Does anyone remember Jeff Merritt?

Bobby J,

When Jeff Merritt got out of 'jail' in the Spring of 1971, his management team
"The Miami Syndicate" got him fights immediately.
They wanted to keep him in the ring, and not let him get out on the street
where he could get back into trouble (burglary and drugs).

At the time, he was 14-1-0 (10 KO's)

Here's the list of fights, and Jeff's purse fee:
5/18/71,,,, KO 1 George Dulaire (9-18-4) (4 KO's),,,,,,,, ($500)
5/22/71,,,, Wdec 10 Samford Harris (14-25-2) (3 KO's), ($500)
5/26/71,,,, (Merritt withdrew, claiming illness)
6/3/71,,,,,, KO 2 Willie McMillan (14-10-1) (6 KO's),,,,,,, ($800)
6/12/71,,,, (Merritt never showed up for the fight)
7/1/71,,,,,, (Merritt withdrew, claiming illness)
7/21/71,,,,, KO 2 Ollie Wilson (20-39-0) (13 KO's),,,,,,,, ($600)
7/26/71,,,,, KO 2 Al Banks (9-12-0) (3 KO's),,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ($1000) *(Part of the Ali-Ellis undercard)

Not the best of Who's Who list of boxing greats.

A week after the Banks fight, he was back on the streets.
Merritt's management team had scheduled fights for 8/10/71 and 8/29/71,
as well as (2) scheduled fights for September.
But all of those were cancelled ahead of time, as they knew what Jeff was doing on the 'streets'.

They were also working on deal to have Jeff fight on a George Foreman undercard in early-October, in
San Antonio, Texas.

The "big" joke going around was that boxing promoter Chris Dundee supposedly offered
George Foreman $50,000 to fight Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt sometime at the end of 1971.

In September 1971, Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt, the once called 'can't miss prospect', was back in 'jail'.

 

sweetsci,

Thank you for the acknowledgment.
It's much appreciated.

Just trying to set the record straight on 'Candy Slim'
Alot of mis-information out there.
Unfortunately he was mis-guided.
His life on the streets was a mess.
Drug charges, Heroin use, Burglaries and ****.

As for the Archie Moore thing. It wasn't Archie's fault.
Earnie Shavers had been sparring with Jeff for about a month,
without any problems.
Don King was there for numerous sparring sessions.
He never said a word.
Things just got 'out-of-hand' in one session.

The other thing was that Earnie had 'beat-up' a couple of previous
sparring partners pretty good, and Jeff Merritt was the only guy who
wasn't afraid of Earnie.

 

Bobby J,

The fight between Jeff Merritt and Ron Stander was scheduled for
Wednesday, November 28, 1973. (6 days after Thanksgiving).

The fight was to be held at The Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The place was about 35 years old, and held about 12,000.
I think this was Don King's first 'promotion', or co-promotion.

'Candy Slim' was ranked #8 and was 22-1-0 (17 KO's).
Ron 'The Bluff Butcher' Stander was not ranked in the (Top 20), and was 24-3-1 (16 KO's).
He had been ranked #15 when fought for the title (vs. Frazier) back in May 1972.

Jeff Merritt weighed in at 218 lbs., and was probably in the best shape of his life, after spending
a good 8 weeks at Ali's Deer Lake Camp, following his 'blow-out of Ernie Terrell on 9/10/73.
He was just of 26 (his birthday was in January).

Stander was in poor shape. He came in at a fat 245 lbs.
When Stander fought Frazier in 5/25/72, he weighed in at 218 lbs.
He was 27 lbs. heavier.
Ron was 29 years old.

Ron's last fight was also on 9/10/73. He fought at the Civic Center in Providence, Rhode Island.
He, just like Jeff, fought on the undercard of a Ali-Norton II (Closed Cicruit Broadcast).
Ron faced some local up-and-coming 'hot shot' kid named Walker Smith 12-0-1 (9 KO's).
Smith's management ('Title Shot Inc.') were hoping that there prospect would beat Stander,
in hopes of building up his record, by beating a 'name' fighter.
Stander weighed 234 lbs. for that fight.
Ron Stander was supposed to be the so-called 'sacrificial lamb' for the 'hot' Walker Smith.
Ron 'knocked-out' the kid in 3 rounds.
Stander was paid $6500.

