Davey Moore - 1959 to 1988
Posted: 02 Jul 2004, 07:36
The thread by Johnny Carwash, on boxers brought along too fast, got me thinking about the tragic Davey Moore, who was a perfect example of how things can go badly wrong.
After just eight fights, the young hot shot was sent over to Japan to fetch back the WBA light middleweight title from the new champion Mihara, for his promoter Bob Arum. This he did, with a brilliant 6th round KO.
Then Bob rewards him by sending him over to South Africa two months later, to take on their murderous punching local star, Charlie Weir - The Silver Assassin. ( well know for punching opponents when they were down, and getting away with it too )
This fight made Arum big money, and Weir was a heavy favorite to demolish the novice champ.
In fact, a lot of cynics refered to Davey as "the messenger" - knowing he only got his shot in order to deliver the title on a plate to S Africa.
Of course Davey had his own plans, and smashed Weir to the canvas round after round, until it was stopped in the 5th.
That's when Arum suddenly realised he had a star on his hands. But it was only two more defences before the 13 fight Moore was brutaly exposed at true world level by Roberto Duran. To make it even worse, the defeat took place in his hometown and the whole crowd was cheering for Duran.
This fight ruined Moore, and the end was in sight. Davey's career went into a downward spiral, ending with his death four years later in an out of the ring accident.
RIP Davey Moore - both of them.
After just eight fights, the young hot shot was sent over to Japan to fetch back the WBA light middleweight title from the new champion Mihara, for his promoter Bob Arum. This he did, with a brilliant 6th round KO.
Then Bob rewards him by sending him over to South Africa two months later, to take on their murderous punching local star, Charlie Weir - The Silver Assassin. ( well know for punching opponents when they were down, and getting away with it too )
This fight made Arum big money, and Weir was a heavy favorite to demolish the novice champ.
In fact, a lot of cynics refered to Davey as "the messenger" - knowing he only got his shot in order to deliver the title on a plate to S Africa.
Of course Davey had his own plans, and smashed Weir to the canvas round after round, until it was stopped in the 5th.
That's when Arum suddenly realised he had a star on his hands. But it was only two more defences before the 13 fight Moore was brutaly exposed at true world level by Roberto Duran. To make it even worse, the defeat took place in his hometown and the whole crowd was cheering for Duran.
This fight ruined Moore, and the end was in sight. Davey's career went into a downward spiral, ending with his death four years later in an out of the ring accident.
RIP Davey Moore - both of them.