ESPN's Top Rank Boxing

[TBear]

It was a great weekly show. Not sure how many here were around back then to tune into the long running series but it had some great moments. Most of these are from memory and may not be 100% accurate(but darn close)

Jesse Ferguson beating Buster Douglas in an ESPN tournament, unknown Dwight Braxton(later Qawi) rising to take the light heavyweight tourney. Frank Fletcher, Donald Curry, Ray Mancini and Freddie Roach and many more making names for themselfs on national television.

Few remember the early days when Randy Gordon made the calls. When ever a fighter would get knocked out he would say "Good Night Sweet Prince", which is why I heard he was also let go as an announcer. Gordon went on to become a boxing Commissioner and Al Bernstein was brought in to fill the role.

After Tommy Morrison beat Foreman for the wbo belt he was scheduled to defend his title on ESPN. The scheduled opponent did not show up. So out of the crowd they found an opponent, a journeyman named Tim Tomashek and in a moments notice some guy in the crowd was a title challenger. Tomashek though outclassed, clowned and mugged his way to a tko loss but somehow made a few fans along the way. Ironic Morrrison's next defense was also on ESPN. Seeing Morrison enter the ring to "Bad to the Bone" did little as he was knocked out in the first round by a 10-1 Michael Bentt( who also lost his title on ESPN to Herbie Hide).

The first time I got to see Mike Tyson was on the show as he leveled the usually durable Donnie Long in the first round.

Over 16 years of fights made Top Rank Boxing on ESPN was the longest running cable series and weekly boxing series in history.

Here is a clip about the early days of the show and a failed card that when all the fights ended by knockout the show still had over an hour to kill.



In the above clip you also will see another fight that was one of the quickest KO's in ESPN history.

[Scott9945]

Originally Posted by TBear

It was a great weekly show. Not sure how many here were around back then to tune into the long running series but it had some great moments. Most of these are from memory and may not be 100% accurate(but darn close)

Jesse Ferguson beating Buster Douglas in an ESPN tournament, unknown Dwight Braxton(later Qawi) rising to take the light heavyweight tourney. Frank Fletcher, Donald Curry, Ray Mancini and Freddie Roach and many more making names for themselfs on national television.

Few remember the early days when Randy Gordon made the calls. When ever a fighter would get knocked out he would say "Good Night Sweet Prince", which is why I heard he was also let go as an announcer. Gordon went on to become a boxing Commissioner and Al Bernstein was brought in to fill the role.

After Tommy Morrison beat Foreman for the wbo belt he was scheduled to defend his title on ESPN. The scheduled opponent did not show up. So out of the crowd they found an opponent, a journeyman named Tim Tomashek and in a moments notice some guy in the crowd was a title challenger. Tomashek though outclassed, clowned and mugged his way to a tko loss but somehow made a few fans along the way. Ironic Morrrison's next defense was also on ESPN. Seeing Morrison enter the ring to "Bad to the Bone" did little as he was knocked out in the first round by a 10-1 Michael Bentt( who also lost his title on ESPN to Herbie Hide).

The first time I got to see Mike Tyson was on the show as he leveled the usually durable Donnie Long in the first round.

Over 16 years of fights made op Rank Boxing on ESPN was the longest running cable series and weekly boxing series in history.

Here is a clip about the early days of the show and a failed card that when all the fights ended by knockout the show still had over an hour to kill.



In the above clip you also will see another fight that was one of the quickest KO's in ESPN history.

Great memories. I vividly remember seeing Tyson there first. He sure made a big first impression. Great post.

[jackson8]

I like that ko at the end of the video.

[TBear]

Originally Posted by Scott9945

Great memories. I vividly remember seeing Tyson there first. He sure made a big first impression. Great post.

Thanks Scott9945. I realize most here missed the era but it was a great time for fans.
Between EsPN, USA Tuesday Night fights and various Prime network shows like Fight Night at the Forum, we had great moments in the sport happening Monday through Thursday. And I was a madman never missing a show, making sure I had a vhs tape ready for each and every show.

[Ray Corso]

The early shows were out of Totawa N.J. Ice Palace. I worked alot of the beginning shows for a Conn. promotor/matchmaker who sent fighters there that I handled. Froze are butts in that dump hahahaha later on we moved the shows into the casino's on the boardwalk. I did a few shows at the Tropicana for Donny Elbaum, thats when ESPN was beginning to feature some good bouts. Tyson showed up a few years later and Kevin had taken over as his main cornerman/trainer.
We had fun then with the fighters and they had a great place to box and were treated very well on the boardwalk. I remember handling Jerry "Whimpy" Halstead (one of boxing craziest characters) at the Trop. He was doing very well against against Alvino "Killer" Manson (who was back from a prison visit) when he decided his instructions were better than mine!!! hahahaha Manson always stepped over into a southpaw stance inside so Whimpy was schooled how to handle it but he didn't listen and ate some southpaw upper cuts, dope!! He got stopped in 5 or 6 and the next morning was late for his ride back to Conn. he comes running up to my car and says he'll be back in the gym by tues and he needs to stay there for another nite. Throws about 2 grand in my car from his winings from the casino after the fight and in all hit for 6 or 7 grand plus his semi-main go money, he did well. He still never listened to me but he paid me well to be his baby sitter. If I managed him. I'd Kill Him!! hahahaha!!! ESPN on the boardwalk was alot of fun then. Good money, good comps, good times! Ray.

