1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[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?

[Bill Paxtom]

Triple 'B'

'Memphis' Al Jones was one of those fighters who went down a lot, but usually hung around
for a few Rounds before losing.

'Memphis Al' was ready to go at the end of Round 2, but Boone was too slow in following
up after the 2nd Knockdown late in the Round, and let Al escape.

Simply Put > Boone Kirkman just walked into a 'wild haymaker' right-hand.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #29'

Friday ~ June 9, 1972

Palacio de los Deportes {Sports Palace} ~ Madrid, Spain

Attendance ........ { 15,000 }

'European Heavyweight Championship'

Jose Manuel Urtain ~ 39-4-2 {37 KO's} ~ 5' 9 1/2" ~ 199 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 0 months}
vs.
Juergin Blin ~ 28-10-6 {7 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 193 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 2 months}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Jose Manuel Urtain >
'El Tigre de Cestona' was the super popular Spanish Heavyweight Champion. Jose, a former Stone Mason, was a short
but powerfully built slugger who threw 'stone fisted bombs'.

Jose was also a '2-time' European Champion., as had re-captured the European Championship for his 2nd-time when
he 'upset' {TKO 2} Jack Bodell on December 17, 1971.

But that win over Jack Bodell, was Jose's only win in his past '5' bouts. And, Jose was coming of a loss {L Dec 10} to
Puerto Rican Champion - Jose 'King' Roman {2-Months earlier} on April 2, 1972.

But, Jose had defeated {W Unan Dec 15} Juergin Blin when they fought for the European Championship 2-Years earlier
back on June 22, 1970 in Spain.

What was needed here was a win in defense of his European Championship. If successful, the chances were that Jose
would qualify for a challenge with World Champion - Joe Frazier.

Manager {Yamil Chade} said he had a $800,000 Fight Purse offer 'on-the-table' for Joe Frazier to come to Spain to
defend his Championship against Jose Manuel Urtain, and set for September or October 1972.

Juergen Blin >
The German Heavyweight Champion {from Hamburg, West Germany} was a 'scrappy' boxer, who had an aggressive
style despite the lack of power.

Juergen was rated as the #3 European Heavyweight. And this would be his '3rd' chance at the European Championship.

Besides losing {L Unan Dec 15} to Jose Manuel Urtain on June 22, 1970 - Juergen also lost to {{L Unan Dec 15}
Joe Bugner on May 11, 1971 in his other challenge for the European Championship.

In his most notable bout, Juergen was stopped {L KO 7} by Muhammad Ali on December 26, 1971 in Switzerland.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Jose Manuel Urtain was his typical aggressive self early, and dominated the first 3-Rounds by applying heavy pressure
on the German Challenger, by whipping in straight right-hand leads to the head, and short left-hooks to the body.

In Round 4, Jose continued to 'slam' Juergen with hard left-hooks and straight right-hands while driving him backwards.

Just past the {2:00 Mark}, Jose pressured Juergen to the front-right Ring area, and clocked him with big straight right-hand
to the forehead, and a follow up short-left hook to the chin.

Juergen went down backwards on the seat of his pants. Juergen rose at the '4-Count', but looked shaken. Jose attacked,
but missed with wild punches as Juergen moved away quickly for the rest of Round 4.

In Rounds 5 and 6, Jose came out winging bombs, but he could not drop the 'still shaken' German, who took everything that
the hard-slugging Spaniard could dish out.

In Round 7, Jose started to slow down as the 'scrappy' Blin was no longer running, but fighting back by countering with 'pesky'
left-jabs to the Spaniard's face.

In Round 8, Juergen changed the flow-of-the-bout, and took command by scoring with repeated left-jabs and right-crosses
on the shorter Spaniard, who was now limited in his attack.

In Rounds 9, 10 and 11 > Juergen continued to score with left-jabs and right-crosses into the face of Urtain who was not
fighting as effectively as he was during the first-half of the bout.

In Round 12, the Spaniard tried to 'maul-and-brawl' at Center-Ring, but Urtain could not maintain a consistent offense as he
was thwarted by the German Challenger.

Coming out for Round 13, the bout was still 'up-for-grabs'.

In Round 13, both fighters scrapped at Center-Ring. Urtain tried, but could not land his 'vaunted' powerful right-hand on the
Challenger's chin. On the other side, Juergen pecked away with left-hands into the Champion's face.

At the {1:40 Mark}, with both fighters 'mauling' at Center-Ring, Juergen caught Jose with a right-hand lead high-on-the-head.
Jose was 'shaken', and then backed up to the back-right Ropes. Juergen moved in quickly, and landed a 'chopping' right-hand to
Jose's jaw.

Jose went down, and fell on his right-side along the back-right Ring area near the Ropes. Jose got up at the '4-Count', and
was ready to continue.

Juergen then moved in, and raked over the Champion with a series of left-hands and right-crosses to the face and eyes for
the last 50-Seconds. Jose just barely made it out of Round 13, with cuts over both eyebrows.

In Rounds 14 and 15, Juergen gave the Champion a bad time. Jose received terrible punishment and both cuts over the
eyebrows were opened up.

Scorecards
* Referee - George Gondre {France} ......... 73-68 > {7-2-6 in Rounds } > Juergen Blin
* Judge - Kurt Rado {Austria} ................... 72-70 > {4-2-9 in Rounds} > Juergen Blin
* Judge - Dominica Carabellese {Italy} ...... 71-67 > {7-3-5 in Rounds} > Juergen Blin

[brocktonblockbust]

'Upset Special #29'

Friday ~ June 9, 1972

Palacio de los Deportes {Sports Palace} ~ Madrid, Spain

Attendance ........ { 15,000 }

'European Heavyweight Championship'

Jose Manuel Urtain ~ 39-4-2 {37 KO's} ~ 5' 9 1/2" ~ 199 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 0 months}
vs.
Juergin Blin ~ 28-10-6 {7 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 193 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 2 months}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Jose Manuel Urtain >
'El Tigre de Cestona' was the super popular Spanish Heavyweight Champion. Jose, a former Stone Mason, was a short
but powerfully built slugger who threw 'stone fisted bombs'.

