Elmer 'The Crush' Rush

Elmer 'The Crush' Rush,

A typical 'west-coast' bruiser Heavyweight from the mid-1960's.

Based out of San Francisco, the 6' 0" 210 lb. brawler, with a hard left
hook.

Included were wins over,
* John Riggins
* Archie Ray
* Bill McMurray (2x)
* Roy Rogers

Elmer Rush ran his record to 15-0-1 (12 KO's), when he went to Texas to face - Heavyweight
prospect - Tod Herring 25-3-0.

His 'only' loss, a January 12, 1965 {L TKO 9} to the Texan.
After that bout, Tod Herring got offered a bout with Floyd Patterson in Sweden for May 1965.

But by May 1965, Elmer was back to winning, an upped his record 18-1-1 (15 KO's), and was
ranked as the #20 Heavyweight.

 

Monday Night - May 10, 1965

Civic Auditorium - San Francisco, California

A 'furious and bruising' battle between 'two' San Francisco Bay Heavyweights.

A 10-Round Draw, between 32 year-old veteran - Eddie Machen {47-6-3} and 25 year-old youngster - Elmer Rush {18-1-2}.

Elmer Rush (209 lbs.) charged into veteran Eddie Machen (194 lbs.) time and again over the second-half of
the bout, with hard left hooks to the body, rocking the former contender backwards.

Machen, a slick veteran, was able to land his quick left hand early in the bout, but was worn down over
the 'middle rounds', and in the last 3-Rounds had to hold on to settle for a 10-Round Draw.

Scorecards;
Referee, Frank Carter........6-2-2 (Elmer Rush)
Judge, Bob Mitchell...........5-4-1 (Eddie Machen)
Judge, Jack Silver.............4-4-2 (Even)

Elmer Rush, 'I want a return bout, right here at the Civic Auditorium. I have no doubt that I
won this fight, and Eddie knows it too. He got lucky with the judges.'

Promoter - Benny Ford, 'We can do this again. We had a great 'live gate', and these boys really
know how to put on a show. That was one hell of a fight.'


'Eddie Machen lands a hard left to the jaw of Elmer Rush'.

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Monday Night - August 23, 1965

Civic Auditorium - San Francisco

Attendance; 1143

Promoter; Benny Ford

'Texan Gets Stopped by #9 Ranked Heavyweight, Elmer Rush'

25 year-old San Franciso Heavyweight - Elmer Rush (216 lbs.) got revenge,
by stopping Texan Heavyweight - Tod Herring (203 lbs.) at 1:12 of the 4th Round.

Tod Herring, has the only victory over Elmer Rush, by stopping him (TKO 9) in
Texas back in January 1965 (8-months earlier).

Elmer 'The Crush' Rush improved his record to 19-1-2 (16 KO's). Rush, staggered
the Big Texan early in the 1st-Round by a left-hook to the jaw, and then bulled the
smaller Herring around the ring by smashing his right side with left hooks.

In Round 4, Rush again staggered Herring (26-4-0) with a left hook, and then
dropped him on the seat of his pants with a right-left to the jaw. Up at the 9-Count,
Herring was then knocked off-balance by a barrage, driving him back into the ropes
where Referee - Vern Bybee called a halt to the bout a 1:12.

Promoter - Benny Ford thinks that he can help get Elmer (now ranked #9 WBA) a
Title Fight by the end of the year.

Elmer Rush, 'Maybe we can get Eddie Machen again. I'll be ready in 4-weeks, then
after Eddie, I want that 'big bird' Ernie Terrell.'

 

Monday Night - September 27, 1965

Hacienda Hotel - Las Vegas

25 year-old 6' 2" 210 lb. Heavyweight - Elmer Rush pounded out a 'one-sided'
10-Round Decision over California Heavyweight George 'Scrap Iron' Johnson.

Elmer, the #9 WBA-Ranked Heavyweight pounded the 5' 8" - 200 lb. Johnson from the
'opening bell' until the 'final round', in sweeping every round on the scorecards.

Elmer Rush improves to 20-1-2.

Elmer Rush, "I hit 'Scrap Iron' with everything, and he kept on coming back. I tip my hat to
the guy, he's built of iron."

 

March 1966

Oakland Tribune

'Elmer Rush Next In-Line for WBA Champion - Ernie Terrell'

Elmer Rush, the #8 WBA Heavyweight looks to a possible May 1966 Championship
bout with Ernie Terrell. Elmer 'The Crush' who has a potent left hook to go along
with his solid size of 6' 2" and 212 lbs. has posted a record of 20-1-2 (16 KO's).

The 26 year-old, has been out of the ring for 6-Months (too long he says), and
returns at the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on March 23 - versus former Top 10
Heavyweight - New York's Billy Daniels {20-12-1}.

