AT THE time, because the Seventies rolled into the Eighties, it was thought of an experiment that failed. A profession that lasted a mere three months; one which ran its course after some of the anticipated debuts in boxing historical past. Merely put, the novelty wore off.
A decade earlier than, there had been speak of 7ft 1ins basketball star Wilt Chamberlain difficult Muhammad Ali. The general public was intrigued to the purpose the proposed match gained severe traction, however Chamberlain, on the final second, had a change of coronary heart. Ali’s barbs of “Timber”, when he noticed Chamberlain, had been stated to play a task in waking the large man to the fact of what would transpire. In the present day it’s ludicrous to assume that Chamberlain, who had no boxing expertise, may have even been semi-competitive however, again then, some folks even puzzled whether or not he may really win. Unknowingly, that set the desk for Ed “Too Tall” Jones to make his boxing debut on November 3, 1979 in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
That Jones was coming into the ring in any respect captivated the sports activities world. Because the primary choose within the 1974 NFL draft, Jones had gone on to have a stellar 5 years as a defensive finish of the Dallas Cowboys, labelled as America’s staff. Jones had helped make them three Tremendous Bowls, successful one. He was paid nicely and a good-looking new contract awaited him. Some thought he was utilizing the specter of retiring from the NFL as a ploy to squeeze more cash out of the Cowboys. In spite of everything, it made no sense, no less than not on the floor, why one of many greatest stars of the game who was within the prime of his profession would go away it to turn out to be a novice in one other. However, for Jones, the choice was not simply straightforward, it was inevitable.
The general public had at all times considered Jones making life depressing for the opposing staff. When the 6ft 9ins Jones was not sacking the quarterback, batting down his passes and snuffing out the tried positive factors by working backs, he was questioning whether or not he may have loved the identical success inside the ring.
“I grew up on a farm [in Jackson, Tennessee],” says Jones. “My dad was an amazing battle fan. I used to hold across the boxing gymnasium with my associates after I was in highschool. The man answerable for the gymnasium was named Rayford Collins who skilled some excellent fighters like Jackie Beard. He inspired us to field. I had an newbie battle and knocked my opponent out in 36 seconds. It was within the newspaper.
“I used to be enjoying different sports activities in highschool like basketball and baseball. I used to be excellent. I had the identical coach for each. When he examine me boxing he gave me an ultimatum, that if I continued I couldn’t be on any of the college groups.
“Boxing was my favourite sport, it was my dad’s favourite sport, however you must perceive how issues are in a small city. Boxing was not almost as fashionable because the others the place I used to be from. Everybody in my hometown liked basketball and baseball. I might have been run out of city if I stop these sports activities and boxed. However I knew in my coronary heart that someday I might field once more.”
Satirically, Jones would attend school (Tennessee State) on a basketball scholarship, quitting the staff after two years to focus on soccer. He turned a two-time All American defensive lineman in school, resulting in the Cowboys buying and selling up within the draft to pick him with the highest choose.
Jones anchored the Cowboys’ ‘Doomsday Protection’, nonetheless thought of one of many higher defensive items in NFL historical past. “I had a four-year cope with an possibility for a fifth,” he explains. “After the fourth 12 months I went to the Cowboys and instructed them I might play out the choice however I didn’t inform them what I had deliberate. I then left after my fifth season.
“Within the off season, the Cowboys known as me and inquired why they hadn’t heard from my agent to barter a brand new contract. I then allow them to learn about my plans to field. After they requested a second time, and acquired the identical response, they knew I used to be severe they usually couldn’t change my thoughts. I made it clear to them that it was not in regards to the cash.
“The Cowboys revered my resolution. Perhaps they thought I might resolve to play soccer for them once more, I don’t know, however on the time I had no intention of ever coming again.
“My teammates had been very supportive. We had been very shut. They had been blissful for me as a result of I used to be doing what I needed to, I used to be residing my dream.
