Duane Bobick

Last updated

Duane Bobick
Duane Bobick 1972.jpg
Bobick at the 1972 Olympics
Born
Duane David Bobick

(1950-08-24) August 24, 1950 (age 75)
Statistics
Weight class Heavyweight
Weight(s)94 kg (207 lb)
Height190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Reach208 cm (82 in)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights52
Wins48
Wins by KO42
Losses4
Draws0
Medal record
Men's amateur boxing
Representing the Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Pan American Games
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 1971 Cali +81 kg

Duane David Bobick (born August 24, 1950) is an American former boxer. As an amateur, Bobick won the gold medal at the 1971 Pan American Games and fought at the 1972 Olympics. He then turned professional in 1973 and retired in 1979 with a record of 48 wins (42 by knockout) and four losses, all by knockout. He scored notable wins over future heavyweight champion Mike Weaver and contenders Chuck Wepner, Scott LeDoux, Randy Neumann and Manuel Ramos. From 1973 to 1977, he compiled a record of 38–0 with 32 knockouts which made him the number 3 contender in the division before he was defeated by number 1 contender Ken Norton by a TKO in the first round after 58 seconds of fighting. [1] [2]

Contents

Amateur career

Bobick was part of a boxing family and grew up with the sport in the 1960s. A good puncher who developed well early by virtue of countless hours in the gym and ring, Bobick had an outstanding amateur career that included a win over Teófilo Stevenson at the 1971 Pan American Games. Bobick added another future champion to his list when he beat Larry Holmes to be named to the 1972 U.S. Olympic boxing team. But lurking on Bobick's amateur record were two devastating second-round one-punch knockout losses at the hands of future heavyweight contender Ron Lyle. The first time, Lyle dispatched of him at the national AAU quarterfinals. The second time, fighting for a spot on the national team, Bobick was dropped with a straight right at 30 seconds of the second round, and was unconscious in the ring for over five minutes. [3] [4]

While being an amateur Bobick served as a quartermaster in the U.S. Navy. He was a three-time Navy Heavyweight Champion, two-time All-Service Heavyweight Champion and two-time International Military champion. [5] He was touted as a rising star at this early stage, and may have been overconfident as he met Stevenson again at the 1972 Olympics. The fight was even after two rounds with Stevenson getting the edge in round one and Bobick rallying in round two. In the third round, Bobick fell victim to a nemesis that would bedevil him for the rest of his boxing career, the overhand right. Stunned, floored and eventually defenseless, Bobick was pounded by the Cuban champion until the bout was stopped; this was Bobick's last bout as an amateur. [6] By that time he had a record of 93 wins (60 by KO) and 10 losses. [7]

Highlights

Gold medal icon.svg All-Navy Championships, Mare Island, California, April 1971:

Gold medal icon.svg Inter-service Championships, Mare Island, California, April 1971:

Gold medal icon.svg National Championships, New Orleans, Louisiana, April–May 1971:

1971 Pan-American Games Heavyweight champion

1972 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion

Pro career

Bobick trained hard to start his pro career, which did not begin until the spring of 1973. He trained with and was managed by heavyweight legend Joe Frazier. Bobick's first match was against Tommy Burns. He sent Burns to the canvas four times on his way to a first-round KO. Bobick had 14 other fights in 1973, winning them all by KO, including a win over former contender Manuel Ramos. Bobick won his first 19 fights by knockout. [8]

He had 10 more fights in 1974, winning them all again, eight by KO. Knockout wins that year included Ted Gullick and future champion Mike Weaver. He also decisioned veteran boxer Billy Daniels. With a 25–0 record and 23 KOs he was then rated as the sport's new "White Hope", [6] taking that label from then-declining Jerry Quarry. Frazier himself was approaching retirement and focusing on upcoming paydays with protégé Bobick.

Bobick gained top-10 ranking in 1975 with eight more fights and wins, all again by KO. He was now being dodged by some, but a win over Randy Neumann proved he could not be ignored. He had a tentative contract with Muhammad Ali in 1976, but the fight never materialized. Instead he met and defeated lower ranked contender Larry Middleton, fellow Minnesotan Scott LeDoux, Bunny Johnson and veteran Chuck Wepner among his five 1976 fights, all wins with two KOs. [8]

The Norton fight

Having a 38–0 record with 32 KOs he fought the future champion Ken Norton in a prime time network television bout in May 1977. Both fighters appeared tight and cautious from the opening bell. Norton suddenly connected with an unexpected overhand right flush onto Bobick's chin. He staggered wildly unable to clinch and avoid Norton's furious assault.

Norton trapped Bobick in a corner landing several roundhouse rights. One of the punches that connected was a right uppercut that caught Bobick in the throat. Staggered, blind from his tearing eyes as a result of the throat punch and walloped by another huge right hand, Bobick went to the canvas face first. He rose as the count reached ten. Bobick swayed on unsteady legs and the bout was stopped. The fight officially lasted just 58 seconds, but the actual length of the contest was about 70 seconds. Trainer Joe Frazier, who had previously sparred with Norton, apparently had advised Bobick not to take the fight.

