Boxing History - 1977 US Championship Tournament Scandal

Phrases like "boxing is dead" or "boxing is dying" are laughably overused. But every so often, something nasty enough to actually shake the foundation of the sport happens.

In 1977, TV network ABC, Don King Productions and The Ring boxing magazine attempted to capitalize on the success and popularity of the 1976 US Olympic Boxing Team (which included Ray Leonard, the Spinks brothers, Howard Davis and more) and put together a tournament of only American fighters.

It was a fiasco.

Bribes, padded records, imaginary fights, ringside brawls... The 1977 US Championship Tournament had it all before it was shut down.

On this episode of Knuckles and Gloves Boxing Radio, boxing historian Patrick Connor and Aris Pina of CompuBox break down the key players, some of the most outrageous incidents, offer quotes and much more.

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