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Fullmer vs. Paret: Prelude to Tragedy
In the movie The Harder they Fall, boxer Buddy Brannen (played by Max Baer) renders a horrific beating on Gus Dundee (played by former heavyweight contender Pat Comiskey) who thereafter suffers from terrible headaches, symptomatic of brain damage, heading into his next fight with the highly touted Argentinean giant Toro Moreno (Mike Lane). Everyone knows that Gus is damaged goods except the naïve, feather-fisted Moreno who knocks him out, whereupon Gus lapses into a coma and dies.
Max Baer was suitably cast as the menacing Brannen. Humphrey Bogart and Rod Steiger are at their very best in what is arguably one of the best boxing movies ever made. It’s great theater.
What was not theater was that heavyweight Ernie Schaaf compiled a record of 49-15-1 that included wins over the real Max Baer and Jim Braddock. In August 1932, he was decisioned by Baer in a rematch. However, he was actually saved by the bell when Baer knocked him out with seconds remaining in the fight.
Six months later, feather-fisted giant Primo Carnera knocked out Ernie in 13 rounds. Schaaf died four days later. Many believe the injuries suffered in his bout with Baer contributed to his death. Schaaf, of course, became the fictitious Gus Dundee. The fictional Moreno harked to Carnera.
Gene Fullmer
Later, in the 50s, former middleweight champion Gene “Cyclone” Fullmer (pictured) went on a tear after losing by spectacular left hook knockout to Sugar Ray Robinson on May 1, 1957 in the Chicago Stadium. The shot — often referenced as “The Perfect Hook” — caught the brawling and iron-chinned Fullmer flush on the chin.
“People tell me it was a great left hook, but I wouldn’t know. I never saw it.” – Gene Fullmer
Alternating between venues in Utah and large arenas elsewhere, Gene, a Utah Mormon, ran off eleven straight wins before drawing with Joey Giardello in Bozeman, Montana in April 1960. Among his victims were Ralph “Tiger” Jones, Spider Webb, Joe Miceli, and Carmen Basilio.
Fullmer stopped Basilio after the draw and then drew again (albeit controversially) with Sugar Ray Robinson (144-8-2) in December 1960 in Los Angeles. Three months later, he decisoned Sugar Ray in Las Vegas, thus going 2-1-1 over Ray during the course of his career.
Based on the level of his opposition and the frequency of his fights, Fullmer was the quintessential “best vs best” type fighter. Throw a dart and you were liable to hit the names of Paul Pender, Gil Turner, Del Flanagan, Rocky Castellani, Charlie Humez, Florentino Fernandez, or Eduardo Lausse. Tough and relentless, he just kept up the pressure from beginning to end; he kept coming and coming with endless stamina.
The Benny “Kid” Paret Fight (December 12, 1961)
Gene was 54-4-2 when he faced “The Kid” (35-10-3) at the Convention Center in Las Vegas. Paret had lost three of his last five bouts, all during a short period of time, and each of the fights had been against elite opposition.
Their contrast in styles did not bode well for the skilled Paret who had moved up in weight. The stronger and bigger Fullmer forced Benny into a brawl and then, after gaining control, butchered him in a sustained way that was difficult to watch and likely triggered shouts of “stop it” from ringside as the slaughter moved into the tenth round. This was a precursor to Duran vs. Moore as Fullmer was on a rampage and landed one thudding head and body shot after another leaving Paret bloodied and spent and ready to be taken out.
Here is how historian and author Mike Silver saw the action in a 2012 story written for Boxing.com: “In the tenth round the exhausted, bloodied challenger was the recipient of one of the most frightful and sustained beatings this writer has ever witnessed. Seven full power right hand punches were landed consecutively to Paret’s head before he went down. After getting up from the second knockdown he could barely stand. The referee, Harry Krause, inexcusably allowed the fight to continue for one more knockdown before finally counting him out.”
Amazingly, Benny was able to leave leave the ring without being stretchered out, but in retrospect that might have worked against him as he returned to action far too soon. It’s a cliché but it fits—Benny “Kid” Paret was now damaged goods.
Fullmer had also taken some heavy shots and his face was pulpy and beaten up. Importantly, however, he said that he hit Paret harder and more often than any other opponent.
