The late 60’s and early 70’s spawned an array of fistic talent in the heavyweight division. From the great champions Patterson, Liston, Ali, Frazier and Foreman along with Ellis and Terrell to the parade of bonafide contenders. Almost always among the top contenders of the day were the names of Chuvalo, Quarry, Bonevena, Norton, Lyle, Shavers, Bugner, Leotis Martin and Henry Clark. Throw in a Mac Foster, Boone Kirkman and Chuck Wepner and you get an idea of the talented mix. Among the elite during this time was a fine fighter out of Michigan named Al “Blue” Lewis. It is conceivable that if “Blue” would have boxed in a different era, he may have become a champion.
Lewis turned pro in 1966 and quickly racked up eight straight victories that year. He continued to roll in 1967 winning six more. Among his victims were veterans Aaron Eastling, Willie McMillan and Dick Wipperman. Al’s 14 bout win streak ended when rugged Bob Stallings in seven rounds stopped him. “Blue” regrouped in 1968 and he reeled off five more wins, twice beating Stallings in rematches. He also scored a huge victory stopping highly regarded Eduardo Corletti in two rounds. People began to take Lewis seriously as a legitimate contender.
The bubble burst on November 26,1968 when Lewis soared to an early lead over veteran Leotis Martin but faded down the stretch, the bout being stopped in the ninth round. Three months later Al again failed to beat the clever Martin dropping a ten round decision.
Lewis spent the rest of 1969 and 1970 trying to re-establish him self. He won six straight including a kayo win over Cleveland Williams. On October 4,1971 “Blue” traveled to Argentina to meet Oscar Bonevena. He returned with a seventh round disqualification loss. Many felt that Al was getting the better of Oscar at the time of the stoppage. His performance against Bonevena was good enough to get Al a shot at Muhammad Ali. The former champion was fighting all the contenders trying to eliminate all of them to force a bout with titleholder Joe Frazier. The Ali-Lewis content took place on July 19,1972 in Dublin, Ireland. Muhammad struggled with Lewis before scoring a knockdown in the middle rounds. Al rallied back but Ali finally ended matters in the eleventh round.
Lewis came back in 1973 beating Charlie Reno but then losing a surprising verdict to Big Jack O’Halloran. Lewis then scored three straight kayo victories over mediocre opponents. He then decided to hang up the gloves finishing with a 30-6 record. Today “Blue” is a respected trainer in Detroit.
Any one looking for Al.Blue Lewis can send me an e-mail. He is my uncle,alive and doing well.
Dear Jamie,
I am trying to locate Al “Blue” Lewis for a friend of mine. His grandmother passed away a while back. In looking through her things he found many letters between hre and Blue, which brohgt back all the stories he heard about Blue when he was little. My friends grandmother’s name was Margaret LaHaye. He would like to connect with Blue and let him know about her passing and catch up on old times.
Any assistance you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Kind regards,
Jeannie Schuster
I have a number of newspaper clippings on Battling Bob Smith from his first fight with Rufus Brassell in Columbus,Ohio, Wilbert Elbert, Charlie Singleton, Ben Benjamin and other clippings and some photos.etc,, if Christopher Smith is interested I could photocopy these for him. I can be at Elliott Harvith, P.O. Box 4453, East Lansing,Mich.48836, or e-mail [email protected]
My father sparred with Al “Blue” Lewis when he was training to fight two fights against Leotis Martin. My father was “Battling” Bob Smith. Luther Burgess and Festus Trice also were my fathers trainers, until my father moved to the orignal Kronk Center on McGraw St. He was then trained by John Brown. I have tried to find an article written in the Michigan Chronicle about my father, entitled “UP FROM THE GHETTO”. My father was temporarily managed by Ernie Clark, the former Detroit Lion great linebacker. Can anyone help me obtain a copy of that article?
Thanks All,
Chris Smith (Son of “Battling” Bob Smith)
this man was avoided by many top contenders because he was too dangerous,he even bloodied alis nose and gave him problems when they fought,another name i rarely hear of,he was a very good heavyweight who could have went to the very top if he had been given the chances less deserving men received
My father trained Al Blue Lewis at the Brewster/Wheeler rec center along with Lurther Burgess. My father name is Festus Trice.
My father trained Al Blue Lewis at the Brewster/Wheeler rec center along with Lurther Burgess. My father Festus Trice continued to train contenders such as Dwight davision, Dave braxton, and Willie Sandman Edwards well into the 1970’s and 1980’s. He also trained noted manager Emanuel Stewert at Brewster center.
where is he training now ,,,, he and my father trained together in the 60s and im trying to put together a history of my dads fights bhut have very little info , if i could talk to him it may help
That is not Alvin “blue” Lewis in that photo
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