Thad Spencer 'Whats a Guy Have to do get a Shot at Clay'

Friday Night - October 14, 1966

Cow Palace -Daly City, California

Attendance; 5000

#5 WBA - Thad Spencer versus #4 WBA - Doug Jones

Fight Review

23 1/2 year-old - Thad Spencer (197 lbs.) beat the 'living daylights' out of 29 year-old
- Doug Jones (193 lbs.). Thad hit faster, harder and more often.

Thad dominated from the opening bell, and was in complete control. Jones was
only able to land an occassional right hand, but for most of the bout, he was eating
punches.

Over the first '4-Rounds', Thad gave Doug Jones a 'severe beating'.

In Round 5, Spencer rocked Jones badly, and had him pinned to the ropes.

In Round 6, Spencer staggered Jones with a right hand, and had him out on his feet.
Referee Frank Carter nearly stopped the bout, as Jones sagged into the ropes. Bu
Doug Jones did fight back over the last 30-seconds to save himself.

Time and again, in Rounds 7, 8 and 9 - Jones was staggered by Thad Spencer hard left-rights.

In Round 10, Spencer buckled Jones legs with a left hook, and Jones was within a
whisker of being stopped.

It was a complete 'white-wash'.

Scorecards;
Referee, Frank Carter..........10-0-0 (11-0 in Points)
Judge, Fred Aspotoli............10-0-0 (10-0 in Points)
Judge, Joseph Lotsey............8-1-1 (9-2 in Points)

Thad Spencer improves to 32-5-0 (14 KO's)

Doug Jones drops to 29-8-1 (19 KO's)

Live Gate; $28,000

Fight Purses;
Thad Spencer - $14,000
Doug Jones - $10,000

Thad Spencer; 'I want Clay. I have been offered a bout in England for January. I'm going right
back to my training camp in San Jacinto to get ready. If I stay in shape like I was for tonights
fight, I will beat him.'

Doug Jones; 'I wasn't in the best shape for tonight's fight. I just felt slow, and I couldn't
get my punches going. Thad is fast and hits hard, and he should give Clay a good fight.'

Oakland Tribune, John Simmonds, 'If Thad stays in shape, his left jab will give Cassius Clay some
trouble. Thad has the speed to stay with anybody, and if he is focused and properly conditioned,
I wouldn't bet against him.'

 

January 1967


Champion, Cassius Clay has stated the he will defend his Championship versus
Ernie Terrell in February, and in the Houston Astrodome.

The Champion stated the he would then defend his title versus #2 ranked Thad Spencer
in San Francisco in April.

'I would like to defend my title 5-Times' this year, and all over the world. I have
plans to fight in Japan, Egypt and Costa Rica.'

San Francisco's (#2 ranked) Thad Spencer may fight former Champion - (#6 ranked) Floyd Patterson while
waiting for the winner of the Cassius Clay - Ernie Terrell Championship bout.

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3-Bean Salad,

Cassius did sign to fight Thad Spencer, immediately after he defeated
Zora Folley on March 22, 1967 at Madison Square Garden.

On April 5, 1967 - Cassius Clay signed a contract.

The bout was supposed to take place in San Francisco, and Clay was to
get 50% of the live gate.

Then, an offer came in from Tokyo, Japan - for Saturday April 29th.

Thad Spencer had not fought since October 14, 1966 (almost 6-months).

 

jowcol,,,,,,

I didn't get into 1967 yet.

I was trying to stay in a proper chronological order (in the order that events happen).

I will get to Thad's 'crash and burn period' shortly.

If you follow the scenario, Thad was the 'most' deserving challenger for
Cassius Clay's Championship in early-1967.

No 'ifs', 'ands' or 'buts'.

Geeez, even Cassius Clay said that.
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An earlier photo.

Referee, John Thomas raises Thad Spencer's hand, after the rock-hard 190 lb.
21 1/2 year-old - Thad scored a KO 5 over Tom McNeeley at the Civic Auditorium
in Santa Monica, California.
(November 9, 1964)

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Solomon,

The Ring Magazine and the WBA (World Boxing Association) had different ratings.

Which typically, confused the hell out of everybody.

