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He was scheduled to fight Ali in South Africa in 1976 I believe; I know why the bout didn't happen, but my question is how good was Al Jones?

HomicideHenry wrote:He was scheduled to fight Ali in South Africa in 1976 I believe; I know why the bout didn't happen, but my question is how good was Al Jones?

I presume you are writing about Florida Al Jones. The proposed Ali fight must have been an exhibition then since he wasn't rated by 1976 and retired that year, and they were stablemates.

Al had three strikes against him. (1) He was a good southpaw. Big, tough and a hard hitter. In those days, most fighters avoided southpaws like the plague. (2) He suffered hand problems towards the end of his career. (3) Its my understanding he later developed drug problems.

I knew a guy who I think fought him once, and sparred with him regularly. He said that Jones was a very good fighter.

Ahh, That Al Jones. Thought you meant Memphis Al Jones. I know a guy who fought him.James Dixon.
I looked up Floridas record. Man that guy was a nice fighter. Bad Hand ruined his career.
Knocked out Cleveland Williams and beat some other good guys. What might have been. Shame it ended early with bad mitts.

Pug, was that the same Dixon that your Italian Stallion fought?

Henry,it looks like James did fight Lee Canalito.
Dropped an eight rounder to him.

James was from Tennesee but he fought alot of fights in Chicago.
Good call.

I figured it was the same guy