Billy Ryan ~ "Mystery Heavyweight from Fresno"

[Bill Paxtom]

'Irish' Billy Ryan

A bruising 6' 4" and 240 lb. Heavyweight form Fresno, California.

As an amateur from January 1970 thru March 1972, had an incredible record of 60-0 with {46 KO's}.

Had nicknames of;
* 'Billy the Kid'
* 'Irish'
* 'The Fresno Fist'

Managed by; Pat DiFuria, who also handled Mac Foster.

Turned Pro on June 6, 1972 at {Age; 23 years, 9 months}.

Ran off '4' straight Knockout wins during the second-half of 1972, and then was matched
with future WBA Heavyweight Champion - {21 1/2 year-old} Mike Weaver.

February 28, 1973 ~ Warner Theatre ~ Fresno, California

Billy took apart Mike, and slammed him to the canvas '3' times enroute to a TKO @ 1:55 of Round 2.

Soon, by mid-1973, Billy {Age; 24 1/2} was in high-demand on the West-Coast as a sparring-partner.
And was called on by the likes of Jerry Quarry and Ken Norton.

Billy worked out as Jerry Quarry's primary sparring-partner in August 1973, in helping Jerry prepare
for his August 31st bout with James J. Woody in Las Vegas.

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ September 10, 1973

The Forum ~ Inglewood, California

Main Event > Muhammad Ali vs. Ken Norton

'Opening Preliminary Bout'

'Irish' Billy Ryan ~ 5-0-0 {5 KO's} ~ 237 lbs.
vs.
Don 'Admiral' Nelson ~ 6-0-0 {5 KO's} ~ 210 lbs.
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Don 'Admiral' Nelson

Don Nelson is a 'highly-regarded' Heavyweight from Phoenix, Arizona and
is a much talked about 22 year-old prospect.

Don, was the 1971 and 1972 Southwest Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion,
and was regarded as one of the {Top 4} Amateur Heavyweight's in the United States.

Don, at 6' 1" and 210 lbs. had posted an Amateur Record of 93-9 with {42 KO's},
and is a very hard-puncher.

Since turning Professional in January 1973, Don has blasted his way to '6' consecutive
wins with {5 KO's}.

Because of his amateur background, good boxing skills {pedigree} and heavy punch,
Don Nelson is the heavy favorite here.

'Irish' Bill Ryan

Though Billy Ryan has a record of 5-0-0 {5 KO's}, he is truly an untested project. Though
Billy can punch, he doesn't have the best of boxing skills., other than a 'booming' right-hand.

Some have stared that Billy Ryan has a record of 9-0-0 {8 KO's}.

But, Billy has size and brawn, and is physically strong. He proved that in a 6-Round Boxing
Exhibition with World Champion - George Foreman on August 3rd at the Coliseum in
San Diego.

In that 'exhibition' Billy handled himself quite well with the Champion, and impressed
Boxing Matchmaker - Mickey Davies.

Manager - Pat DiFuria has brought in Gil Clancy to handle Billy for this bout.

Gil Clancy >

"Billy is good, but he isn't ready for this kid Don Nelson. This kid from Phoenix is a
well-schooled boxer, and he has a big wallop in either hand. I have no idea of why
Pat DiFuria is rushing Billy. He' needs another 7 or 8 bouts under his belt before he
gets into the Ring with a kid like Don Nelson."

[Bill Paxtom]

September 10, 1973

~ Ryan's 'Kayo' Win At Forum Raises Ring Record To 6-0 ~

Fresno's Billy Ryan flattened highly-regarded Phoenix Heavyweight Don 'Admiral' Nelson
in just 44-Seconds of the 1st-Round.

The 24 year-old Fresno bomber {237 lbs.} came out firing, and used his powerful right-hand
to stagger Don Nelson with a wide-right to the head.

Nelson {211 lbs.} was immediately in trouble, and was battered back into the Ropes.

There, Ryan unleashed several jarring right-hands into the face of the Phoenix Heavyweight,
who then crashed to the canvas at the {0:34 Mark}.

With Nelson flat on the canvas, the Referee counted out the fighter at {0:44} of Round 1.