Duane Bobick - The Trials & Tragedies of the 'All-American Boy'

A look back at Duane Bobick, 1972 Olympian and later heavyweight contender.

[@grbbbc]

I haven’t been well for six months and I’m finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel, Riches superb videos have helped see me through especially through the night when I hadn’t been sleeping, I’m forever grateful.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Glad to hear that you are doing better, BB

[@justsaynrush9689]

Be well Brother.

[@stevewise1656]

Had Bobick taken a step back and away from Wepner, he was open for right hooks all night long.

[@powerfit824]

I’m praying for you my brother

[@dondajulah4168]

Man that Wepner was about as dirty a fighter as I have ever seen. Love how the refs and announcers ignored all those illegal punches.

[@xavierjuno4572]

Ya I was shocked by the many rabbit punches Wepner was allowed to get away with especially considering how frowned upon those punches are

[@ChristopherMosley-dj3kt]

Yeah man that was blatantly obvious

[@dontbeasucka.61]

And Ironically, Wepner was The inspiration for sylvester Stallone in making his first rocky movie.

[@rafaelramirez1507]

That's how it is sometimes, Roberto Duran was as dirty as they come as well with different types of dirty tactics especially the thumbing to the eye

[@dondajulah4168]

@@rafaelramirez1507 Well, I watched the Wepner-Ali fight for the first time last night because I had heard about him doing that to Ali. He put a stop to it by holding Wepner and smashing some power noogies on his head and yelling at the ref. Wepner did do it a couple more times but it wasnt a main part of his arsenal anymore so he relied on his secondary weapon which is wearing out his opponents hands with his face.

[@markriley5863]

I love your channel Rich. I have been a big boxing fan since the 70's and apart from the periodicals (The Ring, Boxing Illustrated, Boxing News etc .. in the UK where I am from) there was little or no in depth coverage of the history of the sport and more interestingly biography of the participants in this beautiful but brutal endeavour. Rich, you are a true historian and I wish that you had had the media outlet to have enriched us boxing fans with your wonderful content before the advent of KZbin. How I used to trawl video subscriptions searching for old fights such as you provide for free. Long may you continue. Thanks Rich 🥊👍

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, Mark. I loved those magazines from that era.

[@nicholashannigan6930]

​@@RichtheFightHistorian That first comment is spot on. Those magazines.. That's all we had Rich.

[@martinmulligan8451]

I used to steal them from john menzies when i was young 😂😂​@@RichtheFightHistorian

[@uncjim]

Thanks for shining a light on Duane Bobick The Man. Like many, I only knew him through his epic failures when in the spotlight. To me, he was indecipherable from Boone Kirkman..same story…a hyped white boy that just didn’t have it. He did his best. That says a lot. Many of us wish we could say the same. Duane has my respect. You’re the best Rich.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, uncjim.

[@Ray-vq2jc]

I hate to say this , but Bobick just like Cooney were a disgrace to the white boxing community, no heart and both had glass jaws.

[@Joel-q6r]

Man alive! Never heard of either of them before now. I'm a latecomer to the sport of kings. But I gotta say that match between Bobick and Wepner was one hell of an underrated, good old fashioned slugfest!! Really enjoyed this whole video! Thanks!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Joel.

[@MrCrystalcranium]

Thank you for this Rich. Tragic and sad. Thank you for the update on his condition as I was not able to find anything on him in the years since he gave the interview to the newspaper (Des Moines Register maybe?) in 2012 you quoted from in the end. I hope his 3rd wife is still married to him and cares for him. He was a good man who suffered from abuse, tragedy, public humiliations, horrible injury, redemption and, yet again, tragedy. I was a 12 year old when I saw Stephenson knock him out in the 1972 Munich games, another event marred in terror and violence. I remember my dad saying..."Too open for an overhand right. He'll never make it as a pro." Five years later, I watched the Norton fight with my dad on NBC where 2 more overhand rights knocked him into never never land. "Told ya'" my dad said. The media was brutal to him, you're right. I think the Pat Putnam article in Sports Illustrated was headlined "Make Him 38-1". My feelings towards Duane have run the entire spectrum from cheering to loathing to feeling sorry for the guy. This piece on him you've done has made me appreciate the hurdles and tragedies he faced. He never really had much of a chance in life. He deserves our prayers and our best wishes and hopes. Thank you so much for this. It touched my heart.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, MrCrystalcranium.

