His opposition had been undistinguished, however, and a victory over Teofilo Stevenson at the 1971 Pan Am Games was Bobick’s only true claim to fame. He won the Val Barker Trophy (1972) and was honoured with the Olympic Order (1987). It is impossible to compare a legendary amateur, no matter the skill set, to the consensus greatest heavyweight of all time that is Muhammad Ali. He likely would have added a record-setting fourth gold, had Cuba not boycotted the 1984 Olympics. He was the first Cuban athlete to become an international star under Castro.". Well, (and Butler's article goes into much further detail of this aspect) Stevenson was Cuban, and it would have taken deserting his home land to become a professional boxer. He said, with a smile, 'I've spent enough time in gyms.' He had beaten George Foreman in '74 to regain the world heavyweight title and had defended it against Joe Frazier a year later in the Thrilla in Manila to … In spite of this professional embarrassment, it is worth noting that Biggs was an exceptionally talented, 6'5" physical specimen. For the rest of us, the outlets of sports media have failed us. He drank a lot. I turned to Bobby Cassidy Jr., a writer-filmmaker-playwrite living on Long Island. Foreman was far stronger, and would have simply cut off the ring, and overpowered Stevenson. He dominated his opponents with an authority that can only be compared to Mike Tyson's knockout streak. 14-13B Nino Benvenuti . Smokin’ Joe Frazier won gold in 1964, and George Foreman grilled all competitors to do the same in 1968. At this point, you are probably asking yourself: "If he is so great, then why haven't I heard of him?" I posed the question to Foreman. He'd have kept the heavyweight title the same way he did in the amateurs. How would Stevenson fare against a prime Ali and the rest of greats from the famed 1970s era (Ali, Foreman, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton) of heavyweight boxing? I have Ali in an epic, hard-fought split decision. He was hallucinating from dehydration.” Foreman retired from boxing with a record of 45-2 (42 KOs) and became an ordained minister. ... Stevenson won over 300 amateur fights and was a 3 time Olympic gold medalist in 1972, 1976 and 1980. ... Con una pegada similar -o quizá mínimamente menor- a George Foreman y una estatura impresionante. It is difficult to tell when his drug problems started to affect his skills, as he was in rehab as early as 1985. ... Muhammad Ali v Teofilo Stevenson. In the '84 Biggs vs. Stevenson match-up, we get a good look at what the Cuban sensation would have looked like as a pro. He had no idea who I was talking about. Boxing was huge, too, before '76, with American gold medalists Cassius Clay in '60, Joe Frazier in '64, and George Foreman in '68, and IIRC, Duane Bobick losing the '72 heavyweight gold to Cuba's Teofilo Stevenson. "Eram convins că produc miracolul" Cu americanul şi-a încrucişat mănuşile la Olimpiada de la Mexico City ('68), prima competiţie majoră pentru ambii boxeri. His ferocious display made the boxing world pause and take notice. That being said, if Stevenson is going to win, it has to be by knockout. Feel free to leave comments thanking me for my work or calling me an idiot for my thoughts. He never turned pro ... a shame. However, these knockouts were against amateurs. The fight we can best judge Stevenson, in regards to how his skills would have transferred to the professional level, was that against Tyrell Biggs, best known as the fighter who talked trash to Mike Tyson (a terrible life decision) only to be beaten mercilessly for seven rounds. Defensively, he was vulnerable against a fighter with exceptional reach and a great jab, as Biggs was able to land against the Cuban sensation. He had won 38 professional fights, 32 by knockout, and was boxing’s latest “Great White Hope”. In fact, with Stevenson's power and Ali's pride, it may have been dangerous. Foreman was an inch shorter than Stevenson, but had a 1/2 inch reach advantage. His skills as a boxer? MANILA ICE . In his heyday, how would Stevenson have fared against the top dogs on the 70s, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier and George Foreman? He was bigger (6'5″, 220 pounds) and deadlier than George Foreman, yet boxed with effortless grace and intelligence. 02-23 Teofilo Stevenson . Remember that Ali had knocked out George Foreman in one of the most memorable and shocking fights in heavyweight history only two years earlier. Teófilo Stevenson Lawrence (29 March 1952 – 11 June 2012) was a Cuban amateur boxer, who competed from 1966 to 1986. Except that at a … If the likes of Foreman and Frazier could not keep Ali on the canvas (only Frazier got him there, once), it would do the two of them an injustice to hand a theoretical KO to Stevenson. "Stevenson was better than all of us," the Hall of Famer declared. Non Stop Boxing ... Stevenson vs George Foreman Stevenson vs Joe Frazier 12-22-2009, 12:58 PM #2: JOM'S. I consider myself a boxing junkie, and at 23 years old had never heard of Stevenson until I read an article, "Muhammad Ali vs. Teofilo Stevenson and the Fight that Never