The Cyclone from Utah did not fight for ten months and then went 0-2-1 against Dick Tiger ending an illustrious career (55-6-3) capped by his inclusion into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
The Kid, however, fought Emile Griffith just over three months later in Madison Square Garden; he should have been retired or, at a minimum, not have been allowed to fight for a controlled period of time. As Mike Silver writes, “Benny ‘Kid’ Paret” was doomed before he ever stepped into the ring…..[he] was literally a dead man walking. And Emile Griffith, the other victim in this tragic scenario, was the final straw.”
The rest, of course, is well-documented history. The sensitive and extremely popular Griffith was inducted into the IBHOF in 1990.
Ironically, many observers declared that Griffith was a consummate fighter, except the one thing he did not do well was punch. Really?
“Boxers lasts only a short time, but managers go on forever.”–Joe Greb
Ted Sares can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 278: Clashes of Spring in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and LA
PHOENIX-It happens every Spring.
Promoters worldwide gather their forces and produce their best fight cards from Europe to the Americas and in Asia.
Beginning Friday, it starts with Top Rank staging a heavy-duty fight card featuring Arizona’s Oscar Valdez and Australia’s Liam Wilson along with a female battle for the undisputed minimumweight championship. ESPN+ will stream the card.
Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) meets Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on Friday, March 29. Both have a common foe and lost to champion Emanuel Navarrete. Both want a rematch or world title fight.
“I know Liam Wilson. He’s a tough fighter,” said Valdez. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete and he sent him to the canvas.”
Wilson almost defeated the champion and now must face two-division world titlist Valdez in his Arizona backyard.
“The whole world saw what happened. I should have already become world champion,” said Wilson of his fight with Navarrete. “I won the belt that night.”
It’s not to be missed.
In the co-main WBA and WBC titlist Seniesa Estrada (25-0, 9 KOs) and WBO and IBF titlist Yokasta Valle (30-2, 9 KOs) battle for the undisputed minimumweight world championship.
Costa Rica’s Valle has super speed and the ability to change tactics if things don’t go her way as she showed against Argentina’s Evelin Bermudez. She is also one of the most athletically gifted fighters in female boxing with incredible stamina.
“This isn’t personal. I respect her as the champion that she is,” Valle said. “And in the ring, we will see who is the real champion.”
East L.A’s Estrada is perhaps one of the most skilled fighters in the world. She also packs power in her small frame. So far, no one has been able to figure out her fighting style or overcome her quickness. The left hook is her best weapon but she has floored opponents with her right cross as well.
“The talk is over. Its time for us to get in there,” said Estrada. “It’s about showing the world that women’s boxing is here, it’s on the rise, and we are great.”
Las Vegas
Aussie slugger Tim Tszyu (24-0, 17 KOs) can add the WBC to his WBO super welterweight title but must pass through giant Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1, 13 KOs) to accomplish unification. Tszyu was supposed to fight Keith Thurman but injury forced him out of Saturday’s TGB Promotions fight card at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Last-minute replacements can be a problem.
Fundora is already a problem with his six-inch height advantage. Plus, he’s a southpaw with pop. It’s like pouring sugar into a gas tank for Tszyu.
But he’s a very confident fellow.
“He’s got height but we all bleed the same blood,” Tszyu said at the press conference.
Another world title fight pits WBA super lightweight titlist Rolly Romero (15-1) versus Isaac Cruz (25-2-1) in the semi-main event.
A third world title matches WBA middleweight titlist Erislandy Lara (29-3-3) against Michael Zerafa (31-4).
A fourth world title fight consists of WBC flyweight titlist Julio Cesar Martinez (20-3) fighting Angelino Cordova (18-0-1).
In an eliminator for the WBC super welterweight belt, Serhii Bohachuk (23-1) is now matched against Brian Mendoza (22-3) who replaces Fundora.
It’s a solid fight card that will be shown on PPV.COM with Jim Lampley broadcasting and assisted by Lance Pugmire. They will also be texting the results and interacting with fans. It’s their third boxing show.
Inglewood
Former super middleweight world titlist Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (45-1) is moving up two weight divisions to challenge WBA cruiserweight champion Arsen Goulamirian (27-0, 19 Kos) on Saturday March 30, at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, Calif. DAZN will stream the Golden Boy Promotions card.
