1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #19'

Wednesday ~ December 12, 1979

Veterans Memorial Coliseum ~ Phoenix, Arizona

Attendance ....... { 4175 }
Gate Receipts..... $32,475

Ron Lyle ~ 37-5-1 {25 KO's} ~ 222 lbs. ~ 6' 2 1/2" ~ 76" Reach
vs.
Lynn Ball ~ 10-4-0 {7 KO's} ~ 212 lbs. ~ 6' 0" ~ 77" Reach

Ron Lyle {Age; 38 year, 5 months} was taking a 'tune-up bout', as he was scheduled
to face WBA Heavyweight Champion - John Tate in February 1980.

Ron was currently ranked as the #4 WBA Heavyweight

Ron, had last fought {7-Months earlier} on May 12, 1979 where he won a 'close'
10-Round Split-Decision over Scott Ledoux.

Lynn 'The Bullet' Ball {Age; 27 years, 6 months} was a Heavyweight from Dallas, Texas.
Lynn had lost 4 of his previous 5 bouts, and appeared to be a relatively safe opponent.

Lynn did have quick-hands and a pretty good left-hook, but he had a 'suspect chin'.
__________________________________________________ _________________________

~ Ron Lyle Beaten In 2 Rounds ~

Ron Lyle the #4 WBA-ranked Heavyweight was 'upset' as he was stopped by Dallas, Texas
Heavyweight - Lynn 'The Bullet' Ball at 2:55 of Round 2.

The 38 1/2 year-old Lyle {222 lbs.} came into the bout slightly puffy against the little known
27 year-old Lynn Ball {212 lbs.}

Lyle got off to a steady start in Round 1, as he used a thudding left-jab on the shorter Ball.
Lyle showed off some of his power, as he tagged the 'stocky' Dallas Heavyweight with '2'
jarring right-hands to the head late in the Round, as he had Ball a bit groggy at the Bell.

But, Lyle was very slow in Round 2, and had no answer when Ball attacked with fast
'left-right' combinations.

Lyle looked out-of-sorts, when he was tagged by a hard left-hook at the 1:40 Mark, and
backed away from the forward-pressing Ball.

Ball continued to explode with 'smashing' left-hooks to the head, as Lyle wobbled to the
back Ropes. There, the Dallas Heavyweight unleashed with a barrage of fast 'left-right'
punches to the head as Lyle sagged into the Ropes.

Ron Lyle was 'out-on-his-feet' as he laid back on the Ropes, where Referee - Bobby Ferrara
jumped in at the 2:55 Mark of Round 2.

Fight Purses
* Ron Lyle ..... $10,000
* Lynn Ball ..... $2200

[SlimTrae]

That's a lot of upsets. Nice when promoters didn't intervene like they do now- to keep their meal ticket.

Good thread/facts.

[Bill Paxtom]

That's a lot of upsets. Nice when promoters didn't intervene like they do now- to keep their meal ticket.

Good thread/facts.

Thanks SlimTrae,

As you can see, there were quite a few significant upsets.

As for Ron Lyle, he took what he thought, was as an easy 'tune-up' and
$10,000 Pay Day against > Lynn 'The Bullet' Ball on December 12, 1979.

Waiting for Ron, was a $140,000 Fight Purse to challenge WBA Champion
John Tate in mid-February 1980.

'Ready, Aim, Shoot'........ Ron Lyle got taken out in 2 by a 'Bullet'.

[brocktonblockbust]

That's a lot of upsets. Nice when promoters didn't intervene like they do now- to keep their meal ticket.

Good thread/facts.

I agree. Bill has so many intriguing facts that add so much personalizing detail to boxing nostalgia.

[SlimTrae]

That's a lot of upsets. Nice when promoters didn't intervene like they do now- to keep their meal ticket.

Good thread/facts.

I agree. Bill has so many intriguing facts that add so much personalizing detail to boxing nostalgia.

A thread akin to a movie that when you re-watch it, you see something you missed last time out.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #66'

Friday ~ October 24, 1975

Palazzo Dello Sport {Sports Palace} ~ Milan, Lombardia, Italy

'Italian Heavyweight Championship'

Lorenzo Zanon ~ 14-0-1 {2 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ 207 lbs. ~ Age; 24 years, 1 month
vs.
Dante Cane ~ 37-12-5 {28 KO's} ~ 6' 4" ~ 230 lbs. ~ Age; 35 years, 4 months
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Lorenzo Zanon >
Was the 'Toast of Italy', as he had earlier upset Guiseppe 'Bepi' Ros on May 26, 1975
to capture the Italian Heavyweight Championship. He was the hometown boy here in
Lombardia, where the bout is to be held.

