Posted on 07/09/2006 7:22:45 AM PDT by mcg2000
Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton demonstrates some moves he might use when he takes the ring in a charity boxing match with former heavyweight champion of the world Joe Frazier on Nov. 30.
Referee Arthur Mercante directs Joe Frazier to a neutral corner after Frazier knocked down Muhammad Ali in the 15th round of their title fight in Madison Square Garden in New York on March 8, 1971.
The date is set for former world heavyweight boxing champion Smokin' Joe Frazier to climb into the ring with Memphis amateur boxing champ Mayor Willie Herenton for charity.
The 62-year-old boxer will mix it up with the 65-year-old mayor in a three-round bout that will take place Nov. 30 at The Peabody.
Michael Buffer will serve as the ringside announcer, adding his signature "Let's get ready to rumble!" to the event.
Organizers hope the fight, which they are calling "Knockout: A Fight for Life," will raise at least $100,000. Proceeds will benefit the Shelby County Drug Court, an alternative program that targets non-violent adult offenders with drug charges.
"I'm not taking this event lightly," Herenton said at a press conference Friday at City Hall, where he declared his admiration and respect for Frazier's abilities before launching into a bit of braggadocio about his own.
"You can already tell I'm lean and prior to the real event I will be leaner and meaner."
And to Frazier, Herenton warned, "Don't take me lightly."
The mayor, who regularly exercises to keep in shape, says he plans to go into training 60 days before the fight with the help of police officers at the police boxing gym.
Herenton said he's yet to take a physical, but says he's in pretty good shape and shadow boxes weekly.
"My hands move so fast, they scare me sometimes," he said, taking a boxing stance and throwing a few punches in the air for effect.
Herenton said Frazier will be in town prior to the fight for a number of workout events.
"I'm really looking forward to this because a lot of guys in this community that didn't grow up with me in the '50s and '60s, they've heard about my abilities. So now when they see me in the ring with Joe Frazier, they're going to see a work of art. You guys are gonna see me spar. You thought Ali was good. ..."
Herenton added that a lot of people are praying for him and that others are questioning his sanity.
The mayor dismissed suggestions that the fight is a political stunt, adding that "I can do a lot of things that would be politically feasible that wouldn't be this dangerous."
Herenton said he agreed to the fight because he believes the drug court is a worthy cause. And did we mention that he would be boxing the Joe Frazier?
"I'm a macho kind of guy and, you know, the idea of getting in the ring with Joe Frazier probably reaffirms some of the things that people thought about me anyway," Herenton said.
Jack Mayer, a board member with the drug court foundation, pitched the boxing idea to the mayor's special assistant after spending a few days at a three-day boxing camp with Frazier in Philadelphia last September.
Mayer, a 1972 Golden Gloves champion himself, said the event took months to arrange.
Although Frazier makes special appearances regularly for charity, he's never done anything like this. "He hasn't been in the ring since the '70s," Mayer said. "This is unique."
And he said Frazier will even sing.
Herenton says he's not making any predictions about who will prevail. But he promised this:
"You're going to see a good senior citizen who has a great array of skills. You're gonna see skills."
-- Jacinthia Jones: 529-2780
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No single ticket sales, only tables sold.
Prices start at $3,500 and up.
VIP reception begins at 6 p.m.
Dinner is at 7 p.m.
Boxing starts at 8 p.m.
Event will include music performances, live auction and two professional boxing bouts sanctioned by the Tennessee Boxing and Racing program.
Call 553-1082
feeling nautious (and it's not from the food I ate)
My God, has anyone listened to Joe Frazier talk? He is a walking poster child for brain damage due to fighting. His son is even worse.
1981, actually. ...against Floyd Cummings. Joe shoulda hung up his gloves after his third fight with Ali -- "The Thrilla in Manila" ('75) .....perhaps the best heavyweight fight I've ever seen.
Marvis? I haven't seen him since Larry Holmes KO'd him with ridiculous ease in the early 80s. Pretty sad.
I think most politicians should get in the ring with former prize fighters; a literal "knocking some sense" into their dense, elitist skulls. Better yet, a couple of rounds with a street fighter may teach these "silver- spooned" politicians what the rest of their constituents deal with every day. Whaddya tink?
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