Goulamirian will be making the fifth defense of his title and recently added famed trainer Abel Sanchez to his corner. The former trainer of Gennady Golovkin and Serhii Bohachuk had retired for a few years but returned for the champ.
It’s an interesting match.
Even more interesting was the announcement that Hollywood Park and Golden Boy Promotions signed an agreement beginning this Saturday to work together in bringing boxing events.
“We were the first to host an inaugural combat sports event at YouTube Theater in January 2023, and we couldn’t be more pleased to make history again by being the first to solidify a partnership deal of this magnitude with Hollywood Park,” said Oscar De La Hoya the CEO for Golden Boy Promotions.
It’s an interesting partnership.
One thing the promotion company needs is to add more female fighters to their company to break up the monotony of slow fight cards. It makes sense to add women to the boxing cards. They fight harder and I’ve never seen women fights fail to excite the crowd, whereas I’ve seen plenty of boring men fights on many a promotion.
Bring in female fighters.
When Zurdo fought at the Banc of California two years he brought very few fans compared to the two female fights that same night. The women draw a different crowd and surprise most fans with their energy.
Fights to Watch (all times Pacific Time)
Fri. ESPN+ 3:10 p.m. Oscar Valdez (31-2) vs Liam Wilson (13-2); Seniesa Estrada (25-0) vs Yokasta Valle (30-2).
Sat. DAZN 5 p.m. Gilberto Ramirez (45-1) vs Arsen Goulamirian (27-0).
Sat. PPV.COM 5 p.m. Tim Tszyu (24-0) vs Sebastian Fundora (20-1-1); Rolly Romero (15-1) vs Isaac Cruz (25-2-1); Erislandy Lara (29-3-3) vs Michael Zerafa (31-4); Serhii Bohachuk (23-1) vs Brian Mendoza (22-3).
Photo credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images
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Results from Detroit where Carrillo, Ergashev and Shishkin Scored KOs
Dmitriy Salita, who began promoting small club fights In Brooklyn at the former U.S. Navy airfield where he had his final pro fight, has found a welcome home in Detroit where he is working hard to resurrect the Motor City as an important fight destination. Although his shows are still low-budget (save for the money he spends on marketing; he uses heavyweight PR firm Swanson Communications), his new arrangement with DAZN can only move him another step up the pecking order.
Tonight, two of the most valuable pieces in his stable – junior lightweight Shohjahon Ergashev and super middleweight Vladimir Shishkin — were in action on Salita’s second show at Detroit’s Watne State University Fieldhouse. However, Salita reserved the main event for one of his newest signees, Juan Carrillo, a light heavyweight who represented Colombia in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
In a battle of southpaws, Carrillo (12-0, 9 KOs) had no difficulty putting away Quinton Randall (21-9-2), a 37-year-old North Carolinian who had scored only five of his 21 wins against opponents with winning records. In the third frame, a big left uppercut put Randall on the canvas. He managed to get to his feet at the count of nine, but was on queer street and the fight was waived off. The official time was 0.27 of round three.
Ergashev
Shohjahon Ergashev, a southpaw from Uzbekistan who purportedly has 2.7 million Instagram followers in his home country, was making his first start since a failed bid to win the IBF 140-pound world title. Ergashev was stopped in the fifth round by Subriel Matias, his first defeat as a pro after opening his career 23-0 with 20 KOs.
Tonight, he got back on the winning track without breaking a sweat. A left hook to the body ended the fight in the opening round. His victim, Juan Antonio Huertas, a 31-year-old Panamanian, entered the fight with a 17-4 record, but was 0-2 on American soil and had been stopped both times.
Shishkin
A 32-year-old Russian who trains at the new Kronk Gym where SugarHill Steward holds forth when he is in town, Vladimir Shishkin entered the contest undefeated (15-0, 9 KOs) and ranked #2 by the IBF. How odd that his fight opened the telecast. Perhaps promoter Salita thought that the fight would be too one-sided and wanted to get it out of the way in a hurry. His opponent Mike Guy, 12-7-1 (5) heading in, had been in with some rough customers but was 43 years old, was inactive in all of 2022 and 2023, and had fought most of his career as a super middleweight.
The fight was one-sided in favor of Shishkin and rather dull until the Russian cracked up the juice in round seven and forced the stoppage.
