Leotis Martin
Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters". Leotis Martin (March 10, 1939 – November 20, 1995) was an American boxer, he was the inaugural NABF Heavyweight Champion. A fairly-skilled heavyweight and a good punch, he beat rated contenders Alvin Lewis, Thad Spencer, Karl Mildenberger, and Sonny Banks, but is perhaps best known for his knockout victory over former-Heavyweight Champion, Sonny Liston. Unfortunately, Martin was forced to retire shortly after the Liston win due to a detached retina. The Ring Magazine listed Martin 68th on its list of the "100-Greatest-Punchers of all Time".
Amateur career
Martin was the 1960 Chicago and Intercity Golden Gloves 160-pound champion and the 1961 160-pound Intercity Golden Gloves Champion (alternate). He also was the United States National AAU 165-pound champion in 1960 and 1961.
Professional career
From February 1964, when Martin fought on the Liston-Clay world heavyweight championship fight undercard, to June 1967, Martin fought 15 times without suffering a defeat. This winning streak qualified him for the WBA heavyweight elimination championship series, after the organization had stripped Muhammad Ali of its world heavyweight crown when he refused induction into the United States Army. On May 10, 1965, he faced Sonny Banks, then one of only two fighters to have knocked Muhammad Ali down for a count. Martin scored a ninth-round knockout over Banks. Martin's jubilation was short lived. Banks never recovered from the blows he received during the fight and died from his injuries.
Although Martin was selected for the WBA title elimination tournament, he was matched, in his first fight, against the ultimate tournament winner Jimmy Ellis. The two fought in the Houston Astrodome on August 5, 1967. Ellis, as was his style at the time, came out sharp, trying to score an early knockout with his sneaky-fast and dangerous right hand. Although unable to knock Martin out, Ellis inflicted a nasty cut on the inside of Martin's mouth, which ultimately caused the fight to be stopped in the ninth round. Scoring was around even at that point. Many had predicted Martin might win the elimination series. Martin had campaigned for a contest with fellow Philadelphian Joe Frazier, but it never happened, mainly due to Martin's loss to Bonavena, who got the Frazier match instead.
Martin rebounded from the Ellis defeat by traveling to Germany to knock out German and European heavyweight champion Karl Mildenberger in seven rounds. Martin appeared to be back in contention for a title shot when he dropped a decision to California heavyweight Henry Clark (record 14-3-2). He then came back from that defeat to upset and knock out Thad Spencer in nine rounds. His title quest, however, was again derailed when Martin travelled to Argentina to meet Oscar Bonavena in his home town of Buenos Aires, where he lost by decision. Bonavena went on to fight Frazier for the world title.
After the Bonavena loss, Martin put together a four-fight win streak, including two wins over Detroit hometown favorite Al "Blue" Lewis. These fine efforts landed him a match with veteran former champion Sonny Liston on December 6, 1969. Liston had resumed boxing after his two stunning losses to Muhammad Ali, and had run off a winning streak of 14 fights with 13 knockouts. Although slowed by age, Liston was still a feared heavyweight.
Martin, who formerly had been Liston's sparring partner, devised a simple fight plan. Rather than attempting to slug with the bigger and heavier Liston, Martin stayed away from him, boxing and waiting for the older man to tire. Despite a close call in the fourth round when Liston caught him with a booming left hook that knocked Martin down, Martin seemed to get stronger with every passing round while Liston weakened. Finally, in the ninth round, Martin hit Liston with a powerful combination that knocked the former champion out. This victory was short-lived, however: Martin had suffered a detached retina during the fight, and was forced to retire before he could capitalize on the biggest win of his career.
After boxing
For the next 26 years, Martin lived a quiet life in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia. Early in 1995, he retired from Budd & Co. after 31 years as a machinist. In November that year, Martin had a stroke brought on by hypertension and complications from diabetes, and died en route to a local hospital, aged 56.
Martin's death received little coverage in the boxing media.
