BoxRec

Does anyone have fight videos or know of any of Tony Gardner, the "KO King"?

He was from Memphis, Tennessee and fought out of Oklahoma City. Gardner was said to have the hardest right hand and he had 25 straight victories, 22 by knockout, 19 straight knockout victories in a row from 1974 to 1976 before he got his title shot. He was counted out for the WBC Jr. Middleweight Title and the NABF Middleweight Title during his career.

Gardner claimed the NABF Jr. Middleweight Title after he knocked out Ray Christian in one of the greatest fights in Oklahoma City.

I've asked the same question and looked far and wide to find nothing. There's probably local footage down in the Bahamas from the Obed title fight, which is understandably rare and not in the public domain. You'd think there would be something from his NABF fight with Ray Seales or his losses to Chiaverini or to one of the Orlando boys, as they were pretty well pushed both locally and known nationally.

Maybe your best bet is to try and locate the "KO King" himself. Betting he lives in Memphis to this day.

The "KO King" sure seems to have KO'd a lot of peasants.

Duce, you say film exists of both Vincent-Gardner fights, and I have respect for your research, but how can you be sure? I've never seen a shred of any film of Gardner's fights- heck, there's only one small photo of the guy on the net- and don't know of anyone else who has seen any either. Have you seen any footage yourself or know where it can be found?

And yes, Rover, there were a long line of clubfighters on Gardner's KO list

So any film would be in the archives of an Orlando TV Station? Not in the public domain though?

Gardner seems to inspire a lot of discussion on boxing history boards, mostly because of his obscurity.

Duce, was hoping you'd post a link to that feature on Gardner from the Arizona Republic leading up to the Baldwin fight. I couldn't access it.

I'd love to see the Obed fight.

You forgot to add Tommy Howard in that list too...

Duce, did you ever see Gardner in person or on tape or are you as in the dark about him as the rest of us are?

Any chance you could post it, Duce? I couldn't access it- don't have your connections....