Wouter at 10:56, 5 October 2023

2023-10-05T10:56:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:56, 5 October 2023
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	== Biography ==		== Biography ==
	Ed Donaldson was a 6'3" 235 pound Heavyweight fringe contender during the mid '90s. Although turning pro at 33 ~~with no previous boxing experience big.~~ Ed did bring to the ring his rather big frame, a deadly right hand, and the heart of a lion.		Ed Donaldson was a 6'3" 235 pound Heavyweight fringe contender during the mid '90s. Although turning pro at 33, Ed did bring to the ring his rather big frame, a deadly right hand, and the heart of a lion.

	Donaldson, a full time police officer, turned pro 1992 with first round knock out of Ben Green. His next fight he went the distance decisioning a tough Warren Williams whom sported a decent record of 6-1. It would be only one of two times Donaldson would have to go the distance for a victory. He then suffered his first defeat to fringe contender James Gains. Donaldson was unshaken by his early loss. It was a decision loss, and he learned a lot from it. He then went on a string of first round knockouts, displaying his potent right hand, and re-establishing whatever momentum he may have lost in his fight with Gains.		Donaldson, a full time police officer, turned pro 1992 with first round knock out of Ben Green. His next fight he went the distance decisioning a tough Warren Williams whom sported a decent record of 6-1. It would be only one of two times Donaldson would have to go the distance for a victory. He then suffered his first defeat to fringe contender James Gains. Donaldson was unshaken by his early loss. It was a decision loss, and he learned a lot from it. He then went on a string of first round knockouts, displaying his potent right hand, and re-establishing whatever momentum he may have lost in his fight with Gains.

Grey at 16:57, 19 December 2022

2022-12-19T16:57:59Z

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			[[File:Ed Donaldson.JPG\|250px\|left]]
	<boxer>006470</boxer>		<boxer>006470</boxer>

Matt at 19:24, 23 April 2007

2007-04-23T19:24:03Z

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	*1989 United States (National AAU) Super Heavyweight Champion		*1989 United States (National AAU) Super Heavyweight Champion

	[[Category:~~National AAU~~ Champions\|Donaldson, Ed]]		[[Category:United States Amateur Champions\|Donaldson, Ed]]

Matt at 19:38, 27 September 2005

2005-09-27T19:38:12Z

Show changes

Unknown user at 00:00, 1 January 2005

2005-01-01T00:00:00Z

New page

Ed Donaldson was a 6'3" 235 pound Heavyweight fringe contender during
the mid '90s. Although turning pro at 33 with no previous boxing experience big
Ed did bring to the ring his rather big frame, a deadly right hand, and the
heart of a lion.

Donaldson, a full time police officer, turned pro 1992 with first round
Knock out of Ben Green. His next fight he went the distance decisioning a tough
Warren Williams whom sported a decent record of 6-1. It would be only one of
two times Donaldson would have to go the distance for a victory. He then
suffered his first defeat to fringe contender James Gains. Donaldson was
unshaken by his early loss. It was a decision loss, and he learned a lot from
it. He then went on a string of first round knockouts, displaying his potent
right hand, and re-establishing whatever momentum he may have lost in his fight
with Gains. His next opponent was Kirk Johnson. Yes that same Kirk Johnson
that splattered Oleg Maskeav in 4 rounds. Johnson had a spectacular amateur
career and represented Canada in the Olympics. Ed was not intimidated and took
Johnson into the fifth round before being caught by the Canadian's crushing
blows. It was the toughest fight Johnson had since turning pro. Big Ed fought
his heart out against a guy who had a wealth of more experience and would turn
out to be one of the top heavyweights in the world. Undaunted by his defeat
against the rising star, Donaldson put together his best win streak. The streak
climax with a brutal second round blow out of undefeated prospect Quin Navarre.
Quin was entering the ring undefeated in 11 pro outings, while Ed was a
deceiving 7-2, but Ed's previous two losses were to two good fighters and
provided him with some much needed ring experience. The fight wasn't even
close. Big Ed hammered Navarre and put him down for the count in the second. It
was an impressive showing that underlined Big Ed's biggest weapon�his power.

