On the Joey Archer v DTiger MSG advertisement placard (10/6/1964 fight), there is an promotion for a Curtis Cokes vs "Tito" Marshall bout. I had never heard of such a fight.....which in fact never happened. Though Cokes was venturing up to the NE USA fight arenas to boost up his status as a WW Contender. Cokes (37-8-2) must have "withdrawn" from the fight for some reason, probably because Cokes had ended up losing to an average 'southpaw" Eddie Pace in August 1964 out in LA. Tito (31-9-2), another SOUTHPAW, ended up fighting Les McFadden (11-2) on the Oct. 1964 date, and winning. Tito appears to be a southpaw who gave really good fighters "rounds" because he fought and lost most by decision to: Kitten H., Joe Shaw, Briscoe (Won/lost), BCurvis, Ramon LaCruz, Red Lopez, CMonzon (twice), Eddie "Red Top" Owens, and Jose Gonzalez. Amazing how an unknown fighter has quite a "history". http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/****_Tiger_vs._Joey_Archer https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-b...urvis-royal-albert-hall-london-108432553.html
Longhorn, I did a bit of studying up on this proposed bout and I found what occurred. Apparently, Cokes briefly retired from the game, having become disenchanted with his hope of attaining any big fights and retired having picked up a good job. However, his retirement lasted only 7 months from the Pace fight and he was back in the ring in March of '65. I should mention though, it looks like he pulled out of the Marshall fight a day or two beforehand.
Thanks for the info. I think I briefly remember Cokes "retirement" now. I would have asked Cokes' manager Doug Lord about it, but Doug passed away in February, 2018... a few months ago. Thanks again.
