A look back at Jeff “Candy Slim” Merritt, a power hitting converted southpaw who once broke Earnie Shavers’ jaw.
NOTE : This is a revised upload, the previous version had limited film on Merritt. Special thanks to Tyrone1971 for providing the Merritt footage.
Related Posts
39 Comments
If memory serves, Gil Clancy said "You fight a guy like Jeff Merritt for money" after Merritt injured Earnie Shavers as a sparring partner.
First w a word….good vid
How common, that mindset of self destruction? I can not imagine Don King being a good mentor.
Boxing is 75% mental. He should have taken the exhibition with Ali just for the payday.
Corrie Sanders (South Africa)
A perfect fighter to make a video about. I have information that is probably not readily available online.
Surprising he self-sabotaged so much he flamed out before King could mug him first.
How about Henry Armstrong, sir?
Buster mathis jr
nice one Rich cheers buddy !
I remember my dad talking about a guy named Jeff that was a heavyweight and had one hitter quitter power I was a young P.A.L boxer then I didn't realize that this was him you always find the lost gems Rich forever kudos to you my fellow fight aficionado
I remember my dad talking about a guy named Jeff that was a heavyweight and had one hitter quitter power I was a young P.A.L boxer then I didn't realize that this was him you always find the lost gems Rich forever kudos to you my fellow fight aficionado
I remember my dad talking about a guy named Jeff that was a heavyweight and had one hitter quitter power I was a young P.A.L boxer then I didn't realize that this was him you always find the lost gems Rich forever kudos to you my fellow fight aficionado
Pity. Who knows what demons haunted this poor fellow. Seems like he could have been great.
Thanks Rich.
"driving a get away car that didn't get away…….."
Another great film. Channel deserves 10x the subs.
Thanks for the insight on Jeff Merritt , I can tell if he could of been more disciplined who knows how good he could of been 🥊
Thanks for the amazing video Rich ❤️
Thanks for every post. You're doing a great service to the sport.
This man was a victim of an upbringing he was never able to escape.
Hey Rich, thanks for that post on Jeff Merritt.Much appreciated.
I remember seeing video of Earnie Shavers training in that gym…the one at the beginning where he's sparring with Charlie Polite. That paneling on the walls is pretty unforgettable.
I guess I shouldn't post before I've watched the entire video!😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁😁
Joe Louis had been retained to be Merritt's trainer but it never materialized.
Cedric Rose.
Thanks for the video, RICH THE FIGHT HISTORIAN
Primary reason I wanna thank you Rich is for shining a light on black athletes and insight into their struggles and achievements.
GREAT video ..
Rich great video once again! Spoiling us, but can you do a documentary on Art Hafey, one of the most unknown Canadian fighters getting little respect please, and thank you.
Great channel. Thanks always.
Make a vídeo about Alexis Arguello
A well done video Rich, well researched and great footage for a obscure prospect from the past. Nic done Rich.🥊👏
Day off and I'm still in bed feels strange lol my wife's too and my daughter just walked in on us that wasn't awkward 😅I said were play fight omg watch some boxing 👍
Rich, again, thanks you for these videos you post! I double-especially like the heavyweights of the 1970's-1980's. Bernardo Mercado was one of my favorites, as was Oscar Bonavena and Jerry Quarry. My very favorite heavyweights were Foreman and Frazier. I liked Tate, Knoetze, Mitch Green, Eddie Lopez, David Bey, Larry Frazier, Larry Middleton and Marty Monroe. So you've already covered alot all of these fighters already! Thank you! On another note, one of the most bell-to-bell all action fights I've ever seen was Dangerous Don Lee vs Leroy Hester. But it's not on Youtube. By any miracle, do you have that fight? Galindez and Scypion were two of my non-heavyweight fighters. You've covered so many of these guys! Sincere Thank You!
Could you do Edison Miranda next? Or Graciano Rocchigianni?
Another of many top heavy prospects who came and went. 17 kos in 22 fights is good, but he was also ko'ed 3 times, that's not so good. Keep your guard up Jeff! Keep your guard up!!
Archie Moore, Ernie Shavers, Don King? You would thank I would remember this guy.
that’s my grandfather i am actually his granddaughter
Yeah, drugs have ruined a whole lot of people.
He maybe could have been great. Now, he's just forgotten!
I met jeff merritt many years after his boxing career. He would tell anyone who would listen he was once a promising heavyweight. I could jot picture the person i was talking to being a heavyweight fighter. This is a great podcast on his life. Rest in peace jeff "to the left" merritt you spoke the truth.😊
Jeff Merritt was a victim of hype. He broke Earnie Shavers’ jaw in training back in 1973 and a big hype campaign was built up around it. As you could see, there wasn’t much there in the skill or chin department. He was tall and hit pretty hard but he was a classic build-up hype job. Once he met live competition that could punch back he got smoked.