Zanon is a fast-handed boxer, who can snap off quick-punches in {3-and-4} punch bursts
with precision. But, Lorenzo lacked power and there was a question about his chin.

Lorenzo was favored to defeat the 'old' Italian veteran Dante Cane. Lorenzo was expected
to win here, and then move on to challenge for the European Heavyweight Championship
next.

Lorenzo's fight plan > is to box-and-move, and make the slow-footed and plodding 35 year-old
veteran chase him. And then, to attack with fast combinations, and get out of there. In the
'speed department', Dante will be no match for Lorenzo.

Dante Cane >
The fading Italian from Bologna. Dante was a '3-time' Italian Heavyweight Champion, and
was hoping to re-capture the Championship one more time.

Dante had fought in '11' Italian Heavyweight Championships, and was an experienced fighter
with '54-Bouuts in his career.

A big fighter at 6' 4" and 230 lbs., Dante could still 'punch' despite his slow-plodding style.

Dante, who at one-time was being mentioned as a Challenger for Muhammad Ali in early
1975, saw that hope get extinguished, when he was stopped {L TKO 5} by Joe Bugner on
February 28, 1975 in a challenge for the European Heavyweight Championship.

Dante's fight plan > to pressure the fast-handed but light-punching Zanon. Try to work the
body and wear Zanon down, and hope to catch the 'suspect chinned' Champion late in the
bout with his heavy hooks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

In from of 8000 hometown Lombardia fans, Lorenzo Zanon utilizes his quickness and
accurate punching to control the first 3-Rounds over the slow-footed Dante Cane.

Lorenzo mixes in quick left-jabs, and fast right-hand leads into the face as Cane moves
forward. Dante has done next-to-nothing thru the first 3-Rounds.

In Round 4, Lorenzo rakes over the 'old veteran' with fast-flurries and sends the awkward
Cane reeling backwards from right-hands to the chin.

In Round 5, Lorenzo again is having his way over the first {2:30}, but he gets a little
too brazen, and during 'one-exchange' late in the Round, he gets tagged by a hard
right-hook, and is badly staggered.

Luckily for Lorenzo, the punch comes at the end of the Round, and he survives.

In Round 6, Lorenzo was now more cautious, and was reluctant to move in to throw
his fast-combinations. On the other hand, Dante was more aggressive, and moved in
throwing looping right-hands and left-hooks as the 'veteran' dominates the Round.

In Round 7, Dante went to free-swinging as he pressed Lorenzo, and trapped him
several times on the Ropes, where he unloaded with is heavy hooks. By the end of
the Round, Lorenzo looked 'groggy' after taking several punches to the head.

Coming out for Round 8, Dante immediately went after Zanon, and raked him over
with a barrage. At the {0:40 Mark}, Dante landed a hard right-hook to the chin that
sent Zanon down on 'all-fours'. Lorenzo was up at the '6-Count', but looked in
bad shape.

Dante moved in, and landed several hard punches to head as Lorenzo reeled around
the Ring on unsteady-pins.

Dante then added in a left-hook and right-cross to the chin the dropped Zanon again.

Zanon struggled up at the 7-Count, but Referee - Bruno Amaglia had seen enough, and
called the bout over at {1:08 of Round 8}, awarding Dante Cane the TKO victory.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #17'

Monday ~ May 21, 1973

Coliseo Roberto Clemente ~ San Juan, Puerto Rico

Jose Luis Garcia ~ 24-3-1 {15 KO's} ~ 6' 4" ~ 214 lbs. ~ Age; 23 years, 3 months
vs.
Joe Alexander ~ 11-3-0 {9 KO's} ~ 5' 9" ~ 204 lbs. ~ Age; 24 years, 3 months

'The Skinny'

Jose Luis Garcia >
Was a 'lanky' but hard-hitting Heavyweight from Venezuela. Jose was ranked as the
#9 WBA Heavyweight, and was coming of an 'upset loss' {L KO 6} to Ernie Terrell
7-Months earlier, back on October 23, 1972.

Jose had earlier signed to face #4 Ranked - Jerry Quarry, set for June 18th at Madison
Square Garden.

But, Teddy Brenner {Matchmaker for Madison Square Garden} had suggested that Jose
take a 'tune-up' bout first, before taking on Jerry Quarry in 4-Weeks.

Manager - Willie Ketchum agreed, and decided to take this bout in Puerto Rico that was
co-promoted by Madison Square Garden.

