Billy Ryan ~ "Mystery Heavyweight from Fresno"

[Bill Paxtom]

'Irish' Billy Ryan

A bruising 6' 4" and 240 lb. Heavyweight form Fresno, California.

As an amateur from January 1970 thru March 1972, had an incredible record of 60-0 with {46 KO's}.

Had nicknames of;
* 'Billy the Kid'
* 'Irish'
* 'The Fresno Fist'

Managed by; Pat DiFuria, who also handled Mac Foster.

Turned Pro on June 6, 1972 at {Age; 23 years, 9 months}.

Ran off '4' straight Knockout wins during the second-half of 1972, and then was matched
with future WBA Heavyweight Champion - {21 1/2 year-old} Mike Weaver.

February 28, 1973 ~ Warner Theatre ~ Fresno, California

Billy took apart Mike, and slammed him to the canvas '3' times enroute to a TKO @ 1:55 of Round 2.

Soon, by mid-1973, Billy {Age; 24 1/2} was in high-demand on the West-Coast as a sparring-partner.
And was called on by the likes of Jerry Quarry and Ken Norton.

Billy worked out as Jerry Quarry's primary sparring-partner in August 1973, in helping Jerry prepare
for his August 31st bout with James J. Woody in Las Vegas.