1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #33'

Saturday~ April 15, 1972

The Jersey Armory ~ Jersey City, New Jersey

"New Jersey State Heavyweight Championship'
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Randy Neumann ~ 19-1-0 {4 KO's} ~ Age; 25 years, 9 months ~ 6' 1 1/2" ~ 203 lbs.
vs.
Chuck Wepner ~ 22-9-2 {8 KO's} ~ Age; 33 years, 1 month ~ 6' 5" ~ 220 lbs.

"The Skinny"

Randy Neumann had 'handily' defeated Chuck only 5-Months earlier {December 9, 1971}
to capture the State Championship.

In the meantime, Randy also scored a 10-Round Decision over 'Little' Jimmy Young
only 6-Weeks earlier, on March 10, 1972 at Madison Square Garden.

On the other hand, Chuck Wepner was considered 'worn-out' and a pretty much
washed-up fighter, as he had gone {4-6-0} in his last 10-Bouts.

Though Randy Neumann was regarded as an 'all-box/no-punch' fighter, he was
a smart boxer/counter-puncher.

Randy was listed as a {3-1} Betting-Favorite, and was in line for a big fight at
Madison Square Garden for mid-1972.
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Randy Neumann >
"I want to end Chuck's career once and for all. He's been waiting for someone to end
it for him, and I am happy to oblige. Once I get him out of there, I'll save Boxing from
having to see him flounder in the Ring again."

Chuck Wepner >
"Randy beat me the 1st-time, I'll give him that. But the old saying is, never give an
'Old Dog' a 2nd-chance to bite. I will be biting Saturday Night, and will take my
New Jersey Championship back."
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"The Bout"

Randy had his way with Chuck over the first 4-Rounds. But though Wepner was getting
out-boxed, he was putting pressure on Randy with his typical brawling-and-aggressive style.

In Rounds 5, 6 and 7 > Chuck was able to smother Randy with mauling, clutching and
hitting. Randy was frustrated during these Rounds, as he could not take advantage of his
better boxing skills.

But Randy was able to muster up some solid punches in Round 8, as he shook Chuck up
with several 'left-right' 2-Punch combinations to the face.

Randy continued with good 'left-right' {one-two} punches to the face, as Chuck was taken
out of his brawling-style and forced outside in Rounds 9 and 10.

After 10-Rounds, Randy seemed to have the bout well in hand.

Over the last 2-Rounds, Chuck moved inside and mauled with clubbing punches. On the
other hand, Randy was content to jab and cover-up to prevent from getting caught or cut,
while protecting his {as what he thought} was a supposed points lead.

'The Scoring'

Referee - Mickey Greb was the sole scoring' Official.

He awarded the bout to Chuck Wepner by a {9-3-0} Scoring in Rounds.

'All Hell Broke Loose' in Randy Neumann's corner as they cried 'foul' and 'fix', claiming
that this was a 'Mob-controlled' official, and that they would file an appeal.

Randy Neumann did have a legitimate claim, as 11 of 12 Sportswriters had Randy
winning the 12-Round bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ November 18, 1971

Olympic Auditorium ~ Los Angeles, California

Attendance ..... { 4100 }

Television ....... Channel 13 {KCOP}

Joe Orbillo ~ 17-3-1 {9 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 74" reach ~ 192 lbs. ~ Age; 24 years, 10 months
vs.
Robie Harris ~ 14-5-1 {12 KO's} ~ 6' 6" ~ 82" Reach ~ 240 lbs. ~ Age; 27 years, 2 months

~ Joey Orbillo Seeking Sixth Win In A Row ~

Winner gets to face #9 World-Ranked - Jose Luis Garcia of Venezuela next.

The popular Wilmington, California Heavyweight - Joey Orbillo seeks his '6th' straight win.
Joey is now ranked as the #25 Heavyweight, and is within a 'thin-whisker' of taking on a
World-Rated opponent and moving up the Heavyweight ladder.

His opponent, is San Franciso's - Robie 'Big Robey' Harris. Harris is a big burly fighter who
by trade is a Tree Specialist {Lumberjack tree cutter}. Harris is also a sparring-partner for
World-Rated contender George Foreman.

Harris is coming off an 'upset' 10-Round Decision win over 'highly-regarded' Puerto Rican
Jose 'King' Roman here only 20-Days ago {October 29th}. After a rocky start to his career,
Harris has won 13-of-15 bouts since June 1970.

Joey Orbillo is the favorite here, but he will be giving up {48 lbs.} in weight, and 8" in reach.
But the Wilmington favorite is the much better boxer, and has a greater skill-rate than
the strong but slow-moving Harris.



'Upset Special #68'

~ 'Big Robey' Cuts Down Orbillo At The Olympic ~

Robie Harris, a tree-specialist by trade, cut down Joey Orbillo at the Olympic Auditorium
by scoring a Knockout in Round 5.

Harris opened up the bout by using his massive size and strength to 'man-handle' the smaller
Orbillo, and hammer him around the Ring.

During the first 3-Rounds, Harris with a 48 lb. weight advantage pushed Orbillo all over the
Ring, while adding in jolting left-hooks and hard right-hand uppercuts inside. Joey just could
not cope with Harris' punishing attack.

In Round 4, Orbillo made a concerted effort to get back into the fight, and scored with
rapid 'left-right' combinations over the first-half of the session.

But 'Big Robey' came on in the latter-half of the Round, and scored with several hard
punches that had Orbillo 'groggy'. Late in the Round, Harris landed a hard right-hand
cross over Orbillo's left-hand that had Joey 'badly stunned'.

Joey appeared to 'clear-his-head' between Rounds, and came out for Round 5 by scoring
'nicely' with double left-hands and quick-rights, and looked good in backing up Harris.

But Robie caught Joey coming in with a big right-hand to the head at the {1:05 Mark}.
Harris then rained a barrage of 'right-and-left' hands on Joey who slumped to the canvas.

Referee - Larry Rozadilla didn't bother to count and waved the bout over at 1:20 of Round 5.