Wilbert "Skeeter" McClure 1960 Olympic LtMW champ. Was matched well, when in 1963, undefeated with 14 pro fights, they threw him in with Luis Rodriquez (52-3-0) and he lost by UD. An immediate return bout produced the same result UD loss. In 1964, he lost to the very good MW Jose Torres (29-1-1) McClure lost a SD & MD to Hurricane Carter in 1966. After fighting and losing to some the above ^ best mid-60's MW fighters, his boxing interest seemed to fade and he retired in 1970 with a 24-9-0 record. Wilbert McClure earned degrees in literature and philosophy in 1961 from the University of Toledo, and a doctorate in psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit in 1973. He later became a Massachusetts State Boxing Commissioner. Fight 1: 1963-10-18 : Luis Manuel Rodriguez 150 lbs beat Wilbert McClure 159¼ lbs by UD in round 10 of 10 Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA Referee: Teddy Martin 5-4 Judge: Frank Forbes 5-3 Judge: Artie Aidala 6-3 "The ever-exuberant Luis Rodriguez dropped and drubbed the previously undefeated Wilbert (Skeeter) McClure of Toledo in a television 10 rounder at MSG last night. Rodriguez forced a relentless pace and fired fierce barrages to the body. In the early moments of the 3rd round he floored the fighting school teacher with a solid right to the jaw. McClure staggered to his feet at four and was given the manadatory eight count by referee Teddy Martin. Although dazed, he instinctively backed away from the over-eager Rodriguez who couldn't land another decisive blow. A minute later McClure lashed out with counter-punches and they traded punches at a furious pace. Luis dominated the fight with his ceaseless attacks and fiery body punches." -Associated Press Unofficial AP scorecard - 7-2-1 Rodriguez Referee Teddy Martin took the 6th round from Rodriguez for a low blow. He had warned him several times before that and also took into account how high McClure was wearing his trunks. Martin even pulled down McClure's trunks a couple of inches on two occasions. Post fight comments "He beat me, no question about it. It's no shame losing to Luis Rodriguez." -Skeeter McClure "He's a very good prospect. He has a very good left hand. I think he can become the middleweight champion unless I am the champion." -Luis Rodriguez Fight 2: 1963-12-27 : Luis Manuel Rodriguez 151 lbs beat Wilbert McClure 159 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10 Location: Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, USA Referee: Mike Kaplan 97-93 Judge: Gus Jacobson 97-93 Judge: Stuart Winston 97-92 McClure was knocked down in the 6th.
Pritchett beat McClure by decision in 1967. He retired with a record of 32-1-1, in 1969. As an amateur Johnny Pritchett was the British (ABA) welterweight champion in 1962 and 1963, and won the silver medal in that division at the 1962 British Empire Games. He fought professionally from 1963 to 1969, retiring after his only defeat in 34 bouts, a challenge for the European Middleweight crown held by Juan Carlos Duran. He retired with a record of 32-1-1, holding both the British Empire and British Middleweight titles. Pritchett - Mcateer Fight Aka Pritchett Retains British And Empire Middleweight Championship (1968) This content is protected
