1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[brocktonblockbust]

Bill...what exactly was Rico doing to ~keep~ Stander away ? Clinching and/or running away are both "ways" to use.

[Bill Paxtom]

Bill...what exactly was Rico doing to ~keep~ Stander away ? Clinching and/or running away are both "ways" to use.

Good Question ~

> Ron was 5' 11" with a 70" Reach, and was 235 lbs. "Tubby Slow"

> Rico Brooks at 6' 1 with a 76" Reach, and 210 lbs.

Ron came out too slow, and let Rico set the pace for the first 2-Rounds.

In Round 3, Rico caught Ron with several right-hand 'Sunday Punches' and
opened a bad cut over Ron's right-eye.

Ron then panicked, and was not his usual aggressive self in Rounds 3 thru 8,
as he was worried about the cut opening up, causing a TKO stoppage.

Rico was smart, and used the lack of aggression from Ron to send out poking
left-jabs and long-range right-hands over the top.

By the end of Round 8, Ron was hopelessly behind.

So no, Rico didn't 'run-or-clinch', he just did a better job of boxing as Ron was
too worried about the cut over his right-eye.

Ron was an over-whelming favorite {9-1} by the Las Vegas odds-makers.

"Big Upset"

[ykdadamaja]

This was a very good thread.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #10'

Tuesday ~ February 11, 1975

International Center Arena ~ Honolulu, Hawaii

Attendance ....... { 3700 }

Ron Lyle ~ 30-1-1 {21 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ Reach 76" ~ 218 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 11 months}
vs.
Jimmy Young ~ 13-4-2 {3 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ Reach 77" ~ 203 3/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 3 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Ron Lyle >
Ron Lyle, the #3 World-Rated Heavyweight is a bruising puncher with power. But Ron is
slow-footed and somewhat predictable.

Ron is 'in-line' for a World Championship bout with Muhammad Ali, and set for March 24th,
but {later changed to May 16th}.

Ron was using this bout in Hawaii as a 'final tune-up' before facing Muhammad Ali.

Though Ron was a 'bruising puncher', there had been questions about his lack of desire and
'lazy' training habits over the past year.

Over the past '13-Bouts', Ron had gone 11-1-1, but only had scored '4' Knockouts, after scoring
'17' Knockouts in his first 19-Bouts.

Ron's only loss {L Dec 12} was to Jerry Quarry back on February 9, 1973.

In 1974, Ron had scored wins over;
* December 13 .......TKO 5 ........ 'Memphis' Al Jones
* September 17 ......TKO 8 ........ Boone Kirkman
* July 16 ................W Dec 12 ... Jimmy Ellis
* March 19 .............W Dec 12 ... Oscar Bonavena

Manager > Billy Daniels
Trainer > Chickie Ferrara

Billy Daniels >
"We wanted this bout as a 'Final Tune-Up', before fighting for the Championship in 6-Weeks. It will be
a good bout for Ron to sharpen his skills. Jimmy Young is a 'cagey kid' from Philadelphia, and he's
a very good counter-puncher."

"It should be a close and competitive fight for 5 or 6 Rounds. Then I expect Ron to take over with his
strength, and catch Jimmy with his hard right-hands over the second-half of the bout. Ron punches
too hard for this kid, and Jimmy will be lucky to make it thru 10-Rounds."

To prepare for this bout in Denver, Ron was sparring with 'young' 22 year-old Texas Heavyweight -
Johnny Boudreaux, and 'mammoth-sized' 25 year-old Leroy Jones.

In these sessions, Ron was given a difficult time by both sparring-mates, and was out-boxed in most of the
the gym sessions.

Despite this, Ron Lyle was listed as a {3-1} Betting-Favorite.

Jimmy Young >
Jimmy Young, the #9 World-Ranked Heavyweight is an elusive and smart counter-puncher from Philadelphia.

Jimmy has gone 6-0-2 in his last '8-Bouts' dating back to February 19, 1973. But, Jimmy has 'no power', and
has only scored '1' Knockout in his last '12-Bouts'.

Jimmy is coming off a {Draw 10} with dangerous-punching Earnie Shavers on November 26, 1974 - the same
fighter who 'blasted out' {KO 3} Jimmy 2-years earlier, back on February 19, 1973

Jimmy also scored and impressive {W Dec 10} over Jose Luis Garcia on July 6, 1974.

To prepare for this bout, Jimmy has been sparring in San Diego with Top-Ranked Contender - Kenny Norton and
'mammoth-sized' Jimmy Gilmore.

