Alvin 'Too Sweet' Hayes The 6' 1" Detroit Lightweight A 'string-bean thin' - 77" long-armed reach - 135 Pounder, with power in his fists. Turned professional in October 1981, and by June 1984 the 25 year-old had run his record to 22-0-0 (19 KO's). In his run, he defeated the likes of; * 'Irish' Brett Lally * Jerome Artis * Edwin Viruet * Forrest Winchester * Davidson Andeh In Michigan, he was in 'high-demand' and was earning $10,000 per bout. Moving up in the WBA rankings, Ray Mancini had said he would fight anybody but 'Too Sweet'. "Alvin's arms are so long, he can reach me without getting out of his corner."
Things were going 'Too Sweet' for Alvin Hayes right up until June 15, 1984 at Caesar's Palace. On the undercard of the - Roberto Duran vs Thomas Hearns "Light-Middleweight Championship" in Las Vegas. The 25 year-old - Alvin 'Too Sweet' Hayes at 22-0-0 (19 KO's) was 'one-win' away from a Lightweight Championship bout. Then came 'The Ringmaster', Jimmy Paul This content is protected
scartissue,,,,,,,Correct Sir June 15, 1984 Alvin 'Too Sweet' Hayes, entered the ring at 22-0-0 (19 KO's), and was ranked as the #5 IBF Lightweight. The 25 year-old, at 6' 1" and a 'skinny' 133 3/4 lbs., brought along his 77" wing-span, and was a 5-3 Betting-Favorite to win the USBA Lightweight Championship. A win, and 'Too Sweet' had a proposed date with IBF Lightweight Champion - Harry Arroyo set for the 'fall of 1984'. The 24 year-old - Jimmy 'The Ringmaster' Paul, a 'Kronk Fighter', was 18-1-0 (17 KO's), and clearly a 'live underdog'. At 5' 9" and with a 72" reach, Jimmy would be punching up at 'Too Sweet' in this scheduled 12-Rounder, in front of 10,000+ Caesar's Palace fans, in one of the opening preliminary bouts. The Fight, It took Jimmy a few rounds to get in and under 'Too Sweet' and his long-reach, but when he did, he busted up Alvin's ribs. In Round 5, Jimmy floored 'Too Sweet' with a left hook, that left him a mess, with wobbling legs like a newborn Giraffe. In Round 6, Alvin came out still dazed, and walked into a crushing left hook, and 'Too Sweet' collapsed like a cheap 'folding table', with his legs bent underneath his limp body. Referee - Richard Steele did not bother giving 'Too Sweet' a 10-Count.