[@sportshistorybuff319]

It's always idiotic how many boxing observers ridicule Bobick as a loser. Anyone who finishes their career 48-4 is not a bum, even if their opposition was mediocre. Bobick fully deserved to be ranked for a while. Every successful boxer's record is littered with numerous forgettable opponents, Ali, Louis, Frazier, Foreman, etc. Wepner, Stander, Ledoux were all tough guys and genuine threats given how easily heavyweights can take over a fight with one punch. Bobick fought everyone who was put in front of him, and two of his four losses were to world champions, Norton and Tate.

[@poindextertunes]

I don’t think old boxing fans call him a loser so much as they do unskilled. The guys strategy was to break his opponents hands with his face

[@sportshistorybuff319]

It's hard to reconcile how Bobick was skilled enough to beat Mike Weaver, Larry Holmes and Teofilo Stevenson in the amateurs, with his sketchy defense in the pros. Losing to Tate and Norton wasn't any great shame, but going down in the first round was pathetic. And getting KO'd by Kallie Knoetze ?!?!? Maybe like Jerry Quarry he threw technique to the wind in favor of brawling.

[@williamj6974]

Used to be some great fights on wide world of sports when I was a kid

[@Ray-vq2jc]

I really miss those days , I even saw the fight between Foreman and Frazier on wide world of sports free on a Saturday in the 70s.

[@mongoslade277]

The Foreman/Ron Lyle fight was on Wide World of Sports as well. That great fight was a longer version of Hagler vs Hearns with more knockdowns. An epic fight never duplicated in the heavyweight division

[@cedricliggins7528]

Thanks Rich. Best doc I have seen about Bobick. Thanks to you this fighter will not be forgotten.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks for the kind words, Cedric.

[@slimbuttermilk]

Nothing but respect for this man. Thanks for sharing Rich.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, slimbuttermilk.

[@PhilAndersonOutside]

Another great video Rich! Bobick was a boxing enigma. IIRC he was the first fighter to beat the great Teo Stevenson.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Phil.

[@stewartberger7734]

THIS WAS EXCELLENT......thank you for putting this together and posting it

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Stewart. Thank you.

[@bloww-nonattysever-shamebe7549]

Richie, still waiting for a ...."TWO TON TONY GALENTO" doc!! He had personality, a boozer and loved to eat and hated to train! - Eddie "PRETTYBOY" Rodriguez

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Eddie, I did Galento awhile back but had to take it down because of rights issues (his fights are owned by British Pathe).

[@LMatters1]

Rich...you've done it again! A wonderful piece of work that has treated the subject person with dignity and respect. I have always gotten angry when I read or hear of journalists (who have never stepped inside a boxing ring themselves) casting aspersions about fighters from behind a desk. It was particularly bad in the 70's and 80's...anything to sell copy. And more recently, Bert Randolph Sugar was no better. Remember the crap he wrote about Jerry Cooney and others? Grow a set you journalistic grubs and take a leaf out of Rich's handbook. Those of us who have fought in the ring know better (and I was only an amature in Australia). Thanks again Rich.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Always a pleasure, LMatters1. Bobick was degraded by the press a lot during his years and in retrospect it was certainly shameful.

[@danielE.muhammad7622]

Thanks for this documentary on Bobbick

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Daniel.

[@oncall21]

Great video Rich. Just like all of them. Thanks for sharing!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, oncall21.

[@kevinbarry4325]

Another great video Rich I'm a former amateur fighter I fought super heavyweight I really enjoyed it fighting I'm in my '50s now but I love your videos keep them up brother!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, Kevin. Will do.

