Off The Field & Into The Squared Circle
Posted: 24 Nov 2009, 12:56
To some boxing is all about aggression and turning loose all those pent up emotions through fists smashing against an opponents skull. It's those same individuals who believe an agressive sport such as football wouldn't be too much of a leap to make as a professional boxer---and nine times out of then, despite the ballyhoo and publicity, the football player ends up on the seat of his pants.
Several times a gridiron star gets it into his head to get into the fight game, figuring that their stats in football, their ability to run 100 yards in under 5 seconds, and going toe to toe with 300 pound linemen on a regular basis makes them athletic enough and tough enough to take on an opponent with padded gloves.
This list is a testament to the old saying, 'There's always somebody bigger and better', where those men of college and professional football fame, thought it would be easy to make the transition from a team sport into a game of one on one, with no referee to blow the whistle, no time outs, no bench to take a break half way through, and with no helmet to cushion the blows.
The earliest football star to get big media attention for his boxing debut was 'Big' Wayne Munn, a 6'6" 240 pound college football star who also was a professional wrestler, the first non-wrestler to win the world's championship. Munn, with his backers and connections, believed he could get the world boxing championship as well. He was matched up with 'Agile' Andre Anderson, a journeyman heavyweight who was better than his record indicated, as he often took dives to get quick cash alongside his fight purse. However, Anderson was getting tired of being told what to do, and when it was brought up to him to lose to Munn, he said he would do it, though he knew he was going to hand Munn's ass back to him. The match was Munn's first and last boxing match, as Anderson kayoed the gigantic Munn out in the 3rd round. Anderson, for his troubles, was shot and killed a few months later, reportedly from mobsters who were connected with the Munn fight.
Fast forward some 20 years later, you will have heard about 'Wildman' Jimmy Harryman. Harryman was a college football player out of Washington State and played professionally for the Calgary Chargers. Beginning in 1959, Harryman would rack up 9 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, and have 7 kayos to his credit, before retiring in '65.
Also in the 1950's and 60's there was Charlie Powell. Powell was 6'3" and built like a body builder, but was limited. However, he gave a kid named Cassius Clay some trouble when he fought him in 1963. Powell hurt Clay with body shots early, but would get kayoed in the 3rd round. It was the highlight of his career.
Also roaming the scene was Charley Norkus. Norkus was thought to be the next big thing, and even champion Rocky Marciano believed Norkus to be his successor. Unfortunately for Norkus he couldnt get over the hump to be among the top heavyweights of the day. But, he arguably had the best record against the best opposition, of any other football player who attempted boxing.
In the 1970's, for a time, Buster Mathis left boxing to join the Canadian Football League. Mathis was also the first man to ever win the 'Super-Heavyweight' boxing title, kayoing Claude 'Humphrey' McBride. Mathis at 6'4" and ranging from 240-320 pounds was a true behemoth for the day---but he fell short against Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, among others.
In 1979 the highly popular Lyle Alzado claimed he was leaving the Oakland Raiders for a career in boxing. Lyle, truthfully, was trying to make Oakland give him a better contract deal, but to prove he was serious, he did an eight round exhibition bout with Muhammad Ali on ABC. Lyle lasted the whole eight rounds, and even taunted Ali, though it was clear to all who watched that Ali had 'won' the fiasco.
In the 1980's there was Ed 'Too Tall' Jones, the 6'9" lineman of the Dallas Cowboys. Immediately there was talk of a Jones-Holmes show down, however for that to happen Jones would have to defeat a ranked heavyweight. His debut wasn't too impressive, as Jones was downed by a 5'9" Mexican who had more losses than Jones had sacks. Jones continued boxing for the next two years, but hung up his gloves with a record of 6-0-0.
In the 1990's there were four football players who attempted to become boxing stars. Alonzo Highsmith and Ron Gastineau were the only two of the four who turned pro and did alright against mediocre opposition. The other two were 'The Refridgerator' William Perry and Laurence Taylor. Both Perry and Taylor were involved in Art Dore's Toughman program, often in shows pitting football players against pro wrestlers, or the NFL versus the AFL. Perry tried to go pro to secure a bout with Butterbean, but failed the medical examinations. Taylor, knowing his limitations, never went professional.
The year 2000 brought Michael Grant. Grant, who was a headliner in collegiate football, dropped the idea of playing professionally and went into boxing instead. Without so much as an amateur bout under him, he went head first into the pros. He eventually became the #1 heavyweight contender for Lennox Lewis' title, but was blowed away in the 2nd round. Grant never recovered from the loss, as the secret was out: to beat Grant you got to land on his chin.
