Anyone remember heavyweight Jeff Merritt?

I will insert the obligatory "He would rule today's HW division!" comment.

You are welcome.

 

I met Jeff in 1990 in Las Vegas.. It was old timer Dave Bey who pointed him out to me inside the Mirage hotel foyer.. he was in an old sweat suit and almost looked homeless.. His hair was growing in patches like alopecia.. I tried to listen to him talk to some enthusiasts who were in town for the Tyson v Ruddock match.. he was rambling on about how King hustled him and ernie when they should have been millionaires.. I shook the mans hand and he was feeble as a kitten.. almost like an invalid, he was skinny as hell and looked Ill... but he sure was a tall man, he was very bitter about his mistreatment by Don though.. i think Mother****er was used after almost every other word.. I dont know if he is dead.. A man he knew quite well seemed to be Mike Dokes.. I may ask Mike if i ever see him again, Mike is free now out of jail.. but very sick i heard , he was almost killed in a stabbing incident......

 

This is disputable ...another report stated that it was Archie who actually suggested to King that Merritt was too tall for Shavers. King snapped at Archie, telling him that he is paid to train fighters, not give him advice. Merritt broke Shavers jaw, and Moore got scapegoated and bounced. Shavers blamed King for the KO to Quarry.

 

I never heard that one before. Man, a pity Moore isn't around to give his take on what happened. I love the behind the scenes in boxing.

Scartissue

 

Do any classic members have some footage of him that they could upload?
If not footage then at least a photo.

 

He had hard punch, but not devestating. He had a weak chin, and was not strong. Also had drug problems according to rumors. Don King had him and Shavers and was building both up.