This was not reported on by the boxing media. And only recently surfaced on X .Ball is remembered for his ko of Lyle and his loss to Dokes Lyn passed away on Sep 29 2025 . RIP Lynn Ball '' Lynn Gus Ball was born on September 10, 1952, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Caddo Parish, at Doctors Hospital, to the union of L.G. and Barbara “Ms. Bob” Calhoun Ball. He was preceded in death by L.G. Ball, Barbara Ball, Huey Ball, Eunice Williams, Charlie Ball, and Sam Williams. Lynn received his education at Bossier Parish Schools in Bossier City, Louisiana, where he attended Butler Elementary, Charlotte Mitchell Jr. High, and graduated from Bossier High School in May 1970. Growing up, his interests included singing in the school’s choir, starring on the football team, pursuing martial arts, and joining the Bossier City boxing club, where he was named team captain. His football achievements earned him a full scholarship to play football for the late, legendary Coach Eddie Robinson of Grambling State University. Whatever Lynn put his mind to do, he achieved it. After attending college, Lynn’s boxing career took off. He won multiple championships and eventually earned top recognition in the North American Boxing Federation (NABF). With his successes in the ring and his undeniably engaging reputation, he later became a boxing trainer to several local athletes. It was in these rewarding years that he earned the nickname “Coach.” Lynn was also known as a ‘renaissance’ man for his multi-talented abilities and his thirst for knowledge On August 19, 1982, he married Darlene Ligons, who honored him for over 40 years. Together, they joined First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park, where Lynn eventually began evangelizing and sharing the gospel throughout the Dallas community. This dedicated husband and father was also driven by his passion for animals. He raised rabbits, hamsters, birds, turtles, and goldfish. Rex was one of many beloved dogs. ' Those left to cherish precious memories include his loving wife, Darlene Ball; his daughters, LaKeisha Monroe (Germaine) and Amber Jones (Joel); his grandchildren: Breuna, Travion, Alfred (Saprena), Jonas, and Noah; his great-grandchildren: A'Zyia, Tralaysia, Armoni, and Alfred III; his brother, Jim Marshall, of Bossier City, Louisiana; along with a host of other family members and dear friends ''
Sad to hear, but it seems he led a good life. I wasn’t aware he had played football for Eddie Robinson at Grambling. Ball was an up-and-down heavyweight with fast hands, a big punch and the liability of a fragile chin. A couple of fights after beating an aging Ron Lyle in a big upset (he was 10-4 at the time), Ball lost to Marty Monroe. I believe it was our @scartissue who recounted that Ball was dominating Monroe but Marty could take a punch and Lynn could not … he landed a shot and took Ball out. A year or so later, Ball defeated Randy Mack for the NABF title, then lost it I think the next year to Michael Dokes. He then lost to George Chaplin and retired from the ring. Nicknamed “Bullet” for his bald dome, Ball was a somewhat accomplished amateur out of Louisiana — he won some regional tournaments, made it to the Southern AAU but never, it seems, won it. In the national AAUs in 1976, the year before he turned pro, Ball was bested by the accomplished Woody Clark in the quarterfinals. Ball seems to be the sort who always came to fight and always shot his shot — sometimes it landed, sometimes the other guy got the better of him, but he was a bit of a staple on the fringe of the heavyweight scene in the late 1970s. RIP, Bullet.
Had he gotten past Dokes he may have fought Weaver for the WBA title. But Weaver is an underrated puncher, Weaver could punch. As it is he was pretty good in a strong, if not great, era. RIP Lynn Ball!
I should point out that at the time Ball upended Ron Lyle, Ron was on a five-fight win streak that included victories over Joe Bugner, Stan Ward and Scott LeDoux … not cream-of-the-crop opposition but guys who had competed on the higher stages. Ron may have been on his last legs, or nearly done, but at the time it looked like he maybe had one more run/shot at the big time in him. Cooney finished him off a year later for all intents and purposes (1995 comeback aside), but this was considered a real breakthrough win for Ball at the time.
