Jeff Merritt: A New Life

[mightycombover]

Even Don King had to start somewhere... That "somewhere" was Jeff Merritt.

In June of 1973, Don King signed his first fighter - Heavyweight prospect Jeff "Candy Slim" Merritt, who was fresh off incarceration for burglery and addicted to drugs. Still a dangerous fighter with a cannon for a left hand, King quickly matched him up with former World Champion Ernie Terrell at Madison Square Garden, and Merritt promptly ended the fight in the first round, grabbing a spot in the world's top ten with the win.


Merritt KO's Terrell in One

King was elated. “Remember the name Candy Slim. Champ next year. Don’t bring us mortal men. We want to fight giants!”**

With flashes of brilliance amidst his poor judgement, Merritt looked to be on his way up the rankings, and Don King couldn't be any happier. Merritt won his next fight easily a couple months later, continuing his rise, but was stopped in his tracks on March 4, 1974 by journeyman Henry Clark (whom he already beat earlier in his career). He was knocked out in 47 seconds of the first round, and just as quickly as he rose, Merritt fell, and fell hard.

Don King dropped him right after the loss, and Merritt quickly slid back into his bad habits.

"When David Wolf interviewed King for his True magazine profile in 1974, he asked King why he had stopped calling the prospect he loved and nursed away from the needle. 'I still care, I’m just into bigger things now,' King explained."**

The true life story of Jeff Merritt is summed up well in this blurb out of the book "The Life and Crimes of Don King: The Shame of Boxing in America":

"In March 1991, I was in Las Vegas for the first Tyson–Ruddock fight when I noticed a tall, barefoot man in dirty clothes begging for money in the lobby of the Mirage Hotel. He was ranting about Don King, who was promoting the Tyson fight in the Mirage parking lot that week.

“Are you Jeff Merritt?” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m Candy Slim. Gimme a dollar.”

Merritt said he was a crack addict and homeless. He had been in and out of prison for years. Even his mother had thrown him out."**

According to Boxing Illustrated, July, 1976, Merritt had been incarcerated in Missouri for the past year, and was about to attempt a comeback to the boxing world. This is where the "WHAT IF" scenario begins for my universe.

In this simulation, Merritt has found religion while incarcerated, and has decided to give boxing one last serious effort while he still has the goods. At 28, it is now or never for Merritt, who is clean and sober. He has decided to get out of Kansas City, and remove himself from the negative surroundings, hopefully gaining a fresh start on life and his boxing career. This simulation begins in late June of 1976, with the prison release of Jeff Merritt.


** Quotes taken from:
Newfield, Jack (2009). The Life and Crimes of Don King: The Shame of Boxing in America. Harbor Electronic Publishing. Kindle Edition.

[JOHNNYGUAPO]

This looks good.

[CONN CHRIS]

This looks interesting!

[mightycombover]

June 27, 1976
(From the Kansas City Times)

Jeff Merritt Wants To Fight Again
Clean And Free, 'Candy Slim' Is Ready To Win!
By Ken Hentgen

Recently paroled former Heavyweight hopeful, Jeff "Candy Slim" Merritt, has come out of prison a new man - and he wants the whole world to know!

With a small crowd of reporters and supporters waiting for him, Merritt emerged from the Missouri State facility grinning from ear to ear. The cry for help had worked - so far. The word was out, that was for sure. He had spent many weeks prior to his release writing letters to anyone in the sports field that he had an address for. The product of these letters were the handful of newspaper writers with cameras, waiting for the "new man" that Merritt had described in the letters. Everyone was eager to hear what he had to say.

With sports writers surrounding him, probing him with their microphones to be sure to catch every word, Merritt broke the silence.

"First off, thanks to everyone for coming. It really means a lot to me. I don't want to take up too much of your time, but I don't know any other way to get the help I need. Now, I know you all are wondering... Am I clean? The answer is 'yes'. 11 months and counting. My head is clear, and to top it all off, I have found God, and I'll tell you - the loneliness is gone, and I feel better than I have ever felt!

But, there is one thing I need help with. I want to box again. You all have seen me, you know I can fight. I have been working hard, and I want to give it one more honest shot, while I still can. I have burnt more bridges than I can count, and now that I think clearly, I don't blame a single person for cutting me off.

What I need is a chance. I need someone to see this, and see that I NEED this! God has shown me that I can do anything I set my mind to... I just need the direction. I need a trainer. I need someone to take me for my word, and give me a chance. I'll be honest, all the stories are true. I was a bad dude. But, that was the old Jeff Merritt. That was "Candy Slim". Candy is gone now. Jeff's back, and he is ready to do whatever it takes.

Thanks a lot, everyone. Please get this out there, I mean business!"

And, with that, Merritt disappeared into a sedan full of friends and family, and drove off. His smile never left his face.

