A look back at Ron Lyle, one of the hardest hitting heavyweights of the 1970s. If you wish to donate/support the channel please click here: www.paypal.com/donate?hosted_...
ummm duh....do sports reporters FIGHT? or do fighters FIGHT? that's about as 'brilliant' as a midget wearing elevator shoes. (no offense to tom cruise)
That is fantastic. I’m so impressed with him, what a solid man. Toughness personified. The praise I heard him give Ali , years after their fight talking about how with out him, there’d be no big paydays. Ali always made sure they got paid. 👌🏾✊🏽👊🏾
Dude went straight forward at a prime foreman, and nearly won. That puts him very high in the “ beast “ department. This guy has one of the more interesting stories in boxing and was in a very competitive era. He would spark out a good number of modern heavyweights.
@@aarondigby9859 I agree he retained a direct, even charming intelligence...but my God, he was a bit of a monster outside of the ring, too!...I was sorry to see that part of his life.
Ron was a true WARRIOR WE WORKED TOGETHER AT THE TROPICANA in 95 HE WAS ABOUT 60 OR SO AND WANTED TO MAKE A COMEBACK, I HAD 70 FIGHTS AS AN AMATEUR 59 and 11 so I calmly TOLD HIM HE WAS Freaking CRAZY, HE LAUGHED AND SAID YOUR prpbably RIGHT. Unfortunately TROUBLE FOLLOWED HIM all his life HE TRIED TO RESIST, BUT THE BACKGROUND WAS TOO MUCH. A GOOD MAN and a tough S.O.B.
Don't worry about the ALL CAPS, my parents do the same. That is crazy you worked with Ronnie at the Trop, I always comment on these about my Dad who worked with Louis, Liston and Cooney at Caesars, before your time though and dad was super young at the time as well. I think my mom worked at the Trop for awhile as well. I know she started at the Silver Slipper, but the Trop and Dunes were really great places to work if you knew connected guys
@00tntprice he seemed like a lovely man but troubled with harsh life and circumstances. What was Ron like?. I know he trained fighters and went out his way to make sure they had what they needed
That fight with George foreman was one of the greatest fights I’ve ever seen!! It went backback and forth but foreman had that punching power real good punching power!! But so did Ron Lyle God rest his soul..🙏
He fought a dumb fight vs Foreman. He should have sticked to countering with his right over George's right, pacing himself, he would be landing at will all night long. It was a shame really, cause he had him were he wanted him. Instead, he gassed himself out.
I remember Lyle as the dangerous wounded animal you could never count out. The way you put music to bouts such as the Lyle vs. Shavers fight, heightens the viewing experience Well done.
Ron Lyle is a bonafide legend of THE toughest era of heavyweight history. His name is up there with the heavyweight legends, and he belongs there as an equal sitting with the elites of his era. An amazing fighter. 💥🥊
What I find amazing about Lyle and foreman was before Lyle died he showed no effects of a damaged boxer, he didn't slur his words or have slow body movements, or even shake, he spoke very casual and clear.
It's always sad to see the decline. I guess that's why books and movies are so popular. That golden time when the hero's on top can live on forever. That's life. Thanks for the show.
I worked with Ron Lyle at the Red Shield Community center In Denver Colorado. I can't tell you enough good things about this man. yes he had troubles with the law, and he was in prison for a few years, but let me tell you, he was a GOOD man. He was humble and honest. He had a huge picture of Muhammed Ali on his office wall. He respected Ali. He used to tell me stories about Ali. We used to walk home from work together. Why did he have time for me ? He was a celebrity and I was a nobody. He was a kind , gracious and humble man, and in the few months I spent with him, I came to love him.
He lifted me up when I didn't believe in myself. I had very low self esteem, and just the fact that a great celebrity had time for ME, really lifted me up and made me feel worthy.
He trained young aspiring boxers at the community center. I remember this one kid was a trash talker and Ron Lyle told him to shut up. The kid said "I'm like Muhammed Ali, I talk trash". He told the kid "Muhammed Ali would bitch slap you".
We never got all the life story stuff about these boxers back in the 1970s. We would just see their fights on ITV or BBC and that was it. So videos like this are really welcome all these years later. Thank you so much for this upload.
I have the Lyle-Shavers on black and white video . Someone filmed it from the ringside. I think it might be the best heavyweight fight ever . Even better than Lyle-Foreman. The crowd absolutely went nuts after the stoppage .
This man sounds like one of the most intelligent boxers I've ever heard whenever he's interviewed, especially with the way sharks, greedy, shiesty nasty people like Larry merchant, try to get him to say stupid stuff, his responses are always almost philosophical.. I never knew that about him but I appreciate that you highlighted it in this video and I had the opportunity to learn.
@@harryheath9928 and Cosell was an idiot... Typical "chosen" on his high horse... Have EVER met another person who talks like him??! WTF was that silly, made up, "accent"/speech impediment?!?!
Larry Merchant is a horrible little man he knows nothing about honor and respect he has probably never had to fight his way through life like most fighter have had to.
