I think that could be said of most of the 1980's heavyweights But, Don did get most of these guys title shots. Without going with him, they would have been stuck. But, yes, in the long run - in the big picture, Don hurt guys like Witherspoon, Page, Tubbs, and especially Tyson. But, in the short term they did well. It was like they sold their souls to the devil. The problem was that none of these guys, retained independent management once they signed with King as their promoter. The conflict of interest King had, killed them, because usually he didn't care which of the two fighters he controlled in a given title fight, won the fight.
If there was a thread for "Worst Managed Fighter After Winning a World Title" the award would go to Sean O'Grady.
Yes Ljubisa Simic really suffers in that game against Pedro. But Stecca game was also memorable in the semifinals against Pedro.
Floyd Patterson as champion. I think Patterson was a decent fighter but not a great. For those who recall his title reign, D'Amato's cherry picking his opponents left the impression that Patterson was a coward and a paper champ.
It was good in the sense that he helped him hold on to his title though, which is the object of being a champion.
I don't think it was as bad as all that. Biggs won the first round and there were quiet spells in the fight. Tyson landed good combos in most rounds . Biggs let him have the initiative after a good first round. I think the whole occasion got to Biggs who said he had no legs after 3 or 4 rounds. He previously had thought that the much smaller Tyson would be able to get near him.Biggs went into survival mode. The corner should've stoped it sooner, I think it was clear what was coming. The defeat striped Tyrell of his fragile confidence more than it bring physical damage. Proof that they threw him in was that the terrible cut he had against David Bey only 6 months earlier hadn't been given anywhere near the right time to heal. It opened up again in round 3 against Mike.
Lightweight Dave Charnley put in with welterweight champ Emile Griffith Light heavyweight Freddie Mills,put in withHvy Joe Baksi,Hvy Bruce Woodcock.2 bad beatings.
True enough. He might have done better to defend against guys like Machen and Folley, with cast iron rematch clauses worked into the contracts. He would most likely have got away wit it, and if he hadn't then he could have come again. In the end he could have outlasted everybody, including Liston!
John Tate. He fought a ton of tough hombres early before even being asked to be a road warrior. Who else puts their < 20 bout guy in front of 140,000 fans all cheering for the big puncher opponents in two successive fights? I never thought too much of his trainer Ace Miller, however. Some folks like him, I just think he was in way over his head---especially considering all the other terrific trainers around at the time. It wouldn't be hard to find and name better. Tate was just a trusting kind of guy and stayed in that late 70's mecca of boxing, Knoxville Tn. Just kidding. Who would do that? He should have moved to Vegas or Philly or Los Angeles or Detroit and started off with a better corner. And Arum sure never did the guy any favors when he promoted him either. It's a tough enough sport with things in your favor. But most fighters are not coddled and nurtured from the start like a DLH or Leonard. It's a hard road and 1 or 2 mis-steps and things spiral downhill quick.