[@RELopez-mk4ic]

You never know someone's life story, thanks for shedding some light on Duane Bobick's. I watched several of his fights when I was young. He could never seem to focus on those big moment-bouts. Hope he is being well taken care of. Another sad, however, good one Rich!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, RE

[@Montyhugo]

Thanks Rich! Really enjoyed that documentary. I remembered watching that Norton fight on TV when I was 12 years old. Glad too see That Bobick fought back from his demons and made something positive out of his life👊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Monty.

[@maurer23gk]

Great work as always, these docs on the unsung heroes of years past are what makes you a legend. The ones you've done on Jerry Quarry, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Kenny Bogner just to name a few are some of my favorites. Also enjoy the short ones on lesser known guys like Elmer Ray, Mike Wyant etc. I share them with my dad a 70 year old lifelong boxing fan and he loves them as much as I do

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, BM. Really cool that you watch them with your Dad.

[@ratdad48]

You did it again rich! This fight I've never watched. You know you have a good heavyweight fight when there's a lot of slugging and hardly any clinching.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, ratdad.

[@leeinoregon1326]

Thanks, Rich, I really enjoyed this! Duane wasn't a top fighter, but such a likeable man. On a side note, I was surprised at some of Wepner's cheap shots.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Lee. Wepner was dirty in that one, yes.

[@MrT-ev4dq]

Need people like you Rich to keep the memory of these fighter's alive. Cheers 👊. Unheard story for me. Somewhat tragic but also a little inspiring ✨️

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, Mr T.

[@rubenperez3882]

Another great job, Rich! Thank you for a great piece on Duane Bobick.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Ruben.

[@risboturbide9396]

Another gem, Rich. Have a nice day! 🍻

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Risbo.

[@jimhattery4348]

Outstanding work, Rich! Thank you.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Jim. Thank you.

[@waynesmith7214]

Another great video Rich. I remember watching the Norton fight live. Thank you for bringing humanity to these tough men.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Wayne. Thanks.

[@Curtis75156]

The man did his best, that is all one can asked of someone.

[@abudujana13]

Thanks for the video, RICH THE FIGHT HISTORIAN

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, abudujana.

[@frenchgoldenboyfan]

Another Gem.. Thank you Rich 🙏

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, frenchgoldenboyfan.

[@technomickdocumentalist2495]

Another great documentary Rich. I’ve said it before but I’ll say it again “ every day is a school day when you upload “ great content, and again bringing fighters of yesteryear and their stories to light, that I’m still just learning about myself. 🙏☮️🙏

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Hey thanks, technomick. Glad to share these old fighters with you.

[@lowanglejack]

Awesome as usual, thanks man.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, lowanglejack.

[@nyquil762]

Wow and thank you, Rich.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, nyquil.

[@johnpittsii7524]

Thanks for the amazing video Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, John.

[@joegreen7616]

Wow I hope he finally has some peace in his life.

[@JohnTressell]

Great stuff, Rich. Really well done.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, John.

[@bulletproof890]

Another great video. Thanks Rich. A modern-day version of Duane Bobick was Tye Fields.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing, Bulletproof.

[@stevex8409]

Thank you Rich for what you do. You make my nights. All the best bro.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Good to hear that, Steve. Thank you.

[@davidbolen8982]

So many great things about your channel. 👍👍👍

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, David.

[@ronald8792]

Bobick was the only fighter I ever met. He was in town to train for a fight, I'm not sure what fight it was but I'd say it was around 1978. I remember him being a nice guy and told me I had a good right.

[@martinmulligan8451]

Brilliant vid from rich 👏 always teaching us

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Martin.

[@tyronemurphy2905]

Great work Rich. Like many people I only remember Duane Bobick from his knockout losses toTeófilo Stevenson and Ken Norton. I remember at the start of his professional career, he was being built up as the 'Great white hope.' However, you have revealed the human side to his life rather than focus on his boxing achievements, or lack of them.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Tyrone.

[@andyfinely9752]

Brilliant Stuff Rich 🥊🥊🥊

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thank you, Andy.

[@00tntprice]

Both Bobick Brothers were well trained fighters with real power, The Heavyweight division was chalk full of gifted fighters most of whom he stopped before the the final round.

