August 31, 1981 Fletcher vs. SINGLETARY

I went to most of Frank's fights between 80~83. The Singletary fight 36 years ago today still resonates with me as one of the top three fights I attended live. Neither fighter liked the other (both were from Philly) and the level of violence was great. At the end of the fight, Singletary wobbled back to his corner with his eyes completely shut and his ability to absorb the Animals punches fading fast. This, to me, was Frank at his beastly best. I remember going to a bar after the fight and reliving it over by talking about it the rest of the night with my two friends I went with. 36 years later, they're gone now, I live elsewhere, Frank lives now only in my memory, but I will watch the dvd at 8 p.m. and feel the rush again. To those who haven't seen it, I hope you do some day. Just a settling of neighborhood grudge fight that was one of the best nights of my life.

 

Eye closed not eyes

 

That was an exciting fight. He just embodied the pure fighting will to me no matter what happened to him during a fight. This fight though was just special to me. Btw, the other 2 were Moore-Duran in 83 and Douglas-Franklin in 77 on the Duran-Viruet undercard. Huge Duran fan then and the Franklin-Douglas brawl was extraordinary. Both fights were great for different reasons and the arena and atmosphere in which each was fought and Fletcher-Singletary was also. A great night where both fighters covered themselves in glory.

 

Duran~Viruet, Saad~Dynamite Douglas was. Fletcher~Singletary was at A. C.. Oh yes, Fletcher~Hamsho was a dream fight for me. I saw Mustafa a lot also. In the late 70s (really all the 70s in Philly) in the Philly A.C. area, boxing was hot. The Animal was my favorite, but I loved Hamsho too. From mid~80 through 82, I like Frank to EDGE the decision in 12 glorious rounds. Fletcher burnt out but for 3 years he truly was the Animal. Like I say, I will truly enjoy the Singletary fight tonight. BTW, still a Philly Flyers fan. Have 9 current and vintage jerseys going back to Clarke and Van Impe and Schultz. Just Gerouix and the guys to Bully up and become a winning team again.

 

I have all my boxing magazines from 67~85. Boxes of them. Still read them, reminds and brings me back to those times. Wife thought I was nuts, but everyone has hobbies. I especially love reading Nigel Collins' coverages of all Fletcher's fights from 1980 through the Green fight in the different The Ring Magazine. Pure prose and incredible writing that puts you right there.

 

I think he pushes him hard. Frank had a harder CHIN than people think. He was all used up by 1983, but took great as t punches and fired right back from some heavy hitters. And at his peak, Fletcher beat the craps out of his opponents and they were never the same: Jackson (silky and Clint) Lee Sabater Green McGrady Nesmith. And Nesmith, Green, Lee, Jackson could all crack and Frank walked through them. Later after he was used up, Roldan must have hit him flushed 100 times with that wrecking ball right hand before Frank's CHIN finally gave out. Mugabe couldn't keep him down and Frank was totally shot. Don't even mention Parker. Parker gave up the USBA title in 81 instead of fighting Frank. FLETCHER made great use of his inside game (where "the power of the beast" resided) landed great books and uppercut with power in his short eversoviolent prime and never backed off. Hagler by all accounts would win, but I think Frank wins rounds, makes Marvin, bleed and lasts into the late rounds in :-/ one of the greatest Middleweight Championship fights in history. NONE EARNED A TITLE SHOT M AS RE THAN FRANK IN THE 80s. To think Sibson got 3 and basically gave up in every one sickens me. FLETCHER WAS A LIVE UNDERDOG AGAINST ANY MIDDLEWEIGHT OF HIS TIME. Well almost 8 here in Ohio, so time to board the weavers train back in time to 1981 and enjoy a true slugfest. You can have Mayweather, Whitaker, Lomanchenko, etc all day. Give me the give and take FIGHTERS and especially this fight on August 31, 1981. I'll see a 36 year younger me in the crowd and feel the strength and promise of early adulthood again. See ya

 

ROLDAN HIT HIM FLUSH 100 times. My phone hates me and decides to correct me and f&$ks up my threads all the time. I don't need help doing that.

 

For the past 30 years we have lived in Texas and Ohio. Haven't been back to Philadelphia in 28 years. But zzz I will always have the memories of my time there. And the fights I went to are as much a part of me as college and my work.