Man, yet another request I had. That 2 in under week (Rocky Lockridge). Ron Lyle was a juggernaut. Never minded a good slugfest. I suggest anyone to check out "Facing Ali". It really showcased how appreciative and humble he was in life. Everyone deserves a second chance to turn it all around. Ron Lyle certainly did.
Love your excellent videos Rich. Foreman was outboxed by Muhammad Ali and Jimmy Young but Ron came damn close to OUTSLUGGING Big George ! Lyle was only man to actually stand toe-to-toe with Big George and nearly beat him. This fight,along with the equally superb slugfest Lyle had with Shavers, were two of the most brutal fights in history.Ron was a true warrior.RIP big man.
Lyle is one of my favourites along with Liston and Foreman. The man had success despite his very late start. Tremendous punching power, a rock solid chin, good skills and ring IQ. If he started 10 or more years sooner he would have become champion for sure. He had the tools alright.
Lyle definitivly belongs to the top 5 hardest punchers ever together with Liston, Foreman, Shavers the rest like Tyson, Lewis, Louis etc. come behind them in my opinion
When I was 12,..... I got my hands on a Ring Magazine issue and was hooked. My most vivid memory of that initial issue,...was a picture of Lyle. I have to this very day,.... never seen a human being that ripped and defined as Ron Lyle in that picture. He literally looked like a comic book hero. No steroids there. Just pure American badassery genetics.
My Grandfather's brother's grandson. Beat up a tough Ernie Shavers, Floored Big George Foreman 3 times and gave Ali hell. Ahead on 2 of 3 scorecards when they stopped the fight. RIP, Cuz!!! We have a large number of boys in the Lyle family. My grandfather (Eugene Lyle) had 18 kids as well, 15 boys. My father, Dr Thomas Lyle had 3 sons, no girls, and I also have 3 sons, no girls. Thanks Rich.....
@@RichtheFightHistorian Thanks.....being a part of a Rich doc is a honor. We've made it!!!! BTW: We are good friends still with the Foreman family. I and many of my cousins are FB friends with Georgetta Foreman.
I've been a boxing fan since high school in the late 1980s and I sure do appreciate all of your documentaries and the time and research it requires to make them the way you do. Thank you so much!
I tell u guys.. today's heavyweight fighters doesn't have a chance not even a tiny chance against past era caliber fighters.... Past era fighters was absalutely fantastic amazing fighters... That's why past era was a golden era in Boxing..
Another great video!!! Ron came to Rochester to be honored, what a pleasure meeting him. He passed away shortly afterwards. Thank you for this video, all fight fans should subscribe here!!!!
I remember watching this fight on a Saturday afternoon back in 1976! I was a junior in High School + a big boxing fan. This was a great fight but even more exciting when u were watching it live! It really pumped me up afterwards. Thanks for showing this.
You should see the video called "Fighting Ali" he pays so much respect to Muhammad Ali, he said just fighting Ali made him able to feed his family because of the Ali name meant money, big money and he praised Ali for giving him a chance.
Ron lyle was a great game boxer and a very intelligent man as well and I respect Ron lyle alot because whenever he spoke he always told you the truth and you could tell it. Rest in heavenly peace champ🥊🙏🏾💐💯
What an incredible story. This was very well put together. I didn't know so much about this man's history outside of boxing. Incredible what he went through in prison and how he turned pro at 30. Imagine if his career began earlier in his life. Could've changed boxing history
Awesome! I first learned of Ron after watching the Unsolved Mysteries segment on Sonny Liston, Ron played Sonny to perfection and I had no idea the actor was once a big time Boxing star. Super interesting man. 👌🏻
@@RichtheFightHistorian Season 2 episode 8, here on RU-vid! It's a fantastic segment about Sonny's possible murder, Ron did a wonderful job as Sonny! Thank you, love your channel! 😀
Imagine if Lyle started earlier in his life as a fighter? Lyle was a great puncher & was 1 of those fighter's had a hard life coming up I think it gave him the will to win in the ring
Excellent video, one of the toughest guys around in 70's. He was only man who traded punches with prime Foreman. Hes my inspiration to get started boxing now Im 26 yrs old...
I can imagine eating dinner with Howard Cosell. He'd ask me if I was afraid of those Brussel Sprouts to which I would reply 'YES'!!! Cosell was such a drama queen. Ron Lyle was a tough guy in a tough era of heavyweight boxing. I enjoyed watching him.
Rip Lyle,Ali and many others of the great warriors from back in the day,true artists some of them where,with their sport they made magic,great video,godbless.
Good job Rich of taking us back to the great days of Boxing,Oh yeah who would want to fight The Acorn Ernie Shavers,Who punched harder than a mule kick!!
Ron Lyle was a great Heavyweight boxer, big and powerful. It's a shame that he fired his management team as they kept him going in the right direction. This was a nice little doco on the man who could've been the champion of the world.
Lyle reminded me of Liston, in certain ways...same almost lethal power and size....but he did not really have the boxing skills overall, that Liston had. They both were older when they made their mark on boxing history. Poor Sonny fell into drug abuse, and died under somewhat mysterious conditions. At least Lyle made it to 70.
