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1976-11-01 - Boxing News

Jimmy Young and Ron Lyle to meet for vacant IBF title

On March 5th, former one time title challenger and former IBO champ, Jimmy Young (31-3, 10 KO) will face up and coming Ron Lyle (26-1, 23 KO) for the vacant IBF title, following the retirement of then legendary champ, Muhammad Ali (51-3, 41 KO). Jimmy Youngs defeats has come at the hands of Joe Frazier (twice) and Ken Norton. Young was knocked down 7 times during these three fights, but has only been knocked down once otherwise, against the kazakh journeyman Viatcheslav Tupolev (18-19-1, 10 KO). Ron Lyle lost a unanimous decision against Larry Frazier (21-5-1, 11 KO) in a fight in which he was knocked down twice. He was also knocked down once against Mike Weaver (23-2, 20 KO), but rose to win a unanimous decision.

Ken Norton to face Terry Daniels for the vacant WBC championship
The former IBF, WBC and IBO champ and currently ranked #1 by Ring Magazine, Ken Norton (34-3, 29 KO) will compete Terry Daniels (28-6, 8 KO) for the vacant WBC championship on April 23rd. Ken Norton lost an early career bout, a DQ against Chuck Wepner (26-18-1, 10 KO) but since then has only lost against world legends Muhammad Ali (51-3, 41 KO) and Joe Frazier (35-6, 34 KO). Lately, he has been very impressive with victories against Al Lewis (31-7-2, 17 KO) and Jimmy Young (31-3, 10 KO). Terry Daniels has never done much special in his career, although he has won fights against Ted Gullick (11-0-1, 10 KO), Kurt Luedecke (25-9-1, 13 KO), Bernard Thebault (33-18-2, 18 KO) and Mecki Friedrich (25-14, 13 KO). The trainer of both fighters is dane Mikkel Kristensen and it is yet unsure which corner he will be in.

Fights anno November 1976

05: A segment of Friday Night Fights headlined by major prospect Fred Houpe (14-0, 13 KO) taking on hard hitting brit Eddie Neilson (20-2-1, 18 KO). Scott Le Doux (10-1, 6 KO), Albin Hjort (5-0, 4 KO) and Jose Valenzuela (6-0-1, 2 KO) will also be in action.

13: Dennis Avoth (27-8-4, 0 KO) and Fonomanu Sekona (22-5, 14 KO) will face off for the Commonwealth belt in the main event. Gene Innocent (31-8, 21 KO) and Richard Dunn (30-15-3, 9 KO) will meet in an all british fight. Peter Boddington (27-8-1, 21 KO) and Dante Cane (37-13-1, 30 KO) will also be in action.

19th: Yet another segment of Friday Night fights, this one headlined by prospect Mike Weaver (23-2, 20 KO) taking on tough argentine Pedro Lovell (23-7, 20 KO). Larry Frazier (21-5-1, 11 KO) will be favourite against Domenico Adolfi (26-9, 13 KO) in the Co-Feature.

27th: Jeff Merritt (31-9, 25 KO) will look to get back in the mix after losing to Ken Norton, against the guy who got him in the mix in the first place, over the hill Al Lewis (31-7-2, 17 KO). Former two time world title challenger and two time EBU champ, Joe Bugner (30-9, 19 KO) coached by dane Mikkel Kristensen, will take on hammering tough journeyman Ron Stander (23-7-2, 8 KO). Duane Bobick (15-1, 12 KO) and Johnny Boudreaux (13-2-2, 1 KO) will also be in action.

Ring Magazine November Rankings
#1 Ken Norton 34-3, 29 KO, IBO champ
#2 George Foreman 31-2, 31 KO, USBA champ
#3 Earnie Shavers 30-2, 26 KO, NABF champ
#4 Jimmy Young 31-3, 10 KO
#5 Boone Kirkman 28-8, 20 KO
#6 Joe Bugner 30-9, 19 KO, EBU champ
#7 Jeff Merritt 31-9, 25 KO
#8 Ron Lyle 26-1, 23 KO
#9 Al Lewis 31-7-2, 17 KO
#10 Larry Holmes 19-0, 17 KO