[@triplejunction7073]

He had a terrible habit of freezing completely when hit by a hard punch and then leave himself defenseless to a follow up barrage He was the White Frank Bruno.

[@xavierjuno4572]

The only difference I feel is that Bruno was good enough to reach the top even if it was blown up by Tyson a few months later

[@christhomson5377]

The point about the reaction to a big punch is spot on but Bruno was also a good boxer with a terrific jab and a very heavy punch, but he was so heavily muscled that his stamina failed him in the later stages of longer fights. In fights against Bonecrusher Smith and Tim Witherspoon Bruno was ahead until fatigue allowed his opponents to get late stoppages. Only Tyson really blew him away and even Lewis had some trouble with Bruno and Bruno was past his best by then.

[@mongoslade277]

Very well said, and Lennox Lewis didn't win 1 round against Bruno. That fight went 6 or 7 rounds. Frank Bruno was very skilled and strong. Lennox caught him with a Left Hook of all things that Bruno didn't see. He couldn't continue. Lennox and Mike Tyson did a podcast together, and they both gave props to Bruno. Tyson admitted that Bruno was the 1st person to hurt him in their 1st fight in 1989

[@triplejunction7073]

I would say freezing from getting hit by a big punch is more of a mental weakness than a physical one Duane usually stood up to several big shots before he went down. He just couldn’t summon the wherewithal to fire back

[@michaelmallory1512]

DAM ....bobick had bad luck i really feel sorry for this man he's been through hell and back.

[@tsb7911]

Excellent Video!

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, tsb.

[@blaisehanon]

Another amazing video...

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Blaise.

[@billrossignon8621]

I remember watching the Bobick, Tate fight live on TV. Duane was interviewed before the fight and started talking about adding inches to his muscle size and I thought what is that going to do to help you when you can't take a punch or avoid them. Great doc.

[@RahaRo11]

Great channel. Thank

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Rob.

[@paulbroderick4217]

Poor bloke ,copped it in and outside the ring all his life!!Did he actually ever have a chance?? Thanks Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

My pleasure, Paul.

[@joeylamuel5828]

"If a fighter doesn't have it,only God can help him."

[@TheBowler708]

Wepner was the most blatant dirty boxer of all time!!!🤬

[@myvenusheeler]

Boxing is a rugged life. RIP Kenny Weldon. You taught many of us well.

[@martezdetroit3164]

Good stuff, brother Rich.... I was too young to see him, but i was always curious about his story. I remember he was mentioned as a title contender and should have gotten the title shot over someone else ( i can't recall what the article said 🥊)

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Martez.

[@BG-pd6os]

Excellent! I wonder if any footage exists of the Bobick/Weaver fright from 1974?

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Unlikely. Not a whole lot of film on Bobick during his early years.

[@R.POliver]

Bobick simply couldn’t fight and was deliberately set up to fail. Cooney to a certain extent a few years later was very similar, but at least Cooney had a championship punch. Bobick was just a punching bag for anybody who could actually box.

[@tsb7911]

He beat Young Sanford here and Young Sanford AKA as Houpe could box. Bobock's defense was never good but at his best he was a top 5 amateur and a top 5 pro. Not too shabby.

[@terryallen5328]

Obviously back then the referees ignored punches to the back of the head and kidney punches. Lost count on how many of them Wepner hit Bobick with.

[@heerkojohanneskooistra6708]

Nice reaction from Norton , not to go all out on Bobick after the knockdown.

[@markgreenwell5830]

I saw him fight when I was 10, Ali was there scouting him, I got to meet Ali, wish I had met Duane too

[@aspiceronni4462]

One of the toughest fighters in the long history of our toughest sport. Guy could take a kick from a mule.

[@triplejunction7073]

Another big strong athletic guy who could overwhelm lesser opponents through sheer physicality but did not have the temperament to be a great boxer. When it was time for the dog to come out Bobick couldn’t summon him..

[@tsb7911]

Just my opinion, I don't think it was the temperament in Duane's case like it was with say Andrew Golota. Duane's issues were chin and a lack of defense.

[@EverettBurger]

Love for Rich to do a story on Thomas Williams, the only boxer to be jailed for throwing a fight.

