Teofilo Stevenson Pro Simulation

[professordp]

Lorenzo Zanon: This light-hitting, mediocre former Italian heavyweight champ will most likely get a title shot if Ali gets past Shavers this September. In recent years, Ali has been inclined to fighe a European after giving a legitimate contender a shot (Dunn, Coopman, Evangalista).

Outside of his foreign status and another potential payday for Ali, there's little to justify Zanon getting a crack at the title. But such are the ways of the boxing world.

[professordp]

Gerry Coetzee: Only twenty-two, Coetzee could be a real comer in the near future. He has a killer right hand and posesses some boxing skills. He's 17-0 and has stopped nine of his opponents.

The problem here is that almost all his fights have been in his native South Africa against his fellow countrymen. Coetzee has defeated Jimmy Richards, Mike Schutte (twice), and Kallie Knoetze. So if he's going to move up, he's got to move on.

A fight with Stevenson could be a strong possibilty. Castro reportedly pressing Sagarra hard to set up a match with a white South African to score political points. Coetzee could be the guy!

[professordp]

When you have guys like Foreman, Frazier, and Quarry in various stages of retirement, a return to the ring is always a possiblity---particularly given the possibility that Ali will be shortly leaving the scene.

A return by any one of the three would certainly shake things up, and if the title picture opens up, you might see all of them back in action.

[professordp]

Joe Frazier: After losing to Foreman last year and no interest in a fourth match with Ali, retirement seemed to be Frazier's only option. But if Ali retires within the next year and Big George stays retired, Frazier could once more wear the crown.

At thirty-three, you have to wonder how much he has left. The "Thrilla in Manila" took a lot out of Joe. That was obvious in his second fight with Foreman. He'd do well against the Old Guard (Shavers and Norton might prove to be problems), but the question is how would he do when he fights the youngsters, Stevenson in particular. And he'll have to fight the younger generation.

Frazier's younger than Ali, but his style caused him to take many more hard shots. How many mor can he take?

[professordp]

Jerry Quarry: In another era, certainly the 1930s, most likely he would have worn the heavyweight crown, at least for a period of time. But Jerry Quarry was just born too late and had to misfortune to fight at a time that will be seen as the division's golden age.

He's thirty-two and younger than many of the active contenders. But he's been retired for two years after a twelve year career. Like Frazier, his slugging style caused him to take a lot of punishment through the years.

One of the nicest guys in the business, most of the bxing community (including me) think that Jerry should stay retired. He's had his shots at the title and a place in the sun. You'd hate to see him become little more than cannon fodder for the promising young fighters in the division.

[professordp]

George Foreman: It's not easy to write off a guy who was the hardest hitter in heavyweight history and only twenty-eight years old. And I'm not about to do it right now. Still don't expect Foreman to return any time soon or at all. If he did, it would be a big mistake.

He's never gotten over losing to Ali. Last month's loss to Young and the circus in Toronto last year are proof positive. Some point to his slugfest with Ron Lyle last year as a sign that he's still a viable contender. Sure it was exciting, but I've seen the same action in four round prelims at the Blue Horizon in Philadelphia.

The point here is that Foreman needs to spend time to get his head straight before he ever enters the ring again. And he's got a long road ahead of him!

[professordp]

So look forward to a very exciting twelve months in the heavyweight division. Old faces, new faces, and undoubtedly a good number of upsets. Whatever happens in the next year will do much to shape heavyweight history for many years to come.

[Jersey-Jim]

A Post-Converted George Foreman would have been an interesting. He used boxing skills, had stamina and was very relaxed in the ring. It would be interesting to see how he would have done if he'd only retired for 2 years instead of 10.

[CONN CHRIS]

Have you determined how you'll sim Foreman in overalls preaching on Houston street corners within the next year? The ratings for that are going to be tricky.


I absolutely love this thread prof.

[professordp]

Originally Posted by Jersey-Jim

A Post-Converted George Foreman would have been an interesting. He used boxing skills, had stamina and was very relaxed in the ring. It would be interesting to see how he would have done if he'd only retired for 2 years instead of 10.

Actually, that's one of the options I'm leaving open in the simulation. Every fighter that appears in Skip Bailey's "Heavyweight Roundup" is a potential opponent for Stevenson.

I'm being very honest and not trying to shroud this in mystery but I have no idea which of these guys he will fight. What I'm trying to do is to run this simulation within the context of what was actually happening within the division. When Teofilo wins, how he wins, who he beats and when he beats him is tied into what really happened back in 1977.

