Thad Spencer vs. Bill McMurray
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
Bill McMurray 206 lbs beat Thad Spencer 201 lbs by TKO at 0:58 in round 7 of 12
- Date: 1966-09-13
- Location: Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, USA
- Referee: Pete Morelli 4-1
- Judge: Al Martinez 4-1
- Judge: Luis Gonzales 2-2
"A grave injustice was done to Thad Spencer in his bout with Bill McMurray, held in Sacramento. Spencer, a good heavyweight, was far out in front at the end of the 6th round. In the first minute of the 7th round, Spencer hit McMurray a solid right to the midsection and McMurray fell into a clinch. The referee, Pete Morelli, broke them and McMurray accidentally butted Spencer. A minor cut showed on the left side of Spencer's head. Morelli halted the bout and called Asa Springer, the ringside doctor, into the ring. The doctor stopped the fight and the referee awarded the bout to McMurray." -Ring Magazine, December 1966 issue
- It took app. 30 minutes before Dr. Springer was able to leave the ring due to the disorder in the crowd after what was felt as an early stoppage.
- Spencer had already been signed to fight Doug Jones in San Francisco on October 14th, but that fight was put in jeopardy because of California's 30-day ban after a stoppage. However, after an examination the following day by Commission Doctor Lastreto, who regarded the cut as 'slight', the 30-day ban was lifted and the Jones fight was secured.
Post-fight comment
- "I wouldn't have stopped the fight if Willie Ketchum (Spencer's manager) had told me how important the fight was." -Dr. Springer, attempting to explain his actions