William " caveman " Lee

mr. magoo · 12-14-2007, 11:11 AM

A god aweful number of years ago, I was watching a program called ESPN's top rank boxing's greatest moments. I probably recorded the program and now its likely been sitting in a biox for the past 15 years or more. The show was aired around 1990, and it was in celebration of the top rank boxing's 10th anniversary. Al Bernstein and Barry Thompkins were the hosts back in those days. They went through and showed all of the decade's best moments on top rank between 1980-1990. They had some early footage of Tyson, Nunn, and several others. Fights like Robbie Simms vs Iran Barkley, Roger Mayweather vs Freddie Pendleton etc. It was truley awesome.

Anyway, one fight they showed was two middleweights, William " Caveman" Lee vs John Locicero. This was a slugfest over 5 rounds, that looked incredible even in just a few clips. Apparently they met in Detroit around 1981, on a hot July night. Al Bernstein said that the arena was sweltering hot and at times felt like he himself was going to pass out, and that he could only imagine how the two battling fighters felt. Caveman wound up winning the match via 5th round TKO. Two fights later, he would lose to world champion Marvin Hagler in a single round.

Lee was apparently a very big Puncher. he knocked out some 22 of his 23 victoms, and quite a few were in the early rounds. Although boxrec can be deceiving, it would cerrtainly appear as though Lee had some chin and stamina issues. Unfortunately I have seen very little footage of the Caveman. I would sure as hell like to get that fight with Locicero though. Anyway, he retired with a respectable record of 23-4-0-22, and fought once for the middleweight crown in a losing effort.

Below is his one round loss to Marvin Hagler from youtube.

There also appears to be some additional decent clips of Hagler on the link as well.
[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Titan1 · 12-14-2007, 11:14 AM

I remember hearing about that fight with Locicero. Also remember him losing to Frank Fletcher in the ESPN tourney.

mr. magoo · 12-14-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titan1

I remember hearing about that fight with Locicero. Also remember him losing to Frank Fletcher in the ESPN tourney.

Here is a really good article from boxing cyberzone. Its a bit lengthy, but if you have time later, check it out. Apparently Lee did some time in prison.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

jowcol · 12-14-2007, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. magoo

I would sure as hell like to get that fight with Locicero though. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

Virtually any collector probably has their bout so it shouldn't be too hard to find.

Lee later said the Locicero fight (and not the Hagler fight) was the beginning of his downfall.

Drew101 · 12-14-2007, 01:13 PM

It was incredible. Lee got off to a good start, and the LoCicero came on, and had Lee nearly out on his feet at the end of the fourth. And the fifth and final round was one of the wildest that I've ever seen.

mr. magoo · 12-14-2007, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew101

It was incredible. Lee got off to a good start, and the LoCicero came on, and had Lee nearly out on his feet at the end of the fourth. And the fifth and final round was one of the wildest that I've ever seen.

Did you see it live on ESPN top rank boxing in 1981, or on a recording later?

ThinBlack · 12-14-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. magoo

Here is a really good article from boxing cyberzone. Its a bit lengthy, but if you have time later, check it out. Apparently Lee did some time in prison.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

It was a great article.Also heard that he was involved in a, uh, relationship behind bars.

mr. magoo · 12-14-2007, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThinBlack

It was a great article.Also heard that he was involved in a, uh, relationship behind bars.

Probably was. To tell you the truth, a socialogical study that was conducted over a decade ago, concluded that more than half of all inmates engage in some sort of sexual activity with another inmate of the same sex.

Makes you feel glad you're not in jail.

Anyway, I just found another article that said he went to prison again in 2000, for something like armed robbery. He wasn't supposed to get a parole hearing until 2006. I don't know what ever became of it.

Mendoza · 12-14-2007, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew101

It was incredible. Lee got off to a good start, and the LoCicero came on, and had Lee nearly out on his feet at the end of the fourth. And the fifth and final round was one of the wildest that I've ever seen.

I saw it. GREAT fight.

12-14-2007, 11:11 AM	#1
mr. magoo Undisputed Champion East Side VIP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chicago, Illinois USA Posts: 12,499 vCash: 1000	William " caveman " Lee A god aweful number of years ago, I was watching a program called ESPN's top rank boxing's greatest moments. I probably recorded the program and now its likely been sitting in a biox for the past 15 years or more. The show was aired around 1990, and it was in celebration of the top rank boxing's 10th anniversary. Al Bernstein and Barry Thompkins were the hosts back in those days. They went through and showed all of the decade's best moments on top rank between 1980-1990. They had some early footage of Tyson, Nunn, and several others. Fights like Robbie Simms vs Iran Barkley, Roger Mayweather vs Freddie Pendleton etc. It was truley awesome. Anyway, one fight they showed was two middleweights, William " Caveman" Lee vs John Locicero. This was a slugfest over 5 rounds, that looked incredible even in just a few clips. Apparently they met in Detroit around 1981, on a hot July night. Al Bernstein said that the arena was sweltering hot and at times felt like he himself was going to pass out, and that he could only imagine how the two battling fighters felt. Caveman wound up winning the match via 5th round TKO. Two fights later, he would lose to world champion Marvin Hagler in a single round. Lee was apparently a very big Puncher. he knocked out some 22 of his 23 victoms, and quite a few were in the early rounds. Although boxrec can be deceiving, it would cerrtainly appear as though Lee had some chin and stamina issues. Unfortunately I have seen very little footage of the Caveman. I would sure as hell like to get that fight with Locicero though. Anyway, he retired with a respectable record of 23-4-0-22, and fought once for the middleweight crown in a losing effort. Below is his one round loss to Marvin Hagler from youtube. There also appears to be some additional decent clips of Hagler on the link as well. [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
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12-14-2007, 11:14 AM	#2
Titan1 Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 4,423 vCash: 1000	Re: William " caveman " Lee I remember hearing about that fight with Locicero. Also remember him losing to Frank Fletcher in the ESPN tourney.
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12-14-2007, 01:13 PM	#5
Drew101 Good To The Last Punch East Side Guru Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: "...The Land of Dixon and Langford..." Posts: 6,094 vCash: 25830	Re: William " caveman " Lee It was incredible. Lee got off to a good start, and the LoCicero came on, and had Lee nearly out on his feet at the end of the fourth. And the fifth and final round was one of the wildest that I've ever seen.
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