Jimmy DuPree vs. Vicente Rondon ~ 'vacant' WBA Light-Heavyweight Championship

[Bill Paxtom]

Febrary 27, 1971

'vacant' WBA Light-Heavywieght Championship

Nuevo Circo {Bull Ring} ~ Caracas, Venezuela

{#1} Jimmy Dupree ~ 32-6-2 {20 KO's}
vs.
{#2} Vicente Rondon ~ 29-5-1 {17 KO's}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The WBA had 'stripped' World Champion - Bob Foster.

Bob Foster had won the WBA/WBC Championship on May 24, 1968 > and had defended his Championship
5-times thru June 27, 1970.

Bob then challenged Joe Frazier for the World Heavyweight Champions on November 18, 1970.

But before Bob challenged Joe Frazier, he was 'ordered' to sign a contract to defend his WBA-version
of the Light-Heavyweight Championship against #1 WBA-ranked Jimmy Dupree within 90-Day after
fighting Joe Frazier {by Febrary 17, 1971}.

But earlier, Bob Foster had agreed to defend his WBC-version against Hal Carroll.

[Bill Paxtom]

Jimmy 'The Cat' Dupree



Jimmy Dupree
* Age................... 34 years, 10 months
* Record............... 32-5-2 {20 KO's}
* WBA Rank......... #1
* Ring Magazine... #1

Jimmy stood at 6' 0", and was a 'cat-quick' boxer with very good power.

Jimmy who was based out of Jersey City, New Jersey was Managed by Al Braverman.

Jimmy, who turned Professional on October 1961, was a 9 1/2 Year veteran.

Since April 1968, Jimmy had gone unbeaten 11-0-1 with {9 KO's}. Jimmy had been the
#3 Ranked Light-Heavyweight in 1969, and was #1 Ranked in 1970.

Jimmy had been after World Champion - Bob Foster since late-1969.

Leading up to this bout, 'The Cat' had scored impressive wins over World-Ranked;

* August 25, 1970 ......... KO 1 ........ Willis Earls
* August 6, 1970 ........... KO 3 ........ Eddie Owens
* January 20, 1970 ....... W Dec 10 .. Dick Hall
* October 1, 1969 ........ TKO 10 ...... Eddie 'Bossman' Jones
* May 12, 1969 ............ TKO 7 ........ Johnny Persol

Jimmy 'The Cat' Dupree >

"I've cleaned out the Division for Bob Foster, and I've made his life easy. The least he could
do is show me some respect, and let me challenge him for the World Title."

[Bill Paxtom]

December 10, 1970

The World Boxing Association {WBA} 'strips' Bob Foster of his Championship.

Bob Foster, who wion the Title on May 24, 1968 > had yet to defend against a
#1 WBA-ranked Challenger.

Though Foster had made '4' Title Defenses of the WBA/WBC Championship, none were
against the 'mandatory' #1 WBA Challenger.

Foster had last defended his World Championship on June 27, 1970 against Mark Tessman.
Foster was supposed to sign a contract to defend against the #1 WBA-ranked Challanger
Jimmy Dupree for his next bout.

But, Foster decided to challenge Joe Frazier for the Heavyweight World Championship on
November 18, 1970 instead.

The WBA stated that they would allow Bob Foster to challenge for the World Heavyweight
Champinship, provided that Foster negotiated in 'good faith' to sign a contract to defend
against #1 WBA-ranked Jimmy Dupree, and fight him {no Later} than 90-Days after the
bout with Joe Frazier {by February 18, 1971}

During that time frame between June 27th and November 18th {140-Days} Bob Foster showed
no inclination of signing a 'fight contract' to defend his WBA-version against #1 WBA-ranked
Jimmy Dupree.

After Bob Foster's bout with Joe Frazier {November 18th}, Foster was given 20-Days by the
WBA to sign a contract to defend his WBA-version against Jimmy Dupree.

As of Decmeber 9, 1970 > Lou Vicusi {Manager for Bob Foster} did not offer up any contracts
to Al Braverman {Manager for Jimmy Dupree}.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Al Bravermam {Manager for Jimmy Dupree} >

Jimmy has been the #1 WBA Challenger since October 1, 1969 when he stopped {TKO 10}
Eddie 'Bossman' Jones. Since that time, Bob Foster has only defended his Title 'twice'.

Foster defended his WBA/WBC Title against Roger Rouse on April 4, 1970.

