Ron Lyle vs. Larry Middleton (1st meeting)

Ron Lyle 215 lbs beat Larry Middleton 210 lbs by KO at 2:34 in round 3 of 10

• Date: 1972-12-09
• Location: Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, USA

"Ron Lyle of Denver, posted a knockout at 2:34 of the 3rd round with a right cross in the 3rd round that sent Larry Middleton of Baltimore, to the canvas to stay at the Denver Coliseum Friday night. Both were satisfied to feel each other out in the 1st round, but both came out slugging in the 2nd with no damage to either fighter until the last two seconds. Then Lyle landed a left hook into Middleton's face that staggered the highly-touted boxer. The bell saved him from further damage - at least temporarily. Lyle's combination punches began with 53 seconds remaining in the 3rd, and Middleton went down after the right cross which finished off the visitor." -Colorado Springs Gazette-Telegraph

Post-fight comment

• "I knew I had him at the first bell. The man came here saying he was going to beat me bad, but he should have been talking training instead of talking." -Ron Lyle