[TBear]

Originally Posted by Ray Corso

The early shows were out of Totawa N.J. Ice Palace. I worked alot of the beginning shows for a Conn. promotor/matchmaker who sent fighters there that I handled. Froze are butts in that dump hahahaha later on we moved the shows into the casino's on the boardwalk. I did a few shows at the Tropicana for Donny Elbaum, thats when ESPN was beginning to feature some good bouts. Tyson showed up a few years later and Kevin had taken over as his main cornerman/trainer.
We had fun then with the fighters and they had a great place to box and were treated very well on the boardwalk. I remember handling Jerry "Whimpy" Halstead (one of boxing craziest characters) at the Trop. He was doing very well against against Alvino "Killer" Manson (who was back from a prison visit) when he decided his instructions were better than mine!!! hahahaha Manson always stepped over into a southpaw stance inside so Whimpy was schooled how to handle it but he didn't listen and ate some southpaw upper cuts, dope!! He got stopped in 5 or 6 and the next morning was late for his ride back to Conn. he comes running up to my car and says he'll be back in the gym by tues and he needs to stay there for another nite. Throws about 2 grand in my car from his winings from the casino after the fight and in all hit for 6 or 7 grand plus his semi-main go money, he did well. He still never listened to me but he paid me well to be his baby sitter. If I managed him. I'd Kill Him!! hahahaha!!! ESPN on the boardwalk was alot of fun then. Good money, good comps, good times! Ray.

The Ice Palace! I remember the early Czyz and Lockridge fights from out there. Duva! Did you know Lou.

[Ray Corso]

Yes I knew Lou Sr. from some of the St. Nicks shows and Felt Forum at the Garden. Then a few years later he came up to the Hartford Civic Center with Alex Ramos and maybe Buster Mathis Jr. or someone else had him but maybe Duva worked his corner. Can't remember about Junior but I do remember Alex, he was a star before he did anything hahahaha thats Duva!!! He loved boxing but he'd get carried away in heart beat the Paz crap in Italy and his actions a couple of other times wasn't very good but I had my own moments too!!!
Tuff old cookie he fought for everything he had, good motovator for certain kinds of fighters.
Funny thing about young Bobby Czyz he was a very tuff kid but had big troubles to go with all the anger, 30 years later his Uncle is my optomitrist here in S.W. Fla. I can't think of the kids name who used to come out of a coffin dressed like Dracula he was another fan favorite and what I remember about him was he could fight too, I think. The old school guys hated that kind of "pro wrestling crap" but the show needed some flare and there was a few characters that helped get it going. Rocky was a great kid too and the fans loved him. Went in to Rahlway prison for Superman Scott (James) and Dwight was there too. if I remember right. Also to Storrs Conn St. prison on a regular basis, took Randy Milton out of there to fight Ray Leonard when they were just moving Ray. Good times!! Ray.

[TBear]

Originally Posted by Ray Corso

Yes I knew Lou Sr. from some of the St. Nicks shows and Felt Forum at the Garden. Then a few years later he came up to the Hartford Civic Center with Alex Ramos and maybe Buster Mathis Jr. or someone else had him but maybe Duva worked his corner. Can't remember about Junior but I do remember Alex, he was a star before he did anything hahahaha thats Duva!!! He loved boxing but he'd get carried away in heart beat the Paz crap in Italy and his actions a couple of other times wasn't very good but I had my own moments too!!!
Tuff old cookie he fought for everything he had, good motovator for certain kinds of fighters.
Funny thing about young Bobby Czyz he was a very tuff kid but had big troubles to go with all the anger, 30 years later his Uncle is my optomitrist here in S.W. Fla. I can't think of the kids name who used to come out of a coffin dressed like Dracula he was another fan favorite and what I remember about him was he could fight too, I think. The old school guys hated that kind of "pro wrestling crap" but the show needed some flare and there was a few characters that helped get it going. Rocky was a great kid too and the fans loved him. Went in to Rahlway prison for Superman Scott (James) and Dwight was there too. if I remember right. Also to Storrs Conn St. prison on a regular basis, took Randy Milton out of there to fight Ray Leonard when they were just moving Ray. Good times!! Ray.

When I met Lou he seemed to be one of the nicest guys. I told him about how much of a boxing fan I was and before I knew it he was calling all these fighters over to meet me.


The guy in the coffin was possibly Wilbert "The Vampire" Johnson. He was missing most his front teeth leaving only his canines. Used the gimmick and arrived ringside in a coffin dressed like Dracula. Got him a few tv dates including one with the undefeated John Mugabi, that didn't go so good for him but Mugabi was a beast, literally!

I remember watching all those Scott fights from Rahlway. He was doing pretty good too. I don't know what happened against "Bull" Martin, because Scott seemed better than that.

[Ray Corso]

Yeah thats him, Wilbert hahaha thanks he was a character but he could fight abit and put up a good showing from what I remember. Ofcourse he needed to stay on the small show level but a built up resume gives some folks a chance to pick up some better money and thats what your trying for as a pro. Most loose when they step up but you have to admire someones efforts for trying, as long as they DO try!
Lou was a likeable fellow who loved to talk boxing and certainly was very well known in the NY and NJ areas. I worked some corners against him before we were introduced and he was a pushy kind of a guy when he had his ring persona on but that was more for his fighters to see that he was in charge and backing them all the way!!
The prison fighters usually had a big disadvantage as the rounds moved along. Not much road work getting done in there even if they had access to a gym that just doesn't cut it and your rope work had to be done with supervision. So body exercising and shadow boxing were the main two training routines for the boxer/encarcerated!! Scott was pretty good he had technique and had decent power. Not sure if he was trained by Cruz or if Cruz just worked at Enfield (Conn.) I knew Cruz from my older brother who boxed and trained with Gaspar Ortega, Cruz was good! I took my amatuer team to the prison twice a year to box and give them a good look at where they didn't want to end up at!! I worked inner city kids and lost more than I won but thats a record you only count the wins at!! thanx for the info on Johnson. Ray.