May 1973 ~ 'Heavyweight Rankings'

[Bill Paxtom]

Nobody wanted to fight Earnie Shavers

'Irish' Jerry Quarry originally signed a fight contract in {May 1973} to face Earnie Shavers
@ Madison Square Garden on June 18th.

But, Jerry got a 'stomach flu' and pulled out.

Burl Charity {Trainer for Earnie Shavers}

"We had signed to face '4' previous World Ranked fighters, and they all bowed out for
one reason or another."

"Before Jerry Quarry, we had signed to fight George Chuvalo. But he pulled out 'twice'.
We also had deals with Mac Foster and Ernie Terrell. And they too, backed out."

[SlimTrae]

the top 10 is pretty durable.

[Bill Paxtom]

the top 10 is pretty durable.

How about the fighters who were just outside the Top 30

* Roy 'Tiger' Williams
* Richard Dunn
* Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit
* Pedro Lovell
* Alfredo Mongol Ortiz
* Bunny Johnson
* Jan Lubbers
* Les Stevens


Not a bad group.

[SlimTrae]

the top 10 is pretty durable.

How about the fighters who were just outside the Top 30

* Roy 'Tiger' Williams
* Richard Dunn
* Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit
* Pedro Lovell
* Alfredo Mongol Ortiz
* Bunny Johnson
* Jan Lubbers
* Les Stevens


Not a bad group.

True! But admit I am familiar with these names more so through boxing forums where members who know the 70's fighters well-have brought these names up and not so much me watching them.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 1973

Nice to see 'good guy' Ernie Terrell back in the picture.

There was 'chatter' that Ernie would get a Title opportunity at
new Champion - George Foreman.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 1973

WBA......................................... Ring Magazine
*** George Foreman .................. George Foreman

#1 - Ken Norton ......................... Joe Frazier
#2 - Muhammad Ali .................... Ken Norton
#3 - Joe Frazier .......................... Muhammad Ali
#4 - Jimmy Ellis .......................... Ernie Terrell
#5 - Jerry Quarry ........................ Jimmy Ellis
#6 - Ron Lyle ............................. Jerry Quarry
#7 - Larry Middleton ................... Ron Lyle
#8 - Jose Luis Garcia .................. Oscar Bonavena
#9 - Joe Bugner ......................... Jose 'King' Roman
#10 Oscar Bonavena .................. Joe Bugner

[Master]

Dunn was not good at all at the world level.