Yes, Very True July 1962 James 'Jimmy College Boy' McCarter,,,,,,A 26 year-old, 6' 2" 218 lb. former Fullback. Who was a sparring partner for Sonny Liston, would routinely muscle Sonny all over the ring, by putting his arms under Sonny's, and lifting up 'The Big Bear' and walked him back into the ropes. James McCarter, out of Chester, Pennsylvania, and who would eventually go the University of Washinginton on a football scholarship, was a 'Thorn in Sonny's side'. 'Jimmy College Boy' at age 17, had also defeated Sonny Liston in a 1953 National AAU Regional Meet. McCarter was also the 1956 National AAU Heavyweight Champion. After college, (at age 23) he turned professional in April 1959, and stayed on the West Coast, fighting mainly out of The Olympic in Los Angeles. By August 1961 'The College Boy' had compiled a record of 17-3-1 (13 KO's), and was ready for a Television Fight.
Everything was going great for James 'Jimmy College Boy' McCarter until Thursday Night - August 31, 1961 at The Olympic. James McCarter (25 years old)......17-3-1 (13 KO's) vs. Alex Miteff (26 years old)............23-10-1 (13 KO's) For '2-Rounds' the 'Two Bruising Heavyweights' went toe-to-toe in a hard-punching slugfest, rocking each other with left hooks and right hands. In Round 3, the action continued, until Alex Miteff landed a short right hand, and then crushed James McCarter's jaw with a vicious left hook that dropped him to the canvas at the 1:38 Mark. The Referee counted out 'Jimmy College Boy' out a the 1:48 Mark, but could have counted to '1000', as James McCarter was 'unconscious'. McCarter's handlers rushed into the ring, and it took them '30-Seconds' to revive him. McCarter was taken to the hospital that night, where he spent the night under observation. He was deemed in satisfactory condition the next day, and released. Guess who got to fight Cassius Clay next, in October 1961 in Louisville, Kentucky.
Here's a Sports Illustrated article from 1964 about McCarter and three other Liston opponents. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1075623/1/index.htm
Good Hunting Martin,,,,,, James McCarter,,,,,,Heavyweight Prospect Strength - A big, strong and physical plodder, with heavy clubbing punches. A fair left jab, but has good power with the right hand. Does his best work when he mauls his opponent. Weakness - A bit on the slow side, and does not have good footwork. Starts to fade after 5-Rounds, and drops his right hand too much, leaving him vulnerable to left hooks. This content is protected
