GOT TITLE SHOT WITH LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
Archie “NO B.S.” Moore
San Diego, CA-While on assignment recently in southern California, I was in the back of a limo cruising along the Archie Moore freeway. The all-time record holder in career knockouts with 131, turned professional in 1935. The biggest myth regarding Moore, who died at 81 in 1998, was that the last fight he had was against an undefeated upstart named Cassius Clay in 1962. Moore, having gone 186-23-11, would in March 1963 defeat Mike DiBiase, (TKO 3) and wrap up a 28-year professional run.
MEMORIES OF OLD MONGOOSE ARE SOMEWHAT MIXED
Many stories that are about Moore tend to stick to his career. This will delve into the times I spent in his presence. When I first saw Archie in person, he had already retired from boxing. Circa 1969, with San Franciscos Newmans Gym the backdrop, Moore, having had been invited by George Foremans manager, Dick Sadler, was on hand to offer a few tips to the recently crowned 1968 Olympic heavyweight champion. S.F. Examiner writer Eddie Muller Sr., the last boxing columnist to write five days a week sat with Moore for over an hour in Billy Newmans office.
DICK SADLER BROUGHT ARCHIE TO FRISCO IN 69
And while my father would have problems with dates, he wanted an autograph and to ask Archie about his 1959 knockdown fest with Yvon Durelle. Never getting the opportunity, Archie was rushed to a waiting car once Muller was done holding court. I had a question for Archie, that I would finally get an answer to some 27 years later. Did Roy Shire, then the local professional wrestling promoter. Did he fight Archie and knock him down? He laughed and said Shire, a decent wrestler and a better promoter was stopped on a cut in three. As a side note, Shire who died in the early 90s buried an untaxed $500,000 in cash in his backyard. When he dug it up years later, the paper money had turned to mush and the IRS taced him on it!
MOORE HAD A SHORT FUSE FOLKS!
Simply put, Archie was not a guy to mess with. In the second year of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Archie was in one room at Grazianos eatery. In another room, Moores light heavyweight counterpart Bob Foster was smoking a cigarette, all the while talking to fans. When I directed the conversation with Foster to that of Moore, Bob uttered, Archie Moore couldnt hit me in the ass with a tennis racket. When I told Bob that Archie was in the other room, he didnt care. Go, tell him if you want.
IN MY ROLE AS HALL OF FAME INSTIGATOR!
A few minutes later, I was ratting Foster out to Moore. What I didnt expect was Archies reaction, as he began to disrobe. Off came the hat first, then his coat, and by the time he was working on his shirt collar, I realized that much like Joe Frazier, in the ABC studio fight with Muhammad Ali, Moore was intent on marching into the other room and physically engaging Foster. Not knowing that I had lit a wick that had laid dormant for many years, Moore actually shook out a little! Thats when I decided to tell Arch, I was just kidding.
AND JUST WHEN I THOUGHT THINGS WERE COOL!
Just then, Foster, who went 56-8-1, (46 KOs) entered the special VIP room. Not knowing that Moore had partially gotten undressed to fight him, Bob came over and tried to shake Archies hand. Refusing his open hand, Moore would instead knock knuckles with Foster. A one-sided stare down (Moore) ensued, before Bob left the room somewhat amused. Years later I told Bob what had transpired in Graziano’s and he laughed.
MOORE PART OF TEAM FOREMAN FOR HOLYFIELD
In early 1991, George Foreman went on tour to promote his challenging then World heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield in April. Shadowing Foreman from city to city, and venue to venue was none other Moore, who at the time was a symbolic part of Team Foreman. On February 1, 1991, I was working as both the ring announcer, and for the local Cable systems.
FOREMAN APPEARS AT JOE COSTELLO PROMOTED SHOW
After shooting two-one minute promo style interviews with Foreman before the Richmond, CA card even started, the producer was breaking down the cameras, posters, etc. Just then, Archie reappeared in the backstage area of the Richmond Auditorium. Walking straight up to me, Archie would position his face two inches from mine and say. Why didnt you interview me? I thought he was joking, and attempted to step around him. But Archie, took a step over, got back in my face, and repeated the question. All the while, so close was Archie that you could separate us with a sheet of paper. The producer distracted Moore long enough for me to get out of his space.
MOODY MOORE PEACHES & CREAM AFTER THAT!
Arriving in Atlantic City just prior to the final press conference, I went to interview Foreman, and guess who was on the dais? Yep, Archie Moore! Only this time, he was smiling. Asking me how I was, this caught me off guard. Moore and I would run into each other on a few occasions before he passed away at a San Diego hostel in 1998, and he was never again rude or threatening. In fact, in each instance, Archie remembered my name, and that I was from Frisco.
GOT TITLE SHOT WITH LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN II
As for his finally getting a title shot after 17 years, Moore got the opportunity to face Joey Maxim in 1952. This was solely the result of Moore and his sending personal hand written letters to boxing writers across the country. HBOs Larry Merchant, and the late S.F. Chronicle scribe Jack Fiske, both told me they were sorry they had discarded the letters from Moore, some of which were up to ten pages in length.
Pedro Fernandez
Note: Mr. Fernandez, featured exclusively at www.RingTalk.com, is an award-winning writer, talk show host, and four-time Golden Gloves champion. Comments related to this article can be left below.
ARCHIE MOORE UNDISPUTED KNOCKOUT KING!