Jerome Artis 'Yes, I Popped Ray Leonard'

[Senor Pepe']

Jerome Artis

'The North Philly Flash'

In 1972, an 'arrogant and loud-mouthed' Amateur Philadelphia Featherweight.

In 1972, with numerous local Philadelphia Titles under his belt, sweeps the
National A.A.U. Featherweight Division, and along the way battering a
young 125 lb. 'undefeated' 16 year-old kid from Palmer Park, Maryland - named Ray Leonard.

The 18 1/2 year-old 'North Philly Flash', was miles ahead of the competition in experience,
and cruised to the 125 lb. Division Championship.

At 5' 9" tall, and equipped with 'lightning fast hands', Jerome was one difficult Featherweight to
tangle with.

A usual fixture training at Joe Frazier's Philadelphia Gym on North Broad Street, where the 'slickster' would
usually experiment with new ring moves, that would lead some to call him a 'creative genius'.

One thing that Jerome was not afraid to do, was to take risks with some of his unorthdox moves,
which would sometimes leave him 'wide-open' for punches.

But his sometimes uncanny style, earned him many Amateur Titles, and he ended up with an
Amateur Record of 82-8.

[Titan1]

I'd heard of Jerome Artis years before, but it wasn't in the top tier of fighters.I understand he's dead now.

[Senor Pepe']

Yes,,,,,,,,,Jerome died in 1999.

He was only 45.

Jerome was also an excellent boxing commentator in the late-1970's at both
the Blue Horizon and The Spectrum, for the local televsion broadcasts.

In the later part of his career, was completely over-matched and thrown in with
hard-punching bangers for $1000 per fight 'pay-days'.

Another good man, ruined.

[Senor Pepe']

R/T

Jerome Artis won the 1972 Pennyslvania Golden Gloves in March 1972,
at 125 lbs. Featherwight.

Then he won the National A.A.U. Featherweight Championship at
Spokane, Washington in May 1972.

At the 1972 Olympic Trials in Fort Worth, Texas (July 1972) he lost in the
Quarter-Finals of the 125 lb. Featherweight Division to Joseph Rivera.

He then turned professional, in October 1972.

He was just shy of age 19.

[Senor Pepe']

R/T,

Jerome Artis, professional debut wasn't quite what he expected.

On October 24, 1972 - A (4-Round Draw) with tough Hector 'El Chinito' Diaz, a highly regarded Dominican Republic Featherweight.

But he did get revenge by defeating Hector Diaz a month later, by a (W Dec 4).

In February 1973, he lost his first bout, a (L Dec 6) to former 'Amateur Star' Jersey City's Richie Villanueva in a Super-Featherweight bout.

For the next '2-years' he fought off-and-on, winning '7-straight', getting to 9-1-1 (5 KO's).

But fighting for $250 a bout, Jerome was losing interest in fighting as a professional.

[Senor Pepe']

Philly-Fan,

Not sure if you remeber this

The Spectrum (August 18, 1975)

Jerome Artis 9-1-1 (5 KO's)..........North Philly
vs
Alfonso 'Bubby' Evans 10-1-0 (2 KO's).......South Philly

The North Philly vs South Philly 'Super Featherweight Championship'.

Alfonso 'Bubby' Evans had defeated Jerome Artis in a 1972 Amateur bout.

They fought an 8-Round War, that ended up a Draw.

[Goyourownway]

Is there any real evidence he "popped" Leonard.I know people will jump to conclusions given Ray's statements over the last year or so,but I've never seen or heard anything of substance to clarify such rumors/accusations.

[Senor Pepe']

Originally Posted by Goyourownway

Is there any real evidence he "popped" Leonard.I know people will jump to conclusions given Ray's statements over the last year or so,but I've never seen or heard anything of substance to clarify such rumors/accusations.

Jerome Artis was the 'first amateur boxer' to defeat Ray Leonard

At the 1972 National A.A.U Tournament (May 1972).

[frankenfrank]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

Jerome Artis was the 'first amateur boxer' to defeat Ray Leonard

At the 1972 National A.A.U Tournament (May 1972).

I believe he meant something else . Actually i believed u meant d same as he did , albeit in a figurative way .

[Senor Pepe']

Originally Posted by frankenfrank

I believe he meant something else . Actually i believed u meant d same as he did , albeit in a figurative way .

As in 'popping one's cherry'........

Yes, Jerome did just that,,,,,,,it was Ray Leonard's first,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Loss.

[frankenfrank]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

As in 'popping one's cherry'........

Yes, Jerome did just that,,,,,,,it was Ray Leonard's first,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Loss.

yes , that old little cherry . Figuratively of course .

[Senor Pepe']

Originally Posted by frankenfrank

yes , that old little cherry . Figuratively of course .

Double Frank,,,,,,

You are 'On the Ball',,,,,,,,,,,,

Did you know, that Jerome Artis went 'both ways'.

Yes, it's true, he switched up from righty-to-lefty in many bouts.

[frankenfrank]

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

Double Frank,,,,,,

You are 'On the Ball',,,,,,,,,,,,

Did you know, that Jerome Artis went 'both ways'.

Yes, it's true, he switched up from righty-to-lefty in many bouts.

a crosshitter ? but did he switch during d rds , between rds ? or between fights ? because only d 1st 1 is a crosshitter 4 me .
But then how come he wasn't a successful pro ? i guess he was not good @ it .

[Senor Pepe']

No,,

Jerome Artis was a pretty good boxer, but did not 'pack-the-punch' required
to be a 'Top-Notch Professional'.

At 5' 9", had the size to be a good 'Super-Featherweight', but did get mis-matched
in a few early bouts.

Then, took bouts on 'short notice', and became in order;
1) a fringe contender
2) a capable opponent
3) a fading contender
4) a journeyman
5) a record-padder
6) a punching bag

On October 28, 1975 - at 'The Blue Horizon' posted a good Philadelphia win,
when in a 'rematch' he disposed of (TKO 3) 'South Philly Foe' Alfonso Evans (10-1-1).

[Senor Pepe']

Jerome Artis,,,,,,

Good enough to battle 'veteran' and former Top-Ranked Super Featherweight
Sammy Goss 41-8-1 (19 KO's) a couple of times, in back-to-back fights.

Sammy Goss, the Trenton, New Jersey native, was the former NABF Super Featherweight Champion,
and was the #2 Super Featherweight up until mid-1974.

And Jerome was only 10-1-2 (6 KO's) when he first faced Sammy Goss.

December 2, 1975.......(Draw 10) at the 'Blue Horizon'
January 13, 1976........(W Dec 10) at 'The Spectrum'