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | Win | 31–5 | Template:Flagicon Sonny Liston | KO | 9 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 06/12/1969Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon International Hotel & Casino, Las VegasScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won inaugural NABF Heavyweight Title; Martin forced to retire due to torn retina after the boutScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 35 | Win | 30–5 | Template:Flagicon Roger Russell | UD | 10 | 18/11/1969Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Spectrum, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 34 | Win | 29–5 | Template:Flagicon Wendell Newton | KO | 7 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 28/10/1969Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Blue Horizon, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 33 | Win | 28–5 | Template:Flagicon Alvin Lewis | SD | 10 | 26/02/1969Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Detroit Olympia, DetroitScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 32 | Win | 27–5 | Template:Flagicon Alvin Lewis | TKO | 9 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 26/11/1968Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon DetroitScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 31 | Loss | 26–5 | Template:Flagicon Oscar Bonavena | UD | 10 | 07/09/1968Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, ArgentinaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 30 | Win | 26–4 | Template:Flagicon Thad Spencer | TKO | 9 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 28/05/1968Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, United KingdomScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 29 | Loss | 25–4 | Template:Flagicon Henry Clark | MD | 10 | 27/04/1968Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Coliseum Arena, Oakland, CaliforniaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 28 | Win | 25–3 | Template:Flagicon Karl Mildenberger | KO | 7 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 05/04/1968Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Festhalle, Frankfurt, GermanyScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 27 | Loss | 24–3 | Template:Flagicon Roger Russell | SD | 10 | 27/11/1967Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 26 | Loss | 24–2 | Template:Flagicon Jimmy Ellis | TKO | 9 (12)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 05/08/1967Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Astrodome, HoustonScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | WBA Heavyweight Title elimination tournament; quarter-finals; Ellis-Martin, Quarry-Patterson, Bonavena-Mildenberger, Terrell-SpencerScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 25 | Win | 24–1 | Template:Flagicon Billy Daniels | PTS | 10 | 06/06/1967Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Toledo, OhioScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 24 | Win | 23–1 | Template:Flagicon Lee Carr | KO | 2 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 29/05/1967Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 23 | Win | 22–1 | Template:Flagicon Ulric Regis | TKO | 5 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 29/05/1967Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Port of Spain, Trinidad and TobagoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 22 | Win | 21–1 | Template:Flagicon Remington Dyanti | TKO | 3 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 26/02/1967Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Baltiska Hallen, Malmö, SwedenScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 21 | Win | 20–1 | Template:Flagicon Mariano Echevarria | RTD | 3 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 03/02/1967Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Gothenburg, SwedenScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | Template:Flagicon Roberto Davila | PTS | 10 | 22/12/1966Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Lima, PeruScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 19 | Win | 18–1 | Template:Flagicon Amos Johnson | KO | 3 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 05/12/1966Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 18 | Win | 17–1 | Template:Flagicon Von Clay | PTS | 8 | 06/12/1965Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 17 | Win | 16–1 | Template:Flagicon Curtis Bruce | TKO | 6 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 14/10/1965Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 16 | Win | 15–1 | Template:Flagicon Sonny Banks | KO | 9 (10)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 10/05/1965Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Banks dies of injuries sustained in this bout.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Template:Flagicon Don Warner | KO | 1 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 19/04/1965Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Template:Flagicon Earl Battles | KO | 3 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 29/03/1965Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Philadelphia A.C., PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Template:Flagicon Dave Bailey | PTS | 8 | 22/02/1965Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Philadelphia A.C., PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Template:Flagicon Dave Russell | PTS | 8 | 20/04/1964Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Template:Flagicon Allan Harmon | PTS | 6 | 25/02/1964Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Convention Hall, Miami Beach, FloridaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 10 | Loss | 9–1 | Template:Flagicon Floyd McCoy | KO | 2 (8)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 30/09/1963Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Template:Flagicon Billy Johnson | KO | 1 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 22/07/1963Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Convention Center, Las VegasScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Template:Flagicon Johnny Alford | PTS | 6 | 24/06/1963Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Convention Hall, Miami Beach, FloridaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Template:Flagicon Frank Davis | TKO | 2 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 24/06/1963Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Cambria A.C., Miami Beach, FloridaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Template:Flagicon Monte Monnie McCoy | TKO | 4 (6)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 13/04/1963Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Arena, PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Template:Flagicon Buddy Moore | PTS | 6 | 05/02/1963Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Template:Flagicon Joe Washington | PTS | 6 | 18/12/1962Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon American Legion Arena, Reading, PennsylvaniaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | German Hernandez | KO | 1 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 21/05/1962Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Template:Flagicon Bob Rutherford | KO | 4 (?)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 23/04/1962Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Alhambra A.C., PhiladelphiaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Template:Flagicon Bobby Warthem | SD | 4 | 26/01/1962Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Template:Flagicon Kenwick Terrace, Sarnia, Ontario, CanadaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
References
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Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Official Instagram Account:
- https://instagram.com/leotismartinofficial?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Template:Boxrec