[PWillisTheMan]

Nice uni, I'll be following along. I remember Jeff had a 10hp in the board game when I was a kid. He and Peter Kane were two guys I didn't know much about, but I used them a lot because of their max power.

[bear]

Good start and a real nice idea

[mightycombover]

July 1, 1976
(From the Kansas City Times)

A Minute With Merritt:
An Update on Jeff Merritt's Cry For Help
By: Ken Hentgen

Sometimes stories just fall into your lap, and that is definitely what happened with this particular piece. A trip to the grocery store led to a very short but sweet interview with a man who has the attention of boxing fans everywhere, former Heavyweight contender, Jeff Merritt.

After running into him in the parking lot, an upbeat Merritt was happy to sit down with me at a nearby coffee shop, and we talked for a good ten minutes. One thing I must say, love him or hate him, I believe Jeff Merritt is a changed man. Through that same smile, he spoke of wanting to re-connect with family and make amends to those he has harmed. He spoke of his new relationship with God. But, mostly, he spoke about boxing.

"I can't wait to train. I mean, I'm doing what I can on my own, but I want to get in there, and really get working. I'm dreaming about boxing again. Not drugs, not women, not the fame - boxing. That's how I know my next opponent is in big trouble. [laughs]"

He also touched on the distractions of the old stomping grounds, and how he is dealing with the pressures of his "old" life.

"With God in your life, everything is easier. And since I've been out, I have been tested. My old friends are coming around, but the difference this time is that I am staying away from them. They call, I don't call back. They knock, I don't answer. Before, I would've thought that I was being a punk. Now, I'm smart enough to know it's my only chance at getting my life back."

Merritt had in fact heard from a few different trainers, but all were local and relatively unknown. He wanted out of the Missouri area, so local trainers were out of the question. His surroundings were the only part of the equation that he could control, so leaving was top priority.

"I am definitely leaving K.C.", Merritt stated. "I wouldn't have a chance here. In boxing or in life. If I don't hear from a trainer soon, I may just have to make this thing happen on my own."

I asked him where he thought he would be going, not really expecting an answer, but he surprised me almost immediately:

"New York. That's an easy one. Best city in the world for a fighter. I'll find someone to believe in my journey, God has already told me that. Until then, I'm going to work my tail off. I'll be ready when it happens."

He thanked me for writing the original story about his release, and was grateful for the time I spent with him. The man seems truly happy. That is not a statement that I would have predicted my writing when I crossed paths with him five years ago. If there was ever a time to bank on Jeff Merritt, this writer would say now is the time. I wish him all the luck in the world.

[Ric915]

Nicely done will be following along

[mightycombover]

July 6, 1976

(excerpt taken from Ken Hentgen's weekly column in the Kansas City Times)

...
Last, but not least, I have an update on Heavyweight Jeff Merritt. Looking to get back in the ring as soon as possible, Jeff has let me know that he is headed to New York in a few days to stay with an old friend, and hopefully get back in the gym. His attitude is still great, and he really seems to be enjoying his freedom.

"I have an old friend that stepped up, and is letting me stay with him until I find a place. He isn't into the bad life, and that's what I need - a positive influence and a safe place to stay." Merritt added, "[LAUGHING] Doesn't hurt that he lives down the block from a little boxing gym. Time to get my feet moving again, I want to fight next month, if I can."

He also mentioned that he got a call from his old pal Don King. The call was short, but Merritt assured me that he wanted nothing to do with him. "He wanted to know how I was doing, and I appreciate that. But, I also know that I don't want anything to do with him. I wish him well, but that's about as close as I want to be to Don King."

Time will tell with Jeff Merritt, but he is looking to be off to a great start! More information to come once I hear anything!
...

[mightycombover]

July 17, 1976
(taken from the Kansas City Times, picked up nationally)

Merritt To Fight Next Month
"Returning to the ring is my destiny."
By Ken Hentgen

Many local boxing fans, myself included, are getting caught up in the feel-good story that has come along with former top-ten Heavyweight Jeff Merritt's return to the boxing ring. I talked to Jeff on the phone last week, and he informed me that he had taken the first step in his comeback to the world of professional boxing: he had relocated to Saugerties, New York and has resumed training every day. He has also booked an opponent for his comeback fight, set for August 14. How did he manage to accomplish this all so quickly? If you ask him, he will tell you it was God's will. And after hearing this story, I believe it. I headed to Saugerties to see him and his new life.

"I got here just about a week ago, and went straight to Bobby's gym. Felt like home, man."