As for the fight purses, for the 11/28/73 promotion at 'The Arena'.
'Candy Slim' was supposed to get $6000.
Of that, 40% was to go to his manager 'Don King'

As for Ron Stander, he wanted $20,000 to fight Merritt, to be the so-called 'sacrificial lamb'.
Don King had offered that amount to Ron earlier, in an attempt to get Stander to
fight 'Earnie Shavers' in Cleveland, (not Jeff Merritt).
But King only offered Stander $7500, but with a promise to give him $20,000 if
he would agree to come back and fight Shavers in Cleveland, after Shavers fight
with Jerry Quarry in December.

Ron Standers' manager agreed on the $7500, but with $5000 of the money 'up front'.
He also wanted to be covered for all travel expenses, and hotel expenses for his stay in Cleveland,
and 'most-of-all' a 'letter/contract' stating that Ron would get a guarantee of $20,000 for a 1974 bout with
Shavers in Cleveland.
Stander arrived in Cleveland a day after Thanksgiving, 6-days before the fight, to do promotions.

As a note; Ron Stander's purse for the Joe Frazier 'Heavyweght Championship Fight' was $100,000.

 

Stevie G and Brummy1976,

Thanks for the Kudo's.

Here's more;

As fight night approached, it looked like it was going to be a 'successful promotion'
The NBA Cleveland Cavaliers had played the Seattle SuperSonics at The Arena the night before, and the
set-up crew had done a good job getting the place ready.

Advance 'ticket sales' were strong, and the 'walk-up' sales were solid.
Though it wasn't a 'sell-out', the place was about 80% full, with an
approximate attendance of 9000.
Had Earnie Shavers been on the card, the place would have been an easy 'sell-out',
(3) times over.

For 'sports coverage', the local Cleveland TV network 'WJW-TV' (Channel #8 would cover the fight).

On the undercard, it would feature 'two' young heavyweights facing each other in a (6) round preliminary.
One was;
Kevin Isaac, an 18-year old 'hot prospect' from Brooklyn, New York.
Isaac was a solid 6' 1" at 188 lbs. He only had (2) fights 2-0-0 (1 KO), but was 'highly regarded'.
He had just won the New York Golden Gloves 'Open' Heavyweight division, in March 1973.
His management team invested alot of time in him, and were expecting 'big things' from him.
Don King was also interested in him, and put him on the card.

The other fighter was;
Larry Holmes, a 24-year old with 'a questionable heart', from Easton, Pennsylvania.
Holmes at 6' 3" was 203 lbs. His record was 6-0-0 (2 KO's).
Larry had been 'one' of the several sparring partners at Muhammad Ali's Deer Lake Camp, in Pennsylvania.
Larry was to receive $150 for his effort, to be an 'opponent' for Kevin Isaac 'the future star'.

 

The other fighters on the 'Merritt-Stander' undercard were;

Light-Heavyweights; Ray Anderson vs. Jimmy Dupree.

Ray Anderson was from nearby Akron, Ohio, and was now a 'Don King' fighter.
Anderson was on the 'downside' of his career.
Though only 29-years old, boxing 'insiders' considered him 'shot'.
Anderson had a record of 36-10-1 (21 KO's)
At one time, Anderson was 30-1-0 and was the #2 rated Light-Heavyweight in the world.
He even went 15 'good' rounds with Bob Foster (Light-Heavyweight Champion)
in an unsuccessful shot at the 'Title', back in April 1971.
But that seemed like 'eons' ago.
In his last (15) fights, 'Sugar Ray The Magnificent' (what he liked to be called) had a
'unflattering' record of 5-9-1 (2 KO's).
At 6' 0" and 180 lbs., he was still in 'good' shape.

As for Jimmy 'The Cat' Dupree.
He was a 'Top Ten' rated Light-Heavyweight, and former 'NABF Light-Heavyweight Champion'
Jimmy was from Jersey City, New Jersey, and was rated #8, with a record of 39-9-3 (23 KO's).
At 6' 0" and 175 lbs., he was always in shape.
Though 38-years old, he was still considered 'one tough motherf***er'.

 

As for the 'Merritt-Stander' undecards on 11/28/73;

I HAVE THE MAIN EVENT ON FILM.

Larry Holmes got off the canvas in Round 2, to 'Knock-out" Kevin Isaac in the
third round.

Sugar Ray 'The Magnificent' Anderson battled Jimmy 'The Cat' Dupree to a
10-round draw.

