'Smokin' Joe Frazier vs. Monte Masters

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Senor Pepe', May 6, 2012.


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  1. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    Yes,,,,,,,,,,,,,,this bout was on the table for a CBS-TV fight broadcast,,,,,,,,for December 1981.

    Before Jumbo Cummings,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,it was Monte Masters who 'Smokin Joe'
    was coming back for,,,,,,,,,,,,

    Would 'Smokin Joe' have fared better against 'Oklahoman' Monte Masters,
    Pat 'O'Grady's 'Heavyweight Prospect',,,,,,,,,,

    The 26 year-old Masters, 6' 4" 208 lbs. - 22-0-0 (19 KO's),,,,,,
    Has built up his record by getting fed a steady diet of 'Class D Level' fighters, consisting of;
    * Bar Room Brawlers
    * Farm-Hands
    * Truck Drivers

    '20' of his opponents had 'pathetic' losing records. Only 'two' of his opponents, Lupe 'Macho' Guerra,
    a Nebraska 188 lb. 'Cruiserweight', and Rocky Young had winning records.

    Could 'Smokin Joe' win that fight,,,,,,,????
     
    Senor Pepe', May 6, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 6, 2012
    #1
  2. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    October 6, 1981 - New York Times

    Boxing Promoter, William Cooley said he has 'inked' both former Champion 'Smokin Joe'
    Frazier, and undefeated Oklahoma City Heavyweight, Monte Masters to battle each other in a 10-Round Bout.

    The bout, scheduled for late-November, will be televised by NBC-TV, and the bout will take place in either
    Atlantic City, New Jersey or Oklahoma City, Monte Masters home-base.

    The 37 year-old former Champion has been guaranteed $85,000 plus $15,000 in
    training expenses. Also, if 'Smokin Joe' is impressive in this bout, the Promoter
    William Cooley said he will have Frazier back for a January 1982 bout versus
    'somebody in the Top 20', possibly Mike Koranicki or Ossie Ocassio from Puerto Rico.

    Monte Masters has been guaranteed a $50,000 fight purse. The 26 year-old with an
    81" reach, has been impressive in recent boxing work-outs and sparring sessions.

    Masters 'biggest win' so far, was an August 1981 win over Rocky Young 11-6-2 (6 KO's). Monte
    jabbed and dropped in right-hands to win a Solid-Decision (W DEC 10) over the durable
    Southwestern Club-Fighter Heavyweight

    In his last bout, (September 21, 1981), Masters plodded his way to an Unimpressive Decision (W Dec 10)
    over 'pathetic' and perenial loser Ernie 'Big E' Smith 9-22-0.

    If Frazier is not impressive or loses to Monte Masters, he should retire for good. A
    win, will most lilely be evaluated on its merits, to determine if 'Smokin Joe' can move up
    to a more difficult opponent.

    Boxing Promoter William Cooley said, "I plan to have Joe fight once every 'two months'. If he stays busy,
    he will stay sharp. I think we should have '4' bouts in the bank by May 1982 - then Joe will be ready for
    a World Title Shot for the Summer of 1982.

    'Smokin Joe' stated,,,, "I don't play around,,,,boxing is my life."
     
    Senor Pepe', May 6, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 6, 2012
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  3. The Kurgan

    The Kurgan Boxing Junkie banned

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    He came close to beating Jumbo. Comparing Monte Masters to Jumbo Cummings is a bit like comparing grey to silver in terms of quality, but I suppose an opponent with less power would be more beatable.

    If Ali had taken someone a little less aggressive than Trevor Berbick, then we would have seen Ali-Frazier IV. :barf
     
    The Kurgan, May 6, 2012
    The Kurgan, May 6, 2012
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  4. redrooster

    redrooster Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I remember Monte. whatever happened to him?
     
    redrooster, May 6, 2012
    redrooster, May 6, 2012
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  5. greynotsoold

    greynotsoold Boxing Addict

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    I could,ve beaten Monte masters. I don't know that Jumbo Cummings could have. Had Frazier won that fight, all it would've gotten him is a bad beating down the road. He was shot, and winning his next fight would've just hurt him a ton.
     
    greynotsoold, May 6, 2012
    greynotsoold, May 6, 2012
    #5
  6. johnmaff36

    johnmaff36 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Think hes dead mate
     
    johnmaff36, May 6, 2012
    johnmaff36, May 6, 2012
    #6
  7. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    I was trying to find information on how Masters died last night and couldn't find anything. Literally nothing.

    Anyone?
     