Will he fight Ali? Foreman? Frazier? etc. That all depends on a host a variables, most of which I don't control. Even the selection of his next opponent is determined more on circumstance rather than my own personal whims.

This is a pretty strange way of doing it, I'll admit. All I can say is this is not your father's boxing simulation!

And Jim, thank you very much for your continued support and input. At least I know I have an audience of two (you and Mad Bomber).

[professordp]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Have you determined how you'll sim Foreman in overalls preaching on Houston street corners within the next year? The ratings for that are going to be tricky.


I absolutely love this thread prof.

You know me, I'm working on it. And with my track record in the forum, I'm sure to take a real beating from my peers! (LOL).

Seriously, thank you for your very kind words and interest!

[Tommysixfingers]

Originally Posted by professordp

You know me, I'm working on it. And with my track record in the forum, I'm sure to take a real beating from my peers! (LOL).

Seriously, thank you for your very kind words and interest!

I second Chris' opinion professor. It's very well done indeed.

I wonder how long Teofilo will keep fighting. It would be very interesting to see what he could do if he is still around in '85-'86.

[professordp]

Originally Posted by Tommysixfingers

I second Chris' opinion professor. It's very well done indeed.

I wonder how long Teofilo will keep fighting. It would be very interesting to see what he could do if he is still around in '85-'86.

Thank you for your kind words and encouragement.

As I indicated, I don't know how all of this will wind up. I plan on running the thread untill Stevenson retires. Now that could be caused by a series of defeats, winning the title, the 1980 Olympics, or old age.

This last factor, age, could very well take me to the mid-80s at which point Stevenson would be thirty-three or thirty-four. As you suggested that would indeed be very interesting!

[mikehoudini]

This has been a great thread. I'd like to see Stevenson go against Baltimore's own George Chaplin, but he may already be fighting guys beyond Chaplin's caliber.

[professordp]

Originally Posted by mikehoudini

This has been a great thread. I'd like to see Stevenson go against Baltimore's own George Chaplin, but he may already be fighting guys beyond Chaplin's caliber.

No promises here--but Chaplin's one of the considerations for the near future. Without giving anything away, in the next few days you'll see that Big Teo is not yet exactly ready for prime time.

Sagarra's game plan is to bring his man along at a steady pace--but not too fast--with mid-1978 being a rough target for stepping up into the the division's elite.

Now I don't take requests, but you might have planted a seed (LOL).

And thank you very much for taking the time to follow the thread and giving me such positive feedback.

[Ric915]

Awesome sim Professor. Really enjoy it

[professordp]

Originally Posted by Ric915

Awesome sim Professor. Really enjoy it

Thank you very much for your appreciation!

[professordp]

CounterPunch
July 1977

"Stevenson Stops Ros for Seventh Win"
by Skip Bailey

Cuban heavyweight hopeful Teofilio Stevenson slammed his way to his seventh victory by stopping former Italian champ Giuseppe Ros in the final frame of their scheduled eight rounder at the historic Palazzo Dello Sport in Bologna, Italy.

A capacity crowd of more than six thousand energized fans were on hand to cheer for their countryman and listen to a forty-five minute concert by the Swedish supergroup ABBA who appeared as part of Don King's "Rock and Sock" promotion.

Ros, who had not fought in six months, entered the ring in less than peak condition. When he doffed his robe to receive referee Larry Hazard's prefight instructions, the members of ABBA weren't the only ones singing "Mamma Mia!" Standing next to a sleek, svelte Stevenson, the rather rotund Ros looked more like a professional wrestler (the sumo variety) than a pro boxer.

Weighing in at 245 lbs, Ros lumbered around the ring providing Stevenson ample opportunity to pound away at the Italian's massive midriff. And pound away did Teo! Working the body much more intently than in previous bouts, Stevenson employed a highly effective "in-and-out" strategy for most of the fight allowing him to get close enough to inflict damage before the sluggish Ros could counter.

On several occasions, Ros did tag Stevenson with strong uppercuts but was unable to follow through due to his opponent's superior foot speed. Ros's attempts to work inside were generally thwarted as Stevnson utilized his reach advantage to pop jabs that were often followed by hard rights and crisp combinations that staggered Ros a couple of times.

In the fifth round, a sharp right cross opened what was at first a pesky cut over Bepi's left eye. As the next round progressed, the damage to the eye became more severe. The cut turned nasty and the eye began to close, impairing Ros's vision.