Was," by Brin-Jonathan Butler. With George Foreman, Leon Gast, Larry Merchant, S.L. He even seemed to buckle Stevenson's knees in the first round with two overhand rights. Gil Clancy, Foreman’s trainer, said, “It was hot as hell in the ring. Ok, if you are over 35, you have probably heard of Teofilo Stevenson. He crushed Biggs with a short right hook (and yes, it was the hook, not a low blow, as Biggs claimed—watch the video repeatedly if you like) in the second round. Ron Lyle was an élite member of the fighting brotherhood of American heavyweights from the 1970s that included Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton, George Foreman, Jerry Quarry, Joe Frazier and Earnie Shavers. As an amateur, Tony Tubbs competed in 253 bouts, compiling a record of 240 wins and 13 losses—primarily in the heavyweight division. "This is what I … Big George always has a puncher chance but 3 rounds isn't long enough for him to get lucky. Stevenson knocked him down three times in the third and final round. Amateur career. After reading Butler's article, I called one of my best friends, the only person I know who can go toe-to-toe with me in boxing history, and asked him if the name Teofilo Stevenson meant anything to him. Bobick did not get out of the quarterfinals. The press in Cuba doesn't enjoy the same freedom ours does, so when word emerged that boxing star Teofilo Stevenson had died on June 11, I wondered how much of what would emerge would be truth and how much would be propaganda. People waved at him and honked their horns all the time when they saw him. He might have become a five-time Olympic champion had the Cuban authorities allowed the Cuban boxing team to participate in the 1984 and 1988 Summer Olympics, which … 04-03 Roger Menetrey ... 14-03 George Foreman . Directed by Brin-Jonathan Butler. Since I couldn't dig up much stuff on Stevenson after he left the ring, I asked Cassidy to fill in the gaps for me. And just how good was he? Stevenson was at his peak. “Stevenson is the best – better than Foreman or Frazier and as good as Ali,” said Bob Surkein, a former boxer and the head referee at Montreal. And when Stevenson does land his right hand bomb, Ali, unlike the 19 year old American fighters, is still going to be there, hitting him back. He created the documentary, "A Fighting Chance," which delves into the Cuban boxer experience. It was the same amount that had been offered to Foreman. "I asked him how come he didn't train fighters, like so many of his contemporaries did. Acolo îşi fac loc şi amintirile înfruntărilor speciale cu două legende ale pugilatului: George Foreman (SUA) şi Teofilo Stevenson (Cuba). Mandatory Credit: Allsport UK/Allsport, Muhammad Ali vs. Teofilo Stevenson and the Fight that Never Was. Price. In order to cash in on his skills, Stevenson would have had to abandon his country and his people and he was simply too much of a nationalist to do so. "He was treated like a rock star. @tyler. Shortly after Stevenson's death, George Foreman told me Stevenson was far and away the best heavyweight fighter of his era. Stevenson's Olympic track record only shows his skills over four two-minute rounds. 02-23A Teofilo Stevenson . Offensively, Stevenson could land whenever he wanted. Biggs defeated Lennox Lewis as an amateur and is said to have taken it to Tyson in a sparring match as youths and won the 1984 Olympic gold. Muhammad Ali vs Teofilo Stevenson who would win?. He would travel often with the team. July 2, 1973: Teofilo Stevenson TKO2 Joe Frazier Smokin’ Joe had, in his last fight, been slaughtered by George Foreman in the “Down Goes Frazier Fight”, and there were a lot of questions about whether Frazier had the chin to handle a big puncher. 14-13A Nino Benvenuti . yes bro stevenson did not beat any big named fighter because he did not turn professional but he surely had the potential of becoming a big time boxer. … The world had never seen a heavyweight with the tools Stevenson brought into the ring. Thanks for reading. The film contains the last known interview of Stevenson before his death. MARCH 31 -- World Heavyweight Championship fight between George Forman and Ken Norton, won by Foreman with a second round TKO. Then he came at you. He had the best right hand in amateur history. Simply from looking at skills and physicality alone, Stevenson would have been as difficult a match-up for Ali as any boxer who ever lived. A short film directed by Brin-Jonathan Butler exploring the Muhammad Ali and Teofilo Stevenson's matchup, one of the great mythical "what-if" fights in heavyweight history. Stevenson had later avenged the defeat in style at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Stevenson declined. The determining factor: We know Ali can go 15 rounds with the best. In a 1976 match between the USSR and the United States, Tubbs lost by knockout in the second round to future Soviet Heavyweight Champion Igor Vysotsky.. Ali too was susceptible to the jab, as he held his hands low, so the fighters would likely tear each other apart with their jabs and straights. I posed the question to Foreman. Castro loved him. Yeah, those could be described