Folks, We all know Yank Durham was the head trainer for Joe Frazier in Joe's prime, but Yank would soon suffer a stroke and die suddenly leaving Eddie Futch to take control of the Frazier camp... However, the issue is, just how good was Yank Durham? What is his standing on the list of ATG trainers? He was still shy of age 60 when he croaked, so his career was cut short and it must hinder his legacy to a degree... I noticed Google and Bing have some info on Yank Durham, but not as much as I'd like to see... How does this man (Durham) stand in the annals of boxing trainers?:huh SR.BILLARDO:hat
He was perfect for Frazier and did a lot of work with him. Futch was the assistant but Eddie was no big name in the sport in the late 60's. That all came into play a little bit later. Me, I think Yank Durham was as important to Joe Frazier as Goldman was to Marciano.
Many years ago,i watched Joe Frazier train in a hotel in Sullivan County, NY. After Frazier finished his training and sparring Yank Durham remained to chat with me and another man. He was very gracious and patient with us,and I recall Durham's high regard for Rocky Marciano. I was saddened to hear of Yank Durham's death soon after. Frazier and him, seemed very close to each other...
Certain trainers were made for certain fighters. How diverse was Yank? I recall an article on Len Hutchins, who was a very nice boxer, and he spoke of his stay with Yank Durham. Hutchins stated how he tried to get Hutchins into a crouch to work the body and to sling over the big punches. I laughed reading Hutchins squealing, "Big punches? I was a boxer! He was trying to turn me into another Joe Frazier!" I recall Kevin Rooney doing the same thing with Jeremy Williams. He tried to turn the poor kid into another Tyson. The same moves, but a different size engine. I think Yank was definitely made for Frazier. As for Futch, now that man was diverse. That was an exceptional trainer. And he was well known in the 60's, but on the west coast. He had a good relationship with Jackie McCoy and worked a lot of his corners including Don Jordan and Mando Ramos. Maybe not as head trainer but learned his craft well and became head trainer of Ken Norton and Hedgemon Lewis in the late 60s. Scartissue
Durham was a very good trainer, and while he is more famous for having trained Joe Frazier he also trained at one point during their careers Leotis Martin and Bennie Briscoe. As for the boxers he also trained that had success were Willie Monroe during his early career, as well as Gypsy Joe Harris. His death at the age of 52 no dought has some effect on his legacy, but the fighters he trained were top notch.
I think Yank was perfect for Joe Frazier up to a certain point. There is a reason why Yank came all the way out to California to work with Eddie Futch (who he didn't know). Especially with all those good trainers in Philadelphia. 5yg8 It was a good decision. When Bonevena knocked Joe down twice in just Joe's 12th pro fight Eddie quit his job at the Post Office and worked with Frazier full-time. That's when you saw the incredible bobbing and weaving Frazier take over the heavyweight division like Pacman.
