BoxRec

Monday ~ August 18, 1969

Madison Square Garden

Fight Card

George Foreman vs. Chck Wepner
Pedro Agosto vs. Forest Ward
Jeff Merritt vs. Henry Clark

A Night Of The Future Heavyweight Challengers

Main Event
George Foreman ~ 3-0-0 {3 KO's} ~ 213 lbs. ~ 6' 3 1/2" ~ Age; 20 years, 7 months
vs.
Chuck Wepner ~ 18-4-2 {7 KO's} ~ 221 lbs. ~ 6' 5" ~ Age; 30 years, 5 months

Jeff Merritt ~ 10-1-0 {7 KO's} ~ 208 lbs. ~ 6' 4" ~ Age; 22 years, 7 months
vs.
Henry Clark ~ 17-5-3 {4 KO's} ~ 218 lbs. ~ 6' 3" ~ Age; 24 years, 5 months

Forest Ward ~ 7-1-2 {5 KO's} ~ 197 lbs. ~ 6' 3" ~ Age; 20 years, 6 months
vs.
Pedro Agosto ~ 19-0-0 {17 KO's} ~ 195 lbs. ~ 6' 0" ~ Age; 23 years, 10 months
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A test fight for young Jeff Merritt {New York} against the troublesome Henry Clark {San Francisco},
who was a durable and slick boxing trickster.

Henry, had been ranked as high as #8 WBA on July 6, 1968 {prior to fighting and losing by TKO} to
old man and former Champion - Sonny Liston. The tricky West Coast Boxer was expected to give Jeff Merritt
a difficult evening.

According to Jeff Merritt, the only reason he accepted this dangerous bout with Henry Clark, was because
he was promised by Madison Square Garden that if he won, he would get Floyd Patterson next, and for a
$25,000 Fight Purse.

The 34 year-old Floyd Patterson {who was in attendance} was planning on coming back in October 1969
at Madison Square Garden, and was scouting both Jeff Merritt and Henry Clark as potential opponents.

Following this Night of Action.

The Garden Matchmaker - Teddy Brenner wanted to set up a bout between George Foreman and Forest Ward.

Forest Ward and Trainer - Gil Clancy wanted it.

Dick Saddler {Manager for George Foreman} did not.

Also, Jeff Merritt won a solid 8-Round Unanimous Decision over spoiler-trickster Henry Clark, and was supposed to
fight come-backing Floyd Patterson in October 1969. But Floyd stayed retired thru 1969.

Jeff Merritt ended up being idle for 6-Months. Jeff then switched management in February 1970.

For this bout, Jeff Merritt, at 6' 4" and 208 lbs. was tall and lanky, and almost frail looking. But what leverage he had on his punches.

Hey Sheila,
Maybe Im just a little confused,but are you seem to be implying that this 'vid-cap'
is from Jeff Merritt vs Henry Clark(I)?
If so,does that mean that there is fight footage of the main event too?
(George Foreman vs Chuck Wepner).

Stop talkin to yourself.

Well as no one else seems interested in his ridiculous stories what else can he do but create a grovelling lap dog persona to hump his leg?