March 23, 1967

Cassius Clay stated that he would fight Argentina's Oscar Bonavena next, and in Japan.
'We are set for May 27th, and in Tokyo', said the Champion.

On the west coast, Thad Spencer who was guaranteed the next bout stated,
"What's a guy have to do to get a shot at Clay.'

West Coast boxing promoter, Bernie Ford, 'This is getting ridiculous. Everytime Thad win's,
he is promised a title fight. Then he's told to wait, or he's told that he has to beat another guy
to get a shot. I honestly don't know what to tell him. How the hell does Bonavena jump
over Thad.'

 

Sister Sledge,,,,,,

I respect your opinion,,,,,
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More on Thad Spencer -

Once Cassius Clay refused induction into the U.S. Military (April 28, 1967), the
Heavyweight Division went into a 'fragmented turmoil'.

Thad Spencer, who had been idle since October 14, 1966 (6-months), needed to get
back in the ring, after his 'foolish wait' to fight Cassius Clay.

A proposed bout with Floyd Patterson in San Francisco was temporarily put on hold,
and offers to Joe Frazier and George Chuvalo were not returned, as they fell on deaf ears.
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Instead, a 'third fight' with Amos 'Big Train' Lincoln was put together for
Monday Night - June 26, 1967 at the Cow Palace - Daly City, California.

The 24 year-old - Thad 'Babe' Spencer (202 lbs.), at 32-5-0 (14 KO's) is
the heavy-favorite over the 29 year-old Lincoln (210 lbs.) at 40-10-1 (24 KO's).

Despite 'two' previous victories over Thad Spencer, 'Big Train' is no longer
considered a heavyweight threat, as he has suffered 'back-to-back' knockout
losses entering this bout (L KO 6 to Karl Mildenberger in May) and a shocking
upset loss (L KO 2 to Jimmy Fletcher in March).

But some skeptics question Thad Spencer's work ethic and dedication, as he
enters into the bout a bit-flabby at 202 lbs. and not the fit and trim 195 lbs.
like in previous bouts.

 

Monday Night - June 26, 1967

Thad 'Babe' Spencer stops {TKO 8} Amos 'Big Train' Lincoln

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Monday Night - June 26, 1967

Cow Palace - Daly City, California

Attendance; 5300

Thad Spencer {KO 8} over Amos Lincoln.

#5 WBA ranked - Thad Spencer battered Amos 'Big Train' Lincoln from the
opening bell, preventing the 29 year-old 6' 2" veteran from landing any of
his big right hands.

The 24 year-old Spencer, showing his superior boxing skills, started to drop in
heavy punches on his fading opponent in Rounds 6 and 7, which had Lincoln walking
wearily at each of the rounds end.

In Round 8, Thad landed a hard right hand on the 'Big Train', that forced Referee
Tony Bosnich to issue a 'standing 8-count' on Amos.

After the count, Spencer went immediately after the stunned Lincoln, and pounded
him with a barrage of right hands, that had him hanging on the middle strand of the
ropes, forcing the Referee to stop the bout at 2:09 of Round 8.

Scorecards at the time of the stoppage.
Referee, Tony Bosnich............6-1-0
Judge, Frankie Carter.............7-0-0
Judge, Jack Silver..................7-0-0

Thad Spencer improves to 33-5-0 (15 KO's).

After bout comments;

Thad Spencer; 'I needed this fight as a work-out, and also to prove to the WBA that
I should be in the tournament.'

Thad Spencer; 'I owed Amos, as he had beat me twice before. I have been out of
the ring for 8-months, so I did have a little weakness in there, but I got my second-wind
in the 6th Round, and I really was putting in heavy punches that hurt him.'

Willie Ketchum; 'We were supposed to fight Floyd Patterson next, at the Oakland
Arena. But, we're in the WBA Tournament now, and maybe we'll run into Floyd in
the semi-finals.'

Willie Ketchum; 'I'm off to Houston, to finalize the contracts for Thad to fight Ernie
Terrell on August 5th at the Astrodome. We're ready for the 'tall' Terrell, as I don't
think he can withstand the right hand of Thad.'