Elmer Rush, 'Billy still can hold his own, though he has lost a few fights. You can't
overlook him, otherwise he'll take you out.'

 

March 23, 1966

Civic Auditorium - San Francisco

Elmer Rush in his first bout in 6-months, was not sharp in winning a 10-Round Decision
over New York's Billy 'The Barber' Daniels.

The 26 year-old - 210 lb. Elmer Rush looked 'sluggish' in the early rounds, before landing
his heavy left hook in the middle rounds, on the rail-thin 193 lb. 6' 4" Daniels. The
taller Daniels was able to out-jab Elmer over the first 3-Rounds, as he utilized his
longer reach, and early quickness.

By the middle rounds, Elmer was able to get inside of Daniels, and land his hard
left hooks to the mid-section.

Rush did finally rock his opponent in Rounds 8 and 9, as the heavy body punches
took their toll. In the final round, Elmer had Daniels in trouble, when he landed a
big left hook to the chin, which staggered the veteran Daniels.

Scorecards;
Referee, Fred Carter......5-4-1
Judge, Jack Silver.........8-1-1
Judge, Fred Aspotoli......5-3-2

Elmer Rush improves to 21-1-2. Billy Daniels drops to 20-13-1

Emler Rush, 'I've been out of action for 6-months. It took me awhile to get going, but
I hurt him in the middle rounds, and I had him hurt bad in the 10th.'

Elmer Rush, 'I want Amos Lincoln next. He's been talking, so we'll have to do it.'

Billy Daniels, 'Elmer is very strong. Probably stronger than Liston and Chuvalo. His left
hook is very powerful, and he could be a problem for Ernie Terrell.'

 

Tuesday Night - June 21, 1966

Civic Auditorium - San Francisco, California

Attendance; 4700

'Big Elmer Run Over By Big Train'

Amos 'Big Train' Lincoln dashed the 'title hopes' of fan favorite and 'waterfront
dock-worker' 'Big Elmer' Rush by scoring a 6th-Round Technical Decision.

Referee - Bobby Mitchell halted the bout at 1:41 of the 6th-Round, as Amos Lincoln
had suffered a severe cut over his left eye, as a result from a head-butt from Elmer Rush.

Under California Boxing Rules, the bout then went to the scorecards, as the fight
was stopped by an accidental head-butt that resulted on one fighter suffering a
cut-eye.

Scorecards;
Referee, Bobby Mitchell............5-3 (in points for Amos Lincoln)
Judge, Tony Bosnich................5-3 (in points for Amos Lincoln)
Judge, Fred Aspotoli................5-4 (in points for Amos Lincoln)

Amos Lincoln, the #5 WBA Heavyweight improves to 37-7-1.
Elmer Rush, the #8 WBA Heavyweight loses for only the 'second time' and will drop to 21-2-2.

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The 26 year-old 6' 2" 212 lb. 'Big Elmer' a heavy crowd favorite, came out fast
and bombarded the 28 year-old, 6' 2" 207 lb. veteran Amos Lincoln.

'Big Elmer' had the Lincoln reeling around the ring in the 1st-Round, as he hammered
him with jarring right hands.

Rush continued in Round 2, as he landed several right-hand smashes to the face of the
'stoic countenance' Lincoln. Three times, Elmer landed tremendous right hands flush
on Lincoln's chin as he was moving in, only to have Amos take the punches without flinching.

In Round 3, Elmer continued with hard punches early in the Round, but Lincoln showed a
'granite jaw' and started to come on in the middle of the round by landing hard body blows.
Late in the Round, 'Big Train' switched his attack to the head and had Elmer staggering.
With 1-second left in the round, Lincoln landed a right-uppercut to Rush's chin, and he
slumped to the canvas.

In Round 4, Amos went after his stunned opponent, and slammed hard left-rights to the
body and head. 'Big Elmer' appeared to be giving up, and then was floored by a Lincoln
left-right to the jaw. Up at the Count of 9, Elmer gave his best effort to last out the round,
but was hammered again by hard punches.

In Round 5, Elmer tried to make a go-of-it, and battled back with some good punches, but
Amos again showed a 'granite-jaw', and started to come on late. Lincoln landed a left-right
to the jaw, then another right uppercut that stunned Elmer. Amos then battered Elmer
until the bell.

In Round 6, Amos came out and slammed Elmer with an assortment of hard punches, that
had him reeling. As Amos moved in, both fighters clashed heads, and Amos came away with
a gash over his left eye at the 1:41 Mark. Immeduately, Referee - Bobby Micthell called a
halt to the bout, and ruled an accidental head-butt caused the cut.

After bout comments;

Amos Lincoln, 'He never hurt me. He didn't hurt me once. He's a good fighter, but he has no
killer instinct. If I didn't get this cut, I would have stopped him in one more round. It was an
exciting fight while it lasted.'

