Is there anyone here that knows more than a thumbnail on former heavyweight contender Larry Middleton .. I just watched his decision win over Joe Bugner and he looked like one of those fighter that on a given night could show top and fight .. I know he has tough fights w Quarry and a bunch of others but seemed for one reason or another , maybe lack of proper training or focus to not reach his potential ... anyone ?
I know that Middleton trained at Mack Lewis's gym in Baltimore. I met a guy who sparred with Middleton. I don't think Middleton had the financial backing to be a full time boxer. If I remember right, the guy told me that Middleton had a full time job while training. If you haven't already seen it, here is an obit (detailed), and a short article written after he died. His trainer, Mack Lewis was highly respected in the area, Middleton probably lacked the financial backing to get winnable fights and had to take fights as the "B" side showing up on short notice in the other guy's home town. https://www.derrickcjonesfuneralhome.com/obituary/Lawrence-Middleton https://patch.com/maryland/dundalk/funeral-service-set-for-pro-boxer-larry-middleton
What i always remember about Middleton was that he had a great jaw. Went the distance with Bugner, Bonavena, Quarry, Ellis, Lyle, Bobick and was only stopped in the first fight with Lyle and the last round of the Norton fight. There was also an early career stoppage and a late career stoppage by the underrated Howard Smith, but you get the idea.
Interesting .. in the fight against Bugner he showed me a lot of game .. I also get the feeling he didn't have the backing and the ability to train and dedicate that comes with it ...