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BIG BUSTER MATHIS ; Has History Been Unkind To Him ?
At one time Buster Mathis Sr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan was the best
amateur heavyweight in the world. This was in 1964 after he had twice
defeated another promising amateur named Joe Frazier. He was on his way to
the 1964 Olympics Games in Tokyo but an injury sidelined him. Frazier took
his place as an alternate. Joe won the Gold Medal and the rest is history.
Where does Buster Mathis stand in the annals of heavyweight history ?
Did he ever get the respect that he may have deserved ? He was a good enough
prospect to have Cus D'Amato guide his professional career. He was a a very
big man for his era and was surprisingly fast and agile for a big man.
At the beginning of his pro career the 300 pound Mathis shedded weight
and subdued opponents. In his fourth fight he would outpoint a rugged
customer named Bob Stallings. In his sixth fight he would halt Chuck Wepner.
Buster was built up like most prospects at that time were. His record
is spotted with journeymen like Charlie Polite, Mike Bruce, Everett
Copeland, Sonny Moore...After 23 straight victories he was matched with old
foe Joe Frazier for the New York State recognition of the heavyweight title
that had been taken from Muhammad Ali.
This time Joe would have more rounds to work over and wear down Big
Buster. Finally in the eleventh round Buster went down and Joe had a piece
of the heavyweight pie.
After the loss to Frazier, Mathis put together a nice five bout win
streak. He beat Mel Turnbow, James J. Beattie, Amos " Big Train " Lincoln,
**** Wipperman and James J. Woody. That was pretty respectable opposition at
that time. This led to another shot at the big time. A match with the
brawling Canadian contender George Chuvalo.
The bout with Chuvalo would be the highlight of Buster's fine career.
If anyone ever doubts that Buster was a world class heavyweight, get a hold
of the film of this fight. Mathis was the master of Chuvalo throughout the
twelve round contest.
The win over Chuvalo put Buster right back in the thick of the
heavyweight picture.By this time the once 300 pound Mathis was tipping the
scales around 235. Six weeks after the Chuvalo triumph, Buster would take on
the erratic but always entertaining Jerry Quarry. On the night they fought
Quarry was nothing short of brilliant. It was a boxing clinic and Buster was
soundly defeated. At this point Buster took some time off after a high
profile loss.
It would be well over two years before Buster would re-enter the ring
and his opponent would be none other then the comebacking Muhammad Ali.
Buster had ballooned to over 250 pounds and although game to the core he was
totally outclassed by Ali and lost a twelve round decision. This would
finish Buster as a serious contender.
Buster would defeat the undefeated Claude McBride but in his next bout
he was savaged by another unbeaten prospect named Ron Lyle. That would be
the end of Buster's career.
Big Buster only lost four of thirty four fights. He lost to Frazier,
Quarry, Ali and Lyle. Does that make him all bad ? The Buster Mathis that
defeated George Chuvalo was one of the best heavyweights of the late 1960's.
At one time Buster Mathis Sr. of Grand Rapids, Michigan was the best
amateur heavyweight in the world. This was in 1964 after he had twice
defeated another promising amateur named Joe Frazier. He was on his way to
the 1964 Olympics Games in Tokyo but an injury sidelined him. Frazier took
his place as an alternate. Joe won the Gold Medal and the rest is history.
Where does Buster Mathis stand in the annals of heavyweight history ?
Did he ever get the respect that he may have deserved ? He was a good enough
prospect to have Cus D'Amato guide his professional career. He was a a very
big man for his era and was surprisingly fast and agile for a big man.
At the beginning of his pro career the 300 pound Mathis shedded weight
and subdued opponents. In his fourth fight he would outpoint a rugged
customer named Bob Stallings. In his sixth fight he would halt Chuck Wepner.
Buster was built up like most prospects at that time were. His record
is spotted with journeymen like Charlie Polite, Mike Bruce, Everett
Copeland, Sonny Moore...After 23 straight victories he was matched with old
foe Joe Frazier for the New York State recognition of the heavyweight title
that had been taken from Muhammad Ali.
This time Joe would have more rounds to work over and wear down Big
Buster. Finally in the eleventh round Buster went down and Joe had a piece
of the heavyweight pie.
After the loss to Frazier, Mathis put together a nice five bout win
streak. He beat Mel Turnbow, James J. Beattie, Amos " Big Train " Lincoln,
**** Wipperman and James J. Woody. That was pretty respectable opposition at
that time. This led to another shot at the big time. A match with the
brawling Canadian contender George Chuvalo.
The bout with Chuvalo would be the highlight of Buster's fine career.
If anyone ever doubts that Buster was a world class heavyweight, get a hold
of the film of this fight. Mathis was the master of Chuvalo throughout the
twelve round contest.
The win over Chuvalo put Buster right back in the thick of the
heavyweight picture.By this time the once 300 pound Mathis was tipping the
scales around 235. Six weeks after the Chuvalo triumph, Buster would take on
the erratic but always entertaining Jerry Quarry. On the night they fought
Quarry was nothing short of brilliant. It was a boxing clinic and Buster was
soundly defeated. At this point Buster took some time off after a high
profile loss.
It would be well over two years before Buster would re-enter the ring
and his opponent would be none other then the comebacking Muhammad Ali.
Buster had ballooned to over 250 pounds and although game to the core he was
totally outclassed by Ali and lost a twelve round decision. This would
finish Buster as a serious contender.
Buster would defeat the undefeated Claude McBride but in his next bout
he was savaged by another unbeaten prospect named Ron Lyle. That would be
the end of Buster's career.
Big Buster only lost four of thirty four fights. He lost to Frazier,
Quarry, Ali and Lyle. Does that make him all bad ? The Buster Mathis that
defeated George Chuvalo was one of the best heavyweights of the late 1960's.
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