Jim McDonald, all but forgotten...

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by AntonioMartin1, Jul 20, 2025 at 9:21 PM.


  1. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    The American, US Marine Jim McDonald, not the Azumah Nelson one.

    He gave Michael Spinks all he could handle in one of the most courageous displays this sport has ever seen...got up from like 5 knockdowns before finally Spinks stopped him in dominant fashion in round 8!

    I wonder whatever became of him!
     
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2025 at 7:33 AM
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 20, 2025 at 9:21 PM
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 20, 2025 at 9:21 PM
    #1
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  2. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I saw him fight Michael Moorer for the WBO title around 1990 or so. Macdonald was in poor shape and stopped early. Not sure what he’s up to these days. He was a limited fighter but he certainly had a punch
     
    mr. magoo, Jul 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM
    mr. magoo, Jul 20, 2025 at 10:15 PM
    #2
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  3. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    And courage! Man did he have courage..his fight with Spinks was basically the Hagler-Sibson or Sanchez-Gomez of the Light Heavies, where you knew one guy was not going to win after the 4th or 5th, but he just kept on coming back for more!!
     
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 20, 2025 at 11:49 PM
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  4. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    He also played the fat kid in Stand by Me.
     
    Boxed Ears, Jul 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
    Boxed Ears, Jul 21, 2025 at 12:41 AM
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  5. Fireman Fred

    Fireman Fred Active Member Full Member

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    I remember him, more so for the Bobby Czyz fight where he was pummelled but never quit.

    Just didn´t have it anymore after the Spinks fight.

    Just read he died:
    https://www.leafcremation.com/obituaries/james-lloyd-macdonald

    Nice little footage of life after boxing, includes ko of Willie Edwards which got him his title shot at Spinks:
    This content is protected


    RIP Jim MacDonald
     
    Fireman Fred, Jul 21, 2025 at 3:02 AM
    Fireman Fred, Jul 21, 2025 at 3:02 AM
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  6. salsanchezfan

    salsanchezfan Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Another dementia victim, apparently. Very sad. You tend not to think about any of that when you’re young and watching all of this. You ( and they) are in your prime, young, clueless, and unaffected. The number of former fighters afflicted with this condition is staggering. Makes you wonder at times if any of it is actually worth it.
     
    salsanchezfan, Jul 21, 2025 at 5:02 AM
    salsanchezfan, Jul 21, 2025 at 5:02 AM
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  7. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    Oh wow!

    RIP Marine!

    Thanks for that info, Fred!
     
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 21, 2025 at 6:13 AM
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 21, 2025 at 6:13 AM
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  8. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    well, first of all, his name is Jim MacDonald.

    Thrilling one punch ko of Willie Edwards put him on the map,

    Gutsy effort against Spinks. I saw that live on syndication on over the air free tv.

    The Spinks beating used him up pretty much

    Got one final shot against Bobby Czyz but was destroyed.

    Very short prime.

    The form he showed against Spinks he would have been a tough out for the likes of Czyz.
     
    Saad54, Jul 21, 2025 at 6:55 AM
    Saad54, Jul 21, 2025 at 6:55 AM
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  9. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    I remember now, back in the day, after the fight, my dad, a U.S. Marine himself too, made the joke that Spinks fought Sears and McDonald, and the fights were promoted by Don King and the entertainment provided by Donna Summers, (its a joke) who'd later get married and be known as Dunkin Donuts.....lol
     
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 21, 2025 at 7:41 AM
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  10. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Very debilitating diseases that took him. Very sad. God Bless
     
    robert ungurean, Jul 21, 2025 at 7:45 AM
    robert ungurean, Jul 21, 2025 at 7:45 AM
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  11. InMemoryofJakeLamotta

    InMemoryofJakeLamotta I have defeated the great Seamus Full Member

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    So you wouldn't pick him to beat Usyk?
     
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 21, 2025 at 8:15 AM
    InMemoryofJakeLamotta, Jul 21, 2025 at 8:15 AM
    #11
  12. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Sometimes even a blind squirrel can find an acorn
     
    mr. magoo, Jul 21, 2025 at 8:42 AM
    mr. magoo, Jul 21, 2025 at 8:42 AM
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  13. AntonioMartin1

    AntonioMartin1 Jeanette Full Member

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    amen!!!
     
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
    AntonioMartin1, Jul 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
    #13
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