Now Big Ed Donaldson was 10-2 with 9 of his ten wins coming by knockout
and over half of them didn't make it out of the first round. He was in fringe
contention but time was not on his side due to his late start. He gambled and
took on Alex Garcia, who sported an impressive 35-4-1 record. Again Donaldson
was in with a man who had much, much more experience, and he was out boxed.
Still he kept the pressure on and took Garcia the distance loosing a ten round
decision. Impressed with Donaldson's durability and showing, despite him
loosing, the suits at ESPN asked if he wanted to fight Jimmy Thunder on national
TV. A few tune-ups would have been nice first but it was an offer Ed could not
refuse. If he won he would be in position to make some real money. Most did not
think Ed would win, but given his past they did expect a good fight. Most of
all Thunder was a heavy hitter and Ed looked to have had a pretty good chin.
Surprisingly Thunder hit like thunder and lightning and took Ed out in the
second. Thunder would establish himself as one of the best hitters in the
division, although his boxing skills were no where near as impressive. It also
turned out that the loss was the best thing to happen to Donaldson so far in
his career. Upon viewing the knockout Larry Holmes incorrectly assumed Big Ed
had a weak chin. He must not have taken into account few heavyweights today

could have took a few flush shots from Jimmy Thunder and stayed up right.
Thinking he had an easy win Larry Holmes was to fight Big Ed Donaldson on ESPN.

Donaldson was able to squeeze in a tune up fight for the biggest fight of his
career. Big Ed's opponent was to be the well ventured Mike Faulkner. Mike
Faulkner had once been an undefeated prospect but was a trial horse by the time
Big Ed Donaldson caught up with him. Faulker did have a wealth of experience
having been in the ring with Shannon Briggs twice, former champions Greg Page
and Tony Tucker, Lou Savarese and Frankie Swindell to name few. Mike used his
experience to his advantage and was able to last the distance but little else in
a loosing effort. Mike survived to hear the final bell which had to be a moral
victory for a man of Faulkner's record facing a big puncher like Ed Donaldson.
Big Ed took the decision and poised for the fight of his life with Larry Holmes.

The fight was a story like the original Rocky with a legendary fighter
giving a local boy a shot expecting easy meat and some easy money. The local
boy however had other plans. Larry Holmes just happen to be one of Donaldson's
heroes and he was training for this fight like it was being contested for the
heavyweight championship of the world. While he had to juggle training and
working full time as a police officer he was ready to give the fight of his
life. The parallels to the Rocky movie drew when it was suggested he had no
chance of winning but there might be a chance of lasting the distance. Many who
tuned in to see the fight were hoping for a fight out of it. Big Ed was
suddenly a local celebrity in his hometown with friends on the force telling him
to whip the old man. Easier said than done. Larry Holmes was and is one of the
best heavyweights of all time and earlier that year had given heavyweight
champion Oliver McCall all he could handle. Most thought Holmes would blow Big
Ed out like Thunder did before him. The commentators that night questioned
whether Ed would freeze up fighting one of his idols, but were mindful enough to
add he did have a good right hand if he got to use it against Larry.

The fight started out with Larry winning solely on his jab. Then rocking a tense
looking Donaldson with right hands. The first couple of rounds went that way
until Ed grew in confidence. He got bolder and started firing his jabs and right
hands finding mild success. A big man, Ed was able to rough up Holmes and push
him back to the ropes where he could tag Larry with a few shots. The fight was a
rough and tumble affair with Ed pushing Larry back with bull charges and Larry
loosing his footing with his back foot slipping off the ring apron and causing
him to fall to the canvas twice. They didn't count as knockdowns but they did
ruffle Larry. Trash talking in the clinches as well as thumbing his adversary
once after taking a good one-two against the ropes was Holmes' tactics for
psychological warfare. Larry found Big Ed to be a stronger man then he had
originally estimated, and Big Ed was also able to take Larry's best shots as
well. Big Ed's main weapon was his power, and against a man like Larry Holmes
who had only been KO'ed once in 65 fights by Mike Tyson, his best weapon was
non issue. This made the fight to be an up hill battle. Ed swallowed a lot
shots to get Larry to the ropes and land a few of his own. He did manage to rock
the former champion a few times but Holmes chin was made of granite. It looked
like Larry was going to win by decision by the way things were going until