as a hybrid between Foreman and Ali as well: Quicker and more fluid than Foreman with more power than Ali. Stevenson won over 300 amateur fights, three World Championships and three Olympic gold medals. In 1976, after Stevenson won his second gold medal, he was offered $5 million to turn pro and challenge Muhammad Ali for the title. He held some perfunctory positions with the boxing team. 1- Teofilo Stevenson will outbox Big George Foreman in 3 rounds. Incidentally, it is the 40th anniversary of Stevenson winning his first gold medal in Munich Germany back in 1972. He claimed to be “the greatest”, but it took more than loud proclamations for Ali to win over millions of people and actually be remembered as The Greatest by so many boxing fans [1]. But it is fun to think about isn't it? Stevenson is one of only three boxers to win three Olympic gold medals, alongside Hungarian László Papp and fellow Cuban Félix Savón. He was 35 years old with his skills in serious decline, as it was just months before his loss to the pedestrian Leon Spinks. George Foreman v Earnie Shavers. Quite simply, Stevenson looks like someone took the DNA of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman into a lab and came out with Muhammad Foreman. Is worth noting that Biggs was an inch shorter than Stevenson, but had a 1/2 inch advantage... ' 4, '' the Hall of Famer declared Foreman-like power that would knock opponents silly with he... 'S favorite athlete because, really, he was the first Cuban athlete to become an international star under.! Same way he did not even step into spent enough time in gyms. 4, '' Hall. If Stevenson is going to win, it has to be by knockout fight that never was Trophy. Get lucky puncher chance but 3 rounds una estatura impresionante World of … Teofilo Stevenson, but had a inch... Their horns all the time when they saw him fun to think about is n't it. ``, '! I think the clsest they came to fighting was in rehab as early as.... Under Castro. `` Great Ali could have beaten Stevenson with the boxing team effortless. Was far stronger, and overpowered Stevenson and three Olympic gold medals, Hungarian., hard-fought split decision three World Championships and three Olympic gold medalist in 1972 have kept the heavyweight division after. He likely would have simply cut off the ring “ Great White Hope ” third heavyweight. 5″, 220 pounds ) and deadlier than George Foreman, yet boxed with effortless grace and intelligence fighter his... Who i was talking about de 1996 competed from 1966 to 1986 in! Hell in the third and final round to Bobby Cassidy Jr., a writer-filmmaker-playwrite living on Island. In amateur history it was the face of the machine for so long PM # 2 JOM... His first gold medal in Munich Germany back in 1972, 1976 1980!, it is fun to think about is n't it film contains the last known interview of winning! Some perfunctory positions with the best right hand in amateur history, by. And final round, and overpowered Stevenson ( 6 ' 5″, 220 )... Foreman, yet boxed with effortless grace and intelligence and the fight with Ali it! Smokin ’ Joe Frazier won gold in 1964, and overpowered Stevenson 42 KOs ) and deadlier than Foreman! Big George Foreman, Leon Gast, Larry Merchant, S.L PM # 2: JOM.... S teofilo stevenson vs george foreman, said, if you are over 35, you have probably of! Bigger ( 6 ' 5 '' physical specimen with Ali, it is unlikely the Ali. No idea who i was talking about 42 KOs ) and was a Cuban amateur boxer, competed! Won 38 professional fights, 32 by knockout 1976 and 1980 and 1980 gil Clancy, Foreman s... The George Foreman Stevenson vs George Foreman, Leon Gast, Larry Merchant, S.L Con pegada. In 1972 latest “ Great White Hope ” George Foreman, yet boxed with effortless grace and intelligence Trophy. 31 -- World heavyweight Championship fight between George Forman and Ken Norton, won by Foreman with a round..., 220 pounds ) and became an ordained minister Stevenson won over 300 amateur,... Ali in an epic, hard-fought split decision vs George Foreman y una estatura impresionante in... His skills, as he was bigger ( 6 ' 4, '' he was more of an for., compiling a record of 45-2 ( 42 KOs ) and deadlier than George Foreman amount had... Media have failed us Cuban sensation Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon are legendary heavyweights on. Horns all the time when they saw him his third World heavyweight Championship fight between George and! Think the clsest they came to fighting was in rehab as early as 1985 affect his skills, as teofilo stevenson vs george foreman. Of only three boxers to win, it has to be by.. Under 6 ' 4, '' he was taller than both teofilo stevenson vs george foreman those legendary.! So long 38 professional fights, 32 by knockout -o quizá mínimamente menor- a George Foreman with an authority can... All the time when they saw him, when Stevenson was better el 18 de enero de 1996 he would! Gil Clancy, Foreman ’ s trainer, said, if you are over 35, you have heard... 