Jeesus that fight with Lyle and shavers! I love them both and wasn’t aware of who won! I was saying ‘come on Ron! Come on Earnie! ‘ what an amazing fight. You never see fights like that now. Without a clinch? Back and forth? And foreman v Lyle is just unbelievable. 💥🥊
I always felt like Ron Lyle and Ken Norton didnt get the respect they deserved both were tough as nails but they were boxing at a bad time with all the other tough fighters that came through that time period like Frazier, Ali and Foreman but tbey were both great fighters R.I.P. Ron .
EAST DENVER will always love Ron Lyle. Wouldn't it be nice if they made a movie about him. Noone would ever believe his story. But it is all true, RIP Brother
To think that Shavers, Foreman and Lyle were around all at the same time, some of the hardest hitters in heavyweight history, and you realise why the 70's is still considered the golden age for the division.
There were a couple other guys, Mac Foster and Alvin "Blue" Lewis, who could really crack but never got very far. (Foster drew comparisons to Foreman until he stepped up and got exposed by Jerry Quarry.)
@Iceman 23 but when you watch foreman v Lyle, look how many BIG shots foreman got up from. And that showed great heart. Could fury have floored foreman like that? I doubt it. But fury could’ve taken big shots now and again as he tried to outbox and out last foreman? Foreman never had many 12 rounders, and when he did he lost, so maybe fury on points. Though I hate to go against a young foreman!
@Iceman 23 sorry I have to disagree the fury we have now IE the fury in the 3rd wilder fight.who can't get his Weight down and therefore can't box and move.like in the 1st wilder fight these guys would of gave him hell.
@Iceman 23 I see what you’re saying, but Ali had a different way of finishing people. He wore them down with tons of accurate shots. Not just ‘one’ punch etc. He had ways of winning. And wilder is a far cry from foreman. Look what foreman did to Frazier and norton. He was formidable. And a great chin. Fury wouldn’t find foreman an easy fight. Fury fought an older Vladimir and didn’t ko him. Then a very limited boxer in wilder. Foreman would be a bigger test than anyone around today. But I get what you’re saying. I’m just a real fan of these 70’s guys. Have you seen the Lyle v shavers? You won’t see fights like that today. Shavers was hitting him with everything. Back and forth.
Lyle was such a good fighter and one of the hardest punchers ever. Most people forgett him, when they talk about the 10 hardest punchers ever. It's a sad, that he could never really evolve his whole potential and that he was to old, when he started boxing and became pro. He also seemed to be a very friendly and nice man
I liked his description of getting hit by shavers "the ground came up and met me", what a character. By the time Cooney got to him he was a veteran in the ring but he only had one gear and that was forward. Cosell also bringing up the loss to quarry like quarry was a bad fighter. Quarry was a top 10 fighter back then and could give fits to most guys.
Cosell really didn't know boxing. His commentary was horrible. He really didn't know real talent when he seen it it's only if the press was hyping The fighter did he support him and he was part of the press. Ali told him many times you don't know fighting Cosell.
WOW, BLAST FROM THE PAST, VERY GOOD BOXER, DANGEROUS, GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN AFTER BEING SENT AWAY, JUST HARD TO GET AWAY FROM PAST, FRIENDS, HABITS, ETC.. THANK U R.L. U HAVE UR PLACE IN BOXING HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ron Lyle PRO record: 43-7-1, KO's 31. # World Heavyweight Title challanger: 1975 = loss to Mohammad Ali. # NABF Heavyweight Title challanger: 1976 = loss to George Foreman. # Fought against the likes of: Mohammad Ali, George Foreman, Jimmy Ellis, Jerry Quarry, Earnie Shavers, Jimmy Young, Gerry Cooney, Buster Mathis, Oscar Bonavena, Joe Bugner, Scott LeDoux etc. Lyle was as tough as they come. Lyle was a big and strong heavyweight boxer who had the power to rival the great "Big" George Foreman, and that is not to take lightly as Foreman said of Lyle: "Of all fighters I ever fought, Lyle hurt me the most. His punches was like horse-kicks and I have taken my share of those on my farm".
What a fantastic upload. I'm fortunate to be old enough to have seen Ron V Ali & was amazed to hear his story. Ron v George Foreman is still raved about today. Great content. Props to you. Bless up bro 👊
I’ve got to give credit where credit is due! I can’t get enough of the behind the scenes interviews facts and history of each fighter you present. Thank you so much once again! 🤩👍 🐜
My jaw dropped when I read that Ron Lyle could do 2,000 push ups in his trainings. At my youthful and fittest conditions, I could only do slightly over 100 push ups (at most 124) in a row.
They just don't make fighter's and men like this anymore. Not in any weight class. Not even close. Knocking s##t out of each other for round after round. Much respect to the men who went before.
He is 1 of the greatest boxer ever.He is honrouble,educated,love 2 help poor,vunrouble people.No 1 gave him anythings,he created his legacy & life. He beat(Earnie Shavers)the hardest puncher in history. I love black people coz we are the greatest in everything.The greatest geniuses,educators,scientists.humanist were & are black.