Then Bob wanted to challenge Heavyweight Champion - Joe Frazier. So we said OK, as long
as we got the next bout. Well, Joe Frazier broke his ankle in April 1970, and the between
Frazier and Foster was put off for 3-Months. They said it was to set for July 1970.

Next thing we know, Foster is defending his Title on June 27th against Mark Tessman.

I filed a grievance with the WBA. Then in July 1970, they told us that we'd have to fight
Willis Earls in a WBA Elimination bout, and the winner would get Bob Foster.

Well, Jimmy hadn't fought in 6-Months {since January 20, 1970} when he beat {W Dec 10}
Dich Hall up in Boston. So we took a 'tune-up' bout aginst Eddie Owens on August 6th,
and stopped him {KO 3}.

Then we went down to Houston, Texas > and on August 25th, Jimmy flattened {KO 1}
Willis Earls to maintain our #1 WBA-ranking.

So then we find out Foster is still going through with a challenge of Joe Frazier set for
November 18th. But we still haven't heard a thing about our 'mandatory bout'.

So, I had Jimmy take another 'tune-up' bout on November 10th just to stay sharp, and
he scored an easy {TKO 8} over Elliot Miller in Queens, New York at Sunnyside Gardens.

Since then, I complained '3-Times' to the WBA about not getting a fight contract. This time
they properly 'stripped' Bob Foster for failure to negotiate in good faith.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ December 10, 1970

~ WBA Strips Bob Foster Of Title ~

The World Boxing Association has stipped Bob Foster of his title. WBA President - Bill Brennan
has stated that the WBA has withdrawn recognition of Foster as their Champion.

Bill Brennan {WBA President} >

"We had a Board Meeting in Montreal in August, and Lou Viscusi {Manager for Bob Foster}
pledged that he would have a signed agreement within 90-Days for Mr. Foster to defend
his WBA Title against #1 Challenger - Jimmy Dupree."

"Well it's been over 90-Days, and there has not been an agreement drawn up. The failure
of Bob Foster to honor his commitment, has forced us to act. We are forced to 'strip'
Bob Foster of his WBA Championship because he did not fulfill his obligation."

"Mr. Foster has added 'strangulation' to the Division, as he has deprived leading contenders
the opportunity to challenge for the Championship. I have asked Mr. Viscusi repeatedly to
'post a forfeit' of Bob Foster's title if he has no intention of defending against the WBA's
mandatory #1 Challenger {Jimmy Dupree}. He has not, so we have had to act."

"We may have the '4' Top Contenders enter into an Elimination Group, or we may have the
#1 and #2 ranked challengers fight for the 'vacant' Championship in early-1971."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tampa, Florida

Lou Viscusi {Manager for Bob Foster}

"I don't understand the WBA. We have followed all their guidelines. This is a 'shock' to us.
Just last Friday {December 4th} we signed an agreement with Fight Promoter - Earl Gilliam
for Bob to defend the WBA Titkle on February 17, 1971 in Houston, Texas."

"I have the photostat copies right here on my desk. We just got finished with the Joe Frazier
fight only 2-Weeks ago, and we have been working on this fight contract ever since we got
back from New York. You would think that they would have given us a few more days to clear
our heads."

[Bill Paxtom]

Vicente Rondon

'El Muchachote de Barlovento' {The Big Boy of Barlovento}



Vicente Rondon
Age .......... 32 years, 7 months
Record ...... 29-5-1 {17 KO's}
Rank.......... #2 WBA
Rank.......... #9 Ring Magazine

Vicente stood at 6' 3", and was a hard-fighting power-puncher from Venezuela with
5 1/2 years of Pro experience.

Vicente was Managed by Felix Sabala Sr.

Vicente turned Professional in June 1965 after a 'stellar' Amateur career, but Vicente was late at
turning Professional at {Age; 26 years, 11 months}.

After a lighting-fast start at Middleweight by going 12-0-1 with {12 KO's} > Vicente ran into a
'road-block' from January 1968 thru January 1969 > where he lost '5-Bouts' while going
5-5 in 10-Bouts' with {0 KO's}.

The once highly-touted Venezuelan was considered a 'bust', following a disaster blow-out loss
{L TKO 8} to Bennie Briscoe on January 26, 1969 in Puerto Rico.

But Vicente at {Age; 30 years, 8 months} and with a record of 17-5-1 {12 KO's} turned around
his career and made a 'strong comeback', as from April 1969 thru Noevember 1970 > Vicente
went undefated at 12-0-0 with {5 KO's}.

Included was an impressive win {W Dec 12} over 'highly-touted' Jose Luis Garcia on May 30, 1969
to capture the Venezuelan Light-Heavyweight Championship.

