THE WAR ZONE: Revisiting Classics (Vol 6. - Stanley Hayward vs. Curtis Cokes)

Nice post, IB. You have a nice style of writing.

I always watch those videos and cant help but think those fighters look much more technically sound than fighters today.

 

Nice :good

You could also see how Stanley developed that distinctive boxers nose, taking them jabs straight in the face.

 

Dang good brawl. Very underrated. Perfect fight for when you've only got 15 mins. or so.

 

I wouldnt say Briscoe and Harris ruined Hayward (one of my favorite fighters) although Briscoe nearly did. Hayward outpointed a sleepwalking Briscoe for most of their first fight before Briscoe woke up in the last couple of rounds giving Hayward such a beating that after the fight Hayward began hallucinating in the dressing room, raving like a lunatic and had to be taken to the hospital for a severe concussion. Hayward didnt fight for a year and when he returned he took on Gypsy Joe, the worst possible opponent to come into the ring rusty against. Hayward dropped Joe but suffered a bad cut which impaired his vision. Unable to see tye punches coming at him Haywards corner pulled him out of the fight. Hayward wasnt shot at this point though. His real problem was that he didnt like to train. He went to Paris and got a draw against Jean Josselin which he clearly won but worse than losing a hometown draw was that he fell in love with Paris nightlife. He met a girl attending the Sorbonne and lived the life if a bohemian which wasnt conducive to boxing. After that he got a draw against Joe Shaw in a fight he probably didnt train well for as he faded late. He took on Emile Griffith, still in his prime, and won but once again faded late. Before running out of steam he landed shots on Griffith that would have torn most fighters heads off. This got him a shot for the vacant junior middleweight title against Freddie Little, one of the great underrated fighters of that era. Ever the playboy and always concerned about his looks Hayward got cut badly in the fight and simply shut down. He told me himself he stunk out the joint and refused to take chances after the cut. Less than two months later he was ill advised in being back in the ring with Griffith while his cut from the Little fight hadnt fully healed. The fight was almost a replay of their first fight with Hayward in control early until his cut reopened and then Griffith took control. After that Hayward travelled back to Europe. He dropped and beat Jean Claude Bouttier but lost a gift decision. He beat Pascal DiBenedetto but was given only a draw. And from that point on he was past his prime. Still fun to watch. But 12 years into his career, 32 years old, and much more interested in women than boxing (he loved to say that he was a lover not a fighter) he was no longer the fighter he once had been.

 

Why is Hayward one of your favorites? Do you think he's exciting to watch, or he's just a great technician, or is it both? Or do you just like the guy? I'm not trying to prey on you, I'm really just curious.

 

Why aren't these in classic forum?

 

So sad to hear of the passing of my good friend in Dallas the great Curtis Cokes. Curtis was one of boxing's gentlemen, a real nice friendly guy. A great fighter & a great trainer. He trained two guys who should have been a world heavyweight champion Ike Ibeabuchi & Kirk Johnson but didnt make it for very different reasons. No fault of Curtis though R I P my friend You are one of boxings greats & you will be missed

 

Well butter me up and call me Sally.