It's tough waking up everyday

Right, turned pro in 1971 at 30! ko'ed scrapiron Johnson in his 13th pro fight, ko'ed Buster Mathis in his 17th and somehow managed to UD Oscar Bonavena 3 years after turning pro! That he was able to engage with the all time greats of the 1970's with such limited experience is astonishing .

 

Though the comp. in question might not have been the creme, Ron has an impressive, early career, KO highlight reel. Really knocking some of those guys dead.

I’ve always guessed that Lyle might’ve had some confidence issues at different times during his career.

For whatever it’s worth, early sparring with Ali and Ken Norton had both Ali and Frazier commenting that Ron needed to be more intense.

Ron was a very respectful, articulate and polite man, and I think he was exercising deference during those sparring sessions.

That same deference might’ve crept into his pro career a few times - unduly so.

It’s terrific that you’ve started a thread on the man.

His fight vs Shavers ranks as one of the all time great HW slugfests, a far better punch out than his fight vs Foreman imo.

They didn’t let up until Shavers could take no more.

I guess we can be very thankful we have that fight on film at least.

 

May your wake ups be less tough, or tougher?

https://www.boxingforum24.com/threads/finally-after-a-20-year-search.603646/

May never be shown is more fitting. Klompton will share pics to get the heartrate up and comment what a great watch it is to get it pounding but that's as far as it will go.

 

Lyle almost fought Holmes twice. He was supposed to fight Holmes in 1978 on ABC but Lyle was charged with murder and Earnie Shavers replaced him.

Had Larry fought Lyle before Norton, that would've been cool.

Then, after he easily smashed Scott Ledoux in 1979, Lyle was supposed to fight Holmes during Larry's first year as champ. But Ledoux floored Lyle and appeared to win, only for Lyle to get a gift decision. (Then Lyle got stopped in his next fight against Lynn Ball, and Ledoux ended up getting a title shot the next year).

I have some local news footage of the Lyle-Bonavena fight. Just like a minute or so, if that. It used to be on Youtube. Ken Norton showed up and was interviewed. Leroy Jones fought on the undercard. There's a clip of him, too.

 

@klompton2 found Oscar vs Lyle.

 

Imagine a world in which Lyle had got into boxing as a young teen, dedication to boxing had kept him out of trouble, and he'd been able to start a career young. I wonder how good he'd have ended up being. Given that his late start completely missed his athletic peak and that he was in a race between getting better from experience vs getting worse due to age, he may have had much more success.

 

Unless @Rollin is willing to go to his house to watch it. I'm not sure if there's a quid pro quo involved though, or if so, what it may entail....

 

Ahh that's right apologies to Klompy on that account - i'd somehow forgot. From memory it was a straightforward offer to watch the fight which was actually extremely fair of him.

 

Wrangle yourself an invite Greg. Just take a camera inconspicuously hidden inside a cigar box so you make some bootlegs for us, your bestest buddies.

 

I may be willing to take one for the team, I'd just prefer to know exactly what the "take one" involves first.

I'll do it, but only if as well as the secret camera, I wear a wire with you monitoring the audio. If I utter the words "Siberian Wolf" you know things have gone south and will send me urgent help. Ok?

 

The fight I really would have liked to see in the late 70's was Lyle-Norton. I feel Ken was ducking him because of his aversion to punchers. This would have been a great fight. Since I like Lyle, I would pick him to win although it wouldn't be a huge shock if Norton pulled out a win.

 

I like Norton and all, but he doesn't exactly have a good record against punchers. I think the likely outcome is that Lyle bombs him out inside of a few rounds.

 

As it so happens, I’ve recently been watching quite a few episodes of Hannibal.

Greg, I’m sure you will be fine.

Whatever you do, just don’t mention the war and eat everything that’s offered to you (including actual eye balls and any literal finger food) - believe me, you do not want to offend or there will be repercussions.

If absolutely necessary, “Siberian Wolf” it is - roger that - if I might say, “Donald Trump” will equally suffice to let me know that things have truly gone *** up.

Once you’re out, safe and with the recorded goods in hand, please, please say “The Eagle has Landed” - that would be cool.