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."

[Master]

Don was a crook and he should have shot him.

[Bill Paxtom]

Don was a crook and he should have shot him.

True Story

According to Larry Holmes,

Jeff Merritt had a 12 Gauge Shotgun and was heading out to Don King's Cattle Farm in the outer
suburbs of Cleveland.

Jeff couldn't track down Don, so he headed out to his Cattle Farm.

Jeff was going to shoot Don's prized bull in the head, and then slice off his 'Balls' and mail them to Don.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ July 10, 1976

'Jeff Merritt Scouts New York For A Bout'

Jeff Merritt was trying to get a 'quick money bout', on the Monday - July 26th Fight Card at the Felt Forum.

Jeff got in touch with Teddy Brenner {Madison Garden 'Matchmaker'}, and asked him if he coukld get a bout on
the Fight Card.

But Teddy Brenner was unsure if Jeff could get ready in just 2-Weeks {after being out of the Ring for so long},
even if it was against a 'C-Level' opponent.

Also during this time, Jeff hooked up with his old friend and Boxing Trainer - Bobby Jacks. Bobby had known Jeff
since {1968} when Jeff first came to New York.

Bobby had a Boxing Gym in upstate New York {Saugerties}. Bobby talked to Jeff about helping in his comeback,
and then invited Jeff to move up to Saugerties. Bobby offered to train Jeff at his gym "Bobby's Place".

Within a few days, Bobby got Jeff a small apartment near the Gym. Jeff was to work out at the Gym '3' times a day,
in an effort to get back in shape.

[Xwetie]

Did you copy all this or did you write it? Either way it was a nice reading!

[Bill Paxtom]

Xwetie

Thanks,

Your compliment is much appreciated.......

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ July 13, 1976

"Jeff Merritt Training Hard In Upstate New York"

After only a few days at 'Bobby's Place' the Gym in Saugerties, New York - the word was out that Jeff Merritt was coming back.

Immediately, Jeff got an offer to go to Grossinger's Country Club in Liberty, New York to work out with several other Heavyweights
who were training there for some upcoming bouts in Utica, New York.

There were several Fight Cards scheduled for the Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York in late-July, August, September and October
and Jeff was hoping to get on one of the Fight Cards.

There was a Fight Card set for Wednesday, July 28th and Jeff was offered a 'slot', providing he was ready.

So Jeff headed down to Grossinger's {Liberty, New York} which was about an Hour away, to work out to see if he was ready to jump back
into the Ring.

On Thursday, July 14th - a '5-Round' sparring-session was set up with New York Heavyweight - Bob Mashburn. The session was 'taped' to use
as 'stock footage'.

Jeff {Age; 29 years, 7 months} was still about 10 lbs. too heavy at {232 lbs.}.

The sparring-mate Bob Mashburn was a New York Heavyweight. A 30 year-old 'trial-horse' with a record of 17-10-2 {13 KO's}. Bob was the 1966
New York Golden Gloves 'Finalist' in the Heavyweight Division. Bob was a schooled veteran, and at 6' 3" and 220 lbs. he was a tough Gym sparring-mate
who had a good right-hand.