1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[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.

[brocktonblockbust]

Bill it looks like Rico play the right cards at the right time especially with those two big sunday punches in round 2 or 3

[Bill Paxtom]

Bill it looks like Rico play the right cards at the right time especially with those two big sunday punches in round 2 or 3

~ Headlines ~

~ Ron Stander Loses To Who ~

Previously unbeaten and #8 World Ranked Heavyweight - Ron Stander lost
a 10-Round Split-Decision to an unknown club-fighter from Phoenix.

Stander who was 21-0-1 entering the Ring at the Coliseum in Denver Saturday
Night, saw his unbeaten record and #8 World-ranking get swept out the door
by Rico Brooks, a Chicago Heavyweight fighting out Phoenix.

Stander at a tubby 234 lbs. never got his heavy body-attack going, and soon
found himself swinging at air as the lighter Brooks {211 lbs.} jabbed and moved,
while winging occasional right-hands from the outside.

The 36 year-old Brooks, nothing more than a club-fighter, had come into the
bout with '11' straight wins, but all on the small club-circuit venue. But the
veteran was both smart and cagey, as he built a wide points over the first
8-Rounds, including cutting Stander over his right-eye in Round 3.

Stander, with his World-Ranking hanging on the edge, did rally strongly in
both the 9th and 10th Rounds, but he came up short, as he could not put
together enough punches to put Brooks down.

The bout was fought in front of 7826 in attendance.

Ron Stander received a fight purse of $6000, but the loss will now most likely
squash his chance to challenge World Champion - Joe Frazer, in April 1972.

Rico Brooks who improved his record to 17-11-5, received an opponents fight
purse of $1000.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #30'

Wednesday ~ December 19, 1979

Good Hope Centre ~ Cape Town, South Africa

Promoter > 'The Cape Ringside Boxing Club'

Kallie Knoetze ~ 19-3-0 {18 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 213 lbs. ~ Reach; 76" ~ {Age; 26 years, 8 months}
vs.
Mike Koranicki ~ 21-5-2 {11 KO's} ~ 6' 4" ~ 207 lbs. ~ Reach 80" ~ {Age; 27 years, 4 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kallie Knoetze > Had won '2' straight since losing to John Tate by {L TKO 8} on June 2, 1979
in a WBA Heavyweight Elimination bout.

In comeback bouts, Kallie had scored Knockouts over {TKO 6} George Butzbach on September 14th,
and a {KO 3} over Randy Stephens on {October 20th}.

Kallie was back up to the #1 WBA Heavyweight, and was looking forward to a rematch and WBA Title
bout with 'Big' John Tate for early-mid 1980.

Mike Koranicki > Was a lanky boxer/puncher who was from Youngstown, Ohio. Mike had lost
both of his previous bouts in 1979 > a {L TKO 9} to John L. Gardner in London, United Kingdom on
February 20th, and a {L Unan Dec 10} to George Chaplin in Baltimore, Maryland on May 25th.

Mike's career appeared to be over as a Top 20 contender. But, back in August 1979, Mike hooked up
with 'Big' John Tate and became his #1 sparring-partner while helping him prepare for his bout with
Gerrie Coetzee on October 20, 1979 in South Africa for the WBA Heavyweight Championship.

While in South Africa, Mike enjoyed the Country and relocated there, hoping to re-establish his
'faded' boxing career.

> Betting-Odds > Kallie Knoetze was list as a {6-1} Favorite.

__________________________________________________ _______________________________

Wednesday ~ December 19, 1979

Good Hope Centre ~ Cape Town, South Africa

Attendance......... { 7600 }

~ #1 WBA Heavyweight - Kallie Knoetze Loses Fight ~

Little-known American - Mike Koranicki shocked the boxing world by scoring a Knockout
in Round 10 over South Africa's Kallie Knoetze last night.

Kallie Knoetze, the heavy-favorite, came out with his usual free-swinging style on the
6' 4" lanky American.

Throughout the early going, Knoetze 'hammered' Koranicki with jolting left-uppercuts and
power-house right-hands to the head.

Knoetze won the first 5-Rounds of the bout, as he was too much for the American who
was forced to retreat to the Ropes where he covered up.

But, by Round 7, Knoetze had slowed down considerably, and the South African had less
zip in his earlier power-punches.

In Round 8, Knoetze's legs looked 'heavy' as he was unable to move around the Ring, as
Koranicki pecked away from the outside with left-jabs and countering right-hands.

In Round 9, the American continued with his 'spearing-attack' from the outside as Knoetze
was near exhausted. Koranicki had the South African in deep-trouble late in the Round,
after tagging him with a big straight right-hand to the head, and a follow-up 'barrage'.

In Round 10, Koranicki 'unleashed' a flurry of punches into an exhausted Knoetze, and
drove the big South African into the Ropes. Koranicki landed right-hand after right-hand
on Knoetze's head as the fighter sagged with his back across the Ropes 'out-on-his-feet'.

Referee - Alan O'Connor jumped in and halted the bout at 1:01 of Round 10, awarding
Mike Koranicki the {KO 10} victory.

[Beanflicker]

Ron Stander got knocked out by Roy Shaw in an unlicensed boxing match.

[Bill Paxtom]

Ron Stander got knocked out by Roy Shaw in an unlicensed boxing match.

Ron Stander > 'The Council Bluffs Butcher'

Ron was from Council Bluff's, Iowa.

But he was the 'Omaha Farm Boy' when he fought at the Civic Auditorium
in Omaha, Nebraska.

Ron was {Managed by; Dick Noland} and highly promoted by the Cornhusker
Boxing Club, where he routinely drew 7000 in attendance for his bouts, which
drew Gate Receipts of $25,000 and more.

By December 1971, Ron was ranked at #8 by both the WBC and WBA.

The Ron Stander Fan Club {Council Bluff's, Iowa} had over 2000 members in
1971 and 1972.

He was extremely popular in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #33'

Saturday~ April 15, 1972

The Jersey Armory ~ Jersey City, New Jersey

"New Jersey State Heavyweight Championship'
-------------------------------------------------------------------

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.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"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.

[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.