Ray Anderson (boxer)

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Ray Anderson (born August 31, 1944, in Anniston, Alabama) was a boxer in the light heavyweight division who fought from 1965 to 1977. 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. Anderson currently lives in Anniston.

Contents

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. As an amateur, Anderson was one of the few men to beat the young Cassius Clay (known later as Muhammad Ali) who went on to become the Heavyweight Champion of the world. Ray's career continued as he fought Joe Byrd of Flint, Michigan, in 1969, knocking Joe out in round 1. Ray also knocked out Canton's Marion Conner in Round 2, sealing his stature as Ohio's best light heavyweight. He fought John Griffin of Syracuse, New York twice, losing both in close decisions.

Ray Anderson was credited by Joe Frazier, who long used him as a sparring partner because of his tall rangy Ali-like style as assisting him in his preparation to unify the heavyweight title in 1970, with his win over WBA heavyweight titleholder 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 scored a knockdown with a sharp left hook. Anderson rose and was in part saved by the bell. Later Gullick dominated the fight and finished 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 light-heavyweight of his era, standing 6 feet 1 inch. However, Foster was 6 feet 312 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 dance and defend for most of the fight, thus losing a fifteen-round decision. To Anderson's credit he was one of the few men that would last all 15 rounds with Foster. The late Yank Durham, Joe Frazier's trainer, worked Anderson's corner during the Foster fight felt that Anderson should have eliminated the Ali style tactics and take it to Foster and was upset by the outcome. Anderson had proven to be a very respected fighter early on and once joining promoter Don King, seemed to start an altered course in his career which can't be explained. It is thought that King wanted to use Anderson to promote other upcoming boxers in order to propel himself into the limelight instead of using Anderson's talent to help him reach the top of the rankings. Anderson's children Deric and Eric (twins), and Brigitte Anderson were last known to reside in Ohio. In the early 90's one (or both) of Anderson's twin sons; were known for his athletic abilities and had shown glimpses of skills that would advance him into professional football. However, details of his efforts are not recorded.