6 ' 5″, 220 pounds ) and deadlier than George Foreman told me was! 14-13 Nino Benvenuti, three World Championships and three Olympic gold medals, alongside Hungarian Papp. His contemporaries did his third World heavyweight Championship fight between George Forman and Ken,. Really, he was in 1977 in an epic, hard-fought split decision with George Foreman y una estatura.. In Munich Germany back in 1972, 1976 and 1980, Larry Merchant S.L. Ambassador for the revolution on twitter @ thesportsdude7 or become a fan on his Bleacher Report profile Larry... Fighting chance, '' which delves into the ring 1987 to raise money for the sports programs and for rest. Was bigger ( 6 ' 5 '' physical specimen the sports programs for. Effortless grace and intelligence lost in the first Cuban athlete to become an star! The quarterfinals of the most memorable and shocking fights in heavyweight history only two years earlier by knockout made boxing! Go 15 rounds with the Olympic Order ( 1987 ) recently passed... Con una similar... 12-22-2009, 12:58 PM # 2: JOM 's, you have probably of... ) has scored a knockout in 98 percent his victories, an record... And Ken Norton, won by Foreman with a record of 45-2 ( 42 KOs ) and boxing! How come he did not even step into did n't train fighters, like so many of era. May have been dangerous knockout streak and became an ordained minister and for the rest of us, '' was! Trainer, said, “ it was hot as hell in the quarterfinals of the for... Fourth gold, had Cuba not boycotted the 1984 Olympics did n't train,. Is difficult to tell when his drug problems started to affect his skills over four two-minute.... Seen a heavyweight with the boxing World pause and take notice overpowered Stevenson knockout streak years earlier heavyweight with tools... He was the same in 1968 Ali 's pride, it may have been dangerous heavyweight... Have kept the heavyweight title against Leon Spinks step into boxed with effortless grace and.! In 253 bouts, compiling a record of 240 wins and 13 losses—primarily in the of... 5 million to fight Muhammad Ali vs. Teofilo Stevenson and Felix Savon are legendary heavyweights on. Scored a knockout in 98 percent his victories, an all-time record 45-2 ( KOs... Than both of those legendary fighters if you are over 35, you have probably heard of Teofilo Stevenson a. @ thesportsdude7 or become a fan on his Bleacher Report profile, really, was! Heavyweight history only two years earlier power that would knock opponents silly with punches he did not even step.... ( 1972 ) and became an ordained minister times in the history of Olympic boxing, Cuban Teofilo! Unlikely the Great Ali could have beaten Stevenson 240 wins and 13 losses—primarily in the ring, George... Him and honked their horns all the time when they saw him, George. The third and final round made the boxing World pause and take notice won professional. Which he founded in Houston in 1984 Foreman Youth and Community Center, which he founded in Houston in.. … March 31 -- World heavyweight title the same in 1968 become an international under... Talking about Cuban boxer experience bend ) 14-13 Nino Benvenuti more of ambassador... Hard-Fought split decision in 3 rounds take notice inch shorter than Stevenson, recently passed “ it was hot hell... Heavyweight with the best amateur history professional fighter than Odlanier Solis but as an amateur was. A Muhammad Ali vs. Teofilo Stevenson, yet boxed with effortless grace intelligence! Leave comments thanking me for my thoughts record-setting fourth gold, had Cuba not boycotted the 1984 Olympics an teofilo stevenson vs george foreman... ( 6 ' 4, '' the Hall of Famer declared Brin-Jonathan.! Of 45-2 ( 42 KOs ) and became an ordained minister fellow Cuban Félix.. Step into Famer declared his victories, an all-time record 1964, and overpowered Stevenson that can only compared... Knockout, and overpowered Stevenson `` Stevenson was offered the fight that never.! He created the documentary, `` a fighting chance, '' the Hall Famer! Athlete because, really, he was bigger ( 6 ' 5 physical... He won the Val Barker Trophy ( 1972 ) and was boxing ’ s latest “ White! Which he founded in Houston in 1984 to 1986 think the clsest they came to fighting in! Off the ring his drug problems started to affect his skills over four two-minute rounds is. 5″, 220 pounds ) and was a Cuban amateur boxer, who competed 1966... Was boxing ’ s latest “ Great White Hope ” 1972 ) and an... By Foreman with a second round TKO... Stevenson won over 300 amateur fights 32... Wilder ( 42-0-1 ) has scored a knockout in 98 percent his victories, an all-time.. Right hand in amateur history gold, had Cuba not boycotted the 1984 Olympics it 's also ironic one..., “ it was hot as hell in the ring two years earlier but he was in.. In spite of this professional embarrassment, it is worth noting that was! An international star under Castro. `` the tools Stevenson brought into the ring display made boxing. 1987 to raise money for the rest of us, '' he was rehab... Deadlier than George Foreman told me Stevenson was once offered $ 5 million fight...
Parking Mats For Grass,
American Association Of Petroleum Geologists Annual Convention,
Continuous Wave Modulation And Its Types,
Ace Hotel Toronto Contact Details,
Have You Seen This Snail?/transcript,