Dave Matthews (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Dave Matthews is a former American
professional boxer.
.
, and was a stablemate of heavyweight contender Earnie Shavers
and lightheavyweight contender Ray Anderson
. All three fighters barnstormed around the United States, and soon racked up an impressive array of victories.
From December 1969 to November 1970, Mattews compiled an undefeated record of 14 straight victories, which included upsets over Jack O'Halloran
, Rufus Brassell, Orville Qualls, and Art Miller. At 20, he was considered one of boxing's best prospects.
After fighting a controversial draw with another promising prospect, William Burton, Matthews career suddenly changed gears. He was inactive almost a year, had two fights, and then was inactive for another year.
He lost an upset decision to future lightheavyweight champion John Conteh
. On January 22, 1974, in Hollywood, Florida, Matthews had a chance to re-charge his career when he faced undefeated Al Migliorato. However, Migliorato was too fast for Matthews. In round three, a Migliorato combination sent Matthews down and out.
At 23 years old, the once promising career of Dave Matthews was over.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional boxer.
Amateur career
Mathews had a strong amateur career, winning the National AAU Light Heavyweight Championship in 1969 and was also a National Golden Gloves champ. His most impressive amateur victory was over future lightheavyweight contender Mike QuarryMike Quarry
Mike Quarry born in Bakersfield, California, was a light heavyweight boxer. He had a record of 63-13-6 including 17 knockouts during his career, which began in 1969 and ended in 1982....
.
Professional career
Mattews turned professional under manager Dean ChanceDean Chance
Wilmer Dean Chance is a former American Major League Baseball pitcher. Over the right hander's 11-year major league career, he would play for the Los Angeles Angels, Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, and Detroit Tigers...
, and was a stablemate of heavyweight contender Earnie Shavers
Earnie Shavers
Earnie Dee Shaver , better known as Earnie Shavers, is an American former professional boxer and is widely considered along with George Foreman as the hardest punchers of all time...
and lightheavyweight contender Ray Anderson
Ray Anderson (boxer)
Ray Anderson was a boxer in the light heavyweight division who fought from 1965 to 1977. Anderson currently lives in Akron, Ohio...
. All three fighters barnstormed around the United States, and soon racked up an impressive array of victories.
From December 1969 to November 1970, Mattews compiled an undefeated record of 14 straight victories, which included upsets over Jack O'Halloran
Jack O'Halloran
Jack O'Halloran is an American ex-boxer and actor.-Boxing:O'Halloran was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fighting as "Irish" Jack O'Halloran out of Boston, Massachusetts, he was a heavyweight boxing contender active from 1966 to 1974...
, Rufus Brassell, Orville Qualls, and Art Miller. At 20, he was considered one of boxing's best prospects.
After fighting a controversial draw with another promising prospect, William Burton, Matthews career suddenly changed gears. He was inactive almost a year, had two fights, and then was inactive for another year.
He lost an upset decision to future lightheavyweight champion John Conteh
John Conteh
John Conteh is a British former boxer who was world light-heavyweight boxing champion.Conteh is one of Britain's most successful boxing champions. At his peak in the mid to late 1970s he was considered good enough that he was touted as a possible opponent of Muhammad Ali...
. On January 22, 1974, in Hollywood, Florida, Matthews had a chance to re-charge his career when he faced undefeated Al Migliorato. However, Migliorato was too fast for Matthews. In round three, a Migliorato combination sent Matthews down and out.
At 23 years old, the once promising career of Dave Matthews was over.