“After I performed soccer I might go to the fights within the off season, and principally stay within the boxing gymnasium run by Rayford Collins. I knew that I may field and achieve success if I put all my power into it.”
At 28, Jones was a late bloomer to boxing, however his scenario was far totally different from most. “Boxers are the very best conditioned athletes on this planet,” Too Tall opines, “however I used to be at all times in form from my time with the Cowboys. I additionally had turn out to be good associates with Ken Norton and Larry Holmes who I may have doubtlessly fought down the road, however each had been extraordinarily supportive. I met with Norton, who had me come to his coaching camp in California earlier than he boxed Earnie Shavers. I keep in mind the nice recommendation he gave me, that I ought to maintain the large entourage out of my profession and my internal circle tight. Holmes confirmed up at a press convention earlier than certainly one of my matches as a result of he needed to indicate his help.”
Jones, with the assistance of his agent Don Cronson, settled on Dave Wolf to handle his boxing profession and Murphy Griffith, the Uncle of Emile Griffith to coach him.
Gina Andriolo is the present occasion coordinator of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. On the time she was engaged to Wolf and was serving to with the promotion and advertising of Jones. “The availability was that Too Tall must transfer to New York, to coach,” says Andriolo. “He acquired himself an house off Central Park West, close to the Museum of Pure Historical past. I keep in mind him as a really quiet particular person who took boxing severely. He labored out on the Occasions Sq. Gymnasium on forty second Road beneath Murphy Griffith, who had a navy background and pushed him laborious. Every little thing Too Tall wore needed to be customized made; the trunks, gown and footwear. He was a really massive man.”
Shortly after Jones got here on board, Wolf and Griffith instructed him about an newbie boxer they had been attempting to signal. They enlisted Too Tall’s assist. Being a well-known NFL star may solely assist through the recruiting course of. “All of us went to Youngstown, Ohio to recruit [Ray] ‘Increase Increase’ Mancini,” says Jones. “We met his mother and father and associates. Murph and Dave each stated his model was significantly better suited to the professionals than the amateurs.
“Increase Increase’s mom was nervous about him going to New York, and the place he would keep. When Murph provided to permit Increase Increase to sleep on his sofa [in his small apartment on the upper west side of Manhattan], a deal was struck.”
Mancini and Jones had been now stablemates. In a way he turned Too Tall’s new teammate, filling in a void that was lacking from now not enjoying for the Cowboys.
“Due to our age distinction [10 years], we weren’t that shut, however Increase Increase was somebody I favored an amazing deal and had super respect for,” says Jones. “I knew the bond he had along with his father. I by no means met anybody in my life who labored more durable than he did.”
Ed “Too Tall” Jones alongside Larry Holmes, Michael Spinks and Ray Mercer
In most circles Jones’ foray into boxing is ridiculed. That he received all six of his contests, 5 by stoppage, is taken into account far more the results of meticulous matchmaking than it’s any potential he possessed. “Nonsense,” says Mancini, who boxed on the undercard of 5 of Jones’ fights, solely lacking the primary one when he needed to pull out attributable to sickness. “Too Tall was a professional fighter who skilled actually laborious and lived the lifetime of a fighter. His opponents had been credible for a fighter first beginning out. They had been no totally different than what a fighter popping out of the Olympics would face.
“I did roadwork with Too Tall and watched him within the gymnasium. He had a jab that will KO guys. He punched so laborious that you possibly can really feel the constructing shake. And when Too Tall sparred it was in opposition to actual fighters. He was an inspiration to me after I noticed he may afford a pleasant house. He deserved it.”
There is no such thing as a movie footage out there from Jones’ time within the ring that may be discovered on YouTube. Being that CBS tv in america broadcast all of his fights nationally, it’s a thriller what has turn out to be of them. This author reached out to David Dinkins Jnr, the manager producer for the Showtime Community which is affiliated with CBS. The hope was that Dinkins, who began working at CBS shortly after Jones retired, would shed some gentle on why the matches will not be out there to the general public. However understandably he had no solutions and didn’t know who would. A long time have handed, folks have moved on. It isn’t precisely battle footage that’s in demand like Harry Greb’s.
