I went to Dallas, Texas for a month in June of 1980 for a residence airline training program I was in. That same month, Sugar Ray Leonard was set to fight Roberto Duran at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Canada on Friday June 20th. Since I didn’t have a credit card and couldn’t rent a car, […]
A Special Night in Texas Read More »
Thomas Hearns was the other up and coming welterweight on the scene in 1980. The 6 foot 1 inch fighter from Detroit had been managed by Emanuel Steward, and fought out of the Kronk Gym. Thomas could box and was very successful doing that as an amateur, but as a professional most of his fights
After his TKO win in November of 1979 over Wildredo Benitez, Sugar Ray Leonard was in the public eye more and more. With Ali talking of retirement but long past prime, the good looking talented welterweight from Palmer Park, Maryland fit the role of boxing`s new face perfectly Leonard’s next opponent was Davey Boy Green
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Larry Holmes had made 2 lackluster title defenses in early 1980, and Ali started to talk more and more. Ali was still a huge name, and the most popular fighter on the planet, even after 18 months in retirement. Larry had been his sparring partner for years, and had handled Ali in the ring on
Ali vs. Holmes becomes a reality. Read More »
Muhammad Ali had announced his retirement from boxing in mid 1979. Larry Holmes had emerged as his predecessor in the period after, but lacked Ali`s charisma and charm. For whatever the reason, Ali was talking comeback in early 1980. He had ballooned to over 250 lbs., and was enjoying retirement since his decision win over
Sugar Ray Leonard was the darling of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. As more of a baseball fan than boxing fan, I admired his talent, but the memories of his gold medal winning performance faded as summer turned to fall. Leonard had wanted to retire from boxing and attend the University of Maryland in
The Sugar Man Emerges Read More »
Larry Holmes was entering the year of 1979 as the WBC Heavyweight Champion of the World. The heavyweight from Easton, Pa. had been a sparring partner for Muhammad Ali for years, and had made a successful title defense against Alfredo Evangelista in November. He was gaining acceptance as a good boxer, but was heavily in
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September 15th, 1978 was the next big heavyweight bout on the calendar that year. Muhammad Ali was attempting to recapture the championship belt he had lost to novice Leon Spinks in February. I had watched Ali`s fights on tv for years, but this was the first time I really looked forward to one. He was
June 9, 1978 was like any other Friday night in south Jersey for me. I would usually sit on my bed and watch tv with the window air conditioner cranked on high. Except this night was different. I came across the Heavyweight Championship fight between Ken Norton and Larry Holmes on ABC. I had watched
The fight that changed my life. Read More »
My name is Ken, and this is my first of a daily blog on what I consider myself an expert on. Old time boxing. I want this blog to be a fun experience for both me and my readers. I have a vast amount of experience on the subject, and want to share it daily
