Candy Slim

[Tuan_Jim]

Klompton, you are the only person I have ever come across who has Merritt on film.

Would you ever consider uploading even a round to YouTube?

Merritt while known for many terrifying tales outside the ring, is an utter mystery to most of us inside the ring. I would absolutely love to see him fight.

[Sheila]

Jefferson City, Missouri

In 1966, former Heavyweight Champion Charles 'Sonny' Liston had heard about Jeff Merritt, who had been
incarcerated in October 1965, and was to serve a 7-Year Prison sentence, as a result of a felony arrest for armed robbery.

Mr. Liston himself was a former resident of the Missouri State Penitentiary System. The former Champion made a
visit to the Missouri, to where 19 year-old Jeff Merritt was building up quite a reputation for scoring a string
of 1st-Round Knockouts.

The 19 year-old tall and lanky Heavyweight had earlier won a Missouri Valley Amateur Championship in 1966, while
residing in the Missouri State Prison.

Sonny Liston saw Jeff fight in a few Prison bouts, and was impressed with the 6' 4" banger.

19 year-old Jeff Merritt had scored an impressive 1st-Round Knockout over 22 year-old Francis Peay {6' 4" and 250 lbs.},
who was a very good Heavyweight boxer, as well as a tremendously talented Offensive Tackle for the University of Missouri.
Francis Peay would go on to be drafted in the 1st Round {#10 Draft Pick overall} by the New York Football Giants in 1966.

[Caractacus]

Here is a link to a recent interview(of sorts thru a third party)
of Jeff Merritt!!


http://doghouseboxing.com/Ken/Hissner-032614-New.htm

[Sheila]

August 23, 1967

Missouri State Penitentiary {St. Louis}

The Missouri State Prison {Warden - Harold Swenson} set up a boxing exhibition for Jeff Merritt.

Both Joe Louis and Sandy Saddler came in to scout the 20 year-old Heavyweight Bomber. Jeff was to
show his talents in 3 individual bouts against the top Missouri Amateur Heavyweights.

Boxing Trainer - Freddie Lewis also was on hand to view Jeff Merritt.

Both Joe Louis and Sandy Saddler were consultants for the National Maritime Union Hall in New York,
which was putting together an athletic program for inmates who were set to be released from
prison.

The goal, was to get Jeff out on parole, and to build him up for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

Over 1000 inmates, along with sports writers, Joe Louis and Sandy Saddler saw Jeff Merritt put away
3 opponents, all in the 1st-Round.

[Caractacus]

Has Jeff Merritt passed on?
Because Boxrec.com still hasnt made it official yet.

[SenorPipino]

Has Jeff Merritt passed on?
Because Boxrec.com still hasnt made it official yet.

The most I could find was that he was on life support, but I've never read an official announcement of his passing.
Updates would be appreciated.

[evrenb]

He is dead, sadly.

[SenorPipino]

He is dead, sadly.

Can you provide a link?

[evrenb]

Hi. I did not get the information from the internet but from the boxing news. They were notified by kenny rainford in las vegas. It may be on their website im unsure.

[Caractacus]

A hoax I arsk?

[evrenb]

A hoax I arsk?

Why don't you ever believe anything???

[Caractacus]

A hoax I arsk?

Why don't you ever believe anything???

Just curious as to why you didnt mention it in your recent thread,thats all.
BTW Appaently none of the moderators here at Boxrec believe you !
(They didnt list his DOD on his page here anyway).

[evrenb]

A hoax I arsk?

Why don't you ever believe anything???

Just curious as to why you didnt mention it in your recent thread,thats all.
BTW Appaently none of the moderators here at Boxrec believe you !
(They didnt list his DOD on his page here anyway).

What do you mean they didn't believe me? You mean that they didn't take the boxing news report as fact?

[delisa]

I don't have confirmation that Merritt passed away.

Last I checked he was living with his sister in Kansas City.

-- Mike DeLisa

[donking]

Didn't hear about this until yesterday ; Another 70's Heavy is gone....

he died about a yr ago a good friend of mine kenny rainford told me the news ..

[Bard of Boxrec]

Candy Slim: A mystery in life and death

[Tuan_Jim]

Why is 'Kenny Rainford' a trusted source in regards to Jeff Merritt? Where was Kenny the quarter-century Merritt was roaming the undergloom?

[Caractacus]

Isnt Kenny Rainford the brother-in-law of Earnie Shavers?
Perhaps Merritt kept in contact with his ole sparring partner from years gone by.

[Bladder]

Isnt Kenny Rainford the brother-in-law of Earnie Shavers?
Perhaps Merritt kept in contact with his ole sparring partner from years gone by.

I think Shavers is Kenny Rainford's wicked uncle Earnie ..... fiddle about, fiddle about!

[Caractacus]

That reference is from the classic "Rock Opera" TOMMY by THE Who,
Isnt it?