Jimmy DuPree vs. Vicente Rondon ~ 'vacant' WBA Light-Heavyweight Championship

[Bill Paxtom]

February 3, 1971

~ Jimmy Dupree's Age Doesn't Worry Him Any ~

Jimmy DuPree the veteran Light-Heavyweight from Jersey City, New Jersey says he doesn't feel his
Age of > {34 years, 10 months}.

The hard-hitting slugger says he feels much better than he did when he was Age 29 in {1965}.

A relative unknown, despite being ranked as the #1 WBA Light-Heavyweight and #1 by Ring Magazine,
Jimmy is geared up in New Jersey.

Jimmy, who works out a 'Bufano's Gym and Pool Hall' has hired-hands in Charlie Polite and Don Warner
as sparring-partners to help him prepare for his February 27th bout with Vicente Rondon for the 'vacant'
WBA Light-Heavyweight Championship to be held in Caracas, Venezuela.

Jimmy has already sparred 130-Rounds, for the bout to be held in Caracas, Venezuela. Dupree expects
to put in another 80-Rounds over the next 17-Days, before heading to Caracas on Sunday, February 21st,
6-Days before the bout.

During a recent sparring-session, Jimmy sent Charlie Polite reeling all the way across the Ring after tagging
him with a left-hook.

Charlie Polite >
"Jimmy is one tough customer in there. I have sparred with Joe Frazier, and I'm telling you, Jimmy hits harder.
He waits to hit you, and looks for that little opening to throw a left-hook. And when he does, it hurts. He's a
much sharper puncher than Frazier.'


Jimmy Dupree >
"9-Months ago I was the #1 WBA-ranked Light-Heavyweight. I was the next 'logical contender', but Bob Foster
wouldn't sign to fight me. For some reason he refused to fight me. I petitioned the WBA, and they finally
responded after 6-Months in early-December 1970.

"I've been banging away for 9+ Years, and finally I'm getting my chance. My biggest Fight Purse has only been
$4000, when I fought Johnny Persol at Madison Square Garden {May 12, 1969}. I have had a bunch of bouts
where I only got $1600 for a Fight Purse. But now, I'm getting my due as I will get a $30,000 Fight Purse
for the WBA Championship Bout."

"There is no way that Rondon can keep away from me. He's a good boxer, but there is no way he'll be able to
stay away from me for all 15-Rounds. I'll catch him, and knock him out before the 10th Round."

"After Rondon, I'll take on that Italian-Boy {Piero del Papa} next. Then it will be Bob Foster. That will be a big a
money fight, and I should get $75,000 for that one. Yes, 1971 will be my year."