Amos Lincoln, 'I'll fight anybody and anywhere. Even in the street if the money's right.'

 

Tuesday Night - August 31, 1966

Civic Auditorium - San Franciso, California

'Amos Lincoln Crushes Rush Again, Calls Out Clay'

Amos Lincoln did it again to Elmer Rush. The 29 year-old Heavyweight now
living in San Francisco, battered Elmer Rush into a stoppage by TKO 9.

Amos 'Big Train', the 29 year-old 207 lb. veteran, improves to 38-7-1 (23 KO's),
and is now ranked as the #3 Heavyweight.

In the opening round, the 6' 2" 212 lb. youngster Elmer Rush, switched from slugger to
boxer, and was brilliant in using his speed to rock the 'Big Train' all over the ring. When
moments before the round ended, Amos landed a terrific straight right-hand, that
literally lifted Rush off the canvas and dropped in a heap into a neutral corner. Elmer
managed to get up at the '9-Count', and barely lasted out the last few seconds of
Round 1.

Suprisingly in Round 2, the 26 year-old Rush more than held his own, and came back
with several crisp left and rights to Lincoln's chin. Elmer scored with a good '5-punch'
flurry at the 2:20 Mark, which drove Lincoln backwards.

In Round 3, the 'Big Train' got back in control, and scored with hard straight right hands,
forcing the 212 lb. Rush to scamper. A left-hook, straight right-hand stiffened Elmer up
mid-way in the round, forcing him to hold on.

In Round 4, again Elmer was able to get his 'two-fisted' attack going, and backed Lincoln
up with a hard right hand, and out-worked the veteran for the majority of the round with
short straight left-hands.

In Rounds 5 and 6, Amos took control, and landed several long right-hands, backing
Rush into the ropes, where Amos would score with 'two-punch' attacks. Rush was
on the defensive, as Lincoln was clearly the harder hitter.

After 6-Rounds, Amos Lincoln led on the Scorecard, 4-2-0 in Rounds.

In Round 7, Elmer Rush had his best round, as he boxed smartly by landing left jabs, and
countering with fast right-hands to the chin of the 'Big Train'. Lincoln was unable to land
anything clean, and was too slow to counter.

In Round 8, Elmer got back to what worked, and jabbed and moved while Amos plodded
forward looking to land his 'crushing right hand'. Late in the round, Rush was able to land
a hard left hook that drove Lincoln into the ropes, but Elmer was unable to follow up with
anything significant.

In Round 9, Amos charged like a 'Freight Train', and he 'nailed' Elmer with several right hands
staggering him. Lincoln then peppered away at Elmer for the entire round, and had him near
defenseless when he landed two right-hands that drove him into the ropes when Referee
Tony Bosnich jumped in and halted the bout at the 2:54 Mark of Round 9.

Scorecards at the time of the stoppgae.
Referee, Tony Bosnich........4-2-2 in Rounds - Amos Lincoln and (5-2 in Points)...Amos Lincoln
Judge, Jack Silva...............4-3-1 in Rounds - Amos Lincoln and (5-3 in Points)...Amos Lincoln
Judge, Frank Carter............4-3-1 in Rounds - Elmer Rush and (4-4 in Points.).....Even

Amos Lincoln improves to 38-7-1 (23 KO's) and moves up to the #3 Heavyweight

Elmer Rush drops to 21-3-2.

 

February 21, 1967

'Elmer Rush Returns With A Crush'

Elmer Rush the 6' 2" 214 lb. San Francisco Heavyweight returned to
the ring, following his 'back-to-back' devastating losses to World-ranked
Amos Lincoln by 'dismantling' 'Atom Amos' Johnson with a single right cross,
to knock him out in the 4th Round.

Elmer Rush, improves to 22-3-2 (17 KO's), and has been mentioned as an
opponent for comebacking former Champion - Sonny Liston.

The 27 year-old Rush controlled the bout from the opening bell, and landed
his vaunted right hand with regularity, rocking the 28 year-old 196 lb. Johnson
several times. Early in Round 4, Elmer landed a left hook and straight right
which staggered Johnson, then Rush fired a right cross on the chin which
felled Johnson for the 'fuul-count'.

Amos Johnson suffered his 5th-straight loss' and drops to 22-8-2. 'Atom Amos'
was a one-time Top 10 contender in 1966, and also holds an amateur victory over
Cassius Clay in 1959.

 

Some of Elmer 'The Crush' Rush history.

"'A Heavyweight Natural"

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Eddie Machen landing a sharp left hand on 'Big Elmer'

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Elmer Rush landing a left hook to the head of ducking Texas Heavyweight - Tod Herring

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