Vicente also added wins over solid World-Class Light-Heavyweights;
* October 26, 1969 ...... {TKO 6} ....... Angel Oquendo
* December 6, 1969 ..... {W Dec 10} .. Avenamar Peralta
* November 7, 1970 ..... {W Dec 10} .. Roger Rouse

Though Vicente is from Venezuela, he has been fighting mostly in Puerto Rico as well as the
United States {in Miami, Florida and also Chicago, Illinois} since December 1967.

Oddly, Vicente has only had '1-Bout' in Venezuela for the past 3-Years {since December 14, 1967}.

Vicente was supposed to challenge 'old rival' and currently hot-as-a-pistol Jose Luis Garcia for the
Venezuelan Heavyweight Championship on February 1, 1971.

But the WBC 'called', and Vicente will now face American - Jimmy DuPree for the vacant WBA
Light-Heavyweight Championship on February 27, 1971 and in Caracas, Venezuela.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ Febrary 27, 1971

Nuevo Circo {Bull Ring} ~ Caracas, Venezuela

Attendance .... { 10,500 }

'vacant' WBA Light-Heavyweght Chamoionship

Tale of the Tape

Jimmy Dupree {Jersey City, New Jersey}
Age.......... 34 years, 10 months
Height...... 6' 0"
Reach...... 72"
Weight..... 173 1/4 lbs.
Record .... 32-5-2 {20 KO's}
Rank........ #1 WBA / #1 Ring

Vicente Rondon {Caracas, Venezuela}
Age......... 32 years, 7 months
Height...... 6' 3"
Reach...... 77"
Weight..... 175 lbs.
Record..... 29-5-1 {17 KO's}
Rank........ #2 WBA / #9 Ring

Betting-Favorite........ Jimmy DuPree { 7-5 }

Fight Purses
* Jimmy DuPree ......... $30,000
* Vicente Rondon........ $20,000

[Bill Paxtom]

~ The Bout ~

Round 1

Jimmy DuPree came out looking confiendt, and went right aftert the tall Venezuelan.

During the 'first-exchange', Jimmy nailed Vicente with a good 'right-left' to the chin, and
Rondon backed away in fear.

Jimmy then pursued, and slung hard left-hands into Vicente's body. By the {1:00 Mark}
a nervous Rondon was backing away fast.

DuPree contined to press, and jarred the 6' 3" Rondon with solid '3-Punch' combinations.
Rondon looked both nervous and tight, and was completely over-matched.

Jimmy clearly dominated Round 1,and won by a {10-9} score.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 2

A replay of Round 1, as the American continued to press-and-punch, while the home-country
Venezuelan was retreating.

Rondon could not cope with Dupree's strength, and was reluctant to counter, despite having a
3" Height and 5" Reach advantage.

DuPree again caught Rondon with 'sharp' punches, and by the {2:00 Mark} he had the
Venezuelan 'groggy' as he over-whelmed him with '2-Punch' combinations.

Jimmy kept up the pressure on Round, and at the {2:40 Mark} he caught the Venezuelan
'flush-on-the-chin' with a right-hook and left-hook, and dropped him.

Rondon was up at the '3-Count', but was groggy and in bad-shape.

After the Count, Jimmy tore into the Venezuelan, and ripped him with left-hooks for the
last 10-Seconds of the Round.

Rondon was literally saved-by-the-Bell.

Jimmy DuPree dominated, and won Round 2 by a {10-8} score.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 3

Jimmy Dupree came out looking to end it, and started 'swinging' with wide-punches. But
Vicente Rondon was smartly moving, and rolling with the incoming bombs.

Jimmy did land '2' good left-hooks at the {1:20 Mark}, but the power in the punches was
not the same as in Rounds 1 and 2.

By the {2:00 Mark}, Jimmy was starting to miss with his swings, and Vicente was gaining
confidence.

Then like hitting-the-wall, DuPree started to slow down significanlty. As Jimmy slowed down,
the Venezuelan started to punch back with left-jabs, and one-two's. By the {2:30 Mark} Vicente
was doing the leading and Jimmy was on the defensive.

Round 3 was scored 'Even'.

[Bill Paxtom]

Round 4

Coming out for Round 4, both fighters looked 360* different from the Opening Round.

Jimmy DuPree now looked unsure, and Vicente Rondon had the look of confidence.

Immediately, Rondon opened up quickly, and started scoring with rapid-fire 'left-right-lefts',
and DuPree was missing with his counters.

