Eugene 'Cyclone' Hart

The biggest weakness with Cyclone Hart,

He got discouraged very easily, almost to the point where he gave up on himself.

Not in every fight, but in most of his tough fights.

Really, he should have gotten down to 154 lbs., where he most certainly would
have won a version of the Light-Middleweight Championship, somewhere in the
1971 thru 1974 era.

After getting 'upset' by Nate 'The Gnat' Collins in March 1972, he took a year off.

Then came back to the Philadelphia Arena in April 1973, only to get blasted out by
33 year-old 'faded veteran' Puerto Rican Middleweight - Jose 'Monon' Gonzalez 41-17-2 (13 KO's),
and stopped (L KO 9).

'Cyclone' looked shot, as his legs went 'spaghetti' every time he got popped by 'Monon',
and getting floored in the 2nd and 3rd Rounds, and wobbled in every round until the
(TKO 9) stoppage.

Back-to-back knockout losses, left him at 22-2-0.

At age 21 1/2, his career looked to be over after the '2nd' disaster.

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1973,

Cyclone Hart made a brief 'comeback run' on the win side, by scoring '2' knockouts
at The Spectrum as the Main Event bout card.

* August 1973........KO 2...Thurman 'Doc' Holliday..19-6-0 (11 KO's)
* November 1973....KO 2...Al Quinney...20-6-0 (7 KO's)

Herman Taylor, the Promoter at The Spectrum still wanted Cyclone
as a fighter, as it was an automatic 'sell-out' when the Cyclone
was on the fight card. And hopes of a future shot at the Light-Middleweight
Title were still there.

The victory over 'Doc' Holliday, was very impressive, as '9-months' earlier
Holliday had fought the #1 Light-Middleweight - Miguel De Oliviera and future WBC Champion,
and had floored the De Oliviera, and gave him a tough battle before losing on a TKO 7.

At 24-2-0 (23 KO's), despite the 'two' earlier losses, Cyclone was still a 'hot fighter' in Philadelphia.

After the victory over 'club fighter' Al Quinney, Cyclone Hart's Manager Cus D'Amato said,
'I believe we're on the right track now, as Eugene realizes he cannot just stay there and get hit.
Fighting is a complete process, which includes boxing and moving, not just staying still and
throwing punches. We will have him as a Champion within the year.'

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No,

The Philadelphia Arena was located on Market Street.
It was closed in 1983.

The Spectrum is located on South Broad Street.

 

Surf-Bat,

Thanks,

The Philly Spectrum Group almost got Cyclone Hart a World Light-Middleweight
Championship bout versus Koichi Wajima in January 1974.

Not sure if the problem was money or location, or both, but Koichi Wajima
pulled out of the fight, after first agreeing to a bout.

The Cyclone at 154 lbs. would have destoyed the tough Japanese 'brawler' at that time.

 

One of the most 'anticpated' Middleweight Bouts in Philadelphia,

February 18, 1974

"The North Philly Middleweight Championship"

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February 18, 1974

Some details.

# 16 Middleweight - Eugene 'Cyclone' Hart 24-2-0 (23 KOs) {Age; 22 1/2... Height; 5' 11 1/2""... Weight; 162 lbs.}
vs.
# 15 Middleweight - Willie 'The Worm' Monroe 26-2-1 (20 KO's) {Age; 24 1/2... Height; 6' 1"... Weight; 163 lbs.}

The pre-fight pick, was that Cyclone Hart's only chance to win, was to knockout "The Worm' early,
or the taller sharp-shooter would pick Cyclone apart over the later rounds, and score a stoppage.

Cyclone, had gotten back into the World Ratings at the #16 Middleweight, despite
wanting to try the Light-Middleweights.

Willie Monroe, after winning his first '20' bouts, had lost Decisions to French-Moroccan Middleweight -
Nessim Max Cohen and then American - Alvin Phillips.
And later a disputed (10-Round Draw) in Paris, France - to French-based Italian Middleweight - Fabio Bettini.

A common-opponent was Jose Gonzalez, who stopped (TKO 9) Cyclone Hart, and
who Willie Monroe decisioned over 10-Rounds. (Both bouts were in 1973).

The Philadelphia Daily News, states that nearly 12,000 attended this Monday Night
bout.

As usual, Cyclone Hart came out fast, and pinned 'The Worm' along the ropes for
'3' rounds, where he pounded him with his vicious left hooks to the head and body.

But in Round 4, 'The Worm' caught Hart coming in wide-open, and staggered him with
a big right-hand. From that point on, 'The Worm' controlled the fight, as Hart more-or-less
'sleep-walked' through the next 4-rounds.

Behind on points, Cyclone put on a desperation rally in the 9th-Round, and for a period,
Hart had turned the tide of the fight in his favor. But, 'The Worm' re-grouped, and
unloaded some heavy shots at the end of the round which had Hart out-on-his-feet.

Cyclone Hart's corner somehow revived him in between rounds, and forced him out
for the 10th and final round. But, Monroe kept the Cyclone at bay with long left jabs, and
every time Hart got close, Willie would lock him up, like he was in a vise.

Scorecards; {96-94 / 97-94 / 97-95} all for Willie Monroe.

 

Next up for the 'Cyclone'

July 15, 1974

An 'easy fight'........No

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