Super Scott, Great Scott ... James Scott

It was a very unique situation, very controversial in fact.

He really impressed me with his win over Lopez. He reminded me almost of a light-heavyweight Duran.

There always was that persistent question of whether or not he could/should get a title shot (probably a rematch with Gregory), and how it would happen. Those questions became moot when Scott suffered his shocking upset loss to Bull Martin. He seemed like he never really recaptured his fire after that.

 

A good solid contender who probably had a great advantage fighting literally in his own house.

 

I remember those fights well. Thought he was outstanding. Is he still in the joint???

Scartissue

 

Yes, James Scott was very good, and I watched him whenever a fight of his was televised. But one thing everyone must remember...the "Eddie Gregory" that Scott beat, and that lost to Victor Galindez, even, was a different fighter on those two occasions from the master-boxer/puncher who so artistcally dismantled and outclassed Marvin Johnson for the title a few years later. True, he never got that form back, though he came close to it in his ko title defense against Jerry The Bull Martin, he would have beaten ANY lightheavyweight on that night, Galindez and Scott included, and also I may add, Michael Spinks, who was fortunate to have fought a subpar version of "The Flame" when he lifted the title form Mustafa in '81.

 

did qawi come out of the same prison boxing system

 

I remember James Scott. He was excellent.

As I recall, the issue impeding Scott's chances for a title fight was whether or not the prison system would grant him a furlough so he could fight outside Rahway prison. If my memory serves me correctly, the WBA and WBC weren't willing to make Scott the mandatory challenger if that meant the reigning champion would be forced to fight him inside the prison.

I vaguely remember the issue going to court, and the court ruling that Scott was not eligible for a furlough to fight for the championship. That pretty much killed his chances with the WBA and WBC.

 

I know James Scott pretty well. He helps out at Goss and Goss boxing Gym in Trenton.

 

I always watched James Scott's Fights when they where televised. I remember he was a physical conditioning freak. I was young at the time around 14 or 15 so I did not understand all the ramifications. I did believe he would become the next LH champ.
Great post, as I always wondered what happened to him.

 

I disagree about Gregory. He was a classic underachiever.

I always remember seeing and hearing how he was one fighter that rarely fought up to what many felt was his ability. He lost to Galindez because Victor outgutted him. He lost to Scott while in his physical prime for the same reason. He should have flattened Scott who was a very tough and well conditioned guy but not on Eddie's level but he froze like a deer in headlights and lost.

He did get it together and beat Johnson and Martin , two fofhis best performances but like the headcase he was, be decided he was too good to stay light heavyweight so moved up to fight Snipes at heavyweight. Rather than train and fight well conditioned at heavyweight he entered the ring with a gut and basically did nothing as a terrified Snipes jabbed and ran as if he were fighting Joe Louis ... Gregory then rushes to drop weight back to light heavy to fight Spinks and loses a decision which be blamed on the weight. The joke was the weight drain did hurt him but Gregory made it like he fought his heart out when in reality he paced himself and coasted and lost. He never got a rematch because of poor conditoning and inconsistant performances ... Gergory was simply put a waste of talent ...

Scott was a tough, well conditioned fighter. His shaved skull and prison persona spearheaded a short run on the networks who loved the story. In reality he was not championship quality for that killer era and lost to Bull Martin and Dwight Braxton and then drifted back into obsecurity ..Scott might have made ten defenses of the light heavyweight title if he fought during Virgil's days ..

 

That era had some outstanding talent, and I agree with you about Jones.

 

This is a very fair post.

Just out of interest, what are your impressions of Victor Galindez? He's always fascinated me.

 

You're more or less agreeing with me on this. Mustafa was an underachiever all right, but what I'm saying is that if he was properly motivated in his career, he would have been so much better. He would have beaten both Scott and Spinks, as he was actually doing that until Spinks dropped him, then he just sorta lost interest in the affair. Watch his fight against Johnson when he won the title and you'll see a potentially great fighter at work. He had the potential and the ability.

 

And I may add, he would have beaten Galindez too.