Just past the {1:00 Mark}, Rondon landed a hard right-hand that opened up a 'bad-cut' on
the bridge of Dupree's nose, and the cut started to bleed profusley.

Then at the {2:10 Mark}, the Venezuelan ripped a cut over the American's right eye-brow
with a fast 'left-right'.

As Rondon scored with quick 'left-right-lefts', the 10,500 Venezuelan's in the Nuevo Circo
{Bull Ring} were cheering deliriously for their fighter.

Vicente Rondon was completely dominant in Round 4.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Round 5

Jimmy DuPree came out very slowly, and now had the look of defeat. On the other side,
Rondon was excited and bouncing up-and-down on his toes.

At Center-Ring, it was all the Venezuelan, as he hit the American at will with more of his
rapid-fire 'left-right-lefts'.

DuPree was on the receiving end of bad-beating. At the {1:20 Mark} DuPree suffered a
'cut' on his left eye-brow after taking a solid right-hand to the area.

Each time that Dupree tried to fire back he missed misserably. By the {2:00 Mark} Dupree
looked completely exhausted.

To prevent from getting hit, Dupree then moved in close on Rondon, and leaned on him while
trying to smother his arms.

Over the last-minute of the Round, the Venezuelan was getting increasingly stronger showing
excellent stamina, while DuPree was fading badly.

Vicente Rondon was again completely dominant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

At the end of Round 5, the Ring Physician checked out the bad 'facial cuts' on Jimmy DuPree.
But though they were bad, he let the bout continue.

Round 6

Vicente Rondon came out strong, and landed several quick '2-Punch' combinations on DuPree.

Then the Venezuelan caught DuPree with a 'jarring' left-hook to the face at the {0:30 Mark},
and DuPree desperately clinched Rondon and held on to clear the 'cob-webs'.

While DuPree continued to try and stay in close on Rondon to smother him, the tall-and-lanky
Venezuelan tried to stay clear to give himself some punching-room.

To keep DuPree away, the Venezuelan started used his long left-jabs repeatedly into DuPree's
face and kept him from getting inside and close during the middle-session of the Round.

By the {2:20 Mark}, DuPree looked ready-to-go, as he was moving slowly and looked weary.

At the {2:35 Mark}, Rondon caught Dupree with a solid 'left-right-left' to the head, and the
American was staggered. Rondon then added in a series of left-jabs on the cut over DuPree's
left-eye, and the American turned away momentarily.

As Rondon moved in, DuPree turned his back. The Venezuelan then unloaded with a quick
succession of 'left-right' uppercuts into Dupree's head.

The American then collapsed with his back into the Ropes. Rondon then moved in to fire away
on a defenseless DuPree.

But Referee - Zachary 'Zach' Clayton moved in and pushed Vicente Rondon away and halted
the bout at {2:58}.

[Bill Paxtom]

February 27, 1971

~ Vicente Rondon Defeats Jimmy DuPree For WBA Light-Heavyweight Title ~

Venezuelan - Vicente Rondon came back from a 2nd-Round Knockdown and early bout
jitters to overwhelm American - Jimmy DuPree and stop him by a Knockout at 2:58 of
Round 6.

The Venezuelan {175 lbs.} was nervous during the early going, and appeared scared
in the Ring with the veteran Dupree {173 1/4 lbs.}, as the American nearly chased
the 6' 3" tall Rondon out of the Nuevo Circo {Bull Ring}.

DuPree hammered the Venezuelan with left-hooks in Round 2, and dropped Rondon
late in the Round with a vicious left-hook to the chin. Rondon who was 'groggy', was
saved by the bell ending Round 2.

But the lanky Venezuelan started to come back late in Round 3, as he withstood DuPree's
early attack, and rallied late with stiff left-hand's into the American's face.

Rondon turned the tide in Round 4 when he cut the usually durable Dupree on he bridge
of the nose, and over his right-eye with 'rapid-fire' left-right-left combinations. Rondon's
fierce-action was met by delerious-cheers from the { 10,500 } Venezualan spectators,
as the Nuevo Circo was sent into a frenzy.

In Round 5, Rondon hit the visibly-tired American at will, and raked him over with a series
of '3-Punch' combinations, inclduing opening a cut over DuPree's left-eye. After Round 5,
the Ringside Physician checked Dupree for 'facial-cuts' but allowed the bout to continue.

With a weary fighter in front of him, Rondon unleashed a series of 'left-right-left' punches
on his opponent, and staggered the DuPree as well as opening up a cut over the American's
left eye-brow.