When the bell rang for the seventh frame, Stevenson apeared slightly fatigued and distracted, lacking bounce to his step. Making a novice's mistake in the earlier rounds, Stevenson expended too much energy trying to bull his heavier foe into the ropes, a tactic that worked well against the lighter opponents he faced previously. But Ros outweighd him by almost thirty pounds and could not be so easily moved.

Ros was either playing possum in the previous round or thought that someone was preparing pasta al pappagallo because he suddenly sprung to life by scoring several jarring uppercuts on the now flat-footed Stevenson. For the first time in the match, he was able to mount an effective inside assualt on Stevenson causing his enthusiastic partisans to rise to their feet and chant his name.

They remained standing and chanting between round while in the opposite corner Stevenson was getting a severe tongue lashing from trainer Alcides Sagarra. Stevenson must have gotten the message. He came out for the final round both energized and focused.

In quick fashion he reopened Ros's cut and targeted the wounded eye until it completely closed midway through the round. To add to Bepi's woe, his right eye began to puff leaving him totally defenseless. A series of rapid fire Stevenson combinations convinced Hazzard to stop the fight with thirty-three seconds remaining.

For Stevenson, it was generally another impressive outing. Next month he will face former EBU champion Jose Urtain in Paris. Still there were some things that emerged to suggest that Stevenson is a mere mortal. Urtainis a much harder hitter and has a better work ethic in the training camp than Ros. Sagarra has to work hard with Stevenson, and Teofilo has to give his full attention to his trainer if he wants to get past Urtain.

In his recent bouts, he's been getting hit by too many uppercuts when his opponent gets inside. If he is to reach his full potential, he'll have to develop a stronger inside defense. Stevenson also needs to make a mental adjustment or two. He's now fighting tougher opponents who will not automatically hit the canvas when they get tagged by a Stevenson cross. Although, he stopped Ros and Billy Aird in his last two fights both men finished on their feet and were not knocked down. But he's a quick learner--how quick will be known after his match with Urtain.

Shortly after the match, Ros annouced his retirement from the ring. He closes a twelve year career with a record of 42-16-2 and a number of missed opportunities. Coming out of the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 with a bronze medal, Ros never lived up to his great potential. At least twice he was on the short list for a world title shot. But his que sera, sera attitude and penchant for pasta caused him to lose critical fights. He'll walk away from this fight with about $35,000 which should be enough lira to keep him in lasagna Bolongnese for some time to come. I wish him well!

See you next month!

[professordp]

Fans packed the historic Palazzo Dello Sport (left) to enjoy an ABBA (centr) concert. They also got to see former Italian Heavyweight champ Bepi Ros (right) fight his final bout

[professordp]

The New York Clarion
"America's Paper of Record"
July 3, 1977

"Helms Seeks to Bar Cuban Boxer from U.S."
by Marshall Q. McReynolds

Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC) announced today that he will introduce legislation that would prevent Cuban boxer Teofilo Stevenson from fighting in the United States.

Late last year Cuba's President Fidel Castro permitted Stevenson to face professional boxers with the proviso that all ring earnings would go directly to the Cuban government. Professional sports are banned in Cuba. Stevenson, an Olympic gold medal winner in 1972 and 1976, is currently fighting in Europe as part of a multi-bout promotion by American boxing impressario Don King.

A member of the Senate Foreigh Relations Committee and a staunch anti-communist, Helms said that he is acting in the interests of national security.

"Castro is a puppet of the Soviet Union, a totalitarian regime that is bent on the destruction of our way of life. Whatever money Stevenson earns here will go directly into Castro's communist coffers and be sepent to advance communism and undermine our democratic system," said Helms.

Helms also renewed his call for a congressional invsitigation of the State Department's decision at the end of last year which permitted both King and ABC sports to enter into direct contractual agreements with the Cuban government to promote Stevenson's fights.

"For nearly twenty years," Helms continued, "there have been numerous presidential orders and Congressional acts clearly prohibiting these types of engagements with the Castro dictatorship. For the State Department to ignore established policy and grant these exemptions to Don King and ABC is just one more example of the bureaucratic arrogance that plagues our nation's capital. These people are the servants of the American people and must be held accountable for their actions."

The fate of Helms' initiatives is uncertain. Democrats make up the majority of the Foreign Relations Committee's membership, but the committee is chaired by Alabama Democratic Senator John Sparkman, who is a conservative and has been vocal in his opposition to the Castro regime.

Both Don King Promotions and ABC Sports declined to comment on Senator Helms' statement at this time.

(photo captions)

Senator Jesse Helms (left) seeks to block Cuban heavyweight boxer Teofilo Stevenson (right) from fighting in America