The shortage of visible protection provides to the mystique of Jones. It was that mystique which made his skilled debut some of the anticipated in boxing historical past. A lot in order that the $72,500 Jones earned for his opening bout was then largest purse ever given to a debutant. To place it into perspective, Sugar Ray Leonard, America’s darling by advantage of successful a gold medal within the 1976 Olympics in Montreal, had been paid $40,000 for his debut three years prior.
First impressions are normally very important. There may be no rebounding from a nasty one. For Jones there wasn’t. Of his six fights, one stands out; his professional debut in opposition to Abraham Yaqui Menenses. The Mexican was gifting away six inches and 50lbs. He entered the ring with a 5-6 (5) document. Bodily, no less than, it seemed like a mismatch.
A powerful knockout by Too Tall would have whet followers’ urge for food going ahead, however he barely survived and received a majority six-round resolution by scores of 57-57, 57-56, and 58-55.
Within the final spherical, a left hook dropped Jones who was then flagrantly hit whereas down. A disqualification would have been justified, however the referee Buddy Basilico later admitted to underestimating the severity of the foul blow. Jones struggled to his ft earlier than the ten rely and, prematurely, Meneses charged at him. Whereas this was occurring, Griffith was on the ring apron allegedly making an attempt to manage smelling salts to Jones. In any occasion it was near a half-minute from the time Too Tall was dropped to when the motion formally resumed. The break helped him survive to the ultimate bell.
Jones’ model is considerably totally different. “I used to be not knocked down, I slipped and he hit me whereas I used to be getting up. It threw my equilibrium off. We needed a man to battle. Yaqui ran. I had skilled for a special kind of battle.”
Though the choice in Jones’ favour was truthful, to the general public his limitations had been uncovered. In actuality, Jones was nothing greater than a novice who wanted time to develop, however the tv publicity coupled with the large paydays made it crucial he carry out at a excessive degree.
Jones was again within the ring 10 days later in Phoenix, in opposition to Lee Holloman, proprietor of a 1-15-2 document. There was no drama as Jones grinded the Dallas heavyweight down, stopping him within the last spherical of their six. “He was an unorthodox fighter,” Jones recalled. I used to be attempting to develop as a fighter. I knew it might take time.”
Jones’ exercise degree is to be admired. Earlier than the month was out he fought but once more, this time in Washington DC, in opposition to Mexican Herman Montes, a veteran with an 18-12 document. Jones did the enterprise contained in the scheduled six, stopping Montes at 41 seconds of the opening spherical. A powerful accomplishment contemplating that Duane Bobick, a real contender, wanted three rounds to dispatch of Montes earlier within the 12 months. On the time, the large man felt that was a breakthrough for him. “After the match my sparring companions had been telling me how a lot I had been bettering.”
Too Tall’s inevitable homecoming occurred in his fourth match when he returned to Dallas, to face Phoenix heavyweight Jim Wallace, 2-3 (2). It was his solely opponent out of the six who outweighed him, even when it was simply by two kilos (246 to 248). Jones’ weight ranged from 243 – 255 ½lbs, for his six fights. When he performed soccer it was extra.
“Through the week my staff [Cowboys] confirmed as much as watch me practice. I instructed my folks to get them as many tickets to the battle as they need and that they may carry household and associates. Properly, they acquired me good. A few of my teammates offered their additional tickets and pocketed the cash,” Jones recollects.
“Earlier than the battle Muhammad Ali got here as much as me and stated don’t duck punches, slip punches. It was good recommendation that I listened to.”
Jones stopped Wallace with one second left within the second spherical, however labels him the hardest man he fought. “He may punch actually laborious,” says Jones. “I felt the breeze from his punches when he missed.”
Too Tall was boxing so often and at all times at a special venue it felt like he was on tour.
