The Metropolis of Brotherly Love has lengthy been identified for its boxing. Who do readers, some Philly and space boxing followers, suppose is town’s greatest heavyweight?
Worldwide Boxing Corridor of Fame promoter Philly’s J Russell Peltz mentioned the next: “(‘Smokin’ Joe) Frazier had the most effective profession, however a primary (Sonny) Liston was unbeatable!“
Within the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, Frazier received the Gold Medal, stopping opponents from Uganda, Australia, Russia, and Hans Huber of Germany. Within the Olympic trials, after stopping three opponents then, he misplaced twice to Buster Mathis. Of their second match, Mathis broke a thumb, so Frazier changed him.
In March 1968, Frazier entered the professional ranks and have become the NYSAC world champion. He stopped Mathis 23-0 in eleven rounds, bettering his document to 20-0. After 4 defenses, he stopped former WBA champ Jimmy Ellis 27-5, including the vacant WBC title. Two defenses later, he defeated former world champion Muhammad Ali 31-0 at Madison Sq. Backyard. He would lose to Ali of their subsequent combat.
After defeating Ali, he misplaced his title, being stopped by ‘Large’ George Foreman, 37-0, twice. He ended his profession 32-4-1 with 27 stoppages.
Liston, in September of 1962, received the world title, stopping Floyd Patterson, 38-2, and once more in a rematch. Then misplaced twice to Ali. Then received fourteen by stoppage earlier than being stopped by Philly’s Leotis Martin, 30-5, in 9 rounds for the vacant NABF title. Martin suffered a indifferent retina and retired. Liston had Martin on the canvas within the fourth.
Philly’s Jimmy Younger, 35-18-3 with 11 stoppages. After being stopped by Earnie Shavers, 42-2, he went on to win six straight and draw with Shaver in a rematch. Then defeated Ron Lyle, 30-1-1, after which Foreman, 45-1. Then, after two extra wins, he misplaced to WBA-WBC champ Ali, 50-2, in an in depth combat.
Younger would lose to champ Mike Dokes, 14-0, Gerry Cooney, 22-0, champ Greg Web page, 18-0, champs Tony ‘TNT’ Tubbs, 14-0, and Tony ‘TNT’ Tucker, 24-0, amongst others.
Others are 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Tyrell Biggs, who received his first 20 fights earlier than being stopped by ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson, 31-0. He went 10-20, ending his profession by dropping future champs WBO champ Francesco Damiani, 21-0, Riddick ‘Large Daddy’ Bowe, 21-0, and Lennox ‘The Lion, Lewis, 17-0, Tubbs, 36-5, Buster Mathis, Jr. 12-0. He ended up 30-10 with 20 stoppages.
WBC & WBA champ ‘Horrible’ Tim Witherspoon, 55-13-1 with 38 stoppages. He misplaced a disputed resolution when he was 15-0 to WBC champ Larry ‘The Easton Murderer’ Holmes, 42-0, majority resolution to WBC champ Pinklon ‘Pink’ Thomas, 24-0-1, stopped by WBA champ James ‘Bonecrusher’ Smith, 18-5, former WBO champ Ray ‘Cruel’ Mercer, 23-4-1, former WBA champ Greg Web page 55-14-1. He defeated Tubbs, 21-0, Frank Bruno, 28-1.
Others on the listing born within the UK had been Phoenixville’s ‘Large’ Joe Thomas, who was 23-2-1 with 19 stoppages however misplaced to KAZ, and Russian future WBC champ Oleg Maskaev, who was 4- 0 in his final combat. Maskaev was the 1981 Nationwide Golden Gloves champion.
Coatesville’s Jimmy Clark, 18-1, with 16 stoppages. He was stopped by Reggie Gross, 15-3. He defeated Olympian Clarence Hill, 17-2-1, of Bermuda. He misplaced thrice to Cuban 3-time Olympic Gold Medalist Cuban Teofilo Stevenson within the Gloves, defeating Michael Dokes. He beat Greg Web page for the Golden Gloves title. He misplaced to Michael Dokes for the AAU title.
Frazier’s son Marvis, 19-2 with eight stoppages and 54-2 in amateurs. Misplaced within the 1980 Olympic Trials, he was stopped by James Broad after beating Mitch Inexperienced. Cut up with Tubbs.
So, you might have Frazier, Liston, Witherspoon, and Martin, together with Marvis Frazier, Clark, and Thomas. Who do you suppose was Philly’s greatest?
