Herol Graham: who ducked him?
Is this true?
http://www.ea$tsideboxing.com/news.php?p=5604&more=1
Herol Graham:
Herol 'Bomber' Graham was a slick, peppering boxer and easily one of the best fighters to never win a world title. He gave Mike McCallum and Julian Jackson their most difficult ever fights by far. Hands by his waist, waiting to counter, relying on reflexes to avoid punches, switch-hitting - Graham was something else in his prime. A tricky southpaw, who was so lightning fast at 154 pounds, that nobody could even lay a glove on him.
Graham won his first 37 fights, easily, and was avoided like the plague by Hagler, Leonard, Hearns and Duran. Next up, was another easy win over Ayub Kalule, (who Ray Leonard described as his most difficult ever win) at the peak of his career, to take him to 38-0. His loss to Sumbu Kalambay was a huge shock upset, however. Graham had already signed to fight Iran Barkley for the world title and Kalambay was only seen as a safe warm up fight and so Graham didn't reportedly train for the fight. He lost a 50/50 split decision to a prime Mike McCallum after showboating at the end of the fight, which didn't go down well with the judges. One of the best wins of his career came against a hot, young lion Rod Douglas, who was a very exciting prospect at the time. Nevertheless, Graham rolled back the years and countered him to pieces. His darkest moment was the Julian Jackson fight but he bounced back yet again by easily out boxing Sumbu Kalambay in his own backyard, only to find himself on the end of a scandalous decision, robbed of victory in what would of avenged his first defeat. He very almost defeated Charles Brewer in an admirable comeback, some 20 years after his pro debut. Graham is widely regarded as one of the greatest British talents of the last 50 years. Surely, the 1986 Graham would have likely out-pointed the 1986, Hagler. Graham was the number one contender at the time. Herol Graham was almost too good to be true during his undefeated streak, but unfortunately he failed to put bums on seats due to his defensive style.
Herol 'Bomber' Graham was a slick, peppering boxer and easily one of the best fighters to never win a world title. He gave Mike McCallum and Julian Jackson their most difficult ever fights by far. Hands by his waist, waiting to counter, relying on reflexes to avoid punches, switch-hitting - Graham was something else in his prime. A tricky southpaw, who was so lightning fast at 154 pounds, that nobody could even lay a glove on him.
Graham won his first 37 fights, easily, and was avoided like the plague by Hagler, Leonard, Hearns and Duran. Next up, was another easy win over Ayub Kalule, (who Ray Leonard described as his most difficult ever win) at the peak of his career, to take him to 38-0. His loss to Sumbu Kalambay was a huge shock upset, however. Graham had already signed to fight Iran Barkley for the world title and Kalambay was only seen as a safe warm up fight and so Graham didn't reportedly train for the fight. He lost a 50/50 split decision to a prime Mike McCallum after showboating at the end of the fight, which didn't go down well with the judges. One of the best wins of his career came against a hot, young lion Rod Douglas, who was a very exciting prospect at the time. Nevertheless, Graham rolled back the years and countered him to pieces. His darkest moment was the Julian Jackson fight but he bounced back yet again by easily out boxing Sumbu Kalambay in his own backyard, only to find himself on the end of a scandalous decision, robbed of victory in what would of avenged his first defeat. He very almost defeated Charles Brewer in an admirable comeback, some 20 years after his pro debut. Graham is widely regarded as one of the greatest British talents of the last 50 years. Surely, the 1986 Graham would have likely out-pointed the 1986, Hagler. Graham was the number one contender at the time. Herol Graham was almost too good to be true during his undefeated streak, but unfortunately he failed to put bums on seats due to his defensive style.
Comment