Book on Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrritt

[Bill Paxtom]

1974

The Lost Year For Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit

In early August, the intensity at the Deer Lake Training Camp heated up. Muhammad Ali was improving each day, as his
sparring sessions were better and better.

Both Roy 'Tiger' Williams and Jeff were the main fighters to imitate George Foreman's big swings, and both were instrumental
in helping Muhammad get ready for 'Big George'.

On Saturday, August 3rd, Don King called his fighter {Jeff Merritt} with an offer for a bout in Nassau, Bahamas. The bout was
set for Friday Night, August 16th.

It was a nice $3000 fight purse {plus expenses} to take on the Jamaican Heavyweight Champion - Oliver Wright.

Don King told Jeff that it was a 'nice' comeback bout, and for easy money and against a relatively 'safe opponent'. Jeff said 'yes',
but wanted half of the fight purse {$1500} money up front.

But Don King was reluctant to give Jeff that much money {$1500 cash} up front, as Jeff had a 'problem' {Heroin}, and was notorious
for disappearing.

Don said 'No', and told Jeff that he would give him only $300 {up front}, and with the rest of the money, after the Friday Night bout,
when he got back home from the Bahamas.

But Jeff said no, and demanded the up front money.