Book on Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrritt

[Beanflicker]

Meh, boxing history is full of guys like this - who had all the natural talent in the world and could have been great, but either couldn't stay out of trouble outside the ring, didn't have the dedication to keep themselves in shape, or in Jeff's case, both.

[Bill Paxtom]

April 1975

The Kansas City Times

Staff Reporter; J.J., Maloney

'Candy Slim Sits Idly By'

Sitting in a Missouri State Prison in Jefferson City, Jeff Merritt can only wait for the cell door
to close.

The Heavyweight that they call 'Candy Slim', the one with the hardest left-hook you ever saw,
and added with a rocket-thrusting sweeping right-hand.

Jeff Merritt,

"I had to sit and watch Muhammad Ali fight Chuck Wepner for the Heavyweight Championship.
For God's Sake, F***ing Chuck Wepner. I beat the living S**t out of him back in January 1969 in
New York during a sparring-session, and also a couple of other sparring-sessions."

"I heard they gave him over $100,000 for a Fight Purse, and $10,000 in training expenses alone.
I mean come on. In one-session I busted Chuck up real bad in only 2-Rounds, and I knocked him off
a fight card at the Felt Forum. He was out-of-action for nearly 3-Months after the beating I gave him."

"Now he goes 15-Rounds with Ali, and only gets stopped because he was so exhausted he could hardly
stand up. Is this what the Heavyweight Division has come to. It's a damn joke. It's like a circus act."

"Next up, I hear it's Ron Lyle. That guy refused to fight me in 1972. I was even willing to fight him in his
own backyard {Denver, Colorado}. He' so slow, you can time him by a calendar. He nearly got KO'd by
Jimmy Young in Hawaii back in February. And Jimmy can't punch worth nothing."

"Man, I've got to get out of this place and get the Heavyweight Championship away from these clowns,
before they turn this thing into a freak show."

[Master]

If he thought it was a joke in those days he would have laughed his ass off at the current crop of contenders, pretenders and also rans.

[Bill Paxtom]

June 1975

The Kansas City Times

Staff Reporter; Ken Hentgen

'Jeff Merritt To Right His Wrong Ways'

Former World Ranked Heavyweight - Jeff Merrit may soon get a 'special release' from the Missouri State Prison.

After 11-Months behind bars at the Jefferson City facility, Jeff may get his release at the end of this month {June 1976}.

Jeff Merritt,

"I've been clean for 11-Months. No more Drugs. I'm a new man now, and I am no longer 'Candy Slim'. Now just call me plain old 'Jeff'.
I want to fight again. As soon as I get out, I'm heading right into a Boxing Gym to work out. I've got to be in control and stay right.
I'll need about 4-Weeks to get ready for a bout. I'll take on a few 'soft' opponents at first to see where I'm at. Then I'll evaluate my
performances before I take the next step. I'm not going to rush into anything. This could be my last chance."

"I'm still a young man {Age; 28 years, 5 months}. I'm not beat up, and have a lot left to give. I've already talked to a 'promoter' in
Orlando, Florida. He said he would get me a 'few' tune-up bouts at first, to build up my name and get me some 'press' in the newspapers."

"That's the plan for Phase I."

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ June 27, 1976

Jeff Merritt Released From Prison

Heavyweight Boxer claims to be a 'new man'. Vows to focus 100% on being clean, and with plans to
return to boxing.

Nearly 50 of Jeff's family and friends greeted him at the Gate of the State Prison in Jefferson City,
Missouri when he walked out on Saturday Morning {June 26, 1976}.

Jeff Merritt,

"I never want to see this place again. No more Drugs or Bad Thoughts. This last visit cost me
11-Months of my life. I have no one to blame other than myself. I was a bad person. Now I'm
clean, and a new man. No more 'Candy Slim', as he has been put away. Now it's just plain Jeff."

"First thing I want to do is thank all of the people who have stood behind me. My family and friends.
Now I want to make them proud. I want to get back into shape, and return to boxing. I plan
on stepping back into the Ring for a Professional Bout by August {5-Weeks}."

"I have already talked to '3' Fight Promoters. One in {Orlando, Florida}, one in {New York} and
one in {Nassau, Bahamas}. I'm listening to each deal to see which one would be the best for me."