1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[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.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special

Saturday ~ March 12, 1977

Sportspaleis ~ Antwerpen, Belgium

Capacity ......... { 21,000 }

'vacant' European Hevayweight Championship

Jean-Pierre Coopman ~ 30-6-0 {16 KO's} ~ 5' 11 1/2" ~ 196 lbs. ~ {Age; 30 years, 8 months}
vs.
Jose Manuel Urtain ~ 56-10-4 {41 KO's} ~ 5' 9 1/2" ~ 205 lbs. ~ {Age; 33 years, 10 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Jean Pierre Coopman ~ 'The Lion of Flanders' >
Jean-Pierre would be fighting in front of his 'home country' supporters.

Jean-Pierre had won '4-Straight' during the second-half of 1976, in rebuilding his name after his 'embarrassing display'
{L KO 5} in his Challenge for the World Championship agant Muhammad Ali on February 20, 1976 in Puerto Rico.

But, Jean-Pierre had lost a tough {L Dec 10} to Frenchman- Lucien Rodriguez on January 15, 1977 in Brussels, Belgium.

Jean-Pierre Coopman >
"I'm not worried about Urtain's power. Jose has lost his once vaunted power, and he is not as fearsome as he once was.
He has power for only a few Rounds, then he arm-punches."

Manager - Karl de Jaeger >
"We want the European Championship. This will re-establish Jean-Pierre as one of the Top European fighters. If we
defeat the hard-hitting Spaniard {Jose Manuel Urtain}, we will be right back on top here in Europe."

"We want to show all of Europe what Jean-Pierre is all about, and to erase that 'poor showing' that Jean-Pierre had in
Puerto Rico last year."

Fight Purse for Jean-Pierre Coopman ....... {$68,000 In U.S. Dollars}

Jose Manuel Urtain ~ 'El Tigre de Cestona' >
The immensely popular Spaniard will be attempting to win his 3rd European Championship.

The 'veteran' Urtain is a 2-Time European Champion, but last fought for this Championship nearly 5-years earlier
when he was 'upset {L Unan Dec 15} by Juergin Blin back on June 9, 1972.

Urtain's long career appeared over back on May 14, 1976 > when he was stopped {L TKO 5} by a 'young upstart'
named Alfredo Evangelista.

But, Jose decided for one more comeback, and has reeled off '4-Straight' wins during the second-half of 1976
{July 21st thru October 1st}.

But the 'question', Jose has been inactive for 5 1/2 months. Can he regain his sharpness.

Manager - Alfosnso Del Rio >
"We took less money to fight here in Belgium, because they gave us $8000 in 'up front' Training Expenses. Jose then
went to Los Angles, California to train for 2-Months."

"Jose is in the best physical shape that he's been in for the past 5 1/2 years {December 1971}, when he knocked out
Jack Bodell.

Jose Manuel Urtain >
"I predict a Knockout. I'm in great shape. This will be my last year of Boxing, so I want to make it a great year. I
would love nothing better than to win the European Championship a 3rd-Time before I retire."

Fight Purse for Jose Manuel Urtain ....... {$60,000 in U.S. Dollars}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

For Rounds 1 and 2 >
Jose Manuel Urtain was the forward-pressing fighter, as he tried to make the fight. Jean-Pierre was more cautious,
and did little as he waited to counter and stayed in the defenseive-mode.

In Round 3, the action was 'dull' for the first {1:30}. Then, Urtain exploded and caught Jean-Pierre by surprise
with series of quick 'left-right' combinations to the head, that had him fast-tracking backwards.

Just as Urtain was dominating the Round, Jean-Pierre caught Urtain with 'hard' right-hook to the Spaniard's face at the
{2:50 Mark} which appeared to stun him.

Coming out for Round 4, Urtain looked in pain, as he was still effected by the right-hand to the face at the end of Round 3.

Jean-Pierre, realizing that Urtain was having some difficulty, attacked. Jean-Pierre sent in several volley's into Urtain who
was having trouble defending himself. Now with 'easy prey' in front of him, Jean-Pierre unleashed a barrage of body-blows
that sent Urtain into the Ropes.

With Urtain in 'deep-trouble', his Corner threw in the towel to save their fighter from further punishment.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #18'

Friday ~ June 9, 1978

Caesar's Palace {Sports Pavillion} ~ Las Vegas, New York

Jimmy Young ~ 22-6-2 {7 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ Reach; 77" ~ 220 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 7 months}
vs.
Ossie Ocasio ~ 12-0-0 {10 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ Reach; 74" ~ 205 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 10 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Jimmy Young >
Jimmy was ranked as both the #2 WBA and #2 WBC Heavyweight, and was in line to face the winner
of the Main Event Bout' between WBC Champion - Ken Norton and Challenger- Larry Holmes.