[@kasnilistopadski]

Welcome back Rich

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Good to be back, thanks.

[@bradreid6057]

I saw Bobick fight at the US Olympic Trials in Fort Worth back in '72. He fought our local elite boxer, Nick Wells and defeated him. I always thought Wells would've fared better against the big Cuban at the '72 Olympics because Wells packed a punch like a mule's kick. He had that potential if he could land one on the Cuban's chin. Good recounting here on Bobick, by the way. Oh! And just as Norton had humiliated Bobick, much the same happened to Norton when he fought and lost quickly to George Foreman. What goes around . . . comes around. Especially in boxing it seems.

[@tsb7911]

I have heard the name Nick Wells but didn't know much about him so your post had me looking him up. Wow, 2 TKO victories over Larry Holmes. Nick stayed amateur for quite a long time. Excellent KO %.

[@bradreid6057]

@@tsb7911 Right! And this is sort of why I mentioned that Wells had a better chance of letting loose one of his big KO punches to take out the big Cuban if he'd been at the '72 Olympics. He matched up better. No one was going to out-box Stevenson, not to mention that the Cuban, himself, had a whopper of a punch (just as good or better than Wells) which paid a visit to Bobick's chin. I should add that Bobick was on the receiving end of the "Great White Hope" boxing theme. It's always there . . . always. Bobick was a great boxer . . . but he was lofted a bit higher than his "reality" by the GWH levitation.

[@tsb7911]

@@bradreid6057 Nick Wells could have been a GWH too. I didn't know his color until this morning. 😃 What do you think would have happened if Wells went pro in 1973 or even earlier?

[@bradreid6057]

@@tsb7911 Right. I failed to mention Nick is/was a white dude. I think he would've easily waded through the typical tomato cans they usually match prospective pro talents against to get them off to a good W/L record for easier match promoting. But, he'd have eventually had a tough time against long-reaching opponents and pros who could take a punch. He'd have had a winning record, though, as sort of a KO specialist. Most people would taste the canvas if Nick tagged them. ***Last I heard I think I saw Nick on a news segment in Fort Worth 10 or more years ago and it seems he became a fireman and still boxed a bit for exercise or maybe coaching. Tough kid from the north side of town.

[@johndavies2285]

Great video, Rich. I am old enough to remember watching the Norton fight live….I was rooting for Bobick because Norton had given Ali so much trouble…what a disappointment.

[@Ray-vq2jc]

Bobick was highly overrated as a pro and then got exposed for what he really was.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, John.

[@dougkenny6548]

I remember the Johnny Carson joke where he held the envelope up to his forehead and stated "maybe two". He then ripped open the envelope and took out the question which was, How many Duane Bobick, Ken Norton fights can you get into a bi centennial minute.

[@LetitGolazziter-uk9xi]

Rich, I never heard of this pugilist , thanks for enlightening me.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sure thing...surprised you never heard of him. He had some buzz in the 1970s.

[@poindextertunes]

This family reminds me so much of the Von Eric family its crazy

[@jamesmarshall7416]

Bobick left too much of himself in the amateurs in my opinion. His ability to take a punch just collapsed.

I'm curious where you got your facts and qoutes from. You have his birthdate wrong, but i do know a lot of the stories and some qoutes have truth to them. As his daughter i do appreciate the respect you paid my dad in this video, thank you. I appreciate that it does not focus completely on the bad things. But if you ever knew my dad, he was the kindest and most giving and compassionate person you have ever met. His greatest downfall in the boxing world was his belief in the good of people and that everyone had his best intentions in mind. He trusted too many but also suffered from underlying brain damage from multiple TBI's that no one ever fully acknowledged back then. For those who think he had "white privilege" please think twice about those statements. He worked for everything he had and was repeatedly beat down by people, the world, and mostly his dad. It hurts me to see people comment on situations they have no idea about and don't ever think of the ramifications it can have on that person and their family. Be respectful people. Boxing in that era caused more damage than anyone realized and i know my family as well as every other professional boxer's family would give anything to not have lost their loved one to the damage boxing took on their health and lives.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Sorry about the mix-up on his birthday. One of the boxing magazine articles I used had it as August 8th, 1950. I see Wikipedia has it as August 24th. My apologies. I used old boxing magazines, primarily Boxing Illustrated and the Ring to get most of your father's story. I also used newspaper articles from the Minnesota area exclusively during the time period he was active. I did get the impression he was a very kind man who cared very much for people. I apologize for some of the remarks of some of the commenters. I don't police the comments every day. It's a grey area sometimes. I do allow differing opinions as long as people are polite. In your father's case, no matter how much I spoon feed the information on his rough background, there will still be people who believe that he benefited from "white privilege"...No one wants to admit they're wrong :) Please know that your father is well respected by the majority of the boxing community, myself and the majority of the audience here.