As DuPee tried to move-in on Rondon and hold on, the Venezuelan moved away and used
left-jabs to keep DuPree from grabbing him to clinch. Rondon then scored with a series
of left-hands on DuPree's cut left eye-brow, forcing the tired American to turn away.

With a hurt fighter in front of him, Rondon unloaded with a succession of hard 'left-right'
uppercuts, driving DuPree backards and collapsing with his back on the Ropes while
'out-on-his-feet'.

American Referee - Zach Clayton then jumped in and pushed Vicente away and halted
the bout at 2:58 of Round 6.

[Bill Paxtom]

~ After Bout Comments ~

Vicente Paul Rondon >

"Jimmy DuPree is a very tough fighter. But I have fought many tough fighters before,
so I wasn't surprised. He has a very hard left-hand, and he did hurt me several times."

"I was very nerovous in the first 2-Rounds. I was not only fighting for myself, but for my
country {Venezuela}. Once I giot the 'jitters' out in Round 3, I was fine. And when the
Nuevo Circo erupted in Round 4, I was really motivated. I knew that I would win."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Feliz Zabala Sr. {Manager} >

"Sure Vicente was nervous. He was fghting in front of { 10,500} screaming conutrymen,
plus the whole country was watching. He was scared at first, and was really afraid. He really
got clobbered in the 2nd-Round. But after he took the American's best punches, he got brave
and took over in Round 4."

"I've managed Vicente for 6-Years {since 1965}, and all the hard work has paid off. Now, we
will defend the WBA Title a few times, and look forward to getting Bob Foster in the Ring to
unify the Championship in 1972, if he still has his Championhip."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jimmy DuPree >

"I don't know what happened. All of a sudden at the end of Round 3, I got very tired. That's
the first time that has ever happned to me. It was like I was 'drugged' or something. I was
strong for the first 2 1/2 Rounds, then it was like I was walking in a 'muddy-swamp' in
New Jersey."

"I don't know, maybe it was something I ate, or possibly it was the climate here in Caracas.
This is the first-time that I have ever fought outside the United States. It was really strange,
as I never got this tired that early in a bout before."

"The cut over my left-eye really bothered me in Round 5. Then in the 6th-Round, he caught
me there a few times, and I had blurry-vision and had to turn away because I couldn't see."

"Give me 90-Days for my facial-cuts to heal, and then I'll knock him out in the rematch. I'll
even fight him here again, as I know what to expect now."

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Pre-Fight Weigh-In ~

Caracas, Venezuela

There was always 'talk' that the Scale was adjausted, so that the 6' 3" Vicente Rondon could make
the 175 lb. weight limit.

Vicente {Age; 32 years, 7 months} was no 'Spring Chicken'.

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ March 3, 1971

~ Jimmy DuPree Says He Was Drugged ~

~ DuPree May Have Been Given Drug, Lost Bid For WBA Light-Heavyweight Title ~

American Light-Heavyweight - Jimmy Dupree said he was 'drugged' in his fight with Vicente Rondon
on Saturday Night - February 27th in Caracas, Venezuela.

DuPree, who had fought with a fierce attack in Rounds 1 and 2 in the Nuevo Circo Ring, suddenly
started to slow down at the end of Round 3.

By Round 4, DuPree was moving slowly, and in the 5th Round he was showing no effort at all.

The bout was eventually stopped at the end of Round 6, as DuPree nearly collapsed on the Ropes
and unable to defend himself.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ DuPree Friend Says, Fighter Was Drugged In Caracas ~

Miss Charliese Smith >

I was there Saturday Night with Jimmy DuPree. I am a Registered Nurse, and I was part of the group
that went to Caracas to support Jimmy.

Jimmy was very weak just before he entered the Ring, and he said that didn't feel well. He fought hard
for the first 2-Rounds, then he just lost strength, and very quickly. By the the 5th-Round, he was
very-sluggish and staggering around the Ring. And in the 6th-Round he was unable to properly defend
himself.

After the bout, we hurried Jimmy to the Dressing Room, and I examined him. He said he had blurry
vision, and he couldn't even see across the room to see the Fight Posters on the wall. He said that he
was very weak, and could hardly walk without losing his balance.

I examined him, and his eyes were dialated. Then I checked his Pulse-Rate, which was fast.
It is normally between 60-to-64. After the fight it was at a rapid-rate at 76-to-80."

It is possible that someone slipped Jimmy a 'muscle-relaxant', and that is why he suddenly lost strength
so quickly.