Bobby is long-time boxing trainer Bobby Jacks. Jacks has owned a small gym in Saugerties, New York for upwards of 20 years, but has never really concentrated on big name fighters. Merritt and he crossed paths when Jeff was just 21 or so, and they hit it off immediately. They became close while Jeff was trying to stay out of trouble, and giving the gym an honest try. Bobby had always tried to keep an eye on Merritt when he could, but once Merritt turned pro and began fighting in Florida so often, Jeff came back to New York less and less, and they eventually lost touch. Bobby knew he was headed down the wrong path.

"Jeff was special, man." Bobby said. "He always wanted to fit in with the group, but once you got him alone, he was a pleasure to deal with. I'm just so happy he is getting his life together. Bobby's Place is right where he needs to be."

Bobby's Place was the commonly used nickname for the Saugerties Youth Boxing Club, a dusty cement building nestled into a quaint neighborhood on the edge of the great Hudson River. Industry surrounded the gym, giving the area a somewhat seedy appearance, but this neighborhood was a tight-knit community of people who preferred the slower paced life of a small town. That suited Jeff Merritt just fine.

"I needed to get out of the big city. Temptation is everywhere, the key is to stick with the people who have always had your back - Bobby is one of those guys."

Once the talking was done, I stayed behind and watched Merritt and his morning session of training. His eyes looked possessed. He was intense in his every action, pounding on the defenseless heavy bag swinging on the rattling chain. Bobby called out combination after combination, and Merritt didn't miss a beat. Tight and crisp. You would never guess that this man had spent much of the last decade incarcerated.

Jeff Merritt also announced that he had secured a fight for next month, just as he had wanted. Merritt will face Stan Ward (5-0-2, 3 KO's), a young fighter that has made waves with his latest win - an upset decision victory over Mac Foster (30-6, 30 KO's) in Foster's comeback fight in late February. The fight will take place on August 14 at Utica Memorial Auditorium in Utica, New York; also on the card is a Heavyweight bout between George Foreman (42-1) and Scott LeDoux (18-3-1).


Merritt's opponent, Stan Ward (5-0-2, 3 KO's)

"Bobby helped me with this. I asked him to get something done for me, and even though he thinks it's too soon, I convinced him to make the call. I got my fight. Now, it's time to see what I am made of. Hope he is ready to fight two of us - I won't be alone in that ring. God walks beside me and his footsteps will be heard!"

The experts will say it soon enough - this is a very tough fight for Merritt, who hasn't fought since his loss to Henry Clark in March of 1974. Stan Ward is no slouch; he is very seasoned for his experience level, and had a decent amateur career before turning pro in 1974. Jacks is a little nervous, but he is leaving it up to Merritt. There's no getting in his way at this point.

"It's a tough fight to come back to, but I think he is going to be fine." Bobby adds, "Hungry doesn't describe this crazy kid. He is beyond that. You put a man in a life or death situation, and sometimes he surprises you. I truly think that Jeff Merritt is going to surprise a lot of people."

Less than a month from now, Jeff Merritt will return to the ring, and try to continue his journey back to the top. How he does remains to be seen, but he is apparently in the right place, and in the right frame of mind to make a serious run at it. More to come from the camp of Jeff Merritt as the fight nears.

[mightycombover]

July 18, 1976

Two quick pieces of news:

Robert "Bobby" Jacks officially registered as the manager of heavyweight boxer, Jeff Merritt today. He was seen at the New York State Boxing Commission building on Broadway this afternoon, and an inside source confirmed this as fact.

Also, the official card for August 14 in Utica, New York was announced, and as rumored, Merritt vs. Ward was the co-main event. Here is how the card shaped up:

Johnny Blaine (1-6) vs. Greg Sorrentino (0-0-1) - 6 rounds
John D'Amore (7-8) vs. Lenny Carter (0-1) - 6 rounds
Arcadio Suarez (5-0) vs. Neal Floyd (1-1) - 6 rounds
Cove Green (6-7) vs. Joe Grady (0-1-1) - 6 rounds
Jeff Merritt (23-2) vs. Stan Ward (5-0-2) - 10 rounds

Main Event:

George Foreman (42-1) vs. Scott LaDoux (18-3-1) - 10 rounds

*Card subject to change

[IDES]

Jeff Merritt was,along with Mac Foster,my first favorite fighter when I started following boxing.I hope this universe turns out better than the real one did for Candy Slim.

[Ian Lord]

A great read so far. Will be following along.

[Ric915]

Awesome read so far looking forward to see how this plays out.

[kramsey77]

Jeff "candyslim" merritt was never homeless begging for a dollar,lol.
I had to reply to this post after reading some of these postings about Jeff Merritt. He did have an awesome story to tell,and yes he had a drug addiction. . But he told me that Don King broke his spirit as a fighter. He took his knowledge to the streets and became the Boogie Man!!!! He was in and out the stores taking what he wanted to earn his money,and was a very special friend to me. May he rest in peace January 18,1947-June 1,2014