Joe Alexander >
Joe was a 24 year-old 'gym-fighter' from the Bronx, New York. At 5' 9" and powerfully-built,
the squat 'power-house' was chiefly a sparring-partner for fighters who fought Joe Frazier.

Both, Jimmy Ellis and Muhammad Ali used Joe as a New York sparring-partner when prepping
for their bouts with Smokin' Joe Frazier.

Joe had also sparred with World-Class fighters; Light-Heavyweight Champion Bob Foster,
Jerry Quarry, Mac Foster, Oscar Bonavena and George Chuvalo.

A professional since September 1968 {4+ years} the little-known and lightly-regarded, but
'hard-swinging' New York Heavyweight only had '14-Bouts' on his resume.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Jose Luis Garcia came out trying to utilize his 7" Height and 9" Reach advantage, as he
measured Joe at Center-Ring.

Jose was able to get off with several decent left-jabs into Joe's face over the first {50-Seconds},
then inexplicably backed up to the Ropes.

As Joe came in low, Jose fired in a left-hook underneath, and tried to come back with right
uppercut.

But Joe beat Garcia to the punch, and unloaded with a 'wild' full-force left-hook that caught the tall
Venezuelan flush on the chin.

Jose then slumped to his knee's and fell into the canvas. Garcia didn't even move, as he
was counted out at {1:09} of the 1st-Round.

[brocktonblockbust]

I don't understand how Jose could get off several good left jabs and then suddenly just back up into the ropes there must be some explanation for this

[Bill Paxtom]

I don't understand how Jose could get off several good left jabs and then suddenly just back up into the ropes there must be some explanation for this

Jose Luis Garcia did 'not' like to get hit in the body.

At Center-Ring, after taking about '15' left-jabs to the face, Joe Alexander ducked
low and rushed forward into Jose.

Jose, who instead of tying up Joe, backed up to the Ropes. When he reached the
Ropes, Jose dug in a left-hook underneath into Joe who was coming in.

Then, Jose tried to throw a right-uppercut at the same time that Joe was winding-up
with a 'Home Run' left-hook.

"Crash, Boom, Kersplat"

[brocktonblockbust]

what about his 7 inch height and 9 inch reach advantages shouldn't he have been able to land earlier even from the outside with a right uppercut?

[Bill Paxtom]

what about his 7 inch height and 9 inch reach advantages shouldn't he have been able to land earlier even from the outside with a right uppercut?

Jose Luis Garcia

Was not into studying his opponents style. He was a wide open 'slam-bang artist'
who had no fear.

Also, Joe Alexander was brought down to Puerto Rico to be 'an opponent'.

Jose Luis just under-estimated Joe's power, and walked into a 'wicked' left-hook
that was all torqued-up.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #26'

Tuesday ~ April 9, 1974

Sportatorium ~ Dallas, Texas
Capacity.... 4500

Promoter; Pat O'Grady

Boone Kirkman ~ 32-2-0 {23 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 208 lbs.
vs.
'Memphis' Al Jones ~ 6-21-2 {5 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ 218 lbs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Boone 'Boom Boom' Kirkman >
{Age; 29 years, 3 months} was the #8 WBA-ranked Heavyweight.

The Renton, Washington Heavyweight had just come off an 'upset' 10-Round Split-Decision
win over former WBA Champion Jimmy Ellis on December 12, 1973.

Manager - Jack 'Deacon' Hurley was looking for an easy 'tune-up' bout for his fighter, as
there were several big-money offers waiting, including one with former Heavyweight
Champion - Smokin' Joe Frazier, and also one with Kenny Norton.

'Memphis' Al Jones >
{Age; 31 years, 6 months}, from Memphis, Tennessee was the consequential 'opponent'.

'Memphis' Al was coming into this bout, by suffering '12' Knockouts in his '21-losses'. Jones
was labeled as a typical 'come-to-lose' cannon-fodder/record-padder.

In his 9-year career, 'Memphis' had scored one big upset win, a {KO 2} over Tony 'Kid' Longoria
back on March 17, 1969.

'Memphis' also scored '2' Knockdowns on Jerry Quarry back on January 11, 1967, only to get stopped
{L KO 5}.

Common-opponent > Jones lost a recent bout {L KO 7} to Jimmy Ellis on October 23, 1973.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

In the Opening Round, Boone smartly boxed for the first 2-Minutes, as Jones was content
to let him dictate the pace.

Then Boone barreled in, and slammed several hard-punches to Jones' body that appeared to
hurt him.

Then Boone slammed in '2' right-hands to the head, and dropped Jones at the {2:17 Mark}.
Jones was up at the '2-Count' and ready to continue.

