Book on Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrritt

[Bill Paxtom]

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[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ July 14, 1976

"Jeff Merritt Tests His Old Skills In Sparring Session"

Jeff Merritt, the one-time 'Slim Bomber' tested his Ring skills today in a monitored sparring session
at Grossinger's Country Club with New York Heavyweight Bob Mashburn.

Merritt {Age; 29 years, 7 months} was last fighting in a Ring on March 4, 1974, and the boxing
scouts wanted to see how much Jeff had left in his powerful fists.

The 5-Round session was viewed by 60 on-lookers. They came away with 'mixed reviews'.

Jeff showed glimpses of his old power in Rounds 2 and 3, but his speed faded badly in Rounds
4 and 5. And sparring-partner Bob Mashburn was able to get through with some solid right-hands,
which jarred Jeff several times.

Jeff Merritt >

"I felt rusty in there, but I needed the work. Bob Mashburn was a good test to see where I'm at. He's
a tough sparring partner who can whack. He sure made me work, and he did nail me a few times."

Bobby Jacks {Trainer} >

"It was good to see Jeff in the Ring with a solid guy testing him. I rate Jeff's session at a {C+}, which
means he needs much more work. He showed 'some' flashes of his skills, but he was not consistent
enough. Plus he got arm-weary in Round 4."

"We have been offered a bout against Kevin Isaac for July 28th in Utica, New York. But I think we will pass
on that. Kevin is a good boxer/puncher, and Jeff is just not ready yet."

"We need another 3-Weeks, and then we'll go for a 'light' tune-up bout, maybe against Charlie Polite or
Rodell Dupree. Then we'll re-access Jeff's skill level."

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ July 17, 1976

'Jeff Merritt Gets Offer To Fight"

Just a couple of days after his 'open session' sparring session with Bob Mashburn at
Grossinger's Country Club in Liberty, New York - Jeff got a call from old Manager - Don King
who offered his old fighter a 'slot' on the August 14, 1976 Fight Card in Utica, New York
at the Memorial Auditorium.

The Main Event was George Foreman vs. Scott LeDoux. And the bout was to be televised
by CBS-TV.

Don King offered Jeff a bout with Stan Ward, a young bruiser Heavyweight from California.

Bobby Jacks {Jeff's Manager} was reluctant at first, but the $10,000 {Fight Purse} was too good
to turn down.

Bobby Jacks >

"We know it's a risk. I would prefer for Jeff to have '2' Tune-up bouts first, or at least one good
tune-up bout to get his legs back under him."

"This guy Stan Ward only has a few bouts on his record, but he has a ton of amateur experience.
He's big and strong {6' 2" and 230 lbs.}, and he just beat Mac Foster pretty easily."

"They sent me a couple of Tapes {stock film footage} of Stan Ward. I'll view them and see how
we can prepare. We've got 4-Weeks to get ready, and Jeff will need everyday."

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ July 24, 1976

"Jeff Merritt Prepares For Last Chance"

Jeff has several weeks to prepare for Stan Ward. It is a great opportunity for Jeff, as the bout will be the 'Special Attraction'
for the Main Bout between George Foreman and Scott LeDoux. set for Saturday Afternoon on August 14, 1976 at the
Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York

Bobby Jacks {Trainer} has Jeff doing 'triple' work outs each day, including sparring with '2' young local fighters.

Don King {who Jeff originally said he would never fight foragain} has promised Jeff, that if he wins and defeats Stan Ward,
he will get 'good money' TV-Bouts against;
* Kevin Isaac
* Ron Lyle

But, Stan Ward will be no 'cake walk' for Jeff's comeback bout. Stan, nicknamed 'The Avalanche' is a good fighter. Stan is
a slow burly-type at 6' 2" and 230 lbs. But despite being a plodder, he is strong and keeps coming at you.

The 27 year-old Heavyweight has had only '7-Bouts' in 2-Years since turning professional in June 1974, and only has a record
of 5-0-2 {3 KO's}. But Stan has a lot of amateur experience, and on the West Coast they have labeled him a Heavyweight Sensation.