The 'main event';

Round 1;
Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt met the on-charging Ron Stander in the center of the ring.
Stander made a 'bull-rush' towards the 6' 5" Merritt.
Jeff fired first with a left jab, then launched a couple of left hooks.
Stander attempted to fire back with a 'round-house right' but missed, and Merritt countered with a brutal left that sent Ron reeling.
Stander was kind of slipping on the ring floor, as it appeared 'slick'.
He couldn't get any traction to 'fire' back.
Mid-way through the round, Jeff put together a good combination, but Stander would not back-up.
'Candy Slim' fired a few more shots, but Stander took them well.
Stander proved, that he was 'one tough hombre', and could just possibly make this a long night for Jeff.
Stander managed to land a good right hand to the body, which backed Jeff off.
Jeff came back with a good left jab, and long-straight right hand.
Stander made another 'bull-rush' trying to use his 245 lb. bulk as an advantage.
Stander tried to fire a wild right, which missed, and Merritt fired back with a 'sweeping right'
that caught Stander high on the head.
Stander made another 'bull-rush' near the end of Round 1.
The last 15-seconds was more-or-less 'non-action'.

Round 2;
The 'second round' started off as a repeat of Round 1. Stander attempted another 'bull-rush', and Merritt countered with another left-hook. Merritt used his 'height and reach' to keep Stander at a 'distance', to measure Stander for a counter left hook. Ron Stander attempted to get close by 'bull-rushing' forward, and tried to 'rough-house' Jeff.
Though he was 'tall and lanky' Jeff ripped of a decent 3-punch combination, followed by a straight right and a
'hellacious' left hook to Stander's head. As Stander tried to pull back, Merritt fired another left hook which grazed
Ron as he was slipping, and Stander went down. It was the 'first time' that Stander had ever been knocked down
in the ring 'amateur or professional'. Referee, Lew Eskin, gave Ron his 8-count while he complained it was a 'slip'.
The 'knockdown' appeared to aggravate Stander and clearly upset him. On the other hand, Jeff Merritt who was
'big and mean', looked 'cool' and maintained his composure.
When the fighting resumed, 'Candy Slim' tore into Stander with a 'brutal arsenal of left-hooks and sweeping rights'.
Ron Stander was getting 'rocked' all over the place, before going down again, by way of a 'wicked left hook'.
This time, it was clearly a 'legit knockdown'. Lew Eskin gave Ron another 8-count, and waved Merritt back in.
Stander was able to hold-off Merritt briefly, by staying close to Jeff while trying to tie him up.
But once Jeff got free, he fired away with a couple of brutal left-right combinations. It was to hard to see just what punch did it, but Stander went down again. Lew Eskin administered another 8-count, while Stander 'crazily'
wanted to continue. With about 20-seconds left in the round, Merritt again tore into Stander, and showing his
'natural power', he blasted in (2) big left hooks. Ron Stander was 'hurt badly' as Round 2 ended.

Round 3;
As the round opened, Stander was in 'bad-shape', as his face was 'reddened' and 'busted-up'' from the
'brutal beating' that 'Candy Slim' had been administering. It was clear, that this was a 'mis-match'.
Jeff Merritt went right after Ron 'The Bluff Butcher' as the round started. He picked up right where he left off, and pummeled Ron with more 'hellacious' left hooks, as one after another landed on Ron's 'unprotected' head.
Merritt then switched his attack to short right upper-cuts as he 'closed-in' on the 'battered-brawler', before firing away with another one his 'patented 'left-hooks.
Stander turned to his right, and walked away 'defenseless' after absorbing the 'murderous' left to his head.
Referre Lew Eskin mercifully stopped the onslaught and butchering, despite pleas from Ron Stander that he wanted to continue.
It was all over at 0:41 of the Third Round.

I HAVE THIS FIGHT ON FILM.

 

Bobby J,

After the Stander fight, (about a week or so), Jeff Merritt was sent back to
Ali's Deer Lake Camp, by Don King, to help him prepare for his January 28, 1974 bout with Joe Frazier
at Madison Square Garden.
It was the first week of December.

At that time, Earnie Shavers was in the final stages of his upcoming bout with Jerry Quarry on
December 14, 1973 at Madison Square Garden.
Don King didn't want the murderous punching Jeff anywhere near Earnie (for sparring).
There was a $75,000 pay-day waiting.

Jeff was still owed more money from Don King for the Stander fight (approximiately $2000).
So King shipped Jeff out to Deer Lake, and told him he would take care of Jeff after the
Quarry-Shavers fight, when he got his manager's cut.
A week later, Shavers was 'blasted' out in 'One Round' by Quarry.

Jeff was supposed to stay at Ali's Camp for 3 weeks, and then take a break for the holidays and return
after the First of the Year (January 2, 1974).