Combat 5 got here the next month in opposition to Tennessee heavyweight, Billy Joe Thomas, in Indianapolis. Jones’ training continued as he gained a fourth spherical stoppage. He says he remembers nothing in regards to the battle. Thomas was winless in 4 matches, shedding three of them inside the gap however he would subsequently final into the fifth spherical with Earnie Shavers and go seven with Mike Weaver.
A mere 4 days after disposing of Thomas, Too Tall was again within the ring in opposition to a San Antonio boxer named Rocky Gonzalez who was making his debut. Gonzalez would by no means field once more after being stretched by Too Tall in a single spherical. “I caught him with a great punch early,” says Jones. “I used to be shocked it ended that shortly. I by no means went right into a battle considering I might knock an opponent out within the first spherical. I knew it may be my final battle.” And it was. Shortly after Jones introduced he was returning to play for the Cowboys.
Feeling that the mystique of seeing Jones within the ring had worn off, CBS made the choice to not telecast any extra of his matches. Some surmised that with out the tv income, Jones’ paydays in boxing would have been diminished considerably making it not financially worthwhile for him to hold on. Jones dismisses that thought. “That’s the furthest factor from the reality. I used to be making more cash off of my totally different contracts from endorsement offers than I used to be from the Cowboys.”
The obvious thought is that, in contrast to soccer, Jones’ final potential in boxing was restricted. His return to soccer was inevitable within the minds of many after he gave boxing a severe attempt. “I knew it might be troublesome,” Jones says of his abbreviated profession, “however I supposed to be in it for the lengthy haul. The cash didn’t imply a factor to me. The plan was to field guys within the prime 20 as quickly as I used to be prepared.”
So why did Jones, now 71 and residing in Dallas, go away the game that he professes to like greater than every other? “It’s private”, he says. “Sometime I’ll inform the actual purpose.”
Mancini feels he already is aware of. “Too Tall had bodily limitations. His arms had been actually unhealthy. Griff needed to put additional padding on his arms to guard them. A fighter with actually unhealthy arms is at a extreme handicap. Had he not had the hand issues there is no such thing as a telling how far he might need gone.
“I can guarantee you that Too Tall needed so badly to succeed. His potential was limitless, however realistically I’m not certain if he had the agility to have gone to the highest. He definitely had it in soccer, however boxing is totally different. We’ll by no means know, however to me his time in boxing was a hit.”
This a lot we do know: Boxing made Jones an excellent higher soccer participant when he returned. In his first three years again he made the professional bowl staff, the final word particular person honour an lively participant may obtain. “Boxing made being a Dallas Cowboy enjoyable once more,” says Jones. “I liked going to follow, finding out recreation movie and every little thing else about soccer as a result of I used to be capable of stay my dream of being a boxer. I felt then and nonetheless do this boxing is the best sport on this planet.
“I don’t care in regards to the critics, not one bit, I actually don’t.”
Jones begins to then listing his accomplishments in soccer and talks about his 15-year profession (1974-1989) that appear Corridor of Fame worthy, but he has not been enshrined in Canton, Ohio with the opposite greats of the gridiron. “Folks assume I’m within the professional soccer Corridor of Fame, however I’m not. My associates get upset, however I by no means concern myself with it.”
Critics stay, however the constructive legacy Jones left in boxing was obvious in 2008 when he served because the Grand Marshal of the parade through the Corridor of Fame induction weekend in Canastota. “He interacted nice with all of the folks. Our volunteers liked him,” stated govt director Ed Brophy. “He was well mannered and accommodating to everybody. As a result of he loves boxing he understood and had respect for the achievements of the fighters there. We’d like to have him come again.”
Too Tall Jones entered and left boxing on his personal phrases. There will not be many different fighters who can say that.
Ed “Too Tall” Jones walks the pink carpet on the 2018 So the World Might Hear Awards Gala benefitting Starkey Listening to Basis on the Saint Paul River Centre on July 15, 2018 in St. Paul, Minnesota (Adam Bettcher/Getty Photographs)