Johnny Persol, The 'fast-handed' boxer from New York, had a signed contract im March to fight Cassius Clay, scheduled for only 2-weeks after Cassius' bout with Zora Folley. The only thing Johnny had to do, was defeat Jimmy Ellis in Madison Square Garden on the Clay vs. Folley undercard. Cassius was impressed with Johnny, after Persol 'floored' Cassius with a quick right-hand in a sparring session before his bout with Zora Folley. Johnny Persol, 'Cassius was anxious to have as many fights as possible before his court date concerning the U.S. Military. He suggested that since we were in New York, the promoters could put together a fast promotion, and fight in 2-weeks.' 'I said, what about Zora, doesn't he worry you, he has a better right hand than me. Cassius said, he's slow and old, and I can take him anytime I want to. Just give me 3-Rounds to warm-up, and then watch what happens. If you beat Jimmy, I'm all yours in 'two-weeks'. March 1967 Johnny Persol - 26 year-old, Brooklyn, New York Heavyweight 6' 0" 179 lbs. * 17-3-1 (4 KO's) * #8 WBA-ranked [url] This content is protected [/url] This content is protected
Persol was a light heavyweight without much of a punch and a very vulnerable chin. Ellis KO'd him in one round and that was the end of his heavyweight aspirations.
It was very good for persol that the fight he signed for vs Ali never took place. He was much too small and fragile.
Johnny Persol, did get ranked as the #8 Heavyweight in February 1967. At 179 lbs., was a Light-Heavyweight, but could handle some of the smaller Heavyweights. Pulled-of an 'upset' by decisioning Amos 'Big Train' Lincoln in October 1966. Jimmy Ellis came out like 'greased lightning' and suprised Johnny, who was expecting a classic boxing match. All gone in the 1st-Round. Johnny did have a good line after getting KO'd in '1' by Jimmy Ellis, 'I told Jimmy, he'd be lucky to last out the 1st Round, and I was right.'
Saw that one on Wide World of Sports. Ellis was referred to as a blown-up middleweight, and of course Ali's sparring partner.
Did you know that Johnny Persol beat Jimmy Ellis when Johnny won his last Golden Gloves championship?
Muhammad always had trouble with fast guys, Johnny could have been a 'pesky' Persol,,,,, It goes 5-fast Rounds, before Johnny goes down 3-times in the 6th.
Senor Pepe, is it possible for you to send me a copy of the photo of the knockdown of Ali by Johnny Persol? My e-mail address is This content is protected . Thanks.
Some footage of Persol (against Bobo Olson), for anyone who's never seen him: [url]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN2FHW0Vk4Y[/url]