Jerry Halstead?

Good fighter, never a contender but good fighter over 100 matches

 

Seemed like Wimpy was everywhere at the same time back in the 80's/90's. I saw him beat Tim Tomasheck in North Dakota in the early 90's. He was definitely a step above Tim but certainly a step below the prospect level. Have gloves, will travel.

 

I saw that fight too, unless they fought more than once. Think it was on ESPN Top rank boxing

 

He was one of those guys that fought on the Midwest circuit during the 80s and into the 90s and they fought a lot. Dicky Ryan was another heavyweight on that circuit as was Tyson victim Lorenzo Boyd, who fought Ryan more than once. Halstead and Ryan both fought Buster Douglas.

 

Gotta like anyone who goes into the ring with a nickname like ‘Wimpy.’

IIRC it came from his resemblance to a character in the Popeye cartoons, the one who would say “I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today.”

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Wellington_Wimpy

Best result was probably an early-career draw with Tyrone Booze, who would go on to win a WBO cruiserweight title, and he was the best of the Midwest journeyman heavies, having defeated Tim Tomaschek and Tim Morrison a couple of times each.

And yes he did fight Mike Tyson @DamonD … and won by fifth-round stoppage. Of course it was Iowa Mike Tyson (one of my favorite nicknames btw) rather than Iron Mike but we’re really just splitting hairs.

 

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I remember an interview with him in the late 80 s , he was calling out Tyson

 

He got the name "Wimpy" when he shaved off his hair because he claimed it hurt.

 

Everett Martin got the nickname Bigfoot even though he had like size 9 feet … because he didn’t shave his torso and was a really hairy guy (like the mythical woodland creature) haha.

 

Rewatched the Morrison-Halstead fight. Wimpy was actually giving Tommy issues with his awkwardness, landing some nice shots to the body and jabs, and using effective clinching. Tommy didn't have any answers for the first few rounds and then seemed to discover his jab, which was a really good jab (he should have used that more often in his career). Wimpy was certainly hoping to wear out Tommy, and was doing well following that course for the first few rounds. But he had the ref working against him, and soon enough Tommy got some space and... Two-Three... out goes Wimpy. Ref asks, "Are you OK?" Wimpy responds, "Barely". Game over.

 

I remember Sean O'Grady was fascinated by finding out the mystery of the name...the mistery of "Bigfoot," if you will.

 

Overview of Jerry's career

https://ringsidereport.com/?p=63466

Late Thomas Gerbasi Interview with Jerry 2019

https://boxingnewsonline.net/news/t...hts-but-lost-to-the-worlds-best-heavyweights/

 

Fast talking, congenial Oklahoma native. Strictly a trial horse or journeyman. Could beat ham and eggers on the lightly regulated Midwest Circuit but would lose anytime he stepped up, Was stopped by a deteriorated Greg Page and outpointed by Tony Tubbs. Because he was such an entertaining character. KO magazine did a feature story on him around 1987 with a photo of him with his mouth taped shut.