Cassius Clay vs. Alonzo Johnson 'A Kentucky Flop'

Saturday Night- July 22, 1961

Cassius Clay 7-0-0 (5 KO's) vs Alonzo Johnson 18-7-0 (6 KO's)

20 year-old (20 years, 6 months) Cassius Clay, escaped with a
'questionable' 10-Round Unanimous Decision over one-time prospect
and now 'trial-horse' 26 1/2 year-old Alonzo Johnson.

Many of the 6000 in attendance at the Freedom Hall State Fairgrounds
in Louisville, had switched from cheering on the hometown boy, to favoring
the visiting opponent.

The undefeated Cassius Clay, at 6' 3" and 192 lbs., was unable to
score with any heavy blows, and spent most of the 10-Rounds moving
backwards versus a fighter who by all accounts, is a light-hitter with
no punch.

The 1960 Olympic Gold Medal Winner looked completely indifferent in the
early rounds, as the 6' 0" 189 lb. Alonzo Johnson was the aggressor,
and the one making the fight. It appeared to many neutral observers at
ringside, that Cassius was running away from a fight.

In one early exchange, after getting tagged by a light left hook, Cassius
ducked and ran away, leading some at ringside to call him 'Cassius the Coward'.

Kentucky Sports Journalist, Red Dillon - 'Just like some of the race horses that
are supposed to be unbeatable, but end up being also rans. Cassius turned out
to be a 100% pure bred Kentucky Flop'.

This content is protected

 

This content is protected

"Cassius Clay Defeats Alonzo Johnson"

Cassius Clay won a Unanimous Decision, but it was not entirely popular, as
many in attendance boo'ed when the Decision was announced.

The bout had some 'brisk moments', but neither fighter packed a punch,
and there were times of amateurish slapping. Cassius' best punches of
the fight came from his right hand, while Alonzo Johnson showed a decent
left hook to the body.

The first 4-Rounds, were closely fought, with neither fighter taking control.
Cassius was most effective in Round 5, when he was able to land some fairly
decent right hands. But, Alonzo came back to have a solid 6th Round, by
landing good left hooks.

Cassius did take control in Round 7, but Alonzo stayed right in front of
him, by putting pressure on him.

Alonzo Johnson was the on the canvas '3-Times', but each visit was ruled as
a proper slip.

Cassius did show plenty of 'whiz, but little 'bang', as the Freedom Hall fans
boo'ed continously through the last 3-Rounds.

 

'The Kentucky Flop' statement was from July 1961.......atsch

 

Alonzo Johnson,,,,

'I lost this fight in Louisville, Kentucky. In Cassius Clay's hometown, and they
boo'ed him. What does that tell you.'

'If this bout were held in my hometown in Pittsburg, I would have clearly gotten the
proper decision. Look at one of the judges scorecards (Walter Beck). He had it
48-47, and he's good friends with Clay's Manager - Bill Faversham. That is all you need to know.'

 

Easy, T Booze,

Lets not make out like Alonzo Johnson was some kind of monster,,,,,,

The guy couldn't punch, as he was a certified 'feather-fisted boxer'.

Now, by mid-1959 Alonzo looked like a 'prospect' by going 16-1-0 (5 KO's), but
since that time he had gone 2-6-0 in his last '8-bouts', and Alonzo had only '2-bouts'
in the past year.

And little Alonzo was only a 6' 0" 180 lb. fighter, and he had to fight at Heavyweight
to make any 'money'.

If that bout was held anywhere but Louisville, Alonzo gets the Decision 47-46 (4-3-3 in Rounds).

 

T Booze,,,,,,

Excellent Point............

Seems back in the early days,,,,, a loss or two was no 'big deal', just a part of
the maturation game.

Nowadays, one loss, and everybody says that you're washed up.

 

The Joplin-Herald

'Feet Not Made Of Clay'

Sometimes a body can get pretty sick of home, but in Cassius Clay's case,
thankfully he stayed close to Freedom Hall, and compassionate judges.

Cassius Clay is lean, but that's about all we can say about this 19 year-old
Heavyweight. In Saturday Night's bout, Cassius looked like a 'hungry cat trapped in a barrel'.

The Joplin-Herald has never been so disappointed in 'highly promoted fighter'. He showed
absolutely nothing, and unless this kid learns something, and quick, somebody is going
to plant him like a tent pole.

Most of the other professional boxers who watched, just shook their heads and stated,
that he 'looked like a glorified amateur'. And Alonzo Johnson, the Pittsburg Heavyweight,
after getting over his initial amazement, finally realized that this kid had nothing and went
after him after giving him a couple of rounds.

This content is protected

 

Sports Illustrated,

Pre-fight prediction,

Alonzo Johnson is the type of opponent you bring in, when you want
your fighter to look better than he really is. In several of his last '8-bouts',
in which Alonzo has lost '6', he did just that.

His chances are 'slim-to-none' in defeating Cassius Clay, and though this
bout is on National Television, you should be able to change your TV Dial
by the 5th-Round, because Alonzo won't be there for the 6th.

This content is protected

 

Ron U.K.

I thought you would enjoy 'A Blast from the Past'.

A little 'in-depth information' is good to know.

Like the scorecards of that Nationally Televised bout.

* Don Asbury.............50-44 (6-0-4 in Rounds)
* Warwick Edwards.....48-45 (5-3-2 in Rounds)
* Walter Beck............48-47 (3-2-5 in Rounds)

Do you know what all '3' officials had in common. They were all
'close personal friends' of William Faversham Jr.

And Bill Jr. 'owned' Cassius Clay. As Bill Jr. would say, 'I like to protect my investment'.