by Fox Doucette In gratitude for getting the Ambro-Santini (as in James Santini, D-NV) Act passed in 1977, which mandated all championship fights in the United States be sanctioned by the WBA, that organization moved its headquarters to Congressman Jerry Ambro's home state of New York, specifically setting up its headquarters in Huntington, the seat of Ambro's district. This … [Read more...]
One Champ Per Weight Part 8: Marvin Hagler and the Chamber of Secrets
by Fox Doucette When last we left our middleweight tournament, Vito Antuofermo had pulled what some in the boxing press were calling the Upset of the Year as he scored a 15-round unanimous decision win over Rodrigo Valdez in an 8-vs-1 shocker to kick off the WBA's middleweight tournament to crown an heir to the throne vacated by the retirement of Carlos Monzon. His opponent … [Read more...]
One Champ Per Weight Part 7: Homme Noir
by Fox Doucette February 25, 1978 The heavyweight title sat vacant; Igor Vysotsky was safely back in the Soviet Union, and Muhammad Ali was dead. A firestorm ensued in New York City, as a combination of black nationalists, Cold War hysteria, and a little bit of leftover post-Vietnam home-grown American skepticism from veteran soldiers led to rioting. The problem with the … [Read more...]
What If: One Champ Per Weight, Part 6: 160 Pounder With Cheese
by Fox Doucette Sometimes you play the hand you're dealt. What would've happened if 1951 Rocky Marciano fought 1937 Joe Louis? Or if 1974 George Foreman fought 1991 Evander Holyfield? Unfortunately for the older man in each fight, 1951 Marciano fought 1951 Louis and 1991 Foreman fought 1991 Holyfield. Sure, Foreman would later feast on the weakness of the heavyweight division … [Read more...]
What If: One Champ Per Weight, Part 5: Superfly!
by Fox Doucette January 30, 1978 Six months to the day after the last defense of his middleweight title, a 15-round unanimous decision in his second fight in Monaco against Rodrigo Valdez, Carlos Monzon, champion of the world, one of only two undisputed champions at the time of the WBA's takeover of the WBC, announced his retirement, putting to bed the rumors that he would … [Read more...]