Corletti was a more deserving challenger than Chuvalo at the time. But I doubt he would have been much of a challenge.
Exactly as I said. The end goal was a fight with Ali after the inevitable bout with Cooper. Its why they were on the same card together. Both were expected to win and go on to fight each other with the winner to face Ali. Cooper was impressive in KOing Hubert Hilton, that combined with his previous history with Ali made an Ali-Cooper bout an easy sell. When Terrell pulled out of the fight in Canada and you had to get a short notice opponent, if you are a promoter do you sign Corletti (who was almost completely unknown) or do you sign the local hero Chuvalo? Its pretty easy math. If you honestly believe that Chuvalo-Ali was a bust then how can you possibly suggest that Corletti should have been given Chuvalo's shot at the title?
Boxing Report January 25, 1966 Olympia Hall - Kensington, United Kingdom George Chuvalo vs Eduardo Corletti George Chuvalo expected to 'bull-doze' Eduardo Corletti in the 1st-Round, but after landing a punch that 'nicked' Corletti's eye, he chased a vacant area for the rest of the round. The 'elusive' Argentinian, just simply backed away everytime the 'Canadian Bull' charged, and jabbed or quickly fired away with flailing punches. After '3-Rounds', Chuvalo had become frustrated in his attempt to land a heavy-blow. In Round 4, Chuvalo attacked, and threw everything he had in an attempt to end matters. But Corletti withstood Chuvalo's attack, and then used his speed to keep him out of harm's way. The 206 lb. Canadian continued to stalk in Round 5, but again the clever Argentinian would back, and back, and back away. In Round 6, Chuvalo again pressed, and looked to land the 'KO-Punch', but again the 191 lb. Corletti was an 'elusive foe', and simply danced away. In Rounds 7, 8 and 9 - the swift Corletti stood up to Chuvalo, and beat him to the point time and again with fast punches, then backed away to stay out of trouble. There was no doubt as to who had the 'better boxing ability'. Behind entering the 'final round', Chuvalo stalked and was able to land a good right on Corletti's chin, who then appeared slightly shaken. But the Argentinian suprisingly fought back, and landed 'two' good lefts on the charging Chuvalo. But Chuvalo, still charged forward and landed another good right to Corletti's chin, and again he was shaken. Over the last-minute, Chuvalo unloaded with heavy-punches but Eduardo was able to weather the late-rally. Eduardo Corletti was awarded the Decision victory. George Chuvalo, 'He was much faster than I expected. If he stood still and fought, I would have knocked him out.' Eduardo Corletti, 'They don't come any stronger or tougher than George Chuvalo. He rocked me 'twice' at the end of Round 10, but I had the better boxing ability.'
I believe, the original 'Playboy Johnny' Prescott defeated Brian London in August 1964. The 'famous' Brian London who 2-years later was fighting for a World Heavyweight Championship. Johnny beat a 2-year younger Brian London, who was already considered a 'flailing heavyweight', before he faced 'one' Cassius Clay 2-years later. Cassius Clay,,,,,,,He Was One Funny Guy.
It's worth asking how Cassius Clay could have handled a peak Johnny Prescott. I think he would struggle with the style.
Pepe,your statistics are always very interesting,but every great champ has had his share of soft ones. Why not feature others every now and then ? Ali's record compares well with any of them,I think you'll find. Keep punching !!
Sir Lord, Umberto Branchini, Italian Boxing Promoter and Manager, who also handled Eduardo Corletti offered Herbert Muhammad a '2-fight' promotion deal, for Cassius Clay to fight in Italy. The Champion was to get 40% of the 'live gate', plus ancillary rights to the closed circuit broadcast. This was during the time that the Champion was 'hiding' out in Europe in 1966. Herbert Muhammad turned down the promotional deal. At the same time, British Promoter - Jack Solomons was 'bad-mouthing' Eduardo Corletti, so he could put that 'great heavyweight of his' Brian London in the ring with Cassius Clay on August 6, 1966. Jack Solomons 'knocked' every fighter out there, except the guys he promoted.
Disgraceful! How could Solomons call himself a promoter in such a famously noble profession? King, Arum et al, would be embarrassed to perform such a low tactic. Thanks Senor Pepe'; I only thought Solomons held the British sport to ransom, heading an illegal cartel; but I did not realize he was that bad!
Here is some prime footage of the great Corletti: [ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oh8tOj3Xd6A[/ame] A part of a "Murderer's Row" he was, along with Thad Spencer, Jose Manuel Urtain and Doug Jones.
So you would be of the opinion that Jesse Ferguson was a more worthy challenger to Riddick Bowe than Ray Mercer? Please post your references, and if possible, post the proof that none of the records were manipulated by promoters and such alongside it. A few pictures of the book and scanned pages shouldn't be too hard. Everyone knows that in the end Chuvalo was a gatekeeper. He'd test anyone fighting him in one way or another, but against someone truly worthy of being champion or a top contender, he wasn't going to do more than be a test they passed. He deserved a title shot a hell of a lot more than an Argentinian nobody who had the majority of his win (and losses) to other Argentinian nobodies..
Mr. Chuvalo did get a 'World Title' shot, and was defeated by WBA Champion - Ernie Terrell. Now George was a 'great guy' and an 'Honest George' in the ring, but he did benefit with being within close proximity to Chicago, and with the distinction of coming into the bout with Mr. Clay, having lost his last bout to an Argentinian, living in Italy and fighting in the United Kingdom. Maybe Cassius Clay didn't like Italian Food,,,,,,,,,,
December 2, 1967 (Rome, Italy) The talented and 'extremely popular' Argentinian Heavyweight - Eduardo Corletti scored his '3rd-victory' within '21-days'. The 26 year-old Corletti was impressive, in stopping (TKO 7) 27 year-old - Benito Penna (now 20-9-4) with a 'two-fisted' barrage. The 200 lb. 'hard-punching' Penna, with '14-knockouts', is the #5 ranked Italian Heavyweight, and had fought to a 'disputed' 10-Round Draw with Corletti back in June 1965. This time, the Argentinian was a clever boxer over the first '5-Rounds', then opened up on his tiring opponent in Round 6, before stopping him the 7th Round. Eduardo, now the #6 WBA-ranked Heavyweight now with a record of 23-2-5 (14 KO's) is pursuing a bout with former 2-Time Heavyweight Champion - Floyd Patterson for January 1968, here in Rome. Eduardo's Manager, Sam Marcano hopes to sign Floyd Patterson to a contract this week.