Who knows how good Yancey Durham was as a boxing trainer?

He was perfect for Frazier and did a lot of work with him. Futch was the assistant but Eddie was no big name in the sport in the late 60's. That all came into play a little bit later.

Me, I think Yank Durham was as important to Joe Frazier as Goldman was to Marciano.

 

Many years ago,i watched Joe Frazier train in a hotel in Sullivan County, NY. After Frazier finished his training and sparring Yank Durham remained to chat with me and another man. He was very gracious and patient with us,and I recall Durham's high regard for Rocky Marciano. I was saddened to hear of Yank Durham's death soon after. Frazier and him, seemed very close to each other...

 

Certain trainers were made for certain fighters. How diverse was Yank? I recall an article on Len Hutchins, who was a very nice boxer, and he spoke of his stay with Yank Durham. Hutchins stated how he tried to get Hutchins into a crouch to work the body and to sling over the big punches. I laughed reading Hutchins squealing, "Big punches? I was a boxer! He was trying to turn me into another Joe Frazier!" I recall Kevin Rooney doing the same thing with Jeremy Williams. He tried to turn the poor kid into another Tyson. The same moves, but a different size engine. I think Yank was definitely made for Frazier. As for Futch, now that man was diverse. That was an exceptional trainer. And he was well known in the 60's, but on the west coast. He had a good relationship with Jackie McCoy and worked a lot of his corners including Don Jordan and Mando Ramos. Maybe not as head trainer but learned his craft well and became head trainer of Ken Norton and Hedgemon Lewis in the late 60s.

Scartissue

 

Durham, Futch & Frazier beat Ali.

Durham was not affected by Ali's rants at all.