Cassius Clay vs. (George Chuvalo, Mike DeJohn or Tony Alongi)

In late October 1963,

Cassius Clay, stated that he needed 'one-more fight' before going after
the Heavyweight Champion - Sonny Liston in 1963.

Cassius had promised to have 'one more fight' in Louisville, in front of his
loyal hometown fans, because they were so good in supporting him.

On the 'table' were '3' Heavyweight Bruisers.
* Mike DeJohn
* George Chuvalo
* Tony Alongi

George Chuvalo had won a 'Majority 10-Round Decision' over Mike DeJohn
on September 12, 1963 in Louisville. But the 'two bruisers' were scheduled
to do it again on November 8, 1963 - and this time in Miami Beach.

Cassius stated, that he would 'unequivoocably', fight the winner of that bout
in 6-weeks, for a mid-December 1963 date in Louisville, Kentucky.

But 'one-week' before the scheduled bout, Mike DeJohn 'pulled-out', and local
Miami Beach Favorite - Tony Alongi was more than ready to step in.

 

Mike DeJohn,

The Syracuse, New York Heavyweight -

A 6' 2 1/2" - 208 lb. - rough-house slugger, with power in both hands.

But the nearly 32 year-old, was on the downside of his career,
and was now riding a record of 46-12-1 (31 KO's).

Mike had been dealing a 'hot hand' in late 1959, when he 'scorched'
Alex Miteff in 'One-Round'. At that time, the 27 year-old was the
#5 Heavyweight with a record of 34-3-1 (25 KO's).

But since that win, Mike had gone 12-9-0, with losses to;
Nino Valdez (2x), Sonny Liston, Eddie Machen (2x), Willi Besmanoff,
Zora Folley, Billy Daniels and George Chuvalo.

In his last bout, in September 1963 versus George Chuvalo, Mike was
floored, battered and out on his feet, and escpaped with a 10-Round
Majority Decision Loss.

The one thing that Mike still had, was a powerful right hand. But his
slow hands and wide-open style, made him vulnerable to power punches.

The 'secret weapon' for the veteran heavyweight, was that he had sparred
with Cassius several times, and they were 'evenly fought battles'.

Mike DeJohn wanted Cassius Clay 'bad', as an impressive performance
would have salvaged his career for 1964.

Mike DeJohn, 'Cassius drops his left hand, and he is wide open for
right hands over the top. Look at what Billy Daniels did to him. Everyone
knows my best punch is the right hand. This kid is 'tailor-made' for me.'

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No Go,,,,

For December 1963

William Faversham Jr. said -----Mike DeJohn was too risky an opponent.

He would fight with wreckless abandon, because he had absolutely 'nothing' to lose.

 

Tony Alongi

Florida Heavyweight

A fan favorite of Miami, who had the charisma and good looks.

A 24 year-old - 6' 4" 205 lb. boxer, with a good left hand.

With a record of 31-2-1 {19 KO's},Tony had the experience and
skills to deal with Cassius Clay.

In the November 8, 1963 bout with George Chuvalo, Tony had 'originally'
won on the scorecards. But some 'funny business' happened afterwards,
and the bout was ruled a '10-Round Draw'.

Tony, was promoted by Chris Dundee, so there may have been a 'conflict
of interest' in this proposed bout.

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George Chuvalo

As of December 1963 -

The 26 year-old Canadian, at 6' 0" and 210 lbs. had busted a record
of 25-7-1 (19 KO's), including a 5-0-1 (4 KO's) in 1963.

George had just come off a 10-Round Decision over 'brute' Mike DeJohn
in September, and a 10-Round Draw with 'boxer-puncher' Tony Alongi in November.

George was no easy mark despite the '7' losses. The guy may not have
defeated Cassius Clay in December 1963 in Louisville, but he would have
made Cassius work every second of every round, and quite possibly
tested his 'ribs'.

 

LH,

December 1963, George 'busts' skinny Cassius Clay's ribs, but may have
not had the boxing skills (or hometown officials) to defeat Cassius by
Decision in Louisville.

It goes down as a 'disputed, controversial and hometown' 10-Round Decision for Cassius Clay.

William Faversham Jr. - 'I'm not letting my boy fight Chuvalo in New York. I'm not sure we can get
a fair decision there, as George has fought there alot. And Canada, no way.'

 

Mike DeJohn could have put Cassius out within 4-Rounds in late-1963.

If the bout went any further, then Cassius would have out-boxed him
enroute to a 10-Round Decision.

But for 4-Rounds, that right hand was 'loaded'.