Manager - George Benton >
"We have prepared for this bout by sparring 75-Rounds over the past 3-Weeks. We are ready, and will score a
win here. Ron's style is made for Jimmy, and my guy will counter-punch Ron all over the Ring."

Note; The Promoters posted Jimmy Young's record at > 15-3-1 {5 KO's}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Jimmy came out and utilized his movement and elusive-style to frustrate the 'plodding' Ron Lyle over the
first 2-Rounds.

In Round 3, Jimmy was scoring with sharp-lefts, and had Ron Lyle and his slugging/punching style completely
baffled. In frustration, Ron started slamming Jimmy with blows to the belt-line, and several were low and
'south-of-the-border'.

The Referee - Walter Cho penalized Ron {1-Point} at the end of Round 3.

Jimmy picked the pace even faster in Rounds 4 and 5, as he took the lead, and scored with quick '2-Punch'
combinations to the head. Jimmy was much faster and more agile than Lyle, who was too slow to counter.

In Rounds 6, 7 and 8 >
Jimmy locked 'head-to-head' with Ron, and beat him to the punch time and again with 'rapier-type' left-hands
to the face. And each time the fighters moved from the break, Jimmy would nail Ron with 'quick' left-hand
smashes to the head.

Badly behind on Points, Ron made an aggressive-charge in Round 9, and slammed hard left-hooks into
Jimmy's kidney area, in attempt to slow him down so he could unload his powerful right-hand. Ron appeared
to shake Jimmy late with several jolting body-blows, but he couldn't follow up as Jimmy was too agile.

At the beginning of Round 10, Ron 'bolted' across the Ring, and tried to nail Jimmy with a big right-hand
in attempt to 'end-it-all' with a Knockout.

But Jimmy again was too elusive, and countered Ron's aggressive-attack with more left-hands to the face
while staying in close to smother Ron's big-swings.

Scorecards
* Referee - Walter Cho ........ 49-42 {Jimmy Young}
* Judge - Gilbert Souza ....... 48-43 {Jimmy Young}
* Judge - Wilbert Minn ........ 50-44 {Jimmy Young}

~ Little-Known Jimmy Young Too Elusive For Ron Lyle, Scores Upset Decision In 10 ~

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #52'

Thursday ~ August 23, 1973

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Pedro Osvaldo Lovell ~ 11-0-1 {11 KO's} ~ 6' 3' ~ 203 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 2 months}
vs.
Terry Krueger ~ 28-6-1 {28 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 201 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 9 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Pedro Osvaldo Lovell >
Pedro Lovell was from Argentina, but was based out of Los Angeles. A big guy, with good
power and fairly quick-hands.

Pedro was a 'hot commodity', and was being proclaimed as a future Title Challenger. But
despite his good offensive skills, Pedro had a 'shaky defense', and could be tagged, as he
had been floored in several bouts by;
* Charlie James
* Dan Johnson {2-times}
* Willie Moore

Willie Ketchum - Manager >
"After this bout, we are planning on taking on former 2-Time Champion - Floyd Patterson
next, possibly for October 1973."

"I have already offered Floyd $100,000 to come out of retirement to fight Pedro here at
the Olympic. Floyd said he would need 6-Weeks to prepare, and that mid-October would
work for him. He'll be here at Ringside to scout Pedro."

Terry 'The Pill' Krueger >
Terry was a 'hard-banging' southpaw Heavyweight from San Antonio, Texas.

Terry was the Texas State Heavyweight Champion, but the 5-Year Professional was primarily
a Texas club-fighter with great offensive skills, but with a porous defense.

Though he could punch, Terry had also been {KO''d} '6-Times' in his '35-Bouts'. Including a
{L KO 3} loss to Mani Vaka in Hawaii, in his last bout on June 10, 1973.

Jimmy Parks -Trainer >
"We didn't come here to play games. Terry is going to go right after this guy, and test his chin
with big hooks. Pedro can be hit, and if Terry catches him, he will go."

'The Double Skinny'

Pedro Lovell is listed as the {8-1} Betting-Favorite.

London Boxing Matchmaker - Mickey Duff will be here to scout both Pedro Lovell and Terry Krueger.
Mickey has offered the 'winner' of this bout, {$60,000} to come to London, United Kingdom in
October 1973 to face Joe Bugner.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The Bout"

From the Opening Bell, Pedro went right after Terry. Pedro exploded with a series of left-hands
and straight-rights into Terry's face, driving him all around the Ring.

