Book on Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrritt

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ July 6, 1976

"Jeff Merritt Back In New York, Looking For Work"

Jeff Merritt >

"I just went to Cleveland for 2-Days. I had to find Don King {my old Manager}, as he still owed me money.
I wanted to beat it out his Ass. He has owed me money since March 1974. I had to chase him for it for over
2-Years."

"When I was in the Missouri State Prison, I would call him once a week to ask for the money, He kept telling
me that he was going to send it to my Mom in Kansas City. She never got a penny. Only a 'Cheer Up' card in
the mail with an autographed photo of Don sitting in his office."

"Back in February 1974 - I signed a contract, where I was to get a $10,000 Fight Purse in my bout with Henry Clark.
The bout was set for March 4, 1974 -and I had to go out to Oakland, California. Bad Luck for me, as I got caught
'cold' by Henry, and he put me away in 47-Seconds."

"After the bout, we were in the Dressing Room of the Oakland Coliseum. We were all sad after I got KO'd in 1-Round.
We were all waiting for Don King to come back to the dressing room. He had to meet the Fight Promoter {Joe Gagliardi} to
get the Fight Purse check."

"Here is the what happened in the Dressing Room as Don King walked in."

Don King >... "Are you all right Jeff."
Me >............ "I'm fine, but my spirit is broken. I never got hit like that before. Never in 8-Years of Boxing was I ever hurt like that before."
Don King >... "We'll see if we can get you a rematch in 3-Months.
Me >............ "Man, I would like that. I'll even fight him {Henry Clark} for nothing if I have to."
Don King >... "You might have to, as I'm sure he'll want a bigger Fight Purse this time."

Don King >... "OK Jeff, here's your check {$2000}."
Me >............ "$2000. Hey, where's the rest of my money."
Don King >... "I'll pay you the rest when we get back to Cleveland."
Me >............. "Why can't I have it now. You just got the full check from the Fight Promoter {Joe Gaglardi}.
Don King >.... "I have to pay all the expenses first Jeff. I have to pay the '2' cornermen and the assistants. And I get my cut as well."
Me >............. "That's not part of the F***ing deal. I was to get a full $10,000 as a guarantee, plus all expenses were covered."
Don King >.... "Wait a minute Jeff.'
Me >............. "Don don't you F*** with me. I read the God*** contract. It was a $10,000 Fight Purse {guarantee}, plus all expenses {including; travel and hotel}.

"To make matters short, Don never paid me the other $8000 when we got back to Cleveland. He kept me hanging on, and would come up with a different excuse
every time I asked him for it. Oh, he would throw me a couple of $100 Bills every now and then, especially when I threatened to beat him up. But he never reached
$8000 by the time I left Cleveland at the September 1974."

"In the end, I figured I got maybe another $3000 from Don {between March thru September of 1974}. He still owed me $5000 when I left."