Henry Clark 'The West Coast Cassius Clay'

By the way,

Henry 'The Gunslinger' Clark at 215 lbs. - looked fanatastic in defeating Jack O'Halloran {24-14-2}
in their 'first bout' on June 16, 1972 in San Diego, winning a close but well-earned
10-Round Decision.

The 'clincher' was Round 7, where Henry staggered 'Big Jack' with an overhand right
that had him dangling over the top ring rope strand. From there, Henry 'cruised'
over the last '3-Rounds, to earn the decision.

Scorecards { 5-2-3 / 4-3-3 / 4-3-3 }

Henry with his '8th-Straight' victory in a row, improves to 24-6-3, and is now ranked as the #9 Heavyweight.

Henry, 'Now that Muhammad is back, I hope we can finally get together in a bout. I'm going
to Las Vegas to watch him fight Jerry Quarry next week, and I want him to fight me next.'

Henry was also working as a 'sparring partner', helping Ken Norton, who would later go on to
defeat Muhammad Ali.

 

kikibalt,,,,,,,

Very nice,,,,,,,,,,:hi:

Henry was at the Coliseum in San Diego for that bout with Chuck Haynes on June 22, 1971.

The 188 lb. Chuck Haynes 13-2-3 (4 KO's) thought he had the 'goods' to defeat Henry,
but was overwhelmed by a 'suprisingly' aggressive and 'in-shape' 212 lb. Henry Clark that night,
who won by a 'knockout' (KO 2).

Henry scored his '8th-Knockout' to go along with his 22-6-3 record.

 

August 9, 1972

Coliseum - San Diego, California

'Jack O'Halloran Upsets Henry Clark to Win the California State Heavyweight Title'

Jack 'The Giant' O'Halloran utilized his 6' 6" height and 244 lbs. of weight to pound out
a 12-Round Split-Decision over California Champion and #9 World-rated Heavyweght
Henry Clark.

O'Halloran who had predicted a 7th-Round knockout, dominated the first 6-Rounds, with
spearing left-jabs, and jolting right-hands. Henry Clark who was rocked several times
in the early rounds, came on in Round 7 with powerful left hands, and controlled the
action through the 10th Round in this bruising battle of big heavyweights.

But Clark seemed to tire after his 4-Round rally, and 'The Giant' put up a game effort in
Rounds 11 and 12, to edge out a Split-Decision.

There was alot of rough-housing, and both fighters were warned several times for fouling
and dirty-tactics.

Scorecards;
Judge, Fred Hayes........ 6-5-1 (Henry Clark)
Judge, Frank Rustich......7-5-0 (Jack O'Halloran)
Referee, Hal Rickards......7-5-0 (Jack O'Halloran)

Jack O'Halloran improves to 26-15-2, and hopes to fight here at The Coliseum next month.

This content is protected

 

November 21, 1972

Sahara Hotel - Stateline, Nevada

'Ken Norton Ends Title Hopes for Henry Clark'

The 'Road' may have ended for San Francisco's - Henry Clark. The 27 year-old
#18 ranked Heavyweight, was stopped by KO 9 by San Diego's - Ken Norton,
the #9 ranked Heavyweight.

Henry, with the loss has dropped to 25-8-3, and will undoubtedly fall out of the
Top 20. Clark was hoping for a win over the highly regarded Norton, and possible
Title Shot versus Champion - Joe Frazier for early-1973.

Norton, a 209 lb. vicious punching U.S. Marine, took over in Round 3, by pounding
the 218 lb. Calrk with an assortment of solid left jabs and hard ripping left hooks.

As Kenny was busy racking up the points, Henry was content to counter-punch
with an occassional right hand to the head. After 8-Rounds, Norton was miles
ahead on the scorecards.

In Round 9, Norton landed a heavy barrage, forcing Referee - John McSweeney to
issue a 'standing 8-count' to Clark, who was absorbing too many jarring punches
and was staggered. Clark did just barely finish out the 9th-Round, but he was unable
to come out for the final stanza Round 10.

It goes down as a {KO 9} for Ken Norton, who improves to 28-1-0 (24 KO's).

Henry, who was 'not' floored in the bout took some heavy punches. Many expected
a 'good performance' by the San Franciso Heavyweight, as he had looked good in
sparring with the former Champion - Muhammad Ali earlier in the week.

 

Following the loss (L TKO 9) to Ken Norton in November 1972,
Henry was 'out-of-action' for 5-months.