Comeback

Despite the embarrassing defeat, Bobick was back in the ring two months later, winning a rematch with Scott LeDoux. He finished the year 1977 at 40–1 with 34 KOs. [8]

In 1978, he was upset in the third round by South African Kallie Knoetze for his second KO loss, again falling victim to an overhand right. Cut over his right eye and floored, Bobick rose at the count of 8 but the fight was stopped. He fought eight more times against second-tier fighters in 1978, winning all by KO. [8]

He was then looking to return to top-level contention in 1979 securing a nationally televised bout with future belt-holder and Stevenson's 1976 Olympic KO victim John Tate. Bobick talked openly pre-bout of his new commitment to training and conditioning, citing reduced body fat statistics as proof of his seriousness to return to the top of the heavyweight ranks. Hurt early in the first round by an overhand right as in the Norton fight, Bobick couldn't clinch to clear his head and continued to move forward absorbing terrible punishment. A knockdown followed by a dozen overhand rights from Tate forced the referee to stop the bout a little over two minutes into the first round. A TKO loss (stopped due to deep cuts on both eyelids) to prospect George Chaplin later that year led to his retirement at age 28.[ citation needed ]

Professional boxing record

48 Wins (42 knockouts, 6 decisions), 4 Losses (4 knockouts, 0 decisions) [8]
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
Loss48–4 Flag of the United States.svg George Chaplin RTD61979-07-03 Flag of New Jersey.svg Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Bobick retired at 3:00 of the sixth round.
Loss48–3 Flag of the United States.svg John Tate KO11979-02-17 Flag of Indiana.svg Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.Bobick knocked out at 2:25 of the first round.
Win48–2 Flag of the United States.svg Henry PattersonKO21978-12-23 Flag of South Carolina.svg Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Win47–2 Flag of the United States.svg Tom NicksonTKO31978-12-05 Flag of Florida.svg Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Win46–2 Flag of the United States.svg Terry MimsTKO71978-11-30 Flag of Indiana.svg Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 1:06 of the seventh round.
Win45–2 Flag of the United States.svg Tom PraterTKO51978-10-31 Flag of Indiana.svg Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Win44–2 Flag of the United States.svg John JordanKO11978-10-09 Flag of Virginia.svg Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Win43–2 Flag of Mexico.svg Fernando MontesKO31978-08-30 Flag of Minnesota.svg Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win42–2 Flag of the United States.svg Jerry ThompkinsKO21978-08-16 Flag of New York.svg Star Theatre, Nanuet, New York, U.S.
Win41–2 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Mike SchutteTKO81978-03-20 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Loss40–2 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Kallie Knoetze KO31978-02-04 Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Win40–1 Flag of Puerto Rico.svg Pedro AgostoKO31977-11-30 Flag of New Jersey.svg Newark, New Jersey, U.S.Agosto knocked out at 2:03 of the third round.
Win39–1 Flag of the United States.svg Scott LeDoux TKO81977-07-28 Flag of Minnesota.svg Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the eighth round.
Loss38–1 Flag of the United States.svg Ken Norton TKO11977-05-11 Flag of New York.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 0:58 of the first round.
Win38–0 Flag of the United States.svg Fred HoupeUD101976-10-30 Flag of Nevada.svg The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win37–0 Flag of the United States.svg Chuck Wepner TKO61976-10-02 Flag of New York.svg Utica College Sports Complex, Utica, New York, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 1:12 of the sixth round.
Win36–0 Flag of Jamaica.svg Bunny Johnson TKO8 1976-05-24 Flag of Germany.svg Olympiahalle, Munich, West Germany
Win35–0 Flag of the United States.svg Scott LeDoux UD101976-04-22 Flag of Minnesota.svg Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win34–0 Flag of the United States.svg Larry MiddletonUD101976-02-06 Flag of New York.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Win33–0 Flag of the United States.svg Randy Neumann TKO41975-12-12 Flag of New York.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:17 of the fourth round.
Win32–0 Flag of the United States.svg George Johnson RTD41975-11-13 Flag of Minnesota.svg Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win31–0 Flag of the United States.svg Rochelle NorrisKO21975-10-21 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.Norris knocked out at 2:59 of the second round.
Win30–0 Flag of the United States.svg Pat DuncanKO81975-08-26 Flag of Maryland.svg Largo Capitol Centre, Largo, Maryland, U.S.
Win29–0 Flag of Jamaica.svg Oliver Wright KO31975-06-25 Flag of Minnesota.svg Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win28–0 Flag of the United States.svg Ernie LassiterTKO21975-05-31 Flag of Connecticut.svg Waterbury Armory, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Win27–0 Flag of Argentina.svg Reinaldo Raul GorositoUD101975-04-23 Flag of Minnesota.svg Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win26–0 Flag of the United States.svg Roy WallaceKO21975-04-04 Flag of New York.svg Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, U.S.Wallace knocked out at 1:25 of the second round.
Win25–0 Flag of the United States.svg Harold CarterTKO21974-08-10 Flag of West Virginia.svg Fairmont, West Virginia, U.S.
Win24–0 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Weaver TKO71974-07-26 Flag of California.svg San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win23–0 Flag of the United States.svg Donnie NelsonTKO11974-07-16 Flag of Colorado.svg Denver, Colorado, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:52 of the first round.
Win22–0 Flag of the United States.svg Art RobinsonKO31974-06-22 Flag of Minnesota.svg Little Falls, Minnesota, U.S.
Win21–0 Flag of the United States.svg Lou BaileyUD101974-04-22 Flag of Virginia.svg Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Win20–0 Flag of the United States.svg Billy DanielsUD101974-04-06 Flag of West Virginia.svg Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
Win19–0 Flag of the United States.svg Ted GullickTKO21974-03-20 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 0:31 of the second round.
Win18–0 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy CrossKO31974-02-19 Flag of Oklahoma.svg Oklahoma City, U.S.
Win17–0 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy SummervilleTKO21974-02-05 Flag of Florida.svg Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Win16–0 Flag of the United States.svg Orville QuallsKO21974-01-25 Flag of California.svg San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win15–0 Flag of the United States.svg Rico BrooksKO21973-12-06 Flag of Nebraska.svg Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.Brooks knocked out at 2:19 of the second round.
Win14–0 Flag of the United States.svg John HudginsTKO21973-11-24 Flag of Virginia.svg Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Win13–0 Flag of the United States.svg Roger RussellKO51973-10-30 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win12–0 Flag of the United States.svg Orvin VeazeyKO21973-10-16 Flag of Connecticut.svg Columbia Music Hall, West Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Win11–0 Flag of the United States.svg Ron DraperKO41973-09-25 Flag of Missouri.svg Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.Draper knocked out at 1:46 of the fourth round.
Win10–0 Flag of Mexico.svg Manuel Ramos TKO71973-09-15 Flag of Virginia.svg Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Win9–0 Flag of the United States.svg GG MaldonadoKO21973-08-22 Flag of Minnesota.svg Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Win8–0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Leslie BordenTKO31973-08-15 Flag of Colorado.svg Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Win7–0 Flag of the United States.svg Ned EdwardsKO31973-08-08 Flag of New York.svg Binghamton Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Binghamton, New York, U.S.
Win6–0 Flag of the United States.svg Sylvester MurphyKO11973-07-06 Flag of Tennessee.svg Bristol International Raceway, Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
Win5–0 Flag of the United States.svg Doug KirkTKO21973-06-15 Flag of Minnesota.svg Halenbeck Hall, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 1:16 of the second round.
Win4–0 Flag of the United States.svg Clyde BrownTKO21973-05-31 Flag of Kentucky.svg Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 0:45 of the second round.
Win3–0Jim WilliamsKO51973-05-12 Flag of Colorado.svg Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Win2–0 Flag of the United States.svg Willie AndersonTKO31973-04-21 Flag of Kentucky.svg Capitol Plaza, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Win1–0 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Tommy BurnsKO11973-04-10 Flag of Minnesota.svg Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.Burns knocked out at 2:59 of the first round.

