Thad Spencer 'Whats a Guy Have to do get a Shot at Clay'

Thad 'Babe' Spencer,

Quite possibly the 'best all-around athlete' of the 1960's Heavyweights.

Based out of Portland, Oregon - but a regular in the California boxing circuit.

Had a very good amateur career, winning several Pacific Northwest Championships.

Turned professional at age 17, in May 1960.

Not a natural boxer, but more of a 'manufactured fighter'.

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Under the management of Sid Flaherty, who also managed Northwest Heavyweight
Eddie Machen,

Thad 'Babe' Spencer reeled in '6' straight wins 6-0-0 (2 KO's), including an
'impressive' 6-Round Decision over Washington 'beast' John Riggins 23-7-1 (11 KO's),
a fighter Sonny Liston pulled out of a fight with.

In his '7th' pro bout, (July 1, 1961) the 18 year-old Thad was shipped out to the
'east coast', to fight on an Eddie Machen 'undercard bout' in New Jersey.

Thad's original opponent 'pulled-out, and last minute replacement fighter, retired
'southpaw heavyweight' 'Philadelphia' Shirley Pemberton 17-9-3 (8 KO's) was brought in.

Pemberton {out of boxing since 1958}, used his smarts to out-box Thad over 4-Rounds,
sending Spencer back to Portland, Oregon with his 'first-loss'.

After the bout, Thad complained that it was supposed to be scheduled for 6-Rounds, and the
bout was cut short, causing the 4-Round Majority Decision Loss.

Thad, 'I paced myself for the first 2-Rounds, and Pemberton was fighting like there was no
tomorrow. Then in Round 3, I started whacking him, and he was winded. At the end of Round 4,
he raised his hands, and I went back to my corner to sit down. Then one of the boxing commissioners
came over to my corner and said, "That's it, we're cutting it short". I just looked at him, completely
speechless. It was like someone took your wallet, right out of your hand.'

 

Sid Flaherty was Thad's 'first manager', and Willie Ketchum came on later.

Following the 'loss' and return back to the Northwest,

Thad reeled off '5' straight wins, including a '3' bouts in California.

Wins over Dave Furch and John Riggins (again), had Thad 'Babe' Spencer
listed as 'Future Heavyweight Prospect' by Boxing Illustrated.

By July 1962, and riding at 11-1-0 (4 KO's), Sid Flaherty took a 'risk' by sending Thad
to Houston, for an important 'young heavyweight bout'.

But more importantly, the 190 lb. Thad, was putting on weight, and was
now a thick 210 lbs., which had his people questioning the 19 year-old's
work ethic.
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Tuesday Night - July 10, 1962

Sam Houston Stadium - Houston, Texas

On the 'undercard' of the Cleveland Williams vs. Eddie Machen 'Heavyweight Bout'

In front of 10,000 spectators.

19 year-old, 6' 0" 210 lb. - Thad Spencer at 11-1-0 (4 KO's) outscored (W Dec 6)
'the local undefeated' 20 year-old - 6' 6" 195 lb. 'Houston Heavyweight' - Otis Lee 8-0-0 (7 KO's).

This was Thad's most impressive win, by defeating a 'highly regarded' Texas Heavyweight prospect.

 

Thad Spencer, was somehwhat of a 'mystery fighter'.

By the end of 1962, he was at 14-1-0 (5 KO's).

Then Thad moved down the 'west coast' to Hollywood, California.

On April 8, 1963 - the 20 year-old scored an 'exciting' knockout win (KO 5) over
'fast-handed boxer' - Alvin 'Tiger' Carter 11-1-0 (2 KO's).

And on May 13, 1963 - a follow-up knockout (TKO 9) over 'veteran' Monroe Ratliff.

Then in late-June 1963, Manager Sid Flaherty sent Thad out to Las Vegas, to be a sparring
partner for Heavyweight Champion - Sonny Liston (in preperation for Sonny's defense versus
Floyd Patterson).

The word going around, was that the 20 year-old 6' 0" 200 lb. Thad Spencer 16-1-0 (7 KO's)
would be ready for Sonny Liston within a year, after he performed exceptionally in sparring.

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A 'big fight' for Thad Spencer -

Thursday Night - August 1, 1963

Riding high, after successful sparring sessions with Sonny Liston.

The 20 year-old, Spencer takes on 'former amateur star', 23 year-old
Alabama Heavyweight, Jefferson Davis 17-3-0 (4 KO's).

The 6' 4" 201 lb. - Davis, is by no means a puncher, but the 'Southerner' is willing to
trade punches with anybody, and can take a good whack to the chin.

In an 'impressive showing', the 20 year-old- 6' 0" 199 lb. Thad Spencer rocks
Jefferson Davis throughout the middle rounds, showing fast hands and a hard right hand,
enroute to a competitive, but 'solid' Unanimous 10-Round Decision.

Scorecards;
Referee.....5-3-2
Judge.......5-4-1
Judge.......5-3-2

The victory improves Thad to 17-1-0.

WBA Ratings (August 1963)
*** Sonny Liston
#1...Cassius Clay
#2...Doug Jones
#3...Cleveland Williams
#4...Billy Daniels
#5...Ernie Terrell
#6...Henry Cooper
#7...Floyd Patterson
#8...Zora Folley
#9...Roger Rischer
#10..Thad Spencer

Thad Spencer, 'I would like to fight Floyd Patterson next, but I know he doesn't want to fight me.
I'm too much of a risk for him, because he knows I will beat him. If he fights an unknown like
me and losses, his career will be over.'

 

Saturday - October 12, 1963

Civic Auditorium - Santa Monica, California

Thad Spencer took on the 'dangerous' and 'vicious punching' Culver City, California
Heavyweight - 21 year-old, Jimmy 'The King' Fletcher 4-1-3 (3 KO's).

The 6' 2" 217 lb. 'big right hand bomber 'Jimmy The King' comes with a reputation as
one of the 'hardest' hitting Heavyweights. Back in July 1963, Jimmy floored Floyd Patterson
several times in sparring sessions, before being asked to leave Las Vegas.

Nobody is really interested in takng on "The King', as he is labeled 'too dangerous'
for the end reward.

Thad Spencer, 2" shorter, outweighed by 19 lbs., and clearly the lighter puncher,
takes the 'risk'.

In a 'crazy brawl', Jimmy Fletcher batters Thad Spencer all over the ring, from post-to-post,
using his weight and strength to out-muscle the boxer-puncher from the Northwest.

Several times throughout the bout, Referee Joey Olmos nearly stops the 'one-sided fight'.

But by the end of Round 4, 'The King' has exhausted himself, and the 20 year-old Thad Spencer
starts putting in good punches, and takes the 'steam' out of the Culver City Heavyweight.

Thad Spencer puts it all together in Round 6, and batters an exhausted and defenseless Fletcher
into a 'stoppage' at 2:06 TKO 6.

Thad 'Babe' Spencer improves to 18-1-0 (8 KO's).

Manager, Sid Flaherty, 'This bout proved that my fighter is as tough as they come. Nobody
wanted to take on Jimmy Fletcher, not here in California. Thad is not even 21 years-old, and
he's one of the Top 10 Heavyweights in the World.'