I know Jimmy, and I have never seen him react like that. He's a very strong man for 34 1/2 years-old,
with incredible endurance and stamina.

But the biggest problem is that Jimmy is stiil in Caracas. I stayed with him on Saturday Night {after the bout},
and was there on Sunday. We all went to the Airport on Monday Morning to leave, but the authorites
pulled Jimmy off the plane. They pulled his 'Passport' and would not let him leave. But I was allowed to travel,
and I arrived back home in New York on Monday, December 1st.

My concern, is that the Venezuelan Boxing Officials diod not do a 'post-fight physcial' of Jimmy after
the bout, and they allowed him to leave and go back to the Hotel, without being checked by a Physician,
to see if he was in 'good health'.

I have never seen that happen in an imprortant boxing match, especially for a World Championship.

If Jimmy was 'drugged' it will take about 72-Hours for the drug to dissolve out of his system. We need to
get him back home, to do a proper examination, and to do a Blood Test.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ March 4, 1971

~ Vicente Rondon ~ "I Won Fair and Square" ~

Newly crowned WBA Light-Heavyweight Champion said that American - Jimmy DuPree's
claim that he was drugged are preposterous.

"Look, I won and he lost. Yes, he's a tough guy. But I'm used to fighting tough guys.
I have fought many tough fighters before."

"He came out throwing bombs, but he punched himself out. By the 5th-Round he had
nothing left, because he fought at to 'fast-a-pace' during the first 3-Rounds."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Felix 'Tutu' Zabala {Manager} >

"Vicente was very nervous during the first 2-Rounds. But once he got his feet under him,
he took the American apart. As far as being 'drugged', I have no idea of what Jimmy DuPree
is saying."

"It's very simple. My guy was just better."

"We have a committment to defend the WBA Title against Italian - Piero Del Papa within
90-Days, which should be at the end of May or early-June. After that, we will most likely
fight Jimmy DuPree again, probably at the end of August."

[ykdadamaja]

What an awesome backstory. lololol....

[Bill Paxtom]

February 3, 1971

~ Jimmy Dupree's Age Doesn't Worry Him Any ~

Jimmy DuPree the veteran Light-Heavyweight from Jersey City, New Jersey says he doesn't feel his
Age of > {34 years, 10 months}.

The hard-hitting slugger says he feels much better than he did when he was Age 29 in {1965}.

A relative unknown, despite being ranked as the #1 WBA Light-Heavyweight and #1 by Ring Magazine,
Jimmy is geared up in New Jersey.

Jimmy, who works out a 'Bufano's Gym and Pool Hall' has hired-hands in Charlie Polite and Don Warner
as sparring-partners to help him prepare for his February 27th bout with Vicente Rondon for the 'vacant'
WBA Light-Heavyweight Championship to be held in Caracas, Venezuela.

Jimmy has already sparred 130-Rounds, for the bout to be held in Caracas, Venezuela. Dupree expects
to put in another 80-Rounds over the next 17-Days, before heading to Caracas on Sunday, February 21st,
6-Days before the bout.

During a recent sparring-session, Jimmy sent Charlie Polite reeling all the way across the Ring after tagging
him with a left-hook.

Charlie Polite >
"Jimmy is one tough customer in there. I have sparred with Joe Frazier, and I'm telling you, Jimmy hits harder.
He waits to hit you, and looks for that little opening to throw a left-hook. And when he does, it hurts. He's a
much sharper puncher than Frazier.'


Jimmy Dupree >
"9-Months ago I was the #1 WBA-ranked Light-Heavyweight. I was the next 'logical contender', but Bob Foster
wouldn't sign to fight me. For some reason he refused to fight me. I petitioned the WBA, and they finally
responded after 6-Months in early-December 1970.

"I've been banging away for 9+ Years, and finally I'm getting my chance. My biggest Fight Purse has only been
$4000, when I fought Johnny Persol at Madison Square Garden {May 12, 1969}. I have had a bunch of bouts
where I only got $1600 for a Fight Purse. But now, I'm getting my due as I will get a $30,000 Fight Purse
for the WBA Championship Bout."

"There is no way that Rondon can keep away from me. He's a good boxer, but there is no way he'll be able to
stay away from me for all 15-Rounds. I'll catch him, and knock him out before the 10th Round."

"After Rondon, I'll take on that Italian-Boy {Piero del Papa} next. Then it will be Bob Foster. That will be a big a
money fight, and I should get $75,000 for that one. Yes, 1971 will be my year."