photo courtesy
David Martinez
private collection

By Jim Amato

A few years back Ring Magazine, the “Bible of Boxing” came out with their top fifty heavyweights of the glove era. Ranked 40th on that list was a boxer who fought during the talent rich 70’s. He was a main stream contender for nearly a decade. He fought “The Greatest” for the title and more then held his own until being stopped in round eleven 오피스 2013 홈앤스튜던트 다운로드. He had “Big” George Foreman on the canvas twice before succumbing to George’s power in probably the best heavyweight fight in the last thirty years. His all action shoot out with Earnie Shavers would be a strong runner up. His name was Ron Lyle.

Ron started his career late after serving 7 ½ years in prison 다운로드. It did not take him long to establish himself. Wins over Manuel Ramos, Jack O’Halloran, Vincente Rondon, Buster Mathis, Luis Pires and Larry Middleton moved him up in the ratings. Granted that Ramos was a washed up former contender and O’Halloran was a fringe contender at best. Rondon was a former light heavyweight title claimant until “Bad” Bobby Foster drilled that dream out of his head 동영상 강좌 다운로드. Middleton was a game and clever boxer who just happened to lack a punch.Pires was a decent heavyweight from South America. Nevertheless this ” impressive” win streak sent him into a bout with Jerry Quarry. Quarry was on the downside of his career and had recently suffered his second loss to Muhammad Ali. On this night though Jerry’s experience and Lyle’s lack of it was clearly evident. Jerry took Ron to counterpunching school and handed Lyle his first defeat Even in defeat Ron showed his gameness. Overmatched at this stage of his career, he hung tough and he learned his lessons well.

To Ron’s credit he quickly went back to the business of re-establishing himself. A win and a draw against”Professor” Greg Peralta. Pulverizing knockouts over the very dangerous, Jose Luis Garcia , Jurgen Blin and hardhitting Boone Kirkman. Two decision wins over Larry Middleton; twelve round verdicts over the ever clever former champion Jimmy Ellis and rugged , rock jawed Oscar Bonevena put Lyle back in the title picture. His only loss during this time was a decision setback against slick boxing, jab and grab , Jimmy Young. Ron finally challenged Muhammad Ali for the world’s championship that Ali had regained the year before when he “Rope-a-Doped” the Mummy like, George Foreman.

Ali tried to use that same tactic against Lyle but Ron would have none of it. Forcing Ali to box at ring center, Ron was able to trade evenly with Ali in a very slow paced bout. For a big and strong guy, Ron was a decent boxer. He was not a good enough boxer to match wits with Ali, Young or even Quarry. In hindsight Ron should have fought a different fight. He should been more agressive and taken chances. In round eleven, Ali stunned Lyle and trapped him in a corner. Ali’s follow up barrage had Ron out on his feet when the referee intervened. Ron would never receive another shot at the title. How unfair based on his credentials ! The brawl with Foreman was a classic for the ages. It pitted two of the biggest, strongest men ever to lace on a boxing glove. They traded bombs with each other with no regard for defense. It was a brutal war of attrition.

Although Lyle lost, he probably gained more fans in defeat then in all of his previous victories. The bout with Shavers was another rock em’, sock em’ affair. This time Lyle got off the canvas to outlast Earnie and score a devastating knockout.

The loss to Foreman and another decision loss to the clever Jimmy Young forced Ron to rally toward another title shot. Hard fought decision wins over Joe Bugner, Stan Ward and Scott LeDoux again put Ron on contention. A suprising second round kayo loss to unheralded Lynn Ball dropped Ron from consideration. In his last significant bout. Gerry Cooney halted Ron in one round. Ron made a brief comeback years later but it was in the 70’s that Lyle made his mark.

Too bad Ron didn’t hook up with Ken Norton during the 70’s when both were in their prime. Norton is ranked 22nd in the Ring’s top 50, but in my opinion Lyle would have taken him out. As far as dream matches, how about Lyle-vs-Cleveland Williams or Mike Weaver. Maybe a battle of ex-cons with Lyle facing Sonny Liston. How would Lyle have fared against Lennox Lewis or a prime Riddick Bowe. Now those would be some interesting match ups.