In the future, we would encourage Dmitriy Salita to take some of that money he has been spending on marketing to find a higher caliber of “B-Side” opponents. The best thing about this show was that it was over in a hurry.
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R.I.P. IBF founder Bob Lee who was Banished from Boxing by the FBI
“The image some people have of me is disappointing,” said Bob Lee in a 2006 interview, “but I also feel I had a positive impact on the sport…”
Lee, the founder of the International Boxing Federation who died yesterday (Sunday, March 24) at age 91, spoke those words to Philadelphia Daily News boxing writer Bernard Fernandez who was the first person to interview him when he emerged from a federal prison in 2006. Lee served 22 months on charges that included racketeering, money laundering, and tax evasion.
Born and raised in northern New Jersey and a lifelong resident of the Garden State, Lee, a former police detective, founded the International Boxing Federation (henceforth IBF) in 1983 after a failed bid to win the presidency of the World Boxing Association. At the time, there were only two relevant sanctioning bodies, the WBA, then headquartered in Venezuela, and the WBC, headquartered in Mexico. Both organizations were charged with favoring boxers from Spanish-speaking countries in their ratings at the expense of boxers from the United States.
Bob Lee’s brainchild, whose stated mission was to rectify that injustice, achieved instant credibility when Marvin Hagler and Larry Holmes turned their back on the established organizations. Hagler’s 1983 bout with Wilford Scypion and Holmes’ 1984 match with Bonecrusher Smith were world title fights sanctioned exclusively by the IBF, the last of the three extant organizations to do away with 15-round title fights.
Lee’s world was rocked in November of 1999 when a federal grand jury handed down an indictment that accused him and three IBF officials, including his son Robert W. “Robby” Lee Jr., of taking bribes from promoters and managers in return for higher rankings. The FBI, after a two-year investigation, concluded that $338,000 was paid over a 13-year period by individuals representing 23 boxers.
The government’s key witness was C. Douglas Beavers, the longtime chairman of the IBF ratings committee who wore a wire as a government informant in return for immunity and provided video-tape evidence of a $5000 payout in a seedy Virginia motel room. Promoters Bob Arum and Cedric Kushner both testified that they gave the IBF $100,000 to get the organization’s seal of approval for a match between heavyweight champion George Foreman and Axel Schulz (Arum asserted that he paid the money through a middleman, Stan Hoffman). In return, the IBF gave Schulz a “special exemption” to its rules, allowing the German to bypass Michael Moorer who had a rematch clause that would never be honored. (In a sworn deposition, Big George testified that he had no knowledge of any kickback).
After a long-drawn-out trial that consumed four months including 15 days of jury deliberations, Bob Lee was acquitted on all but six of 32 counts. His son, charged with nine counts, was acquitted on all nine. The jury simply did not trust the veracity of many that testified for the prosecution. (No surprise there; after all, they were boxing people.) But neither did the jury buy into the argument that whatever money Lee received was in the form of gifts and gratuities, a common business practice.
The IBF was run by a court-appointed overseer from January of 2000 until the fall of 2003. Under its current head, Daryl Peoples, who came up from the ranks, assuming the presidency in 2010, the IBF has stayed out of the crosshairs of federal prosecutors.
As part of his sentence, Bob Lee was prohibited from having any further dealings with boxing and that would have included buying a ticket to sit in the cheap seats at a boxing card. This was adding insult to injury as Lee’s passion for boxing ran deep. As a boy working as a caddy at a New Jersey golf course, he had met Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson, two of the proudest moments of his life.
As for his contributions to the sport, Lee had this to say in his post-prison talk with Bernard Fernandez: “We instituted the 168-pound [super middleweight] weight class. We took measures to reduce the incidence of eye injuries in boxing. We changed the weigh-in from the day of the fight to the day before, which prevented fighters from entering the ring so dehydrated that they were putting themselves at risk. All these things, and more, were tremendously beneficial to boxing. I’m very proud of all that we accomplished.”
Bob Lee was a tough old bird. Diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 1986, he was insulin-dependent for much of his adult life and yet he lived into his nineties. Although his coloration as a shakedown artist is a stain that will never go away, many people will tell you that, on balance, he was a good man whose lapses ought not define him.
That’s not for us to judge. We send our condolences to his loved ones. May he rest in peace.
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