Life after boxing

Bobick returned to Minnesota and took heavy industry work before a machine accident nearly killed him in 1997. Both his arms were caught and crushed between huge paper rolls being rotated in a paper mill. He narrowly avoided amputation after a complex surgery to re-attach muscles and tendons and repair skin and bone damage. After this, he went into coaching and public speaking, using his celebrity to try to encourage and help others. In November 2006, Bobick was elected as a city councilman. [6]

On June 19, 2014, he was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in Troy, Michigan. [9]

Personal life

Bobick's younger brother Rodney Bobick was also a heavyweight boxer. He died in a single car crash in 1977. [5]

Bobick suffers from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (also known as dementia pugilistica). Originally diagnosed in 1997 after his arm injury, his progressive decline has been noteworthy in recent years. He was quoted in 2011 by the Morrison County Record saying "I'm not sure I would have gone into boxing back then if I would have known all the effects of head trauma that I know today, but I don’t regret the experience, intense training and discipline I learned from the sport." [10]

References

  1. "The Ring Magazine's Annual Ratings: Heavyweight--1970s - BoxRec".
  2. "Ken Norton vs. Duane Bobick - BoxRec".
  3. Ali, Frazier, . . . and Lyle? (Special Report) by Paul Loewenwarter, 60 minutes, March 1971, vol. 3, no. 12.
  4. Lotierzo, Frank. "Ron Lyle: The Only Fighter To Hurt Foreman in Maybe The Finest Hour For Both". The Sweet Science.
  5. 1 2 Duane Bobick, boxrec.com. Accessed November 6, 2022.
  6. 1 2 3 Duane Bobick Archived July 29, 2016, at the Wayback Machine . sports-reference.com
  7. Duane BOBICK. reocities.com
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 Boxing record for Duane Bobick Archived April 30, 2015, at the Wayback Machine . BoxRec.com .
  9. "Duane Bobick". National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on July 13, 2018. Retrieved July 13, 2018.
  10. Slack, Patrick (February 12, 2012). "Hall of Fame boxer Duane Bobick faces his greatest fight". Morrison County Record. Retrieved June 5, 2016.
Preceded by United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion
1971
Succeeded by