in the 8th round. The Legendary Larry Holmes crashed home a devastating right
hand that was reminiscent of the one that crushed Weaver. The smack was loud
like a bat hitting a watermelon and Big Ed Donaldson was sent backwards and hit
the canvas so hard he literally bounced. It appeared as though he was out cold.
The ref began his count and the TV commentators said the fight was probably
over and Ed was out. With courage and bravery like Rocky when fighting Apollo
Creed, Big Ed struggled to his feet just as the ref counted ten. For a brief
moment it appeared the ref might stop it, but he didn't and the bell saved
Donaldson from Holmes' follow up. The beginning of the ninth round had Larry
trying to finish with Ed on shaky legs. By the middle of the round Ed had his
legs back. By the end of the round he was fighting back. The TV commentators as
well as the crowd and TV audience were shocked Ed had made it to see the last
round, but doubted he would last to see the final bell.

Ed was three minutes away from lasting the distance with one of the
greatest heavyweights of all time. Holmes being 46 meant little to diminish what
it would mean to Big Ed to hear the final bell. Holmes wanted equally as bad to
end the fight with Donaldson. Holmes took the fight with the impression it would
be an easy tune up, but instead got a stern test. He wanted to look good in this
fight on TV, perhaps for another big payday. The two came out for the last round
each with a mission. Although the fight was out of Ed Donaldson's reach by then
he came out and fought as if the fight still hung in the balance. Whether it
was from bravery or lack of being able to avoid it, Ed stood in front of Larry
Holmes and stayed there trading punches for the remainder of the round. The
final bell sounded and Big Ed walked back to his corner with a smile from ear to
ear. He had done it. He had earned the respect from one of his heroes. He
walked over to Larry's corner and congratulated him as they shook hands. Larry's
corner congratulated Ed in return for a good fight. Pictures were taken of Ed
and Larry posing together all the while Ed sporting a smile that would suggest
he had won. Well may be he won a moral victory.

Donaldson, perhaps satisfied with his accomplishments, didn't fight for
a year after his punch-up with Holmes. He said before the Larry Holmes fight
that he knew he would never be champ but wanted to see how far he could go. It
seemed he had gone as for as he could. Unwisely he returned to the ring at 37
years old to fight a young behemoth that stood 6'7" and weighed 250 pounds! The
young fighter was heavily hyped, and tagged as the next great heavyweight
champion. The young fighter was a 18-0 Michael Grant. Donaldson was never in
the fight and Grant took him out in the third. A year later Donaldson was to
fight again. It was only his second fight in three years and by now he was 38.
The young man he was to face was not a push over either. It was Keith McKnight a
man with a 29-1 record. Despite his advanced age and inactivity the fight went
the distance with McKnight taking the decision. Finally the dream was over.

Donaldson has not fought since but in his brief career he faced Kirk
Johnson, Michael Grant, and the legendary Larry Holmes. He also fought a number
of fringe contenders who come close like Jimmy Thunder, Alex Garcia, Keith
McKnight, and James Gaines. That is a stiff bunch of fighters to be faced
against, especially considering he turned pro at 33 with no boxing experience.
In all Ed's record stands at 11-7 with 9 of his wins coming by knockout, and 5
of those knockouts were first round blowouts. Not many fighters can boast of
fighting the level of competition Ed Donaldson has faced, and who knows maybe
with an earlier start and some better managing Ed might of made a bigger impact,
I am sure he is content with what he has accomplished. Congratulations Ed.

Ed Donaldson - Revision history

Wouter at 10:56, 5 October 2023

Grey at 16:57, 19 December 2022

Matt at 19:24, 23 April 2007

Matt at 19:38, 27 September 2005

Unknown user at 00:00, 1 January 2005