[@MrBenandrea]

Another great job rich. Is that Bert Cooper one still in the pipeline?

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks very much. I'll get to Smokin' Bert eventually.

[@RUDEMASTER]

He never really could take a good punch and he didn't know how how hang on to survive when he got hurt.

[@xavierjuno4572]

Ya and while he was good enough to be a contender he was never good enough to be "The Contender" like Norton for instance

[@sgtwarden5020]

good fighter

[@tsb7911]

Tate-Bobick is the story of my life. I thought I was well prepared. 😃

[@515351535153]

Wepner’s specialty was the rabbit punch. I remember when he used it against Ali, and Ali paid him back with a retaliatory series of consecutive rabbit punches.

[@highnrising]

Bobick was a very good boxer. Bobick's problem was that when he fought an elite, top-tier boxer, he was very bad. And his bouts with top-tier fighters had big national TV audiences and are probably the only fights of his that casual sports fans ever saw. When the only Bobick fights you've ever seen are the ones against Norton and Tate--and maybe the one against Stevenson in the Olympics, you're likely to think of Bobick as bad punch line, no pun intended.

[@stephendeluca4479]

He wasn't powerful enough or quick enough or "cute" enough or mobile enough. It's interesting that none of the managers & promoters could resist the "great white hope" carrot, which I think was a factor here.

[@poindextertunes]

This guys Dad 100% messed him up for life. No telling what Bobick could’ve done if he had a father who loved him unconditionally and cheered him on rather than heckle him. The only reason his Dad did that is bcuz he never made anything out of himself

[@sgtwarden5020]

I don't know what it means. I arrested an ex fighter named Ernie Lassiter, ( nice guy ) He had like 6 fights . He also made Mike Tyson look anemic physically. I said to him how did a guy like you lose to Bobick. He shook his head and said he was so damn strong man. I guess at that level it's hard for a guy like me to understand.

[@adriancastro4236]

What song did you use in the beginning? Found myself vibing to it

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

"Champions Rise"

[@adriancastro4236]

@@RichtheFightHistorian by who?

[@pdm2201]

I’ve never seen the fight he won against Teofilo Stevenson in the Pan American games. That and his amateur victory over Larry Holmes were the highlights of his career.

[@LetitGolazziter-uk9xi]

Holy Rabbit punching Batman! That referee is useless 😂😂

[@poindextertunes]

Watched a little bit of the Wepner fight. Got to the part where he said he was going to fight Ken Norton and audibly said to myself “What? Ken Nortons gunna kill this guy” 😂

[@StretchKOS]

Can we get a sandy Sandler video

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Good choice, he is on the to do list.

[@dmx3602]

Respect to this man, Duane Bobick, a champion no doubt, and a gentleman too, he fought elite boxers without having their boxing skills and go pretty far in his career, defeating Holmes and Stevenson in amateur, and losing to legendary Norton, and futur world champs Coetze and Tate, hope he find peace. Wepner so dirty that he certainly damaged many of his opponent brains, and deception about trainer Flutch

[@MrCrystalcranium]

Yeah the ref not doing a thing about Wepner's rabbit punching was awful to watch. The refs in the Norton and Tate fights were awful as well. Pete Della was indecisive in stopping the fight with KN and George DeFabis (sp?) totally missed the first knockdown in the Tate fight, didn't pick up the count from the timekeeper for the second knockdown, (he started at one) and was late in stopping the fight with DB getting punched needlessly several times in the head. I hate seeing refs who hesitate or get overwhelmed by the moment in a big fight. He's responsible for their lives in there and when a buffoon staggers around looking like he doesn't know what he's supposed to do, it's very dangerous.