    Russell, May 6, 2012
    Russell, May 6, 2012
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  8. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    According to Boxing Promoter, William Cooley,,,,,,,,,

    'Smokin Joe' was to fight Monte Masters in late-November in Atlantic City, New Jersey or Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

    If 'Smokin Joe' was impressive,,,,,,,,,,,,it would be on to a 'Top 20 Heavyweight', either Philadelphia Heavyweight,
    Mike Koranicki or Ossie Ocassio (Puerto Rican Heavyweight) for January 1982.

    If 'Smokin Joe' looked good in January, then William Cooley had plans to take the former Champion to
    Vancouver, Canada, for a March 1982 bout versus 6' 2" 215 lb. British Columbia Heavyweight, Gordie
    Racette 28-1-0 (21 KO's). Where, a potential 'blockbuster fight' could develop.

    And if 'Smokin Joe' had won all '3' bouts,,,,,,,,,,a May 1982 bout versus former Top 10 Heavyweight
    Scott LeDoux was planned,,,,,,,,,,,,,for Minnesota.

    After that,,,,,,,a July 1982 'World Title Shot' versus WBA Champion Mike Weaver.
     
    Senor Pepe', May 6, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 6, 2012
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  9. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    The Boxing Promoter for 'Smokin Joe' Frazier's comeback was Minneapolis land developer
    William Cooley.

    He had envisioned that 'Smokin Joe' would win a coulple of bouts,,,,,,,,,then put together
    a Joe Frazier vs Scott LeDoux bout in Minnesota,,,,,,,,,for the Spring of 1982.

    Though both fighters were 'washed up',,,,,,,,,,,,,that bout could have earned both
    fighters around $250,000 each.
     
    Senor Pepe', May 7, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 7, 2012
    #9
  10. D9Garrard

    D9Garrard Active Member Full Member

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    Off the path here, but its hard enough to find even a photo of Monte Masters, nonetheless details of his passing. Someone did post a video of his 1983 sparring session with Jerry Quarry on YouTube or he would've been completely anonymous.

    Love the research, Senor', and keep it coming down the rails.
     
    D9Garrard, May 7, 2012
    D9Garrard, May 7, 2012
    #10
  11. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Never knew anything about Masters accept for running into his name on boxrec by chance. Apprently he was a promotion project of Sean O'Grady's father, who's daughter Masters was engaged to.... When the engagement ended, so did Master's career..... The end....
     
    mr. magoo, May 7, 2012
    mr. magoo, May 7, 2012
    #11
  12. johnmaff36

    johnmaff36 Boxing Addict Full Member

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    I may be getting my wires crossed here but i think i read on this forum (IL Duce??) that Masters was the WAA heavyweight champion and O'Grady promptly stripped him off it when Masters and O'Gradys daughter went their seperate ways.

    Or something along those lines
     
    johnmaff36, May 7, 2012
    johnmaff36, May 7, 2012
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  13. Senor Pepe'

    Senor Pepe' Boxing Junkie banned

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    John Maff,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    Correct on the WAA (World Athletic Association), the O'Grady's and
    Monte getting stripped.

    Monte Masters was a good kid, but as a 'Professional Boxer',,,,,,not very good. The 'undefeated record',,,,,,,,loaded with stiffs.

    Pat O'Grady was just trying to get the Oklahoma City Heavyweight a
    good 'pay-day' ($50,000) and on National Television, before pulling the plug.

    Could he have beaten 'Smokin Joe' in November/December 1981 -
    I honestly don't know.
     
    Senor Pepe', May 7, 2012
    Senor Pepe', May 7, 2012
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  14. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    Yeah that pretty much coincides with what I've read as well. O'Grady "constructed" the WAA as a belt for his son in law, and when the relationship ended, the title all of a sudden dissolved. It reeked of self-promotional crap. I think O'Grady was trying to market this guy as a potential opponent for one of the real belt holders ( most likely Holmes ), and when things went south, masters was dropped like a bad habit.
     
    mr. magoo, May 7, 2012
    mr. magoo, May 7, 2012
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  15. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    I doubt it... Especially if we're talking about an even less seasoned Masters than the one who took the fabricated WAA belt in 1983. Masters lost to a guy with a 2-11 record at a point when he was supposedly prime, while Frazier gave a pretty good account of himself against a man who was at least a true professional albeit barely. Ironically enough, Master's best win came against a man named Tony Alongi, who ultimately proved to be a better fighter than he was.
     
    mr. magoo, May 7, 2012
    mr. magoo, May 7, 2012
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