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1976-12-01 - Boxing News
WBO announces 8 man tourney participants
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has announced the participants for the upcoming 8 man single elimination tourney to crown their new champ following the retirement of legendary then champ Muhammad Ali (51-3, 41 KO). The participants will be as following:
The two time and currently reigning EBU champion, 26 year old brit Joe Bugner (31-9, 19 KO) is #1 seed.
Former IBF champ and WBC title challenger, 31 year old american Al 'Blue' Lewis (32-7-2, 17 KO) is seeded #2.
#3 seed is the 25 year old texan born Mike Weaver (24-2, 21 KO) who is still somewhat inexperienced.
The 1972 olympic gold winner, 27 year old undefeated prospect Larry Holmes (19-0, 17 KO) is seeded #4.
#5 seed is the reigning Commonwealth and BBBofC champion, 29 year old walesman Dennis Avoth (28-8-4, 1 KO) who is coming off his first ever stoppage win.
Italian 30 year old Piermario Baruzzi (25-5, 18 KO) has been announced as the #6 seed.
Seeded #7 is the 26 year old american Mike Boswell (25-5, 19 KO).
Undefeated and inexperienced 22 year old american Ibar Arrington (14-0-2, 3 KO) has surprisingly been appointed as seed #8.
Schedule is as following:
1977-05-07: Al Lewis vs Mike Boswell and Larry Holmes vs Dennis Avoth
1977-05-14: Joe Bugner vs Ibar Arrington and Mike Weaver vs Piermario Baruzzi
Joe Bugner and Dennis Avoth stripped of regional titles
Two time and now former EBU champ Joe Bugner and now former Commonwealth & BBBofC champion Dennis Avoth has been stripped of their regional titles following their participation in the upcoming WBO 8 man tournament.
Ring Magazine rankings December 77
1. Ken Norton 34-3 (29)
2. George Foreman 31-2 (31)
3. Earnie Shavers 30-2 (26)
4. Jimmy Young 31-3 (10)
5. Joe Bugner 31-9 (19)
6. Boone Kirkman 28-8 (20)
7. Ron Lyle 26-1 (23)
8. Al Lewis 32-7-2 (17)
9. Mike Weaver 24-2 (21)
10. Jeff Merritt 31-10 (25)
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