Just got finished watching a great grudge fight from 1978. Monroe Brooks-Bruce Curry. They were roommates and best friends at one point but by fight time not anymore. They put on a good show. Made me think of other good fights from 1978 that were great or shocking Gomez by ko over Zarate Duran destroys his nemesis Dejesus Arguello vs Escalera in a brutal fight Alphonso Zamoras last great win over Superfly LEON The Jewish Bomber stopping El Animal Danny Lopez fights Haglers great year
It was a time when most all major bouts could be watched on network tv for free. As examples all Ali’s title defenses after beating Foreman were shown free aside from his bout with Norton in 76 and Frazier in 75. Although I don’t remember watching Ali fight Bugner but no way this was a closed circuit fight. Ali’s second fight with Spinks was also a free live TV event.
77-83 great fights every weekend on multiple channels. The talent pool hasnt nor ever will be duplicated
But back to Brooks-Curry. Have seen this fight? Very action packed. Watching Currys fights in the 70s before he foolishly thought he was a welterweight and fought Hearns, I think he was better than Donald. He was just facing better comp.
1978 saw the final title fight win of an ATG heavyweight champion in Muhammad Ali. 1978 also saw the first title fight win of a future ATG heavyweight champion. (Hint. his first name had the initial L but it definitely wasn't Leon.)
When Mike Rossman stopped Victor Galindez, on Sept 15 1978, in round 13, by TKO, due to cuts, I was not surprised at all. Victor looked listless, and tired in his rematch with Alvaro Yaqui Lopez, in May. Rodrigo Valdes losing his World Middleweight Title to unheralded Hugo Corro of Argentina, in San Remo, Italy, on April 22 1978, by unanimous decision, was another one that I was not shocked by. He looked bad in winning the vacant World Middleweight Title by defeating Bad Bennie Briscoe, on Nov 5 1977, in Italy, by split 15 round decision, the fight with Carlos Monzon, on July 30 1977, in Monte Carlo,Monaco. Monzon won a unanimous 15 round decision, then retired as champion. Monzon took too much out of Valdes in that fight. Muhammad Ali losing to Leon Spinks on Feb 15 1978, was the shocker of all to me. On Sept 29 1977, in Madison Square Garden, Ali defeated Earnie Shavers by unanimous decision, even almost decking Shavers in round 15. But Muhammad regaining the World Heavyweight Title, on Sept 15 1978, was a very good feat for The Greatest. There were also a lot of great bouts during the year, but just mentioning a few.
Actually, Ali-Bugner was a closed circuit telecast. It was part of a 3 bout telecast with Carlos Monzon defending his title against Tony Licata and Victor Galindez defending against Jorge Ahumada, both from Madison Square Garden. Then the Ali-Bugner fight came on from Malaysia. It was a great memory. My Dad and I went to every closed circuit card we could. As far as I recall this telecast was in black and white for some reason.
Strange his bout with Bugner was pushed closed circut whereas his bout with Lyle a more dangerous opponent was televised on network tv. Must have been the idea of pulling in a European audience.
Those were some terrific June 30 1975 closed circuit bouts, Ali vs Bugner, Monzon vs Licata, and Galindez vs Ahumada.
Ali Spinks 2 was a huge event but a terrible fight. Norton Holmes was highly anticipated and on national network TV plus it was an excellent exciting bout.
