Leotis Martin 'Right Hand Neutralizer'

Leotis Martin,

Regarded by many as having the 'best right hand' in the Heavyweight
Division from 1967 thru 1969.

A Philadelphia Heavyweight, who was avoided by 'Smokin' Joe Frazier
during those 3-years.

A 6' 1" tall and lanky 'true banger', who had started to gain reputation as having
a good right hand as early as February 1964, when the 24 1/2 year-old
Leotis at 177 lbs., banged Sonny Liston around pretty good during a sparring session
at the Champion's training camp in Miami Beach, prior to his Championship
Defense versus Cassius Clay.

Had Leotis not suffered an eye injury (detached retina) in December 1969
in his 'upset' KO 9 over Sonny Liston, Mr. Martin would have been next in-line
to fight the winner of the Joe Frazier vs. Jimmy Ellis 'unification bout' held in
February 1970.

After stopping Sonny Liston, Leotis was positioned as the #3 Heavyweight,
behind #1 Joe Frazier and #2 Jimmy Ellis.

The scenario, Leotis now a 31 year-old - 199 lb. 'right-hand missle launcher'
probably would have fought on the 'undercard', and then challenged the winner
('Smokin' Joe Frazier) in June 1970.

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August 1967

Leotis Martin, 28 year-old - Philadelphia Heavyweight - 25-1-0 (15 KO's)

The 192 lb. Heavyweight was ranked as the #9 WBA Heavyweight, but was
positioned into the 1967 WBA heavyweight Elimination Tournament, when
#1 WBA-ranked - Joe Frazier refused to participate.

Leotis though ranked below Jimmy Ellis by the WBA, was listed as the
2-1 Betting-Favorite over Jimmy, by the Las Vegas odds-makers.

Included in his wins before entering the tournament;
* Billy Daniels
* Lee Carr
* Remington Dyantyi
* Roberto Davila
* Amos Johnson
* Von Clay
* Sonny Banks
* Dave Bailey
* Allen Harmon

 

Leotis was a 'tall and lanky' 175 lb. fighter in 1964 and 1965.

Leotis problem, he was a notoriusly 'slow starter', who needed 4 or 5 Rounds
to warm-up.

Was 'flat' and 'unmotivated' versus Henry Clark, Roger Russell and Oscar Bonavena.

Almost fell into 'journeyman' category.

 

Leotis was a fantastic amateur middleweight.

Extremely fast at the lighter weight, where he was more of a stylish-boxer.

Left jab, left jab, and more left jabs. Leotis back then, only used the right
hand as a counter-punch.

 

Leotis did travel with the U.S. Team in November 1961, to Europe.

Leotis was part of the Ohio team (Toledo Boxing Club)

November 6, 1961- Leotis defeated England's Johnny Caiger at (75 Kg)

November 10, 1961 - Leotis defeated Ireland's Barney Wilson at (75 Kg)

Leotis Martin turned professional on January 26, 1962

 

September 7, 1968

Estadio Luna Park - Argentina

Leotis, at 29 was coming off of the 'great knockout' over Thad Spencer, on
May 29, 1968 in the United Kingdom.

So after a little over 3-Months off, Leotis should have been sharp. But after fighting
well over the first '6-Rounds', Leotis got man-handled and mauled by the 205 lb.
Ringo Bonavena over the last '4-Rounds'.

Though Leotis landed several good right hands, Oscar walked through them, and
came back with short hard punches, that took the steam out of Leotis.

Leotis was in-shape (199 lbs.), but after throwing bombs in the early going, he was
punched-out. The awkward Oscar hurt Leotis with hard left hands over the late
going, and won a 'fair' and hard-fought Unanimous 10-Round Decision.

The Associated Press had it 4-2-4 in Rounds.

 

Only in Argentina,,,,,,,,,

10-Point scoring system it was 98-96 by the AP.

'El Grafico' South American Magazine scored it 6-2-2 in Rounds.

Oscar at age 26, was at his best in Esatdio Luna Park. No American Heavyweight was going
to get a decision over him.

Argentinian Officials Scorecards in Rounds.{ 8-1-1 / 5-0-5 / 8-1-1 }

Most had it much closer, the bout was Even after '6-Rounds'. Oscar had a very good 7th
and 9th Rounds. The 8th and 10th were close.
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This bout was a Heavyweight Eliminator -

3-Months later, Oscar got the bout with Joe Frazier for the World Heavyweight Championship.