Freddie Pendleton

Off topic but this reminded me of one of my favorite boxing stories:

Back in 1991, either ESPN or maybe USA Network had a main event for their weekly TV series fall out. They’re scrambling to put something together and came up with Oliver McCall vs Jesse Ferguson — two guys with records around the 17-5 range … good journeyman vs journeyman/gatekeeper vs gatekeeper type fight (though both would have higher peaks later).

So they find out McCall is in camp with someone (maybe Riddick Bowe?) as a sparring partner. They get a number and call to offer him the fight. He says sure.

They then ask him, ‘Do you think Ferguson would take it?’

Oliver replied, ‘Hold on, I’ll ask him.’

Turns out Jesse was also in the same camp as sparring partner. They were sitting at a table playing cards when the call came, haha.

Ferguson said yes, and they did it. Oliver won a 10-round decision.

 

I made this post on Freddie a few years ago. The man could fight.

At one point Pendleton was the best "bad" fighter in boxing i.e. the best fighter in boxing with a bad record.

Let me summarize some key points -

Turned pro at 18 and lost 4 of his first 6 fights before winning a few.

He came off a basketball court with 1 days notice to beat Tyron Trice in the first round.

Lost 4 of his next 5.

Lost by a bee's prong to Jimmy Paul, ko'd Roger Mayweather, drew with top contender Frankie Randall then lost to 2 clubfighters before drawing Bramble and then ko'ing Fuentes in 15 seconds.

When he was 12-12-1 Ed Gersh watched him sparring 140 champ Billy Costello and saw potential. He saw amazing moves but a bad record.
He sent him down to long term friend and veteran trainer Larry Kent.
After this he went 9-3-2.
At the time Emanuel Steward said he might be the best 135 in the world among other things.
In the early 80's he often accepted fights on one or two days notice.
His previous trainer had taught him how to get thru fights unhurt. This led to close fights often going against him.
Kent taught him the psychology of winning. He had him fight aggressively while still utilizing his speed and defense. He also taught him how to punch with full leverage therefor greatly improving his power.

Freddie learnt to go out there and try to get rid of a guy if the opportunity presented itself. He may have been the second best 135 in the world at one point.

 

Never got enough credit for the Tyrone Trice win. Didn´t know about the 1 days notice which makes it even more incredible.

Trice was a vicious puncher at Welterweight, undefeated Kronk fighter when Pendleton took him out in a round.

Tyrone went on another undefeated run before running into Simon Brown for the vacant IBF title.

In one of the best fights you´ll see, Brown gets up from a heavy knockdown to come from behind before scoring an emphatic 14th ko.

Trice would later lose again to Brown (pretty one-sided for Simon) and became a fringe contender. Did destroy middleweight contender Ron Collins in a round for last notable win.

This content is protected

This content is protected

 

Freddie Pendleton?
Are you guys talking about Fearless Freddie from Philly?
What he did to turn his career around was commendable. He did get jobbed in California aganst Ruelas. Raffy did keep coming and stayed in it but I get the feeling that if Freddie hit him on the chin and knocked him out they might have given Ruelas the win anyway.