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

Haters can blame me, at least in part, for this thread.

I asked Pepe' if he would provide some research on Spencer, a guy I always found very interesting but didn't know enough about. He has come through as usual.

And while I, too, disagree with Pepe's "anti-Ali" (he would say anti-Clay, I'm sure) slant on many things, I do think Thad's story is intertwined with his quest to get a fight with Ali -- up until Ali was banned for refusing induction.

After that, Spencer's job was to be the best heavyweight he could be and rise to the top -- or as close to it as he could get. From that point on, Ali has nothing to do with his story as he was out of contention by the time the FOTC happened after Ali's return.

I look forward to seeing the rest of this story unfold.

 

Based on what??
What resume are you troweling out Senor??
A few boxing bodies at that time did have Thad as the possible favorite going into the elimination tourney and I started a thread on another boxing site a few years ago asking why?? I can only assume that Ring mag., and others, simply were trying to find someone who hadn't fought Ali yet. Do you actually think Amos Lincoln or Spencer would have any ''rat's chance in hell" against Ali at that time?
He had zero quality wins going into the tourney.
Thad was NOT the most deserving challenger for Ali's title in early-67 unless you can conger up some scenerio that puts Patterson, Bonavena, Chuvalo, Folley, even a worn Liston (at that time), a young Frazier, etc. etc. on the back-burner.
He'd beaten nobody Senor!
I look forward to your crash and burn section on Thad, post Jerry. I'm sure we'll understand all the reasons why he couldn't win ANY of his last eight fights.
No disrespect, just trying to understand your thread.

 

I believe Senor Pepe posted more than enough in this thread to make anyone understand why Thad Spencer deserved a shot at Clay's title. You keep mentioning Thad's record after his fight with Jerry as if it was relevant in 1966/67.

 

Kudos for covering Senor's back Andre. I do mention Thad's record after the Quarry fight and I, repeatedly, have mentioned his record BEFORE the time frame he mentioned...NO Quality wins...NONE. Give me his wins that deserved a title shot Andre? Does it really matter Andre? Ali (or are you going to call him Clay too?) would have put Spencer into a lights-out puddle in 65...or 66...or 67...as would a few others at that time. I can't believe we're having a discussion over this. Thad did develop into a viable contender but you guys have him 'ready to lock and load' months before he even could be considered ready and, not to mention as it turned out, he was NEVER ready!!
:roll:

 

Norton neutralized Ali's jab and won one of three fights (and close on 2 others).

Spencer's jab was very good also.......Cassius Clay w/o a jab.....is, Cassius Clay w/o a jab.

 

So?..... You're saying Spencer had a chance against Ali in the 65-67 period we continue to ridiculously debate here? nut

 

Of course.......Spencer would have been competitive.....old, slow Chuvalo had Clay pissing blood for 2 days.

 

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Performance against common opponents:

Billy Daniels:

Ali W TKO7 Spencer W10, TD6

Brian London:

Ali WKO3 Spencer W10

Doug Jones:

Ali W10 Spencer W10

Ernie Terrell:

Ali W15 Spencer W12

Jerry Quarry:

Ali WTKO 3, WTKO7 Spencer LTKO12

Mac Foster:

Ali W10 Spencer LKO1

In the case of Daniels Ali was facing an undefeated fighter who had not yet learned how to lose, Not the shot loser that Spencer was fighting.


When Ali fought Jones he was fighting a guy who had lost only three times and those came against three of the best fighters in the HW and LHW division(Folley which he avenged, Machen, and Johnson whom Jones lost over ten pounds to fight). Spencer fought Jones over three years later when Jones was in his last year as a pro.

Spencer was taken the distance by London and despite winning a clear decision London had his moments, rocking Spencer in the fifth round. Ali dominated and stopped London in 3.

Those are pretty much the highlights of Spencer's career as far as opposition goes. Yet Ali managed to notch wins over such contenders and greats as: Chuvalo twice, Frazier twice, Foreman, Moore, Norton twice, Bonavana, Cooper, Mildenberger, Ellis, Mathis, Liston twice, Patterson twice, Folley, Lyle, Young, Shavers and so on.

I think I'll take Ali over Spencer any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

:hi:

 

You don't seem to be getting the point of the thread. It's not about who is the better fighter, it's about Spencer deserving a title shot at the time and never getting it.

 

Again, is this even being debated anyway?

 

Spencer had enough time holding onto that California title, let alone any chance at winning at the world level.

 

Again, not even Pepe is saying he had a chance. He's saying he was mandatory. This thread tells us how he got there and what happened afterward.

Too many people thinking Pepe is making the case that Spencer was robbed of the chance to beat a man scared of him. Doesn't seem that way to me at all.

Don't see anyone disputing Thomas Americo's strength....