Boone came in charging, and slammed several solid punches to the head, as Jones backed
away to the Ropes. Boone then fired in a barrage of body-punches, and Jones went down
again at the {2:42 Mark}. Jones was up at the '6-Count', and was ready to go on.

With only a few seconds to go in the 1st-Round, Boone did not attack and let Jones escape.

In Round 2, Boone used a 'slow-and-steady' attack in pressuring Jones, who did his best to
stay in close and prevent Boone from unloading his heavy-punches.

But at the {1:55 Mark}, Boone caught Jones with a short left-hook to the chin, and Jones
went down again. Jones took the 'Mandatory 8-Count', and was ready to continue.

Boone slowly moved in, and continued with his body-attack, as Jones was on the receiving
end of a pounding for the next 30-Seconds. Then at the {2:40 Mark}, Jones took a knee.

Jones took the 'Mandatory 8-Count', and wanted to continue. Boone slowly moved in, and
had Jones ready to go, but he failed to deliver a good punch over the last 10-Seconds.

Al Jones appreared out-of-it after suffering '4-Knockdowns' over the first 2-Rounds.

Coming out for Round 3, Boone moved in with his hands low, and looking to unload the
finisher. Al Jones stepped out of his corner to meet Boone at Center-Ring, but was slowly
backed up to his Corner.

Boone then moved in, and swung with a wide left-hook, as Jones ducked under the punch. Then
'Memphis Al' countered with a 'powerful' right-hook that caught Boone 'on-the-button'.

Boone went down 'like-a-rock' at the {0:15 Mark}, and was counted out.

Boone was laid out for 5-Minutes on the canvas.

'Ring Magazine' awarded 'Memphis' Al Jones the {Upset of the Month}.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Jones Wins KO Upset ~

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #36'

Friday ~ August 25, 1978

Convention Center ~ Dallas, Texas

Stan Ward ~ 9-1-2 {4 KOs} ~ 6' 2" ~ 233 lbs.. ~ Age; 29 years, 3 months
vs.
Randy Stephens ~ 10-4-0 {6 KO's} ~ 6' 1' ~ 202 lbs. ~ Age; 25 years, 7 months
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Stan Ward >
Stan 'The Avalanche' Ward was ranked as the #6 WBC Heavyweight.

Stan is a strong plodding fighter, with good power and a solid chin. Stan's last bout was 7-Months earlier {on January 24, 1978},
where he won a 'solid' 12-Round Decision over Mike Weaver to capture the California State Heavyweight Championship.

Stan's only loss, was a 'disputed' 10-Round Majority Decision to World-Ranked - Ron Lyle back on September 14, 1977. Stan's
biggest problem is that he can't get fights, as he's only had '12-Bouts' since turning Professional in June 1974 {4+ years}.

What's on the line, is a victory for Stan, and he gets a chance at Ken Norton next, or quite possibly a chance to challenge
WBC Champion -Larry Holmes.

Randy Stephens >
Randy 'Knockout' Stevens is the local kid from Dallas.

Randy is a small Heavyweight, but a good boxer/puncher, who was a stand-out Amateur in {1972/1973/1974} before turning
Professional in November 1974.

Randy is coming off a 'hotly disputed' 10-Round Decision loss to South African - Gerrie Coetzee on May 26, 1978 in South Africa,
where even the South African's 'jeered' the Decision.

Randy is the Texas State Heavyweight Champion, where he won the Title on October 26, 1977 when he stopped {TKO 5}
'touted' #9 WBA Heavyweight - Johnny Boudreaux.

Randy is Managed by; Paul Percifield
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

From the Opening Bell > Randy utlized his fast footwork and hand-speed to easily 'out-score' the plodding
Ward over the first 3-Rounds.

Stan was unable to trap Randy, or out-muscle him with his size and 31 lb. weight advantage during the early
going.

Stan did get it into gear in Round 4 when he became more aggressive, and 'jarred' Randy several times with
short left-hooks to the body, and straight right-hands to the head.

Ward continued with his aggression in Round 5, and clubbed Randy with left-jabs and straight right-hands,
as well as pressuring Randy with his size to take the Round.

But Randy re-grouped in Round 6, and he surprisingly out-worked Stan on the inside, with fast left-hooks and
quick right-crosses to the head, to build up a 2-Point lead on the Scorecards.

In Round 7, Randy continued with his quick 'left-right' punches, and continued to out-work Stan by 3-to-1
in the punch department.

In Round 8, Ward tried to take-the-play away from Randy, and worked Randy's body with short left-hooks,
and an occasional straight right-hand upstairs. But by the {2:00 Mark}, Stan started to get tired.

