BoxRec

Jeff Merritt

* Manager....... Bill Perry {New York}
* Sponsors...... National Maritime Union Hall {9th Avenue, West 16th Street, New York City}
* Consultant.... Freddie Nesbitt
* Consultant.... Joe Labaczewski
* Trainer......... Freddie Lewis
* Advisor......... Joe Louis
* Advisor......... Sandy Saddler
* Promoter...... Harry Markson and Teddy Brenner {Madison Square Garden}

The original plan was to get Jeff Merritt some high quality sparring {in New York} and improve his skills.
The Group wanted to take Jeff to the 1968 Olympic Trials, with hopes of getting him on the United States
Boxing Team and a trip to Mexico City.
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November 9, 1967 {Jefferson City, Missouri}

'Boxer-Convict Given Chance To Win Parole'

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... kU45GUHByA

Jeff Merritt was released from the Missouri State Penitentiary {Jefferson City} on December 22, 1967
following an approval from the New York State Parole Board to have Jeff relocate from Missouri to
New York City.

Jeff Merritt {Age; 20 years, 11 months} was in New York in early-January 1968.

After 6-Weeks of intense training, and a few sessions at Gleason Gym, Jeff at 6' 4" and 208 lbs. would have
his 1st-Bout on February 23, 1968 at the National Maritime Union Hall.

The tall and lanky {boxer-convict} slugger with a perfect left-hook, brought along a claimed amateur record of
99-1 {70 KO's}, which included the 1967 Missouri Amateur Championship and 1967 Missouri Valley AAU Championship
which he won the Finals with a KO @ 1:03 of the 1st Round.

The deal, Jeff was to participate in an Upgrading and Retraining Program sponsored by the National Maritime Union Hall,
and also enroll in a Vocational School.

The sponsors also provided Jeff with a Job {$100 per Week}, an Apartment, and also covered the expenses of his
Boxing Training and hired Sandy Saddler as Jeff's Trainer while living in New York City.

February 19, 1970

Merritt Next Heavy Champ ?

New York Businessman - Norman King bought out the fight contract of Jeff Merritt.

Norman King, a Media Group Investor from New York, has put together a Group of
10 businessmen, which purchased the fight contract of Jeff Merritt.

The Group included;
* Norman King
* Bob Arum {Top Rank Boxing}
* William B. Williams {Radio Personality}
* Henny Youngman {Comedian}
* William Walters {Investment Banker}

With a group of businessmen called {The Syndicate}, they proclaimed that they had the next
Heavyweight Champion, and their fighter would be ready for Joe Frazier in less than 2-Years.

Under his first management team, Jeff went 11-1-0 {7 KO's} in 12-Bouts dating from February 23, 1968
thru August 19, 1969 {18-Months}.

Jeff, listed at {Age; 23 years-old} and 6' 5" at 214 lbs.

Norman King stated that Jeff had a great left-jab and rattling right-hand, and would improve on an already
awesome left-hook.

Jeff, who had been idle since August 1969 {6-Months} was looking forward to his new management team.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... ERw3n0aZ4g

February 19, 1970

Jeff Merritt

His new contract was for 4-Years.

* Jeff was to receive a flat salary of $5000 per Year.
* Plus 50% of the Fight Purses.
* All training expenses were covered.
* The Merritt Team would provide for a Professional Trainer and sparring partners.
* Jeff also was provided with a new 1970 Buick Riviera for use.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q= ... t7VBwAKjSg

February 19, 1970

When Jeff Merritt signed with 'The Syndicate', the group pulled a publicity stunt in New York.

They brought in an Algerian Belly-Dancer named Leila. She was supposed to be instructing
Jeff Merritt on the 'art of twisting'.

It was a damn freak show.

The first thing they did was pull Jeff out of New York {where he was comfortable}, and sent him down
to Miami Beach to work out with Trainer - Moe Fleischer, and have him work out at the famous
Fifth Street Gym.

Chris Dundee was now the Promoter for Jeff, and they set him up with '3' Cakewalk bouts at the Auditorium.
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* March 31, 1970 ~ {Attendance; 2064}
vs. > John Hudgkins ~ 11-6-3 {7 KO's} ~ 192 lbs. ~ Age; 24 years, 10 months

Jeff {211 lbs.} was matched up with local Miami Beach Heavyweight, Johnny Hudgkins {192 lbs.}. It was a blow-out,
as Jeff overwhelmed the pesky Hudgkins, and stopped him by a {KO 2}.

Fight Purse........ $750
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* May 19, 1970 ~ {Attendance; 2131}
vs. > Eddie Vick ~ 23-13-3 {3 KO's} ~ 201 lbs. ~ Age; 37 years, 8 months

Jeff {212 lbs.} was in his 1st Main Event. Eddie Vick {201 lbs.} was a scrappy 15-Year veteran from Rochester, New York
who knew all the tricks. Eddie had only been stopped once in his career, and that by cuts {L TKO 9} to the great
Light-Heavyweight Champion - Bob Foster {August 1968}.

No easy fight here, as Eddie stayed low for the first 3-Rounds and gave Jeff tough angles to hit. Jeff couldn't
catch Eddie clean, and missed with his long punches.

Jeff finally caught Eddie in Round 4, and dropped him with a long right-hand to he chin. Eddie was up at the 8-Count.
Moments later, Jeff dropped Eddie again, this time with a left and a right-cross. Eddie Vick got up at the 9-Count, but
was bleeding from the mouth and was in no condition to continue.

Referee - Cy Gottfried called the bout over at 1:45 of Round 4 and awarded Jeff a {TKO 4} win.

Fight Purse......... $350
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* June 2, 1970 ~ {Attendance; 2485}
vs. Charlie Polite ~ 12-15-3 {6 KO's} ~ 215 lbs.

A solid turn-out at the Auditorium, as Jeff Merritt had now become a local star.

Jeff {209 lbs.} never looked better as he tangled with the 6' 3" Massachusetts journeyman. After a scrappy
1st Round, Jeff unloaded in Round 2.

He battered Charlie, forcing Referee - Cy Gottfried to halt the bout by {TKO 2} for Jeff.

Fight Purse........ $500
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Jeff Merritt {Age; 23 years, 5 months} was now 14-1-0 {10 KO's}, and was riding a Bullet.