Jimmy Young

Another good question would be : did anyone but Young really wanted old Ali vs Young II, when the first one was so bad ?

 

Senor Pepe,wondered if you knew anything about Jimmys British campaign before he fought the top US heavies.I think it was Billy Aird he drew with.I know he stopped Richard Dunn,who contrary to some opinions,was a decent heavy at the time.I remember George Foreman praising Richard on British TV.So Jimmy paid his dues,probably one of the best never to win the title,especially considering beating George.Any reasons for his losses,except the robberies.Training issues,or just inconsistent??

 

Ted,

In the fall of 1973, Russell Peltz (Boxing Promoter at the Philadelphia Spectrum)
co-brokered to send several Philly fighters to the United Kingdom, to be 'cannon-fodders'
for some British Fighters looking to get some 'scalps' on their record.

Little Jimmy Young, nearly 25 years-old, and with a record of 9-4-0 (2 KO's) was
going 'nowhere fast' in the States, so he was glad to make the trip.

Jimmy was supposed to have '3-bouts' there, but I believe he injured himself in
the 8-Round Draw with Billy Aird on October 22, 1973.

 

Things would probably have panned out the same way as they did. Except for Jimmy Young being awarded the WBC belt and making his inaugaral defence against Larry Holmes.

 

I'm one who thought Ali beat Young, if barely. Jimmy didn't land enough punches, and ducking out of the ring a few times made him look bad. But Ali looked terrible in that fight and I'm sure he had no desire to fight Jimmy a second time.

I also thought Norton beat Young, if barely. More body punches, harder shots. But the fight was close.

If Norton used Young as a sparring partner for Garcia that might explain why Ken lost! Jimmy was feather fisted while Garcia a bomber.

Holmes would have beaten Young by a few rounds.

 

Thanks Senor Pepe.Guess Jimmy improved considerably.Our heavies were decent at the time,but they picked the wrong guy for cannon fodder.They didnt always get it right.He was a hell of a boxer,mate.

 

Remind me who did larry holmes beat by 77'

Young, ali, norton and shavers were the top 4 back then.

 

I have to look back, to find the other '2' British Heavyweights 'Little Jimmy' was supposed to fight.

From what I have, Jimmy said the 8-Round Draw with Billy Aird was
fair, and that he had no complaint.

 

Know he fought Dunn,Aird and almost sure the other was Les Stevens,who I used to see in a gym in Reading as an amateur.Last time I saw him he lost to John Conteh at the Albert Hall,which shows what a great fighter John was,as Stevens was good and a bit bigger.Both Dunn and Aird were IMO good heavyweights.

 

TED,,,,,,

Jimmy was supposed to stay in the United Kingdom for 2 1/2 - months, starting
in October and returning in mid-December.

He was supposed to have 3-bouts in his first visit.

I believe he hurt his hand in the Billy Aird bout, and returned back to Philadelphia
a few days later.

 

By the time Young fought Norton in Nov 1977 Ali already had signed to fight Spinks 3 months later. So after losing his title to Spinks there was no need to fight anyone else but Spinks since of course the goal was to reclaim the title. Ali beat Spinks late in 1978 and then retired relinquishing his championship.

 

Senor Pepe,just checked out Jimmys record.From what I can make out,he drew with Aird,then a month later beat Dunn.Had a win in Maryland then soon after returned to UK and beat Stevens.His record looks very patchy.Beat Ron Lyle twice,which is great in itself,apart from his Foreman win and being robbed IMO against Norton,drew with Shavers.Then losses against people I never heard of(which doesnt mean they were no good!!)Some of these were late career,but not all.Any ideas,anyone??

 

True. Holmes would n't have been on Ali's or any top contender's radar in '77.

 

Jimmy Young and Obie English were good friends.

Obie was supposed to have some films of Jimmy's early bouts.

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