I remember seeing some of his win results posted in ring magazine back in the early nineties but never saw him fight and can’t even find footage of him on YouTube now. Anyway, John Sargent was a heavyweight prospect who’s career was plagued by alcoholism. A Native American from Minnesota, Sargent compiled an early record of 17-0 which included wins over fellow unbeaten prospects in Yuri Vaulin and Jimmy Lee Smith. He also beat other names like Ross Purity and then later Chauncey Welliver. His weight and inactivity were constant problems. He had multiple retirements and comebacks, losing early to Chris Byrd, Eddie Chambers and Shannon Briggs. Sargent’s final record after one last failed comeback effort in 2008 was 29-5-0-18. Too bad he never got it together. On paper he seemed to have potential.
i dont think he was much more than a regional level type of guy from what i remember and his best win - Vaulin - was really a cruiserweight who retired with an injury. A pretty padded record, impressive enough on paper to justify him being fed to the likes of Byrd, Chambers, Briggs etc but ultimately lacking the skills, fitness, durability to make an impression against better opposition. The kind of guy who was brought in to pad the records of Gary Mason, Herbie Hide in the late 80s/early 90s
You’re probably right. Not a man who was destined for greatness but there might have been some potential to do more than he did. 17-0 in just under two years with wins over a couple prospects and journeyman was a good start. Again the alcoholism and inactivity truly derailed him from what I’ve read
There was a time when they were wanting and seeking investors to back him. I thought then it was about like buying shares of Polaroid and hoping for it to bounce back.
I remember reading something about him fighting against some super athlete guy who was huge and was some sort wwf wrestler ?? Could press 300 k was a total unit the whole bit . Apparently John sparked him early in brutal fashion. Do any of you guys know any details as I may have imagined the whole thing.
are you thinking of Butterbean's KO of Paul Springer? Springer was a powerlifter/strength coach and was quite a lump. He lasted 33 seconds
Sure. When he was probably 40 years old, on the comeback trail for about the fourth time in his career, weighing nearly 300 lbs and in the last fight of his life . Yeah I can see how someone might not quite look impressive in knocking out a trial horse.
Both were from the same Minnesota town. Riddick Bowe knocked Rhode out in 2 rounds. Seems like Sargent lacked the passion for boxing hence his inactivity and weight fluctuations.
OH! You meant 29-5 (18). For a second there I was wondering "egads, wtf were he and his opponents doing to rack up eighteen no contests in 52 bouts?!"
