Frank 'the animal' Fletcher

[fatcity69]

I was wondering whats happened to the Animal, is he still inside?. One of the most exciting fighters of his time who was in so many classic brawls... he was one of the fighters that got me truly hooked on boxing back in the day when there was 'only' 2 world champions usually and you could still work out who was the best at their weight. Any new info or memories of Frank would be welcome....

[The Great John L]

I predict pain.

A fun guy.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I keep waiting for someone to put up his war with Clint Jackson on Youtube.

[BoxBuzz]

His mom was the draw.

[Ambling Alp II]

He was fun to watch. He was matched a lot against on NBC against guys who were roughly his level. His mom was fun too!

[bluerosekiller]

Though it's been surpassed over the years by far to many classic bouts to even begin to count, there was a time about 30 years ago when Fletcher's 12 round toe to toe affair with Clint Jackson held a firm place in my top ten all time favorite fights. I was enthralled by it THAT much.

[Nile4000]

Always wanted to see Frank go up against Dwight Davidson, Mustafa Hamsho, or even Alex Ramos.Those would have been exciting fights.Hell, even Thomas Hearns would have been a shootout while it lasted.

[Rover]

Always wanted to see Frank go up against Dwight Davidson, Mustafa Hamsho, or even Alex Ramos.Those would have been exciting fights.Hell, even Thomas Hearns would have been a shootout while it lasted.

Hearns would've been a quick decapitation.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

He should have never taken Wilford Scypion on, and Juan Roldan

Huh? He would have gotten a Hagler fight with a win in either of those bouts.

[Rover]

NBC Sportsworld used him up,,,,,,,,,,,,,and then tossed Frank the Animal in the 'scrap heap'.

He should have never taken Wilford Scypion on, and Juan Roldan or John 'The Beast' Mugabi.

You just knew the big hitters were going to flatten him.

That's what networks do.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

He might have lost an even lower profile fight and then he wouldn't have had another shot against Roldan. I'm not much for telling fighters to avoid tough fights.

He wouldn't have lasted 6 or 7 rounds with Hagler unless they fought three times.

He was exciting but he was far from marquee. Big exaggeration there.

[Rover]

He might have lost an even lower profile fight and then he wouldn't have had another shot against Roldan. I'm not much for telling fighters to avoid tough fights.

He wouldn't have lasted 6 or 7 rounds with Hagler unless they fought three times.

He was exciting but he was far from marquee. Big exaggeration there.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

No need for homework, I watched it all unfold. Frank was an entertaining fighter who had built a following. This is the first time he's ever been called a marquee name. You need better textbooks.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Fletcher had the momentum at the moment, hard to say which one was more recognized. Scypion had several televised fights including that bizarre finish with Hamsho that drew a ton of attention.

[orbtastic]

Saad, you're on WBVA aren't you? The Jackson fight's up there if you want it.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I don't even know what that is, LOL, but thanks. I'll find it.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I stand corrected,

Frank Fletcher was ranked as the #2 WBA Middleweight in February 1983.

After losing to Wilford Scypion, he dropped to #5 WBA.

He had to fight (and defeat) Juan Roldan in November 1983, if wanted a Championship
Bout with Marvin Hagler.

Following that 'loss' he dropped to #13 WBA.

According to Jimmy Sykes, Frank's friend. 'The Animal' got talked 'pressured' into the bout with
Wilford Scypion by NBC who needed a February TV bout for Sportsworld. Frank could
have said no, and asked for an easier opponent (ie; Dwight 'Tiger' Walker or Tony Cerda)
and then waited for a May 1983 bout with Marvin Hagler.

Good to see you did your "homework" after correcting me.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Of course Saad,

You knew all that information already,,,,,,,,,,,

[BoxBuzz]

..........as for the degree of Frank's notoriety, never underestimate the power of those (she in this case) who controls (swings in this case) the purse.

Many of us were greatly entertained by the passion we witnessed unfolding at any/all "Animal" events.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

..........as for the degree of Frank's notoriety, never underestimate the power of those (she in this case) who controls (swings in this case) the purse.

Many of us were greatly entertained by the passion we witnessed unfolding at any/all "Animal" events.

[BoxBuzz]

My "Frank" opinion is that he was a skosh and a tad over rated......and he had a "hook".....with his dear ol' Mum.

The Animal.........was no Beast.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

My "Frank" opinion is that he was a skosh and a tad over rated......and he had a "hook".....with his dear ol' Mum.

The Animal.........was no Beast.

No defense and no power. He was fun though. Especially coming out of the ESPN tournaments, he and Braxton made noise.

[Rover]

I stand corrected,

Frank Fletcher was ranked as the #2 WBA Middleweight in February 1983.

After losing to Wilford Scypion, he dropped to #5 WBA.

He had to fight (and defeat) Juan Roldan in November 1983, if wanted a Championship
Bout with Marvin Hagler.

Following that 'loss' he dropped to #13 WBA.

According to Jimmy Sykes, Frank's friend. 'The Animal' got talked 'pressured' into the bout with
Wilford Scypion by NBC who needed a February TV bout for Sportsworld. Frank could
have said no, and asked for an easier opponent (ie; Dwight 'Tiger' Walker or Tony Cerda)
and then waited for a May 1983 bout with Marvin Hagler.

Who was #1?

[Rover]

My "Frank" opinion is that he was a skosh and a tad over rated......and he had a "hook".....with his dear ol' Mum.

The Animal.........was no Beast.

[Esquire]

Nonsense aside, Frank the Animal was on one heck of a roll on network television back in the day. He had the heart of a lion but he was limited, and would, and did, lose against better fighters than him.

Had he avoided those who eventually beat him and got a shot at Hagler he would have been destroyed. He was limited in skill, but his pressure first fighting style was something to behold against lesser competition. He made network t.v. boxing fun to watch.

His win against Clint Jackson was epic. It may also have cost him terribly in the long run. Brutal fights do that to human beings.

His fight against Roldan was an epic failure on the part of his matchmaking team. He got destroyed by a very strong and historically under-rated brute of a man. Hagler had all he could handle with Roldan and that proves how difficult Roldan was as an opponent.

Frank's losses to Roldan and Parker demonstrated his weaknesses. He was capable of getting blasted out by hard punching middleweights that could match his intensity.

Nonetheless, the Animal sure was made for t.v., and I'm glad I got to see him in his prime.