1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[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}
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'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}