1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[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}
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'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}
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'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.