Jeff stayed for 3 weeks, and had to hit up Muhammad Ali for cash several times.
King didn't forward Jeff Merritt his owed money, like he promised.
Just before Christmas, Jeff had to borrow money from Ali, to get back to Cleveland
so he could try to get the rest of his money from King.
Jeff and Larry Holmes actually left the Deer Lake Camp together, as Larry and Jeff headed
back to Easton (Larry's home) first.

Jeff Merritt went to Cleveland, and got a 'portion' of his owed money.
He went back to Kansas City, Missouri for the holidays to be with his relatives.
While their, the street 'demons' called Jeff again. His old habits re-appeared.

 

B-J,

When Jeff Merritt didn't show up back at Ali's Deer Lake Camp after the first of the year,
he was called by King.
King had been pre-paid ($3000) by Ali for 4-weeks of sparring sessions.
If Jeff didn't show up, King would have to give the money back.

Merritt told King he wanted all the 'sparring session' money up front, not part of it, and
with 'no strings attached'. King agreed, if Jeff would get back immediately.
Jeff showed up (2) weeks later, looking like a wreck, as his 'demons' were beginning to take their toll on him.

It was too late to get Jeff into Ali's Camp, as Ali was winding down his training.
King told Jeff, that he had to refund the $3000 back to Ali, and that there was
'no' money for him.
Jeff was hoping for a fight on the January 28th card, but King informed Jeff that
it was too late for that too.

King suggested for Jeff to get back training, and he would try to get him back into
Ali's Deer Lake camp after the Frazier fight.
Jeff's training regiment was done 'half-hearted', and he seemed not to be
interested in becoming a 'top-flight' fighter. His mind was on 'Heroin'.
King was afraid to give Jeff large portions of cash, knowing that he would disappear on the streets for days at a time. So he gave Jeff the cash in small incriments, $50 a day.

It was 'shocking' to see the deterioration of a one time 'can't miss prospect'.
Only 2 months earlier, Jeff looked like a 'freight train' in his destruction of Ron Stander.
He was down to 205 lbs. On his 6' 5" frame he looked 'frail'.

It was the end of January, and King was afraid to throw him 'back in' with a 'Top 10 Fighter'.
King was hoping to get Merritt an early-February 'fast tune-up bout' with 'soft touch' and
consistent-loser Reco Brooks. Brooks had a record of 10-16-2, and posed 'no threat' for 'Candy Slim'.
King wanted to keep Jeff busy, if not in sparring/training, at least in the ring.
The bout never materialized.
Since Jeff showed no interest in training, King sent him 'packing' back home to his relatives in
Kansas City, Missouri.
On February 9, King gave him a 'one-way' plane ticket and $500 in cash.

 

'The Henry Clark Knock-Out Loss'

While in Kansas City for the month of February, Jeff Merritt continued his
partying ways and 'street activity'. Nothing was happening in his boxing career.

The 'Ring Magazine' ratings came out, and Jeff was now rated #8, with a record of
23-1-0 (18 KO's). King 'his manager' was trying to lock up an 'easy' fight for Jeff,
for sometime in late-March.

King had still hoped to get Jeff a bout with 'soft touch' Reco Brooks, and follow that up
with a bout versus fading 'California Heavyweight' Jack O'Halloran.
Money was drying up for Jeff, and King needed to get him some 'cash' quick, before he did
another 'foolish' thing on the street (ie; drug dealing or burglary).

Then a 'break' developed. At the end of February, King was offered a fight in Oakland, California
by 'Fight Promoter' Joe Herman. It was to be a 'TV Fight' broadcast out on the 'west coast network'
on Monday, March 4th.

The bout, to be held at 'The Coliseum' in Oakland, was scheduled to be between (2) 'veteran
'California Heavyweights', Henry Clark versus Mac Foster.
But 6 days before the bout, Mac Foster was 'injured' in training, and had to 'pull out'.
The 'west-coast promoter' Joe Herman didn't want to cancel the scheduled bout, and lose a
good 'TV' pay-day.
King got the call, and was offered $10,000 to bring out Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt.
King countered with $20,000 for a bout on such 'short notice'.
He finally agreed on $15,000, plus (3) round-trip plane tickets to get out there and back,
as well as hotel expenses for (4) days.

First, King had to get a hold of Jeff in Kansas City, and get him out to Oakland before the fight.
King was not overly concerned about 'Candy Slims' 'boxing condition', as the 'money' (fight purse) was great.
He got a hold of Jeff, and gave him the 'particulars'. King wired Jeff some cash $300, and told him that there was a plane ticket to San Francisco, California waiting for him at the Kansas City airport.

