DUANE BOBICK 'One Fight Away'

[Flemo83]

Bobick sure was unlucky. Read nortons book a few months ago an he mentioned that after bobick retired he started his own business (think it was a saw mill) and ended up losing his hand or arm in an accident

[Il Duce]

kolkade4,

In late-1976 or early-1977,,,,,,???
I know Duane Bobick wasn't all that he was cracked-up to be,
but he did handle Scott LeDoux, twice, and better than Ron Lyle did.

Also, beat Chuck Wepner more convincingly than Ali did.

If, Evangilista could go 15 Rounds without getting hurt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,??

[kolcade4]

Originally Posted by Il Duce

kolkade4,

In late-1976 or early-1977,,,,,,???
I know Duane Bobick wasn't all that he was cracked-up to be,
but he did handle Scott LeDoux, twice, and better than Ron Lyle did.

Also, beat Chuck Wepner more convincingly than Ali did.

If, Evangilista could go 15 Rounds without getting hurt,,,,,,,,,,,,,,??

Scott LeDoux and Ali are two different animals yes and Ali was way on his decline in 76-77, but I would consider Bobick a technician more than a power puncher . So technician vs the ultimate technician, Ali still causes a stoppage in a quarry like fashion. I beleive Ali fought Quarry in 70-71 and then in 72, Quarry hung around a bit longer in the second fight.
Are you saying that Bobick actually had a chance of beating Ali? I guess I can see your case ,for the late 77 version of Ali if Bobick fights the right fight. But if Bobick was to win and it would have to go to the cards ,he would not recieve the credit for beating an on the decline Ali. I do not give Larry Holmes any credit for beating a washed up Ali. It is something that he is proud of though.

[Il Duce]

No, not win, but in a comparison of styles and Ali's lack of punching force,
Duane Bobick could have easily gone into the later rounds.

Plus, Ali usually gave away a couple of rounds and only fought in spurts.

That may have gave Bobick the false confidence to press the fight.

I could see a full 15 rounder here.
Duane Bobick was Joe Bugner Light.

[STEELWOLVES]

I don't think Bobick would have did that poorly against Jerry Quarry. Could have even won a decision over Jerry, who was a very good fighter/puncher.

[johnmaff36]

Originally Posted by Il Duce

FE Champ,

They couldn't feed him anymore trial-horses.
But 4 years worth of work, thrown down the drain.
What was 6 more months to wait for Ali, a once-in-a-lifetime shot.
And $2,000,000.

Ali wasn't going to fight Ken Norton anyway, so it wasn't an elimination.

The only other good fight out there for Bobick, was another bout with
Scott LeDoux in Minnesota.
They sold out the place once, and set a state record for the 'live gate'.
Or take on Richard Dunn, and 'Knock Him Out' him quicker than Ali.

Muhammad Ali pulled in $1,600,000 for Richard Dunn, and had to buy $100,000 worth of tickets
so Richard Dunn could make money off the 'live gate'.

The Duane Bobick fight would have done 4x that, any day of the week.

I was always under the impression that Ali bought those tickets as a good gesture to the serving American troops and not,as you say, so Dunn could make money off the 'live gate'.

[johnmaff36]

Originally Posted by Il Duce

kolkade4,

From what I remember, after Duane Bobick turned pro in 1973, Nick Wells was
regarded as the best U.S Heavyweight Amateur.
I know Bobick was thinking of staying amateur another 2-years, in an attempt to
redeem himself in the 1974 World Games.
But the U. S Boxing team wanted him out.

I do recall, Wells blasting everybody out. It was Nick Wells and Jimmy Clark
out of Westchester, Pennsylvania, as the top guys.

I don't think the 1972 National AAU Tournament that Nick won in October 1972, got much much national attention.
The wind was 'out of the sails' after the 1972 Olympic disaster.
The 72' US Team was promoted big time, and the Duane Bobick loss put a vise an on the amateur group.

I don't know if Nick was involved in the 1973 or 1974 Heavyweight-only Tournament, between the USA vs. Ireland. USA won all 8 bouts, 6 by knock-out.
That match was broadcast by ABC, touting the new crop of US Amateur Heavyweights.

As a pro, I do remember him being promoted big time when he came to New York City,
my home area. He was on the undercard of the highly promoted Guy 'The Rock' Casale
versus Bobby Halpren fight, held in Madison Square Garden in May of 1978.
Nick came in with all knock-out wins, but faded, in losing to G.G. Maldonado.

Here IL D. Have i read that right? about a heavyweight-only tournament between USA and Ireland? Would you have access to the names of the fighters that fought? Im not so sure Ireland had 8 heavyweights then, nevermind 8 of a good enough level to challenge the USA in a tournament

[red cobra]

Originally Posted by STEELWOLVES

I don't think Bobick would have did that poorly against Jerry Quarry. Could have even won a decision over Jerry, who was a very good fighter/puncher.

??????????

[Stevie G]

Originally Posted by Il Duce

In maybe the most stupid and bonehead decisions ever made,
his management foolishy took a fight with Ken Norton in 1977.

Carefully managed and protected for 3 1/2 years, and with a
#5 ranking.

Within an 'eyelash' of fighting Ali in late 77' for the
World Heavyweight Championship, and a 'super big money' fight.

It would all have ended in tears for Duane anyhow. The 1977 version of Ali may not have beat Bobick as quickly as Norton did,but beat him he would.

[Vince Voltage]

I don't think it was really bad management. After Norton III, I think Ali wanted to avoid Ken, Jimmy, and George as much as possible. The tournament set up in '77 was designed to whittle it down to 1...Ali probably hoped Bobick would win the tourney. But Young beat Foreman, Norton killed Bobick, then Ken beat Jimmy. Then Ali reneged of course, and wouldn't fight Norton, opting for Spinks instead. Poor Leon had to pay for Ali's poor actions, and was stripped by the WBC for not facing Norton....when really it was Ali who should've faced Ken again. I believe Ken did deserve the WBC title after all that, and as that it seemed Ali wouldn't fight him again.

[kolcade4]

I spoke with Duane recently and i asked about the Norton fight, he said after looking back at the fight he thought that he should have been givin a 15 min break after the throat punch to recover, I guess kinda like it was a low blow.

[frankenfrank]

Originally Posted by ironchamp

I think even in retrospect it was never that bad a decision. At some point he was going to have to step up in class. How many more bums were they gonna feed him until he fought the division elite?

Totally agree.

[Senor Pepe']

A nice thread list on Duane Bobick.

July 31, 1972 Sports Illustrated

Duane Bobicks trainer, Panama Murph Griffith, after Bobick registered his 59th straight win.

'This kids got the bombs'.

[johnmaff36]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

A nice thread list on Duane Bobick.

July 31, 1972 Sports Illustrated

Duane Bobicks trainer, Panama Murph Griffith, after Bobick registered his 59th straight win.

'This kids got the bombs'.

Hey SP, did you read my post a few ones up? Have you any names or details?

[Senor Pepe']

johnmaff,

The names,,,,,,,,,man that was along time ago,,,,,,

I'll try searching that USA vs. Ireland meet.

It was on Television, and USA won big with a bunch of Knockout wins.