Book on Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrritt

[Bill Paxtom]

A new book is underway,

About Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt.

A most confused and strange kid, who had the potential to be a Heavyweight Champion.

[Bill Paxtom]

Mr. Man,

In October 1965, Jeff Merritt {Age; 18 years, 9 months} of Kansas City, Missouri was found guilty of Theft and Armed Robbery. He was sentenced
7-Years for his crime, and his time was to be served in the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City, Missouri.

Prior to be being incarcerated, Jeff had compiled an Amateur Record of 33-1 {29 KO's}.

Jeff had won several 1963-1964-1965 Missouri Amateur Boxing Tournaments.

Supposedly, Jeff had '1' Professional Bout in August 1965 where he was 'paid'. That cannot be confirmed.

While in Prison {1966}, Jeff had numerous bouts. Including winning the Missouri State Prison Championships.

In March 1967, Jeff caused quite a stir when he won the 1967 Missouri Valley AAU Tournament, when he scored a {KO 1} in just 1:03 in the Championship Final.

On Saturday, March 25, 1967 - Jeff won the PAL Championship at the Simonsen Gym in Jefferson City, where he defeated highly regarded William 'Willie' High of
Springfield Central Boxing Club.

Despite being in in the Missouri Prison System, Jeff started to get a lot of press. So much so, that Joe Louis and Sandy Saddler heard about Jeff's accomplishments in July 1967.

The two former Champions visited the Jefferson City, Missouri State Prison on Wednesday, August 23, 1967 to scout Jeff Merritt. In a Boxing Exhibition,
in front of Joe Louis, Sandy Saddler and over 1000 Prison Inmates, Jeff scored '3' 1st-Round Knockouts over '3' Prison Inmate Boxers, in what could be labeled
as complete mismatches.

Both Joe Louis and Sandy Saddler left the Missouri State Prison impressed in what they saw. A fighter who had size {6' 4"} and strength {211 lbs.}, and natural
punching power.

[Bill Paxtom]

Chief,

Jeff Merritt {Kansas City, Missouri} had an amateur record of 99-1 {78 KO's}.

June 1963 thru November 1967.

He was incarcerated at the Missouri State Prison {Jefferson City} from October 1965 thru December 1967.

Jeff was paroled in December 1967.

[Bill Paxtom]

The former Heavyweight Champion - Joe Louis was instrumental in helping Jeff Merritt get paroled.

In November 1967, Joe Louis spoke at Jeff's hearing in front of the Missouri State Prison Parole Board,
and stated that he would be a 'so-called caretaker' for Jeff, to help get him on the right track.

Joe Louis was a representative for the National Maritime Union in New York, and they were willing
to 'sponsor' Jeff in his rehabilitation.

The 'plan', was to get Jeff into a strict Boxing Program, with hopes of getting him an opportunity
to fight at the Olympic Trials in 1968, with a goal for the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City.

[greynotsoold]

I'd be interested in reading a well researched book about Merritt. I know that Don King insisted on using him as a sparring partner for Shavers before his fight with Quarry. Merritt broke the jaw of Shavers and the fight was postponed.

[Bill Paxtom]

I'd be interested in reading a well researched book about Merritt. I know that Don King insisted on using him as a sparring partner for Shavers before his fight with Quarry. Merritt broke the jaw of Shavers and the fight was postponed.

Actually,

It was Archie Moore {Earnie's new trainer} that was the fool that put Earnie in with Jeff Merritt.

Earnie and Jeff had sparred before, so they knew each other. But things got heated in one session,
and Jeff snapped Earnie's jaw off it's hinge.