Henry 'Baby Face' Clark returned in April 1973 - and started off with '3' straight wins over 'no-names'.

* April.....(W Dec 10).... Steve Carter
* May.....(W Dec 10)..... Dan Johnson
* June.....(W Dec 10).... Charlie James

Upping his record to 28-8-3 (8 KO's) - Henry Clark was listed as a
'former contender' who was available to make a new heavyweight on
the rise 'look good'.

Henry, was durable, but his lack of aggression and big punch, made him
'safe opponent'.

But there were no calls, as Henry was inactive for 9-Months, and he
'temporarily retired'.

Then in March 1974, the 29 year-old Clark got a call.

His lacklustre style and lack of a punch, made him available for a bout
with Don King fighter and future Heavyweight Champion - Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt.

Henry had fought Jeff Merritt earlier (August 1969), and had lost an 8-Round Decision.
Don King was looking for a 'name' to add to the 26 year-old 'Candy Slims' 23-1-0 {18 KO's}
resume, and Henry looked like the right pidgeon.

 

Pre-Fight Hype

Monday - March 4, 1974

The Coliseum - Oakland, California

Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt vs. Henry 'Baby Face' Clark

* 'Jeff Merritt Hits Too Hard'

* 'Candy Slim, with 16-Straight wins looks for #17.'

* 'Henry Clark has never been off his feet in 10-years, and plans on keeping that claim.'

* 'I'm out of jail, and in the Top 10. I'm Jeff Merritt.'

* 'I will end it early, nobody can take my punches.'

"Jeff Merrit Tops Arena Show"

This content is protected

 

'Henry Clark Destroys Jeff Merritt'

Veteran San Franciso Heavyweight - Henry Clark added new life to his stalled career,
as he scored a 'tremendous upset' by scoring a 1st-Round Knockout over
#8 Heavyweight Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merrit.

Moments into the bout, Henry who is not noted as a hard puncher, landed
a left hook to the chin of Jeff Merritt, driving the Cleveland Heavyweight clear
across the ring and onto his 'haunches'.

Merritt got up and beat the count of Referee Tony Bosnich. But 'Candy Slim'
was met this time by a Clark right hand that landed flush on the
chin, dropping Merritt to the canvas.

Referee Tony Bosnich started the count, but 'waved' it off after realizing
Jeff was unable to respond.

The knockout win for Henry Clark was registered at 0:47 of the 1st-Round.

Henry Clark, 'This win should put me back into the thick of the things. I've had
a hard time getting fights, now I'm ready to go again.'

Jeff Merritt. 'I'm disappointed. I spent 29-months in jail, and now I feel
like I'm in jail again. I don't know what happened, I've never been hit like
that before. Maybe Henry will give me a rematch, I hope so.'

Don King, 'Complete shock. One more fight, and Jeff was going to get a
Championship fight with Foreman in Houston. I had the contracts already
signed.'

 

May 30, 1974

'Muhammad Ali Promises To Fight Tonights Winner'

Henry Clark and Mac Foster will battle in a California Heavyweight bout.

The former Champion, Muhammad Ali stated that he would take on the winner in
a 12-Round 'tune-up' bout, before he challenges Champion - George Foreman.

Ali said that a fight in early-July could be done. Henry wants me, and Mac wants me
again.

Promoter- Joe Gagliardi said he had the 'money' to get Mr. Ali here in Oakland.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

29 year-old Henry Clark improved his record to 30-8-3, by winning a 'convincing' 10-Round
Decision over 'Knock-Out Artist' and former Top-Ranked Heavyweight - Mac Foster.

The 221 lb. San Franciso Heavyweight scored with his powerful left-hand thoughout, by landing
hard left hooks to the body of the 231 lb. Foster. Clark stayed busy, by landing double and
triple punches, before Foster could counter.

Mac, who came into the ring with a record of 30-4-0 (30 KO's) looked rusty, and was only able
to land his powerful punches in Round 3, when he drove Henry back into the ropes. But by Round 4,
Foster looked tired, and could not muster any consistent offense over the second-half of the bout.

Scorecards { 7-1-2 / 7-1-2 / 7-3-0 }

Henry Clark, is now ranked as the #8 Heavyweight, as he has won 13 of 15 bouts.

Henry Clark, 'I have the style and experience to defeat Muhammad. You can't beat him by pounding away.
You have to box him patiently, and not waste energy. Slow and steady, bob and weave, side to side. I know
he didn't want me to win, he wanted to fight Mac again.'