Randy got his 2nd-Wind, and railed late in Round 8 with some good combinations that backed Stan up.

In Round 9, Stan was moving forward and pressing, but he was only throwing one-punch at a time.

In the meantime, Randy was both elusive and speedy by avoiding any of Stan's punches.

By Round 10, Stan was too tired to chase. But Randy was still elusive and quick, while scoring with
quick 'left-right' punches.

Scorecards
* 96-94 > {Randy Stephens}
* 96-95 > {Stan Ward}
* 97-95 > {Randy Stephens}

[brocktonblockbust]

'Upset Special #26'

Tuesday ~ April 9, 1974

Sportatorium ~ Dallas, Texas
Capacity.... 4500

Promoter; Pat O'Grady

Boone Kirkman ~ 32-2-0 {23 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 208 lbs.
vs.
'Memphis' Al Jones ~ 6-21-2 {5 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ 218 lbs.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Boone 'Boom Boom' Kirkman >
{Age; 29 years, 3 months} was the #8 WBA-ranked Heavyweight.

The Renton, Washington Heavyweight had just come off an 'upset' 10-Round Split-Decision
win over former WBA Champion Jimmy Ellis on December 12, 1973.

Manager - Jack 'Deacon' Hurley was looking for an easy 'tune-up' bout for his fighter, as
there were several big-money offers waiting, including one with former Heavyweight
Champion - Smokin' Joe Frazier, and also one with Kenny Norton.

'Memphis' Al Jones >
{Age; 31 years, 6 months}, from Memphis, Tennessee was the consequential 'opponent'.

'Memphis' Al was coming into this bout, by suffering '12' Knockouts in his '21-losses'. Jones
was labeled as a typical 'come-to-lose' cannon-fodder/record-padder.

In his 9-year career, 'Memphis' had scored one big upset win, a {KO 2} over Tony 'Kid' Longoria
back on March 17, 1969.

'Memphis' also scored '2' Knockdowns on Jerry Quarry back on January 11, 1967, only to get stopped
{L KO 5}.

Common-opponent > Jones lost a recent bout {L KO 7} to Jimmy Ellis on October 23, 1973.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

In the Opening Round, Boone smartly boxed for the first 2-Minutes, as Jones was content
to let him dictate the pace.

Then Boone barreled in, and slammed several hard-punches to Jones' body that appeared to
hurt him.

Then Boone slammed in '2' right-hands to the head, and dropped Jones at the {2:17 Mark}.
Jones was up at the '2-Count' and ready to continue.

Boone came in charging, and slammed several solid punches to the head, as Jones backed
away to the Ropes. Boone then fired in a barrage of body-punches, and Jones went down
again at the {2:42 Mark}. Jones was up at the '6-Count', and was ready to go on.

With only a few seconds to go in the 1st-Round, Boone did not attack and let Jones escape.

In Round 2, Boone used a 'slow-and-steady' attack in pressuring Jones, who did his best to
stay in close and prevent Boone from unloading his heavy-punches.

But at the {1:55 Mark}, Boone caught Jones with a short left-hook to the chin, and Jones
went down again. Jones took the 'Mandatory 8-Count', and was ready to continue.

Boone slowly moved in, and continued with his body-attack, as Jones was on the receiving
end of a pounding for the next 30-Seconds. Then at the {2:40 Mark}, Jones took a knee.

Jones took the 'Mandatory 8-Count', and wanted to continue. Boone slowly moved in, and
had Jones ready to go, but he failed to deliver a good punch over the last 10-Seconds.

Al Jones appreared out-of-it after suffering '4-Knockdowns' over the first 2-Rounds.

Coming out for Round 3, Boone moved in with his hands low, and looking to unload the
finisher. Al Jones stepped out his corner to meet Boone at Center-Ring, but was slowly
backed up to his Corner.

Boone then swung with a wide left-hook, and Jones ducked under the punch. Then
'Memphis Al' countered with a powerful right-hook that caught Boone 'on-the-button'.

Boone went down 'like-a-rock' at the {0:15 Mark}, and was counted out.

Boone was laid out for 5-Minutes on the canvas.

'Ring Magazine' awarded 'Memphis' Al Jones the {Upset of the Month}.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Jones Wins KO Upset ~

Bill I'm surprised at how jones was able to come back from those four knockdowns over the first two rounds how was he able to duck under that punch then come back with his own ko punch?

[brocktonblockbust]

Blin may have "blinned" (blinded) him with some rubbing the laces across the ~eyes~ in the 13th round.... There were '2' cuts over the eyes in one round.