Book on Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrritt

[Bill Paxtom]

Jeff Merritt vs. Henry Clark 'II' {Scheduled for Monday ~ March 4, 1974}

Jeff and Henry had met {4 1/2 years} earlier, back in August 18, 1969 at Madison Square Garden.

At the time, Jeff {Age; 22 years, 7 months} was 10-1-0 {7 KO's}.

Henry {Age; 24 years, 5 months} with a record of 17-5-3 {4 KO's} was brought in as a 'stiff test' for Jeff,
as Henry had never been knocked off his feet, 'ever'.

Henry had already been ranked as high as #5 by the WBA in July 1968, before losing by {L TKO 7} to
former Champion ~ Sonny Liston in July 1968.

The 1st-bout between Jeff and Henry was competitive, but Jeff won a 'solid' 8-Round Unanimous Decision.

At the Friday Night ~ March 1st, 1974 Press Conference

Henry Clark >
"Our 1st-bout was close, and Jeff won a disputed 8-Round Split-Decision at Madison Square Garden. Jeff was living
in New York City, and he was their guy. That win was 'tainted'. Anywhere else, and it would have been a Draw."

Jeff Merritt >
"Split-Decision my ass. I won every Round of that fight. I've never been involved in a Split-Decision in my life. Every
fight that I've had that has been a Decision, has been a convincing one in my favor. I practically chased you {Henry} out
of the Ring in the 1st and 2nd Rounds."

"I was so good in that fight in August 1969, that I scared the 'shit' out of Floyd Patterson {who was supposed to fight me in October 1969},
into staying retired for another 12-Months {1-Year}."