[@DanielKnapper-f5q]

Bobick went 48-4 and beat Larry Holmes and Tefeilo Stevenson, but only concentrated on his 4 losses. If you do a Bio on Ali don’t just concentrate on and show highlights from his 5 losses. Ali had a Sad ending also.

[@BobFrailey]

GOD BLESS ALL FIGHTERS TAKES A LOT TO CLIME IN THE RING

[@milverineh3267]

Bobick was a slow starter and got better as the fight went on. Norton and Tate in his 2 biggest fights got him early. 🥊

[@jackdempsey9346]

Can you do a Tommy Morrison or Andrew golota?

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Yes. Good picks.

[@jamesyman007]

STUD

[@ajjackson9629]

Im former boxer in Philly. In 50s now. Ive heard Bobicks name a ton but surprisingly never seen one rd of his til now but i can say, as not only being a former boxer but also white one, if someone compares him to Jerry Quarry they need to stop. Bobick is no Quarry. Quarry could box AND slug at Hall of Fame level but could also be mean if needed. Mr Bobick was none of these especially the "mean" part which was probably his biggest flaw it appears to me.

[@mozfonky]

Futch didn't turn his attention to Frazier, he never was onboard with Joe's comeback.

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Remember this was 1978, not 1981. Frazier was scheduled to face Kallie Knoetze himself but pulled out.

[@mozfonky]

@@RichtheFightHistorian ok, i think i remember that.

[@KennethWilliamson-n7v]

Never saw him win a fight.

[@Joseph-vp1sn]

It would have been a big money fight had he been able to go on a winning streak and eventually fought a rising Gerry Cooney.

[@Ray-vq2jc]

If Cooney got only 1 punch on his jaw it would be the end even though both had glass jaws.

[@xavierjuno4572]

​@@Ray-vq2jcHonestly I think Cooney has a more Cooper Jaw (basically it's durable but can still be damaged if hit hard enough)

[@richardwinckel383]

Wepner's best punch was clearly the rabbit punch.

[@Joe-ry2xq]

Beautiful rich👏👏👏👏.... How bout buster mathis Jr some day

[@RichtheFightHistorian]

Thanks, Joe. Mathis Jr had a relatively short career. We'll see.

[@brucekielty8180]

I had breakfast with Buster Mathis Jr this morning. He is doing well, working full-time in his local school system with autistic adults.@@RichtheFightHistorian

[@dorsvintagecards9420]

Futch always defended his achievements

[@All-Inn-Fun]

Wepner is the only boxer ever who looks like hes about to go down before the fight even starts.

[@John.Flower.Productions]

I cannot comment on Bobick's character as a person but as a fighter, he was too slow and could not take a shot. He was probably an overachiever.

[@xavierjuno4572]

I mean he's similar to Randy Tex Cobb in that sense only Bobick didn't have the durability to compensate for his lack of speed

[@Ray-vq2jc]

@@xavierjuno4572 At least Cobb had a iron clad jaw.

[@xavierjuno4572]

@@Ray-vq2jc Ya that's what I mean by Durability even if it didn't always help as seen in the Larry Holmes fight

[@alvilla9659]

Cobb was a much better fighter he went the distance with dokes and Norton losing questionable decisions and knocked out earnie shavers and went the distance with Holmes. Even Cooney couldn't do that.

[@dontbeasucka.61]

Well, Another glass chin boxer With that beat him was big John Tate If i'm not mistaken, That was also a 1st round KO... Now Big john did win the heavyweight version of the title in 79, But he was successful because he was big and strong, is downfall was met, When He fought fighters Just as strong as him, AND Had a good punch, But at least bobick Did beat Holmes In the amateurs, who Ironically heart And guts were questioned. Back then as much as bobicks. But larry overgrew that, And the rest is history