Willie Classen, A New York Middleweight,,,,,,,the original 'Macho Man' By the spring of 1978, Willie had built up a fine record of 15-2-2 (8 KO's), and was regarded as a fighter-on-the-rise by Ring Magazine. A New York City based fighter, Willie Classen was a 1970 New York Golden Gloves Champion. After turning professional, 'Macho' as he liked to be called was a popular middleweight who had a strong Puerto Rican fan base in New York. In early 1978, he was a local star on the rise, fighting primarily at the Felt Forum and Main Arena at Madison Square Garden. In August 1978, Willie fought in the New York '1978 Fight of the Year', when he and future World Middleweight Champion Vito Antuofermo battled it out over 10 grueling back and forth rounds. When the decision was announced in favor of Antuofermo, Madison Square Garden erupted with disfavor. The fans boo'ed the decision, and paraded the 'Macho Man' up and down the aisles. A mini-riot developed, as the Puerto Rican fans voiced their displeasure. Willie 'Macho' Classen was a New York Champion that night, despite the loss. Willie finished out 1978 with two more fights (one win and one loss). Hoping for a new turn in 1979, it would not be found. The 'Macho Man' was stopped in a brutal war with hard-punching John LoCicero in New York City. And later, was shipped over to the United Kingdom to succomb in 2 non-combative rounds with World-Rated Tony Sibson. Once a 'star-on-the-rise' only 16-months earlier, Willie Classen had now become an opponent that another 'star-on-the-rise' could use to build up his record. In November, his manager signed Willie to fight up and coming hard-hitting Middleweight-prospect Wilford Scypion. Though Willie had been brutally stopped in his two previous bouts, his manager agreed to allow Willie to walk into the ring with a fighter with tremendous punching power. Add to the fact, that under normal circumstances, Willie Classen should have been under suspension for his knock-out losses. What happened was criminal. A tragedy that should have never been allowed, as the failure of an inexperienced manager who was just looking for quick cash, an incompetent New York State Boxing Commision, and a boxing matchmaker who had no regard for the well being of a sacrificial lamb. On November 28, 1978 Willie 'Macho' Classen died of head injuries he suffered from the battering he took from Wilford Scypion five days earlier.
November 23, 1979 Madison Square Garden Willie Classen vs. Wilford Scypion Round 10 Moments into Round 10, Wilford Scypion lands two brutal over-hand rights that land flush on Willie Classens unprotected head. Willie falls back into the ropes and then collapses onto his back. Moments later, 'MACHO' as he liked to be called slips into unconciousness. This content is protected
finally not a 1960-1980 HW thread , although it does lay within d time frame . I like your threads d vast majority of d time and read them all of d time , but y not enrich it with some info on other times and weights ?
Would love 2 have some info on Sanderline Williams , Tony Thornton , all of them forgotten fighters .
Can somebody explain how Classen got blasted out by Tony Sibson like a few weeks before his fatal match? What was Gil Clancy thinking???
Slakka, It actually goes back further than that. Willie Classen was knocked out by John LoCicero back in April 1979. That bout was a brutal war, as Willie took an enormous amount of head blows in that bout. He was stopped in the 8th round. The punishment that he received was so bad, that the New York State Athletic Commision put him on indefinite suspension. And in September his license had expired. To get re-instated, Willie Classen would have to undergo a neurological exam. Enter Mickey Duff. On October 6th, The matchmaker was seeking a fill-in opponent for Tony Sibson for a fight in England on October 8th. Willie Classen's manager, Marco Minuto, accepted the fight on 2-days notice. The British Boxing Board approved Classen as an opponent, without even checking to see if he had a New York State Boxing license. Needless to say, Willie performed poorly, and was stopped in the 2nd round, after being dropped to the canvas 3 times. Questions of Classen's health surrounded that fight, as seemingly mediocre punches dropped him. Classen later complained of headaches and double-vision. The result of that bout was never reported (as some say) to the New York State Athletic Commision, who would have suspended Classen for fighting abroad without a valid boxing license.
Just a horrible scenario all the way around. Classen shouldn't have been in the ring to begin with; and given the fact that he had absorbed a nasty beating throughout the fight, there's no way that he should have been allowed to continue as long as he did. If I recall correctly, the whole affair was sordid enough that reporter Gerry Morgenstern never covered boxing again. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to remember that Classen was a pretty reasonable fighter for a while, Pepe. He deserves that much, at the very least.
A person responsible told me vs Sibson "Dont worry he took a dive" How multi million $$$$$ lawsuits didn't come about baffles me to this day.
You know, upon entering that bout over in England, there were observations about Willie 'Macho' Classen's condition. He had not been in the gym, and drug rumors were swirling around. After he got back from England, Classen applied for a new license with the boxing commission. When asked about the fight with Tony Sibson, Classen and his manager falsified there document, stating that the bout was stopped due to cuts. But stories circulated, that Classen was knocked out and that he did not try to defend himself. Once Willie got his new license from the New York Boxing Commision, he and his manager Marco Minuto were contacted by Madison Square Garden Matchmaker, Gil Clancy. Clancy was looking for a 'semi-name opponent' to put in against Wilford Scypion, a 'head-hunter' middleweight with 12 wins and all by knock-out. Scypion was managed by Mike Jones, and Jones wanted a safe opponent who could test Wilford but one who would not present a tough battle. Enter Marco Minuto, Classen's manager, an inexperienced person in the fight business, who was looking to get his fighter another pay-day on short notice. While Gil Clancy said yes to Classen, Jack Brami an assistant Matchmaker for Madison Square Garden said an emphatic 'no'. Brami had heard stories about Classen's drug use and general condition, and in no way wanted Classen in the ring with anybody, let alone the power-punching Scypion.
There were some "bad dudes" fighting back then as top ten contenders. Scypion, James Kitchens, Frank the Animal Fletcher, etc. Plus your had the top level guys Hagler, Sibbo, Hearns, etc. RIP Willie Classen.
Willie Classen on the attack versus Wilford Scypion. November 23, 1979 at Madison Square Garden Round 5 (Willie wearing his 'MACHO' boxing trunks) This content is protected
Willie Classen, In early November, While the Madison Square Garden matchmakers, Gil Clancy and Assistant Jack Brami differ on offering Wiilie Classen the bout against Wilford Scypion, Classen's manager Marco Minuto is pushing for the match. Gil Clancy, against Jack Brami's recommendation, offers Minuto a measly $1000 for the 10-Round bout. Minuto holds out for more money. His claim, despite 2 bad knock-out losses in a row, is that Willie Classen is a name fighter, and desrves a larger fight purse. Later, Jack Brami gets involved, and asks Minuto, 'just how much do you think a figher with 2 straight knock-out losses is worth'. Minuto still holds out for more money, asking for $2500 for a 'co-main event bout' in Madison Square Garden is not asking for much he states.