In Rounds 2 and 3, Pedro's right-hands found the 'perfect-mark' as he jolted Terry repeatedly,
and again sent the Texan reeling backwards around the Ring.

Early in Round 4, Pedro continued to send in straight right-hands into Terry's face as both
fighters exchanged at Center-Ring for the first 35-Seconds.

But, during one-exchange, Terry caught Pedro with a big left-hook to the side of his head. Pedro
looked all-right, but in a 'delayed reaction' a few seconds later his legs wobbled. Pedro then
'stumbled' into Terry.

Pedro immediately tried to grab Terry to prevent from falling down. Terry then broke free, and
clobbered Pedro with another left-hook that shook him at the {0:42 Mark}.

Terry then followed up with right-hand to the chin to the head that had Pedro nearly 'out-on-his-feet'.
Terry then unloaded with several combinations, as Pedro finally fell to the canvas.

Referee - John Thomas counted out Pedro Lovell at 1:03 of Round 4.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #54'

Tuesday ~ November 23, 1971

Multnomah County Expo Center ~ Portland, Oregon

Promoter ........... Three Star Sports Enterprises
Attendance ......... { 3154 }
Gate Receipts ...... $39,925

Main Event > Floyd Patterson vs. Charlie 'The Emporer' Harris

'Main Undercard'

Terry Hinke ~ 33-0-2 {25 KO's} ~ 6' 4" ~ 212 lbs. ~ {Age; 21 years, 11 months}
vs.
Wendell 'Fig' Newton ~ 23-10-5 {6 KO's} ~ 6' 4" ~ 222 lbs. ~ {Age; 32 years, 1 month}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Terry Hinke 'The Aurora Lumberjack' >
Terry is a big strong kid with very good power.

Terry, also known as 'The Big Blond', has been campaigning only for a little over 2-Years {since August 1969}.

During that time, Terry has been carefully matched in the Small-Clubs in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest, and
against a string of easy and safe opponents.

Though he is ranked as the #21 Heavyweight, Terry has not been tested. For experience, Terry has sparred
with George Foreman on a regular basis, and he has held up well to George's fists.

This will be Terry's toughest opponent to date, and his 'First' real test.

Terry Hinke >
"Everybody knows that 'Fig' Newton is better than his record indicates. He's a tough guy who's been around for a
long time. If you can beat him, then you know you're good."

Wendell 'Fig' Newton >
Wendell was a big Bahamian, who had been campaigning for 10-Years {since March 1961}.

Though he has size, Wendell is not a big-puncher. But he can keep you 'on-your toes', as he has a pretty good
right-hand that is an 'attention-getter'.

Wendell was experienced, as he had been in the Ring with some good fighters, and he also had been a sparring
partner for former World Champions - Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Ellis.

Wendell had started his career in Florida, then moved to New York, where he was regarded as a key sparring
partner for World-Class fighters.

Coming into this bout, Wendell had quietly gone 12-2-2 with {5 KO's} in the past 4 1/2 years {since January 1967}.

Wendell 'Fig' Newton >
"He better be prepared, because I will be coming on over the second-half of the bout. He's had too many easy fights,
and lay-down guys in front of him. I come to fight."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Terry got off to a good start early, and dominated the action during the first 4-Rounds by 'clubbing' Wendell with
left-hooks to the body, and straight right-hands into the face.

On the other hand, Wendell was content to let Terry set the pace and punch away, while laying back on the outside.

In Round 5, Wendell tried a new tactic, and moved inside to 'maul' with Terry. The action was 'even', but Wendell was
making Terry work and expend energy.

In Rounds 6 and 7, Terry continued to send in clubbing-punches, but he had little on his arm-punches. Wendell
was now able to capitalize, as Hinke was 'tiring' and his punches were coming in slow. Wendell started timing Terry,
and landed several countering right-hands to the head, including 'jarring' Terry at the end of Round 7.

In Round 8, Terry opened up fast, and pounded away with several hard combinations, but by the {1:20 Mark} he
was 'winded', and was looking to hang on.

That is where Wendell picked it up, and he started to come back with 'long-and-straight' right-hands into Terry's head,
driving him backwards.

At the {2:40 Mark}, Wendell landed a 'hard' left-hook and 'big' right-hand to the head, that had Terry wobbling on shaky-pins.

Then, at the {2:50 Mark}, Wendell landed a 'jolting' right-hand to the chin, and Terry fell down in a heap.

