Great Trainers : Yank Durham

Yank Durham started boxing in the amateurs, he was a natural and highly lauded amateur. But he was injured in World War 2 and his fighting days ended.

He is what you would call a colorful character. His favorite word seemed to be "c**k sucker".

He then became a trainer, and was a pretty good one. He was very well known in Philadelphia fight circles. He had several pupils but 2 that raelly stood out.

Gypsy Joe Harris

Gypsey Joe Harris was a Durham pupil and Durham had alot of work to do with Joe. There was a big problem. Harris was blind in 1 eye.Had been since he was 11. Still he was a good fighter.64-0 as an amateur. Very flamboyant fighter. Described as a dancing clown and Octopus puncher. He turned pro in 1964 at Welterweight. From this point to 1966 he fought in Philadelphia 15 times out of 17 fights. Joe was 17-0. He moved up to Midleweight

In this time he has beaten notable fighters such as Young Joe Walcott, Kitten Hayward, and Jose Stable.

At this point Durham had created a monster and Harris was ready for the big stage. In March 1967 harris won in Philadelphi then March 21st went to Madison Square Garden to fight Curtis Cokes.

Harris won the fight hands down and the game plan worked perfectly. Unanimous Decision over a Middleweight Champion.

Harris then fought in Philadephia 4 more times and went 5-0 in the stretch. His record was 24-0. He was set to face Emile Griffith in Philadelphia for the Middleweight Title.. Joe Harris fought as best he could but was defeated.

After the fight his blindness was discovered and he was never allowed to fight again. His record was 24-1 and who knows he could ahve been one of the best.

Joe Frazier

Yank Durham was picked by Cloverlay, the company that owned Joe Fraziers contract, to be Fraziers head trainer.

Him and Frazier had a vey good relationship and Yank loved Joe like a son. Ediie Futch was later added to the team based on Eddies reputation and said, "it was like we (Frazier and Durham) had known each other forever."

Together they concocted a total pressure fighter (Durhams original game plan) Futch added the head bobbing strategy and style that helped Frazier slip more punches than any other Heavyweight Champion. EVER.

Henry Armstrong later said Joe Frazier was the only fighter ever that reminded him of himself.

Not only was Durham a good trainer but he was a smart match maker. Instead of entering Frazier in the tournament for Muhammad Ali's title's Durham declined. He said it was not smart when you could simply fight someone else and fight the winner.

Jimmy Ellis won the tournament. Joe Frazier knocked out Buster Mathis for the New York Heavyweight Title. Gameplan to get Mathis deep worked and he gassed. When Frazier fought Ellis he simply overwelmed Jimmy Ellis who had Angelo Dundee in his corner (in fact Angelo Dundee cornered Jimmy Ellis verse Muhammad Ali!) to win Ali's old title.

Durham always wanted Frazier to fight Ali. He simply loved the match up. want a on record quote from Yank Durham.

"You just get in his chest and keep pumping, and you'll whip this sucker. He wont be able to handle the heat."

When The Fight of the Century finally happened Durhams prediction was prophetic. Frazier was simply way too much for Ali, get this, Frazier was the one with his hands at his side bobbing and weaving punches! Smiling non the less! Was it a great fight? Yes! Did Frazier win it hands down? Yes!

It was final. Joe Frazier was the Heavyweight Champion of the World, and Yank Durham was the first trainer to have a gameplan defeat Ali in the pro's.

From the time Frazier beat Ali ,Frazier had beaten notable fighters such as George Chuvalo, Doug Jones, Eddie Machen, Oscar Bonavena, the last 3 all in a row!, Jimmy Ellis and Jerry Quarry.

But 1 thing happened in the fight with Ali though. Joe Frazier took shots and had enormous facial swelling. He spent alot of time in the hospital and wasnt very active in the gym after the Ali fight.

The Ali fight was in March 1971, Durham said no more fights this year and Frazier fought exhibitions, 1 vs Cleveland WIlliams.

Durham wanted to rematch Ali but 1 thing happened Ken Norton (who was constantly with the Frazier camp and knew Durham well) beat Ali.

Durham decided to take easy defenses and was being smart in protecting his fighter. In 1972 Frazier knocked out and defended his titles vs Terry Daniels and Ron Stander in the 4th and 5th rounds. Then finished of the year with 2 more exhibitions.

At this point Durhams health is starting to deteriorate. But he still was training fighters. He wanted Joe to fight Muhammad Ali for 4 times more than what Frazier got for fighting Foreman. Durham loved the style match up and was confident Frazier would beat Ali again.

Heres the thing, alot of people say Durham knew Frazier was going to get beat by Ali. I dont think thats true, I think he didnt like the style match up and wanted his fighter to fight Ali (a better style match up) for 4 times more money.

Frazier chose to fight Foreman in 1973 and you all know the rest.

Durham died August of 1973. Eddie Futch took over as lead trainer.

Yank Durham was a top trainer, one of the best ever out of Philadelphia and a truly underrated trainer in my opinon. Was a great game planner and knew how styles match ups worked.