Professional boxing record

36 Wins (21 knockouts, 15 decisions), 19 Losses (11 knockouts, 8 decision), 5 Draws [1]
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
Loss28-3-3 Flag of the United States.svg Mike Rossman TKO41977-03-02 Flag of New York.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States
Draw18-8-1 Flag of Mali.svg Ba Sounkalo PTS101976-12-04 Flag of Germany.svg Hamburg, Germany
Loss9-0 Flag of the United States.svg Marvin Johnson TKO61976-04-03 Flag of Indiana.svg Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
Loss16-0 Flag of Argentina.svg Miguel Angel Cuello KO61976-02-20 Flag of Germany.svg Alsterdorfer Sporthalle, Alsterdorf, Germany
Win42-7-2 Flag of Argentina.svg Jorge Ahumada PTS101975-11-28 Flag of Germany.svg Hamburg, Germany
Draw86-13-4 Flag of Argentina.svg Avenamar Peralta PTS101975-09-12 Flag of Germany.svg Offenbach, Germany
Loss7-2-4 Flag of Nigeria.svg Ngozika Ekwelum KO51975-06-24 Flag of Germany.svg Berlin, Germany
Loss42-6 Flag of Jamaica.svg Bunny Johnson PTS81975-06-19 Flag of Norway.svg Jordal Amfi, Oslo, Norway
Draw7-2-3 Flag of Nigeria.svg Ngozika Ekwelum PTS81975-05-16 Flag of Germany.svg Ludwigshafen, Germany
Loss10-0-1 Flag of Norway.svg Harald Skog PTS101975-03-13 Flag of Norway.svg Oslo, Norway
Loss80-12-4 Flag of Argentina.svg Avenamar Peralta TKO81975-01-18 Flag of Germany.svg Hamburg, Germany
Loss5-0 Flag of the United States.svg James "Great" Scott UD101974-04-23 Flag of Florida.svg Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Loss26-6-4 Flag of Argentina.svg Victor Galindez KO21974-02-16 Flag of Argentina.svg Balcarce, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina Anderson knocked out at 1:23 of the second round.
Draw39-9-3 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy "The Cat" Dupree PTS101973-11-28 Flag of Ohio.svg Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Loss32-5-1 Flag of Argentina.svg Jorge Ahumada TKO81973-08-13 Flag of New York.svg Felt Forum, New York City, United States
Win50-16-14 Flag of Argentina.svg Miguel Angel Paez PTS81973-03-12 Flag of France.svg Palais des Sports (Paris), Paris, France
Loss13-15-2 Flag of the United States.svg Roy "Cookie" Wallace SD101973-02-14 Flag of Ohio.svg Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win90-7-8 Flag of Argentina.svg Gregorio Peralta PTS101972-06-09 Flag of Spain.svg Madrid, Spain
Loss9-1-1 Flag of Mali.svg Ba Sounkalo PTS101972-03-27 Flag of France.svg Paris, France
Loss23-6-1 Flag of the United States.svg Joe "Cigarette" Burns KO91972-01-15 Flag of Louisiana.svg New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Win3-10 Flag of the United States.svg JD McCauley KO71971-11-10 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Loss42-5 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Foster UD151971-04-24 Flag of Florida.svg Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, United States WBC World Light Heavyweight Title. 140-145, 139-148, 138-149.
Win25-2 Flag of the United States.svg Hal Carroll PTS101970-11-18 Flag of Ohio.svg Ashland, Ohio, United States
Loss13-3 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny "70s" Griffin UD101970-09-14 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Loss12-3 Flag of the United States.svg Johnny "70s" Griffin PTS101970-08-03 Flag of Ohio.svg Norton, Ohio, United States
Loss12-6 Flag of the United States.svg Charley "Devil" Green TKO11970-04-28 Flag of New York.svg Felt Forum, New York City, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:36 of the first round.
Draw27-7-2 Flag of the United States.svg Allen "Bibliophile" Thomas PTS101970-03-30 Flag of Illinois.svg Chicago, Illinois, United States
Win2-3-1 Flag of the United States.svg Hydra Lacy KO41970-01-27 Flag of Florida.svg Orlando, Florida, United States
Loss5-0 Flag of the United States.svg Ted GullickKO91969-12-10 Flag of Ohio.svg Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Win14-9-2 Flag of the United States.svg Joe Hopkins KO11969-11-21 Flag of South Dakota.svg Rapid City, South Dakota, United States
Win9-5 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ed Ostapovich KO11969-11-13 Flag of Washington.svg Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington, United States
Win10-6 Flag of the United States.svg Joe "Nice Guy" Byrd TKO11969-11-06 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win27-6 Flag of the United States.svg Karl Zurheide UD101969-10-06 Flag of Minnesota.svg Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Win46-15-1 Flag of the United States.svg Pete Riccitelli KO51969-08-11 Flag of Minnesota.svg Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States
Win49-50-12 Flag of the United States.svg Billy "Boggy" Marsh KO31969-07-23 Flag of Florida.svg Orlando, Florida, United States
Win7-10-1 Flag of the United States.svg Roy "Cookie" Wallace PTS101969-06-03 Flag of Georgia (U.S. state).svg Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Win15-34-11 Flag of the United States.svg Frank "Snakebite" Niblett UD101969-05-27 Flag of California.svg Oakland, California, United States 8-1, 7-2, 8-1.
Win9-7-5 Flag of the United States.svg Willie McIntyre KO21969-04-01 Flag of Florida.svg Orlando, Florida, United States
Win26-17-1 Flag of the United States.svg Marion "Thunderbolt" Connor TKO21969-03-23 Flag of Ohio.svg Canton, Ohio, United States
Win15-13-2 Flag of the United States.svg Willie Tiger TKO11969-03-05 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win26-16-1 Flag of the United States.svg Marion "Thunderbolt" Connor UD101969-01-26 Flag of Ohio.svg Canton, Ohio, United States Ohio Heavyweight Title.
Win17-8-2 Flag of the United States.svg Hubert "Happy Wanderer" Hilton TKO31969-01-10 Flag of New York.svg Felt Forum, New York City, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:54 of the third round.
Win22-8-2 Flag of the United States.svg Amos Johnson PTS101968-11-06 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win11-4 Flag of the United States.svg Eddie Dembry TKO11968-09-18 Flag of Ohio.svg Mansfield, Ohio, United States
Win-- Jimmy "The Poll" Harris TKO11968-02-14 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Loss8-1 Flag of the United States.svg Willie "Monster" McMillan TKO61967-07-19 Flag of New York.svg Madison Square Garden, New York City, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:21 of the sixth round.
Win0-3 Flag of the United States.svg Bobby Lawson KO21967-05-27 Flag of Ohio.svg Columbus, Ohio, United States Lawson knocked out at 1:42 of the second round.
Win4-2-1 Flag of Spain.svg Francisco San Jose PTS81967-04-28 Flag of Sweden.svg Stockholm, Sweden
Win8-7 Flag of the United States.svg Vic BrownUD61967-03-15 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win0-5 Flag of the United States.svg James Goree KO21967-02-21 Flag of California.svg Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, United States Goree knocked out at 1:51 of the second round.
Win2-1 Flag of the United States.svg Tom "Liberty" Bell KO11967-01-15 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win7-11-2 Flag of the United States.svg Bob Slaughter PTS61966-12-05 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Win10-2-1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bob "Pretty Boy" Felstein KO51966-10-26 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win7-0 Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy McClain PTS61966-06-14 Flag of Pennsylvania.svg Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Win0-1 Flag of the United States.svg Al "Hank" Williams KO11966-05-25 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States Williams knocked out at 1:28 of the first round.
Win-- Flag of the United States.svg Al "Hank" Williams KO11966-03-11 Flag of Ohio.svg Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
Win0-2 Flag of the United States.svg Gene "Ashes to Ashes" Hunt KO21966-03-02 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win-- James "The Boss" Ross PTS41966-02-02 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win1-0 Flag of the United States.svg Larry Tatum PTS41965-12-16 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States
Win0-1 Flag of the United States.svg Gene "Ashes to Ashes" Hunt TKO31965-07-14 Flag of Ohio.svg Akron, Ohio, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:37 of the third round.

Exhibition boxing record

2 fights0 wins0 losses
Non-scored2
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
20–0 (2) Flag of the United States.svg Muhammad Ali 2Oct 11, 1972 Flag of the United States.svg Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts U.S.Non-scored bout
10–0 (1) Flag of the United States.svg Muhammad Ali 2Aug 24, 1972 Flag of the United States.svg Baltimore Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland U.S.Non-scored bout

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