Jimmy had not fought in 7-Months {November 5, 1977} since losing a 15-Round Split-Decision to
Ken Norton for the WBC Heavyweight Championship.

Jimmy had been inactive for too long, and showed no inclination of wanting any tune-up bouts in
early-1978. It was evident here, as he came in with a thick-waist, and was an easy 12 lbs. over-weight.

Ossie Ocasio >
Ossie was a little-known Heavyweight out of Puerto Rico, who's biggest win was a 10-Round Decision
over Kevin Isaac on April 8, 1978.

In that bout, Ossie was impressive, and scored a solid Decision win over a 'tricky' Kevin Isaac.

Before that win, Ossice had been inactive for 9-Months {since; July 12, 1977}.

Ossie had only been a Professional since February 1976 {2 1/2 years}, and the 22 1/2 year-old
appeared far from ready for World-Class competition.

Ossie's frame was that of a thick-calf and heavy-thigh, to compliment his strong lower-body, with a
sleak and sloping-shoulder upper-body.

The word was, that Ossie could punch pretty good, but that he was primarily a quick-boxer/counter-puncher.

[walrus]

@Master wanted to make sure you read this thread

[Bill Paxtom]

[QUOTE=walrus;1301829]@Master wanted to make sure you read this thread]

Walrus;

A fat-bloated large-flippered marine mammal.

[walrus]

[QUOTE=Bill Paxtom;1301837]

@Master wanted to make sure you read this thread]

Walrus;

A fat-bloated large-flippered marine mammal.

@bill Paxton, I try to spread your knowledge to @Master and you call me fat, you know I like your historical threads.

[Bill Paxtom]

[QUOTE=walrus;1301891]

@Master wanted to make sure you read this thread]

Walrus;

A fat-bloated large-flippered marine mammal.

@bill Paxton, I try to spread your knowledge to @Master and you call me fat, you know I like your historical threads.

I apologize, as I misinterpreted your response.

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #18'

Friday ~ June 9, 1978

Caesar's Palace {Sports Pavillion} ~ Las Vegas, New York

Jimmy Young ~ 22-6-2 {7 KO's} ~ 6' 2" ~ Reach; 77" ~ 220 lbs. ~ {Age; 29 years, 7 months}
vs.
Ossie Ocasio ~ 12-0-0 {10 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ Reach; 74" ~ 205 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 10 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

Jimmy Young >
Jimmy was ranked as both the #1 WBA and #1 WBC Heavyweight, and was in line to face the winner
of the Main Event Bout' between WBC Champion - Ken Norton and Challenger- Larry Holmes.

Jimmy had not fought in 7-Months {November 5, 1977} since losing a 15-Round Split-Decision to
Ken Norton for the WBC Heavyweight Championship.

Jimmy had been inactive for too long, and showed no inclination of wanting any tune-up bouts in
early-1978. It was evident here, as he came in with a thick-waist, and was an easy 12 lbs. over-weight.

Ossie Ocasio >
Ossie was a little-known Heavyweight out of Puerto Rico, who's biggest win was a 10-Round Decision
over Kevin Isaac on April 8, 1978.

In that bout, Ossie was impressive, and scored a solid Decision win over a 'tricky' Kevin Isaac.

Before that win, Ossice had been inactive for 9-Months {since; July 12, 1977}.

But, Ossie had only been a Professional since February 1976 {2 1/2 years}, and the 20 1/2 year-old
appeared far from ready for World-Class competition.

Ossie's frame was that of a thick-calf and heavy-thigh, to compliment his strong lower-body, with a
sleak and sloping-shoulder upper-body.

The word was, that Ossie could punch pretty good, but that he was primarily a quick-boxer/counter-puncher.

'The Bout'

~ Ossie Ocasio Scores Win Over 'Sleep-Walking' Jimmy Young ~

Little-known Ossie Ocasio, a sharp-punching Heavyweight from Puerto Rico scored a surprisingly easy
10-Round Split-Decsion over #1 World-Ranked Jimmy Young.

Young, at a heavy 220 lbs. never seemed to get untracked, as Ocasio {205 lbs.} used an assortment
of fast left-jabs and quick right-hands to the head over the first-half of the bout, as Young waited and
waited for the youngster to wear himself down.

Badly behind on Points, the Philadelphia veteran tried to rally over the last 3-Rounds, but came up short,
as the 20 1/2 year-old Ocasio was too swift and elusive.

Scorecards
* Judge - Dave Moretti ....... 47-43 {Jimmy Young}
* Judge - Bill Kipp .............. 46-45 {Ossie Ocasio}
* Judge - Ron Tabot .......... 46-44 {Ossie Ocasio}