Jose was also a '2-time' European Champion., as had re-captured the European Championship for his 2nd-time when
he 'upset' {TKO 2} Jack Bodell on December 17, 1971.

But that win over Jack Bodell, was Jose's only win in his past '5' bouts. And, Jose was coming of a loss {L Dec 10} to
Puerto Rican Champion - Jose 'King' Roman {2-Months earlier} on April 2, 1972.

But, Jose had defeated {W Unan Dec 15} Juergin Blin when they fought for the European Championship 2-Years earlier
back on June 22, 1970 in Spain.

What was needed here was a win in defense of his European Championship. If successful, the chances were that Jose
would qualify for a challenge with World Champion - Joe Frazier.

Manager {Yamil Chade} said he had a $800,000 Fight Purse offer 'on-the-table' for Joe Frazier to come to Spain to
defend his Championship against Jose Manuel Urtain, and set for September or October 1972.

Juergen Blin >
The German Heavyweight Champion {from Hamburg, West Germany} was a 'scrappy' boxer, who had an aggressive
style despite the lack of power.

Juergen was rated as the #3 European Heavyweight. And this would be his '3rd' chance at the European Championship.

Besides losing {L Unan Dec 15} to Jose Manuel Urtain on June 22, 1970 - Juergen also lost to {{L Unan Dec 15}
Joe Bugner on May 11, 1971 in his other challenge for the European Championship.

In his most notable bout, Juergen was stopped {L KO 7} by Muhammad Ali on December 26, 1971 in Switzerland.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Jose Manuel Urtain was his typical aggressive self early, and dominated the first 3-Rounds by applying heavy pressure
on the German Challenger, by whipping in straight right-hand leads to the head, and short left-hooks to the body.

In Round 4, Jose continued to 'slam' Juergen with hard left-hooks and straight right-hands while driving him backwards.

Just past the {2:00 Mark}, Jose pressured Juergen to the front-right Ring area, and clocked him with big straight right-hand
to the forehead, and a follow up short-left hook to the chin.

Juergen went down backwards on the seat of his pants. Juergen rose at the '4-Count', but looked shaken. Jose attacked,
but missed with wild punches as Juergen moved away quickly for the rest of Round 4.

In Rounds 5 and 6, Jose came out winging bombs, but he could not drop the 'still shaken' German, who took everything that
the hard-slugging Spaniard could dish out.

In Round 7, Jose started to slow down as the 'scrappy' Blin was no longer running, but fighting back by countering with 'pesky'
left-jabs to the Spaniard's face.

In Round 8, Juergen changed the flow-of-the-bout, and took command by scoring with repeated left-jabs and right-crosses
on the shorter Spaniard, who was now limited in his attack.

In Rounds 9, 10 and 11 > Juergen continued to score with left-jabs and right-crosses into the face of Urtain who was not
fighting as effectively as he was during the first-half of the bout.

In Round 12, the Spaniard tried to 'maul-and-brawl' at Center-Ring, but Urtain could not maintain a consistent offense as he
was thwarted by the German Challenger.

Coming out for Round 13, the bout was still 'up-for-grabs'.

In Round 13, both fighters scrapped at Center-Ring. Urtain tried, but could not land his 'vaunted' powerful right-hand on the
Challenger's chin. On the other side, Juergen pecked away with left-hands into the Champion's face.

At the {1:40 Mark}, with both fighters 'mauling' at Center-Ring, Juergen caught Jose with a right-hand lead high-on-the-head.
Jose was 'shaken', and then backed up to the back-right Ropes. Juergen moved in quickly, and landed a 'chopping' right-hand to
Jose's jaw.

Jose went down, and fell on his right-side along the back-right Ring area near the Ropes. Jose got up at the '4-Count', and
was ready to continue.

Juergen then moved in, and raked over the Champion with a series of left-hands and right-crosses to the face and eyes for
the last 50-Seconds. Jose just barely made it out of Round 13, with cuts over both eyebrows.

Were some of those right crosses in the closing secs actually lacings across the eyes and thumbs to his right eye? my friend Carl told me that his eye was a little bit too swollen at the end of round 13 and therefore it could not have been swollen simply because of a few right crosses to the eyes

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

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.

Could be,

But Jose Manuel Urtain was coming straight in, and walking right into Jurgen's sharp punches.

I know that Jurgen was a 'scappy fighter', but he was not known for rough-housing. Though he
was somewhat awkward at times with shoulders and elbows.

[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.

Could be,

But Jose Manuel Urtain was coming straight in, and walking right into Jurgen's sharp punches.

I know that Jurgen was a 'scappy fighter', but he was not known for rough-housing. Though he
was somewhat awkward at times with shoulders and elbows.

Did blin try any elbows with Cassius Clay?

[Bill Paxtom]

Juergen Blin

Did have some successful awkward attacks on Cassius Clay, and was able to nail the 'Clown'
with sucker right-hands.

But remember, Juergen was only a 6' 1" 198 lb. light-punching fighter when he faced
the 'large' 220 lb. Cassius Clay.

Juergen did well for 5 Rounds, before getting stopped by a KO in Round 7.

[brocktonblockbust]

Nice photo there Bill. A stiff right hand by Ali.