As of late, there isn't that many well known football players college or otherwise in the boxing game, save for Deontay Wilder whose fought a few times on FNF's, and is currently undefeated and is quite the fan favorite with his brawling style and kayos.
Several times a gridiron star gets it into his head to get into the fight game, figuring that their stats in football, their ability to run 100 yards in under 5 seconds, and going toe to toe with 300 pound linemen on a regular basis makes them athletic enough and tough enough to take on an opponent with padded gloves.
This list is a testament to the old saying, 'There's always somebody bigger and better', where those men of college and professional football fame, thought it would be easy to make the transition from a team sport into a game of one on one, with no referee to blow the whistle, no time outs, no bench to take a break half way through, and with no helmet to cushion the blows.
The earliest football star to get big media attention for his boxing debut was 'Big' Wayne Munn, a 6'6" 240 pound college football star who also was a professional wrestler, the first non-wrestler to win the world's championship. Munn, with his backers and connections, believed he could get the world boxing championship as well. He was matched up with 'Agile' Andre Anderson, a journeyman heavyweight who was better than his record indicated, as he often took dives to get quick cash alongside his fight purse. However, Anderson was getting tired of being told what to do, and when it was brought up to him to lose to Munn, he said he would do it, though he knew he was going to hand Munn's ass back to him. The match was Munn's first and last boxing match, as Anderson kayoed the gigantic Munn out in the 3rd round. Anderson, for his troubles, was shot and killed a few months later, reportedly from mobsters who were connected with the Munn fight.
Fast forward some 20 years later, you will have heard about 'Wildman' Jimmy Harryman. Harryman was a college football player out of Washington State and played professionally for the Calgary Chargers. Beginning in 1959, Harryman would rack up 9 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw, and have 7 kayos to his credit, before retiring in '65.
Also in the 1950's and 60's there was Charlie Powell. Powell was 6'3" and built like a body builder, but was limited. However, he gave a kid named Cassius Clay some trouble when he fought him in 1963. Powell hurt Clay with body shots early, but would get kayoed in the 3rd round. It was the highlight of his career.
Also roaming the scene was Charley Norkus. Norkus was thought to be the next big thing, and even champion Rocky Marciano believed Norkus to be his successor. Unfortunately for Norkus he couldnt get over the hump to be among the top heavyweights of the day. But, he arguably had the best record against the best opposition, of any other football player who attempted boxing.
In the 1970's, for a time, Buster Mathis left boxing to join the Canadian Football League. Mathis was also the first man to ever win the 'Super-Heavyweight' boxing title, kayoing Claude 'Humphrey' McBride. Mathis at 6'4" and ranging from 240-320 pounds was a true behemoth for the day---but he fell short against Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali, among others.
In 1979 the highly popular Lyle Alzado claimed he was leaving the Oakland Raiders for a career in boxing. Lyle, truthfully, was trying to make Oakland give him a better contract deal, but to prove he was serious, he did an eight round exhibition bout with Muhammad Ali on ABC. Lyle lasted the whole eight rounds, and even taunted Ali, though it was clear to all who watched that Ali had 'won' the fiasco.
In the 1980's there was Ed 'Too Tall' Jones, the 6'9" lineman of the Dallas Cowboys. Immediately there was talk of a Jones-Holmes show down, however for that to happen Jones would have to defeat a ranked heavyweight. His debut wasn't too impressive, as Jones was downed by a 5'9" Mexican who had more losses than Jones had sacks. Jones continued boxing for the next two years, but hung up his gloves with a record of 6-0-0.
In the 1990's there were four football players who attempted to become boxing stars. Alonzo Highsmith and Ron Gastineau were the only two of the four who turned pro and did alright against mediocre opposition. The other two were 'The Refridgerator' William Perry and Laurence Taylor. Both Perry and Taylor were involved in Art Dore's Toughman program, often in shows pitting football players against pro wrestlers, or the NFL versus the AFL. Perry tried to go pro to secure a bout with Butterbean, but failed the medical examinations. Taylor, knowing his limitations, never went professional.
The year 2000 brought Michael Grant. Grant, who was a headliner in collegiate football, dropped the idea of playing professionally and went into boxing instead. Without so much as an amateur bout under him, he went head first into the pros. He eventually became the #1 heavyweight contender for Lennox Lewis' title, but was blowed away in the 2nd round. Grant never recovered from the loss, as the secret was out: to beat Grant you got to land on his chin.
As of late, there isn't that many well known football players college or otherwise in the boxing game, save for Deontay Wilder whose fought a few times on FNF's, and is currently undefeated and is quite the fan favorite with his brawling style and kayos.