Terry got up at the '8-Count', and was literally 'Saved-by-the-Bell'.

Coming out for Round 9, Terry was still 'groggy'. Immediately after the Bell sounded, Wendell went right after Terry and
pummeled him with a series of right-hands, sending him flopping into the Corner, and then to the floor.

Referee - Phil Moyer called the bout over at {0:21} of Round 9, awarding the TKO win to Wendell Newton.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #9'

Monday ~ September 10, 1973

Madison Square Garden ~ New York City, New York

Ernie Terrell ~ 46-8-0 {21 KO's} ~ 6' 6" ~ 227 lbs. ~ Reach; 82" ~ {Age; 34 years, 5 months}
vs.
Jeff Merritt ~ 21-1-0 {16 KO's} ~ 6' 4 1/2" ~ 221 lbs. ~ Reach; 81" ~ {Age; 26 years, 8 months}
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

This bout is the 'replacement bout' for the postponed bout between Jerry Quarry and Earnie Shavers.

Jerry is recovering from the 'flu', and Earnie is still recovering from a 'broken jaw' that he suffered when
sparring with Jeff Merritt in August 1973.

Ernie 'The Big E' Terrell >
Ernie was on the edge of getting a Championship bout with George Foreman, as he had won '7' straight
bouts in his comeback run {which started in December 1970}. Ernie reached the World-Rank of the
#5 Heavyweight.

But, on June 23, 1973 > Ernie lost a controversial 12-Round Decision to Chuck Wepner in his last bout,
which was for the 'National America's Heavyweight Title'.

Ernie was still ranked in the Top 10 {#9}, but needed a win here to secure a possible Championship Bout
for late-1973.

Ernie Terrell >
"That loss to Wepner was a 'joke'. Those Judges down in New Jersey should be arrested for 'Grand Larceny'.
I won that bout with room to spare."

"I'm punching harder than ever. No more boxing. This is my last chance, and I will not let it slip by. This guy
{Jeff Merritt} can punch, but he cannot take it. I'm coming out like a Chicago Gangster, and will blast away
and put him out early."

Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt >
Jeff Merritt, a tall, lanky and vicious punching fighter with a 'smashing' left-hook.

Jeff, who had turned Professional in February 1968 with high-expectations, has spent 5+ years floating around
in New York, Florida and now Cleveland.

Jeff has had numerous Managers and many cancelled bouts, due to his 'flaky behavior'. Though he is talented,
Jeff has squandered a potentially great boxing career.

Now he is with Manager - Don King.

Jeff last fought on May 16, 1972 {16-Months earlier}. Since then, Jeff has been 'primarily a sparring-partner'
for Muhammad Ali and Earnie Shavers.

Jeff caused quite a stir back on Sunday - July 15, 1973 up at Grossinger's Country Club {The Catskills in New York},
when he 'fractured' the jaw of Earnie Shavers in a sparring-session. Jeff was helping Earnie prepare for his July 25th
bout with Jerry Quarry, to be held at Madison Square Garden.

Jeff Merritt >
"This is an 'all-or-nothing' bout for me. If {when} I win in exciting fashion, everybody will know my name. I need a
Television Bout to get exposure, so people will know who I am."

"I know that I'm a mystery fighter. But not after Monday Night."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Both fighters came out 'slow-and-steady', and met at Center-Ring.

For the first {2:25}, there wasn't much going on as both fighters were pawing-and-mauling.

Then suddenly, after a break, Jeff unloaded a long 'powerful' left-hook to Earnie's head at the {2:28 Mark}.
Ernie was badly wobbled.

Jeff immediatley pounced, and then drove Ernie half-way across the Ring with a barrage of punches, and into
a Corner.

With Earnie in bad-shape, Referee - Arthur Mercante tried to move in between the fighters to give Ernie a chance
to get off the Ropes.

But, Jeff moved around the Referee, and unloaded with another 'vicious' left-hook to the head. Ernie then slumped
over, and was 'out-on-his-feet' while leaning on the Ropes.

Referee - Arthur Mercante called the bout over at 2:42 of the Opening Round.

[TitoFan]

Of the top five listed in the opening post, I'd say in retrospect that Foreman TKO'ing Frazier shouldn't have been an upset at all. If Frazier was favored, as it appears he was, it was a major gaffe by the odds makers. This is one where Frazier would've lost 100 out of 100 times against Foreman. He did get knocked out twice, as he probably would have the other 98 times.