I probably should have mentioned this earlier in the month, but honestly, this was an anniversary that most long-time Beltway Boxing fans would rather forget.
This month marks the 25th anniversary of what many people consider the most embarrasing moment in DC Boxing history -- the ill-fated light heavyweight championship bout between titleholder Michael Spinks and former champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad -- a bout that never took place.
The bout was scheduled for the DC Armory. However, lack of ticket sales, a possibly overweight fighter (Muhammad), a messed-up scale, a full-scale brawl between the camps of both fighters and commission difficulties combined to scuttle the bout.
The head of the DC Boxing and Wrestling Commission in 1983 was Cora Masters Wilds Barry and her tenure as chair of the commission was, in many people's opinion, dubious at best.
With that as the backdrop, I ask that you read Dave McKenna's latest "Cheap Seats" column in the Washington City Paper. The column profiles Barry and gives a detailed account on what happened during the week of the bout that never happened.
Here's the link:
"http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/columns/cheapseats/">
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9 comments:
Oy, after reading that, "fiasco" seems kind. 2 questions: Why did Marion Barry replace Mitchell w/ Cora (were they engaged then)?
And she did raise a good point: Why rig the scales? That DOES seem pointless (but oy, everything else seemed awful).
I don't really know why Mitchell was replaced. Barry was still married to Effi Barry at that time, I believe. I think Barry had left Mary Treadwell by then.
The scale situation may have been part of the commission difficulties I referred too. DC had not had a bout like this maybe since Joe Louis fought Buddy Baer at Griffith Stadium in the 1940's.
Maryland had two Muhammad Ali title defenses in the 70's and one Sugar Ray Leonard title defense in 1980 against Davey Boy Green at the old Capital Centre (which was a state-of-the-art building at that time).
DC didn't have that type of venue except for the Armory and how they got the fight in the first place remains a mystery.
wow. That's a shame. DC has some of the best boxing talent but now I know why we don't get big fights. Isn't part of the commissioner's job to attract big shows or at least make the DC area attractive for big fights. I really hope the new comissioner is able to turn things around. We have a lot of great amateurs that I would hate to see avoid DC when they turn pro. Residents of Memphis saw the Peterson brothers so much they think they live there!!
Actually, things are in some ways, have been better over the past 25 years. We have had a number of world title fights in DC proper.
Hopefully, Jason Turner can continue to move things in a positive direction.
The problem is that don't have qualified people on the commission,they don't know a left hook from a fish hook,the Mayor needs to hire someone who knows Boxing and not worry about the residency law. People work in D.C. Government who live in Maryland and Virginia, they should also be able to select commissioners who live in surrounding areas that are qualified to bring big time Boxing to Washington, D.C.
Wait, that residency law applies to the Boxing commission? That's BS. Hell, personally, I don't care if the commissioner is from freaking Antarctica as long as he or she is committed.
I remember the day. I pulled into the parking lot and there was Joe Bunza, in his referee's outfit with bowtie, walking to his car, crying in the parking lot. I rolled down my window, and he said, "There isn't going to be a fight." Joe died within a year from cancer.
Know what, Digital? I've still got the full-sized cardboard poster from that (non)fight. Wonder what that's worth? -- John Scheinman
I see she taught Chris Mindendorfus well. He credited her the night he ripped me off at the Ballroom.
Silk the Shocker
NATD lightheavyweight champion
DC is a third world country. than's the bottom line. we can't do anything right. everyone know that its corrupt right to the core. what does that say about us and our people? we need to get it together and represent out people our area and our capital of our country.
dc and proud
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