Ray Anderson (boxer)
Encyclopedia
Ray Anderson was a boxer
in the light heavyweight division who fought from 1965 to 1977. Anderson currently lives in Akron, Ohio
. Anderson became the first challenger to last fifteen rounds against Bob Foster for the world Light Heavyweight title, but he lost what was his only world title try by decision.
. Ray's career continued as he fought Joe Byrd of Flint, Michigan
, in 1969, knocking Joe out in round 1. Joe Bryd is the father of Chris Byrd, who succeeded his father in professional boxing. Ray also knocked out Canton's Marion Conner in Round 2, sealing his stature as Ohio's best light heavyweight. However he fought John Griffin
of Syracuse, New York twice, they were both close decisions.
Ray Anderson was credited by Joe Frazier
, who long used him as sparring partner because of his tall rangy Ali, like style as assisting him in his preparation to unify the heavyweight title in 1969, with his win over WBA heavyweight title holder Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden. Later in 1970, Anderson was to bite off more than he could chew when he decided to fight a young prospect at the Cleveland Arena in Cleveland, Ohio named Ted Gullick, after providing Gullick with a boxing lesson in rounds 1 through 4, toward the end of the fourth Gullick scorded a knockdown with a sharp left hook. Anderson rose and was in part saved by the bell. Later Gullick, would dominate the fight and finish Anderson in the 9th round by knocking him out. Anderson beat Gregorio Peralta
by a ten-round decision in Spain
in 1972.
The pinnacle of Ray's career was his challenge to the former Light Heavyweight Champion of the World Bob Foster. Anderson was a tall lightweight of his era, standing 6 feet 1 inches. However Foster was 6 feet 3½ inches and could punch very hard. Anderson was not used to giving away height; he prided himself in being both handsome and fast. He was not willing to risk being hit by Foster, thus he chose to run and hold all night long, thus losing a fifteen-round decision. The late Yank Durham, Joe Frazier's trainer who worked Anderson's corner during the Foster fight called Anderson a "chicken" after the fight.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
in the light heavyweight division who fought from 1965 to 1977. Anderson currently lives in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
. Anderson became the first challenger to last fifteen rounds against Bob Foster for the world Light Heavyweight title, but he lost what was his only world title try by decision.
Professional career
Anderson began his rise to prominence in 1966, as a light heavyweight he took on and beat a formidable heavyweight journeyman named Amos Johnson in a ten-rounder at The Akron Armory in Akron, Ohio. Johnson to his credit was one of the few men to beat the young Cassius Clay, Cassius of course became the Heavyweight Champion of the world, known later as Muhammad AliMuhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
. Ray's career continued as he fought Joe Byrd of Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Flint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
, in 1969, knocking Joe out in round 1. Joe Bryd is the father of Chris Byrd, who succeeded his father in professional boxing. Ray also knocked out Canton's Marion Conner in Round 2, sealing his stature as Ohio's best light heavyweight. However he fought John Griffin
John Griffin
-Sports personalities:*John Griffin , English doctor who played international rugby for Wales*John Charles Griffin , American boxer known as Corn Griffin*John-Ford Griffin , American Major League Baseball outfielder...
of Syracuse, New York twice, they were both close decisions.
Ray Anderson was credited by Joe Frazier
Joe Frazier
Joseph William "Joe" Frazier , also known as Smokin' Joe, was an Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, whose professional career lasted from 1965 to 1976, with a one-fight comeback in 1981....
, who long used him as sparring partner because of his tall rangy Ali, like style as assisting him in his preparation to unify the heavyweight title in 1969, with his win over WBA heavyweight title holder Jimmy Ellis at Madison Square Garden. Later in 1970, Anderson was to bite off more than he could chew when he decided to fight a young prospect at the Cleveland Arena in Cleveland, Ohio named Ted Gullick, after providing Gullick with a boxing lesson in rounds 1 through 4, toward the end of the fourth Gullick scorded a knockdown with a sharp left hook. Anderson rose and was in part saved by the bell. Later Gullick, would dominate the fight and finish Anderson in the 9th round by knocking him out. Anderson beat Gregorio Peralta
Gregorio Peralta
Gregorio Manuel Peralta , better known as Gregorio "Goyo" Peralta, was a top Argentine boxer. Peralta enjoyed success as a both a light heavyweight and a heavyweight, one of a select group Latin American Heavyweights to attain world-class status...
by a ten-round decision in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
in 1972.
The pinnacle of Ray's career was his challenge to the former Light Heavyweight Champion of the World Bob Foster. Anderson was a tall lightweight of his era, standing 6 feet 1 inches. However Foster was 6 feet 3½ inches and could punch very hard. Anderson was not used to giving away height; he prided himself in being both handsome and fast. He was not willing to risk being hit by Foster, thus he chose to run and hold all night long, thus losing a fifteen-round decision. The late Yank Durham, Joe Frazier's trainer who worked Anderson's corner during the Foster fight called Anderson a "chicken" after the fight.