Jeff Merritt arrived in San Farncisco on Saturday, March 2nd. He had 1-day to prepare for the March 4th fight.

 

'The Henry Clark Knock-out Loss'

Upon entering the fight, Merritt was really not in 'proper condition'.
At 216 lbs., he looked 'frail' on his 6' 5" frame.
He had not been in the gym for almost 3 months, and he had been doing his
'street thing' in Kansas City for several weeks.

On the other hand, Henry Clark was 'trim and ready' at 215 lbs.
Henry had been 'in-training' for 6-weeks, getting ready for the scheduled bout with
'power-puncher' Mac Foster.
At 6' 3", the 28-year old was a '10-year boxing veteran', whose career had started in 1964.
Based in San Francisco, California, this was a 'hometown fight' for Henry.

Clark, who was rated at #18, had a record of 28-8-3 (8 KO's). Despite his 'light punching',
and 'lack of power', he was a 'crafty' veteran who could more than hold his own against the 'big punchers'.

In (39) professional fights, Henry Clark had never been 'knocked off his feet'. He was stopped
twice previously, once by Sonny Liston on 9/26/68, and once by Ken Norton on 11/21/71.
But each of those bouts were 'referee stoppages'.

 

'The Henry Clark Knock-Out Loss'

Henry Clark, like Jeff Merritt, had not been the most 'active' fighter either.
Clark, who was now 28-years old, had not fought in 9 months.
His last fight was on 6/26/73.
Clark had fought (3) times in the 'Spring of 1973'.
He won all (3) bouts by 10-round decision, over 'mediocre' opposition.
All of his bouts were in nearby Sacramento, California.

Henry Clark also had something else in 'common' with 'Candy Slim'.
3 1/2 years earlier, Henry and Jeff fought each other.
Back on 8/18/69, Henry fought an 'up-and-coming' skinny 209 lb., 21-year old Jeff Merritt at
Madison Square Garden.
They fought each other on the undercard of 20-year old '1968 Olympic Gold Medal Winner'
George Foreman vs. Chuck Wepner fight.

At that time, Henry was 17-5-3, and was the #14 ranked Heavyweight.
He took an 8-round 'undercard' fight with the young Merritt, who was 10-1-0 (7 KO's).
Merrit controlled the fight, and 'upset' Henry Clark by winning a convincing unanimous decision.
After the fight, Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt was labeled a 'can't miss prospect'.

 

"The Henry Clark Knock-Out Loss'

As for the fight at 'The Coliseum' in Oakland that Monday Night,
on March 4, 1974.
'There was none'.

Henry Clark came out of his corner fast, and abandoned his 'safety first'
boxing style.
He caught Jeff Merritt completely by surprise, by meeting him 'head on'.
Clark fired a 'quick flurry' at Merritt, who was 'flat-footed and awkward' in avoiding them.
Henry jumped back in with another 'quick-flurry', and then launched a 'big left-hook'
that caught Jeff flush on the 'chin'.

The punch sent Jeff Merritt 'sprawling' toward the canvas. It was only at the
0:35 of the round. Referee, Tony Bosnich started the count, but it was obvious
that 'Candy Slim' was out.
Bosnich 'counted-out' Merritt at 0:47 of the First Round.

Henry Clark simply raised his hands, as Jeff's cornerman got into the ring,
and tried to help a 'still-dazed' Merritt back to his corner.

Fight Broadcast by;
Channel 7

Fight Reported by;
San Francisco Chronicle
Sacramento Bee
Oakland Tribune

Note;
One boxing scribe stated that Jeff Merritt appeared to enter the ring in a 'daze', looking
completely 'out-of-sorts'. He looked very awkward in their, and he sure didn't give the
appearance of a 'world class fighter'. He made no effort to avoid the punch that 'put him out'.
Either he didn't 'see it' or was just 'too slow' to react.

Henry Clark is by no means a 'big puncher', with only (8 Knock-outs) in 39 bouts.
He 'Knocked-out' the Ohio-based fighter with 'one-punch'.
The question has to be, 'Can Jeff Merritt take a punch'?
If he can't, his career will be short-lived in the 'heavyweight division' as a 'top-rated fighter'.
With the likes of 'Champion' George Foreman, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Earnie Shavers
and 'California's Mac Foster, out there, 'Candy Slim' may have to look for a different 'line of work'.