DUANE BOBICK 'One Fight Away'

YEP,

Jerry Quarry even made a statement back in 1968, just before his Title fight with
Jimmy Ellis.
'Even if I win the title, the boxing writers would drive by my house, and throw garbage all over the front lawn'.

 

Maybe Duane Bobicks worst effort ever.
4/22/74
Norfolk, Virginia
Duane Bobick was 20-0-0 (19 KO's)
his opponent Lou Baliey, with a record of 17-41-5

NBC was scouting Bobick, to determine if they would nationally broadcast his next fight.
Bobick won a 10-Round decision, but proceeded to stink out the place.
With $$$ money chips on the line, he failed to deliver again.

 

kolkade4,

From what I remember, after Duane Bobick turned pro in 1973, Nick Wells was
regarded as the best U.S Heavyweight Amateur.
I know Bobick was thinking of staying amateur another 2-years, in an attempt to
redeem himself in the 1974 World Games.
But the U. S Boxing team wanted him out.

I do recall, Wells blasting everybody out. It was Nick Wells and Jimmy Clark
out of Westchester, Pennsylvania, as the top guys.

I don't think the 1972 National AAU Tournament that Nick won in October 1972, got much much national attention.
The wind was 'out of the sails' after the 1972 Olympic disaster.
The 72' US Team was promoted big time, and the Duane Bobick loss put a vise an on the amateur group.

I don't know if Nick was involved in the 1973 or 1974 Heavyweight-only Tournament, between the USA vs. Ireland. USA won all 8 bouts, 6 by knock-out.
That match was broadcast by ABC, touting the new crop of US Amateur Heavyweights.

As a pro, I do remember him being promoted big time when he came to New York City,
my home area. He was on the undercard of the highly promoted Guy 'The Rock' Casale
versus Bobby Halpren fight, held in Madison Square Garden in May of 1978.
Nick came in with all knock-out wins, but faded, in losing to G.G. Maldonado.

 

Curtis,
Yes, it was a complete 'blow-out'.
Interesting thing though, Bobick actually landed the first couple of punches and backed Kenny up.
Then, Bobick got a little careless and leaned forward, to throw a punch, and Kenny whipped that overhand right to Bobicks left side temple area. 'Bobicks achilles heal'
"Thats all she wrote'

 

kolkade4,

I know I started this as a Duane Bobick post, but.

Nick Wells, 1972 CISM World Military Games @ Trevisio, Italy
June 1972.
CISM Heavyweight Championship
Nick Wells (USA) KO 1 Guglielmo Spinello (Italy)

That tape is around somewhere. Italian TV.
But since their countryman got knocked-out, they may have burned it.

 

I think style-wise, Bobick may have hung in there for the whole 15 rounds.
He never burned himself out, throwing useless punches.
He was well-schooled in that aspect.
If Ali didn't have the big-power, which was escaping him, he probably would have just boxed from the outside.
Probably a comfortable decision win, while making Bobick look presentable.
A Mac Foster remake.

 

DUO,

If an Ali vs. Bobick fight were held at Metropolitan Stadium, in Minnesota, in
the fall of 1976 or late-spring 1977, the place would have sold out.

That fight would have been one of the top grossing fights in Heavyweight History, up to
that point.