Thread: Thad Spencer ~ 'Why Did Cassius Clay Avoid Fighting Him'

Thad Spencer

'Why Did Cassius Clay Avoid Fighting Him'

At one time, there was an agreement that Cassius would defend his
Championship against Thad in Oakland, California or Tokyo, Japan.

But Cassius 'side-stepped' Thad, and did not want to fight him. Instead,
Cassius took on the 35 year-old 'cement-shoed' Zora Folley in March at
Madison Square Garden.

The West-Coast pundits stated that, 'Cassius did not want to fight a young
and fast fighter like himself, especially out in California."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

October 14, 1966

Cow Palace ~ Daly City, California

The West Coast Sensation - 23 1/2 year-old Thad Spencer took on 'veteran'
Doug Jones. Thad was the #4 WBA Heavyweight, but questions were
still out there. Could he handle a top World-Class Heavyweight.

Doug Jones, the 29 1/2 New York Heavyweight was regarded as one of the
trickiest Heavyweights in the Division.

At the time, Doug was the #5 WBA Heavyweight, and had just come off a 'tough'
15-Round Decision loss to WBA Champion - Ernie Terrell on June 6, 1966.

Doug was installed as a '7-5' Betting-Favorite, and was expected to give Thad
all that he could handle.

Well, Thad Spencer gave Doug Jones a 'one-sided' beating over 10-Rounds. The
West-Coast Sensation pitched a 'shut-out' and impressed all at Ringside.

Afterwards, San Francisco Matchmaker - Benny Ford and British Promoter - Mickey Duff
wanted to stage a Cassius Clay vs. Thad Spencer bout.

Mickey Duff >
"This kid is the only fighter out there who is faster than Clay. And he has
the perfect style to beat him. He is a beautiful fighter with as much talent
as anybody that I have ever seen."

"He gave Doug Jones one of the worst beatings that I have ever seen. This
is the same guy who beat Clay, but got 'screwed' in the Decision."