Duane Bobick

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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.[1][2]

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

Template:Gold1 All-Navy Championships, Mare Island, California, April 1971:

  • Finals: Defeated Rick Harris KO 2 (1:50)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Template:Gold1 Inter-service Championships, Mare Island, California, April 1971:

  • 1/2: Defeated Kenneth Hassan KO 1
  • Finals: Defeated Louis Slaughter by decision

Template:Gold1 National Championships, New Orleans, Louisiana, April–May 1971:

  • 1/16: Defeated William Anderson KO 2 (2:02)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
  • 1/8: Defeated Michael Weaver KO 1
  • 1/4: Defeated Don Nelson KO 1
  • 1/2: Defeated Fred Houpe KO 2
  • Finals: Defeated Ronald Draper by decision

1971 Pan-American Games Heavyweight champion

1972 National Golden Gloves Heavyweight Champion

Pro career

Template:BLP sources section 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Professional boxing record

48 Wins (42 knockouts, 6 decisions), 4 Losses (4 knockouts, 0 decisions)[8]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 48–4Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon George Chaplin RTD 6 1979-07-03 Template:Flagicon Resorts Atlantic City, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Bobick retired at 3:00 of the sixth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 48–3Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon John Tate KO 1 1979-02-17 Template:Flagicon Market Square Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Bobick knocked out at 2:25 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 48–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Henry Patterson KO 2 1978-12-23 Template:Flagicon Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Win 47–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Tom Nickson TKO 3 1978-12-05 Template:Flagicon Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.
Win 46–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Terry Mims TKO 7 1978-11-30 Template:Flagicon Indianapolis Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:06 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 45–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Tom Prater TKO 5 1978-10-31 Template:Flagicon Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Win 44–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon John Jordan KO 1 1978-10-09 Template:Flagicon Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Virginia, U.S.
Win 43–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Fernando Montes KO 3 1978-08-30 Template:Flagicon Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win 42–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Jerry Thompkins KO 2 1978-08-16 Template:Flagicon Star Theatre, Nanuet, New York, U.S.
Win 41–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike Schutte TKO 8 1978-03-20 Template:Flagicon Good Hope Centre, Cape Town, South Africa
Loss 40–2Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Kallie Knoetze KO 3 1978-02-04 Template:Flagicon Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Win 40–1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Pedro Agosto KO 3 1977-11-30 Template:Flagicon Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Agosto knocked out at 2:03 of the third round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 39–1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Scott LeDoux TKO 8 1977-07-28 Template:Flagicon Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the eighth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 38–1Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ken Norton TKO 1 1977-05-11 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:58 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 38–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Fred Houpe UD 10 1976-10-30 Template:Flagicon The Aladdin, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Win 37–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Chuck Wepner TKO 6 1976-10-02 Template:Flagicon Utica College Sports Complex, Utica, New York, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:12 of the sixth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 36–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Bunny Johnson TKO 8 1976-05-24 Template:Flagicon Olympiahalle, Munich, West Germany
Win 35–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Scott LeDoux UD 10 1976-04-22 Template:Flagicon Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win 34–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Larry Middleton UD 10 1976-02-06 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Win 33–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Randy Neumann TKO 4 1975-12-12 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:17 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 32–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon George Johnson RTD 4 1975-11-13 Template:Flagicon Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win 31–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Rochelle Norris KO 2 1975-10-21 Template:Flagicon Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Norris knocked out at 2:59 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 30–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Pat Duncan KO 8 1975-08-26 Template:Flagicon Largo Capitol Centre, Largo, Maryland, U.S.
Win 29–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Oliver Wright KO 3 1975-06-25 Template:Flagicon Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win 28–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ernie Lassiter TKO 2 1975-05-31 Template:Flagicon Waterbury Armory, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
Win 27–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Reinaldo Raul Gorosito UD 10 1975-04-23 Template:Flagicon Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
Win 26–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Roy Wallace KO 2 1975-04-04 Template:Flagicon Nassau Coliseum, Uniondale, New York, U.S. Wallace knocked out at 1:25 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 25–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Harold Carter TKO 2 1974-08-10 Template:Flagicon Fairmont, West Virginia, U.S.
Win 24–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Mike Weaver TKO 7 1974-07-26 Template:Flagicon San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 23–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Donnie Nelson TKO 1 1974-07-16 Template:Flagicon Denver, Colorado, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:52 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 22–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Art Robinson KO 3 1974-06-22 Template:Flagicon Little Falls, Minnesota, U.S.
Win 21–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Lou Bailey UD 10 1974-04-22 Template:Flagicon Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Win 20–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Billy Daniels UD 10 1974-04-06 Template:Flagicon Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
Win 19–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ted Gullick TKO 2 1974-03-20 Template:Flagicon Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:31 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 18–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Jimmy Cross KO 3 1974-02-19 Template:Flagicon Oklahoma City, U.S.
Win 17–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Jimmy Summerville TKO 2 1974-02-05 Template:Flagicon Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Win 16–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Orville Qualls KO 2 1974-01-25 Template:Flagicon San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
Win 15–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Rico Brooks KO 2 1973-12-06 Template:Flagicon Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. Brooks knocked out at 2:19 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 14–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon John Hudgins TKO 2 1973-11-24 Template:Flagicon Roanoke Civic Center, Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
Win 13–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Roger Russell KO 5 1973-10-30 Template:Flagicon Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 12–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Orvin Veazey KO 2 1973-10-16 Template:Flagicon Columbia Music Hall, West Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Win 11–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ron Draper KO 4 1973-09-25 Template:Flagicon Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Draper knocked out at 1:46 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 10–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Manuel Ramos TKO 7 1973-09-15 Template:Flagicon Norfolk Scope, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Win 9–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon GG Maldonado KO 2 1973-08-22 Template:Flagicon Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
Win 8–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Leslie Borden TKO 3 1973-08-15 Template:Flagicon Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Win 7–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Ned Edwards KO 3 1973-08-08 Template:Flagicon Binghamton Veterans Memorial Auditorium, Binghamton, New York, U.S.
Win 6–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Sylvester Murphy KO 1 1973-07-06 Template:Flagicon Bristol International Raceway, Bristol, Tennessee, U.S.
Win 5–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Doug Kirk TKO 2 1973-06-15 Template:Flagicon Halenbeck Hall, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:16 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 4–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Clyde Brown TKO 2 1973-05-31 Template:Flagicon Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 0:45 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 3–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jim Williams KO 5 1973-05-12 Template:Flagicon Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Win 2–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Willie Anderson TKO 3 1973-04-21 Template:Flagicon Capitol Plaza, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
Win 1–0Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Template:Flagicon Tommy Burns KO 1 1973-04-10 Template:Flagicon Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Burns knocked out at 2:59 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

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

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  2. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  3. ↑ Ali, Frazier, . . . and Lyle? (Special Report) by Paul Loewenwarter, 60 minutes, March 1971, vol. 3, no. 12.
  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ a b Duane Bobick, boxrec.com. Accessed November 6, 2022.
  6. ↑ a b c Duane Bobick Template:Webarchive. sports-reference.com
  7. ↑ Duane BOBICK. reocities.com
  8. ↑ a b c d e Boxing record for Duane Bobick Template:Webarchive. BoxRec.com.
  9. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/checkTemplate:Succession box/check United States Amateur Heavyweight Champion
1971 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by

Template:Footer Pan American Champions Heavyweight

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