3/24/07 - Jim Amato James J. Woody By Jim Amato Although he ended his career losing almost as many bouts as he won. At one time in the mid-60's heavyweight James J. Woody was considered a fine prospect. He was a southpaw from the Bronx who had his first professional fight in 1964. He reeled off ten straight wins against better then average competition. He twice defeated Lou Hicks and also the giant James J. Beattie a couple of times. He also won a duet from Everett Copeland and outscored Tony Doyle. He suffered his first loss to the crafty Johnny Persol in 1966. That began years of winning a few and losing a few more for Woody. At times he was good enough to beat decent fighters like Dante Cane, Roger Russell and Charlie "Emperor" Harris. At other times he was overmatched at that stage in his career against contenders Manuel Ramos, Brian London and Big Buster Mathis losing to all three. On April 17, 1970 he faced the feared Olympian George Foreman. The undefeated future two time world champion was impressive bombing out Woody in the third round. In his next bout James faced the highly regarded Oscar Bonavena and was stopped in five. Later that year Bonavena would meet the comebacking Muhammad Ali in their classic encounter. James would bounce back into the win column with a pair of decision victories over the hexed Tony Doyle. Those would be his last victories. In 1971 James would prove he was no chump as he went the distance in rugged bouts with top contenders Jose Luis Garcia, Ken Norton and in 1972 to Henry Clark. Although he lost all three they were all competitive. Especially the Norton fight. He met Norton again in 1972 and Kenny halted James in eight. In 1973 James was toppled in two rounds by the comebacking Jerry Quarry. In 1974 James was halted by Bob Stallings. He returned two years later on the Ali-Norton III undercard at Yankee Stadium in his hometown the Bronx. There he was taken out in three rounds by up and coming Bernardo Mercado. 
 ALI’S CLOSE SHAVE (R’S) By Jim Amato It was to be the last time the incomparable Muhammad Ali would ever successfully defend the heavyweight championship. It would be held in boxing’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden. It would also feature Ohio’s most popular heavyweight of the last quarter century, Earnie Shavers.  The “Acorn” as Ali had dubbed Shavers would be a prohibitive underdog. He was accorded a puncher’s chance at best against the aging but still crafty king of the heavyweights. What transpired the night of September29, 1977 established Earnie as a legitimate contender and forecast the soon to be demise of “The Greatest”. The playful Ali continually mocked Earnie during the pre-fight introductions by rubbing the top of the “Acorn’s” head. The relaxed and confident Ali easily out boxed Earnie in round one and was doing the same in round two. Then out of nowhere a crackling Shavers right hand stunned Ali and sent him wobbling backwards. Hurt and glassy eyed Ali waved Earnie in. Again Shavers landed with dynamite force staggering Ali. Only Muhammad’s tremendous heart, chin and cunning enabled him to survive the round. Action slowed in the middle rounds as Ali mugged to the crowd and several times he lay on the ropes and tried to lure Earnie in. Shavers refused to become a victim of the “Rope-A-Dope” and the crowd booed wanting more action. They got it as the bout progressed past the seventh round. On numerous occasions Earnie rocked the champion back on his heels with explosive right hand bombs. When Ali kept his distance, he dominated with sharp jabs and straight rights. Going into the late rounds Ali had the lead but in round twelve, thirteen and fourteen Earnie fought probably the best three rounds of his career. Several times he stunned a tired but dead game Ali. Many thought Earnie would tire since he had never fought past ten rounds but it was Ali who appeared to be wilting. The fifteenth round saw two desperate warriors engaging in a thrilling toe-to-toe slugfest. Ali seemed revived and Earnie was letting it all hang out in a last ditch effort to win the crown. Earnie edged Ali during the first two minutes of the round and then he finally tired. Ali came on and hurt Earnie for the first time in the bout. Showing a remarkable will to survive Shavers refused to fall although he was beaten around the ring. At last the final bell sounded saving Earnie and putting his fate in the scorecards. The final scoring: 9-6, 9-6 and 9-5-1 for the winner and still champion, Muhammad Ali. The crowd lustily booed the verdict. Whether you agreed or disagreed with the decision, one thing was certainly unanimous among the crowd, Earnie Shavers had arrived. jimsboxing@zoominternet.net
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