OLYMPIC CHAMPION ON BEST TEAM EVER
Tacoma, WA- Leo Randolph had a relatively short but successful run as a professional boxer. Having started in amateur boxing at the age of nine, Leo ended his amateur career at the age of 18, a two time National Champion, a 1976 Gold Medallist in Montreal, Canada, all this while Randolph was still a Junior in high school. Leo was part of what a lot of pundits feel was the best Olympic group the USA has ever produced. Randolphs amateur record was an incredible 160 wins and seven losses. Thats right, 160-7!
A GOOD JOE TRAINED LEO FROM A TO Z!, Leo says of trainer Joe Clough, He was like a father figure to me. Deeply religious, Leo gives all of his success to Clough and God. Saying a prayer before all of his bouts, amateur and pro, this according to Leo, gave him the confidence he needed to win. Joe Clough was a tremendously successful coach having trained Olympians like Sugar Ray Seales, Davey Armstrong, and World champions such as Johnny Bumphus, Rocky Lockridge and Leo. Joe then became part of the successful Muhammad Ali Pro Sports (MAPS), which folded when it was revealed Harold Smith, the promoter of MAPS went to jail for embezzling better than $20 million from a California Wells Fargo Bank branch.
RANDOLPH AND HIS DRIVEN DESIRE
Since the age of eleven, Leo was fascinated by trucks and buses and had always wanted to drive one. After the Olympics, Leo declined all offers to turn pro and instead opted to go to truck driving school. After successfully completing the course, Leo began driving a truck for a local construction company. Randolph drove for two years before Joe Clough eventually talked Leo into boxing professionally.
SHORT 26 MONTH TENURE AS PROFESSIONAL
On June 20, 1978, Leo Randolph made his professional debut with a KO 2 over Alfonso del Gadillo. Leo would win his next seven matches before running into David Capo in New Yorks Felt Forum, losing an eight-round split decision. It was close, but I still thought I won. Leo won his next eight fights before challenging then WBA jr. featherweight (122 lbs.) champ Ricardo Cardona, 20-4-1, 10 KOs at the time. In the days of real championship distance fights, Leo would prevail via TKO 15.
DAYS OF REAL TITLE (15 ROUND) FIGHTS
Leo feels that conditioning was one of his best assets, and that coach Clough always made sure he was in fantastic condition. Going into the real championship rounds, Leo was coming on as the defending champ was beginning to fade. During the last couple of rounds, Leo turned up the heat and captured the WBA crown.
CONDITIONING ONLY FAILED LEO ONCE
In the first defense of his title, Leo took on Sergio Victor Palma (37-3-4, 12 KOs). The night before the fight Leo was heavy, so he ran, spit and sat in the steam room until midnight trying to shed pounds. In the process, Randolph drained himself and went into the fight very weak and eventually lost by TKO 5. On the way back to the locker room, Leo said to himself. This is it for me, Im done with boxing. Once back in the locker room, Leo told his promoter he was done! People tried to talk him out of retiring, but to no avail. Leo Randolph, the 1976 112 lb. Olympic Gold Medallist and now ex-champion retired with a record of 17-2 with 9 KOs.
NEVER UNEMPLOYED IN LIFE AFTER BOXING
Leo then went back to driving trucks. In 1984 Leo started working as a guard at a Juvenile Detention facility. Around that same time, he was contacted by his former Olympic teammate, Michael Spinks, who setting up camp to train for his fight with Mike Tyson. Spinks invited Leo to join him at camp to run and train with him. Leo accepted. After a four-year absence from the ring. Leo looked impressive at camp and caught the eye of promoter Butch Lewis.
BERNARD HOPKINS: LEWIS SLAVE” CONTRACTS
Promoter Butch Lewis offered Randolph a contract to come back. But when Leo took the document to an attorney friend, the barrister advised him not to sign it. Thoughts of returning to the ring ended, mainly says Leo, because he didnt want to box to be just a club fighter, thus the decision to retire did not change. Randolph went back to working with young inmates and stayed there until 1988.
NOT THE BOSSY KIND OF BOSS
In 1988, Leo decided to return to driving. Hired by Pierce Transit, the local bus company in Tacoma. He drove until 2003 when he was promoted to supervisor. As a supervisor, it was Leos job to discipline and fire folks if need be. Not being of that temperament (too nice), a year later Leo was back driving bus again, which he enjoys most.
THE SON FOLOWED THE FATHER
Leo Randolph has a son and daughter from a previous marriage, Leo Jr. who is 25, and 13-year old Mariah. Leo Jr. has three kids and he too drives a transit bus with his father. Now 48, Leo owns some property, drives a Rolls Royce and goes to Church on Thursday and Sunday. He still works out six days a week and is basically very happy and content with life.
SPENT TIME IN 06 WITH 76 CREW AT IHBOF
Randolph talks every week to his Olympic teammate, Dave Lee Armstrong and last year at the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Leo got back together with some of his Olympic teammates. They stayed up late into the night talking and reminiscing about their great Olympic accomplishments and experiences. Without question Leo Randolph was truly a part of history and will always be remembered as an Olympic champion along with Sugar Ray Leonard, Michael Spinks, Leon Spinks and Howard Davis Jr. , all Gold Medallists. Not trying to be redundant, this was the best amateur team the USA ever put together.
Andy Nance
Note: Andy Nance is a former professional boxer who went 24-1. He has served as President of the Northern California Veterans Boxers Assn. Currently Andy trains and manages several boxers in Vallejo, CA at Drew Trujillos gym. Comments can be left below.