Thaddeus Spencer Jr. (March 28, 1943 – December 13, 2013) was an American heavyweight boxer.

Thad Spencer
Born
Thaddeus Spencer Jr.

(1943-03-28)March 28, 1943
DiedDecember 13, 2013(2013-12-13) (aged 70)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesBabe
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights46
Wins32
Wins by KO14
Losses13
Draws1

A native of Portland, Oregon, Spencer made his professional boxing debut in May 1960. After building up a 31–5 record, Spencer was considered one of the top boxers of his time. With wins over contenders Doug Jones, Brian London, George Johnson, Tom McNeeley and Amos Lincoln, he was regarded highly enough to be a part of the eight-man WBA elimination tournament, held after Muhammad Ali had been stripped of the title. Spencer won a 12-round decision over former title-holder Ernie Terrell in August 1967 and was then matched against Jerry Quarry in the semi-finals. Despite entering the bout as a 6–4 favorite, Spencer lost to Quarry by a 12th-round TKO. Spencer lost his next three fights by knockout, to Leotis Martin, Billy Walker and Mac Foster, and was never a serious title contender again. He continued boxing until 1971, though without winning another bout.

Spencer died in his sleep on December 13, 2013, in Vallejo, California.[1] Spencer's son, Todd Spencer, was a football star for U.S.C., and played three seasons in the NFL for the Steelers and the Chargers.

Professional boxing record

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46 fights 32 wins 13 losses
By knockout 14 7
By decision 18 6
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
46 Loss 32–13–1   Tony Doyle UD 10 07/06/1971   Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas
45 Loss 32–12–1   Ron Stander UD 10 23/04/1971   Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska
44 Loss 32–11–1   Jose Luis Garcia KO 2 (10) 05/10/1970   Caracas
43 Loss 32–10–1   Tony Doyle UD 10 28/05/1970   Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
42 Draw 32–9–1   Charlie Reno PTS 10 18/03/1970   Seattle Center Arena, Seattle, Washington
41 Loss 32–9   Mac Foster KO 1 (10) 20/05/1969   Selland Arena, Fresno, California
40 Loss 32–8   Billy Walker TKO 6 (10) 12/11/1968   Empire Pool, Wembley, London
39 Loss 32–7   Leotis Martin TKO 9 (10) 28/05/1968   Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London
38 Loss 32–6   Jerry Quarry TKO 12 (12) 03/02/1968   Oakland Arena, Oakland, California WBA World Heavyweight Title Tournament Semi-Finals
37 Win 32–5   Ernie Terrell UD 12 05/08/1967   Astrodome, Houston, Texas WBA World Heavyweight Title Tournament Quarter-Finals
36 Win 31–5   Amos Lincoln TKO 8 (10) 26/06/1967   Cow Palace, Daly City, California
35 Win 30–5   Doug Jones UD 10 14/10/1966   Cow Palace, Daly City, California
34 Loss 29–5   Bill McMurray TKO 7 (12) 13/09/1966   Sacramento, California Lost California Heavyweight Title
33 Win 29–4   Brian London PTS 10 02/05/1966   Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester
32 Win 28–4   Jack Bodell RTD 2 (10) 18/04/1966   Belle Vue Zoological Gardens, Belle Vue, Manchester
31 Win 27–4   Billy Daniels TD 6 (10) 21/02/1966   Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California
30 Win 26–4   Chuck Leslie UD 12 19/01/1966   Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California Won California Heavyweight Title
29 Loss 25–4   Amos Lincoln SD 10 22/11/1965   Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada
28 Win 25–3   Roger Rischer UD 12 26/04/1965   San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
27 Win 24–3   Billy Daniels UD 10 17/03/1965   Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California
26 Win 23–3   Chuck Leslie UD 10 22/02/1965   Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California
25 Loss 22–3   Amos Lincoln TKO 9 (10) 15/12/1964   Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California
24 Win 22–2   Tom McNeeley KO 5 (10) 09/11/1964   Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California
23 Win 21–2   Ollie Wilson TKO 7 (10) 13/10/1964   Castaways Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
22 Win 20–2   George Johnson KO 4 (10) 04/08/1964   Castaways Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada
21 Win 19–2   Ray Shiel KO 5 (8) 05/07/1964   Rasunda, Solna Municipality
20 Loss 18–2   Chuck Leslie PTS 10 30/11/1963   Reno, Nevada
19 Win 18–1   Jim Fletcher TKO 6 (10) 12/10/1963   Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, Santa Monica, California
18 Win 17–1   Jefferson Davis UD 10 01/08/1963   Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
17 Win 16–1   Monroe Ratliff TKO 9 (10) 13/05/1963   Moulin Rouge, Hollywood, California
16 Win 15–1   Alvin Tiger TKO 5 (10) 08/04/1963   Moulin Rouge, Santa Monica, California
15 Win 14–1   Leonard Dugan UD 10 20/10/1962   Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon
14 Win 13–1   Prince Bongoa KO 7 (8) 09/10/1962   San Jose, California
13 Win 12–1   Otis Lee PTS 6 10/07/1962   Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
12 Win 11–1   John Riggins PTS 6 28/05/1962   San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
11 Win 10–1   Art Wright KO 2 (?) 14/04/1962   San Jose Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California
10 Win 9–1   Dave Furch PTS 10 14/11/1961   Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, Santa Cruz, California
9 Win 8–1   Lou Bailey UD 10 09/09/1961   Portland Memorial Coliseum, Portland, Oregon
8 Win 7–1   Jerry Gaines TKO 2 (10) 11/07/1961   Interstate Fairgrounds, Spokane, Washington Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the second round.
7 Loss 6–1   Shirley Pembleton PTS 4 01/07/1961   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey
6 Win 6–0   John Riggins UD 6 04/05/1961   Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, Washington
5 Win 5–0   Yancy D. Smith KO 3 (6) 10/04/1961   Cow Palace, Daly City, California
4 Win 4–0   Frankie Haynes PTS 10 21/03/1961   San Jose, California
3 Win 3–0   Harvey Taylor PTS 8 23/01/1961   Seattle Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington
2 Win 2–0 Theo Lolanzo PTS 6 07/09/1960   Sick's Stadium, Seattle, Washington
1 Win 1–0   Frankie Rowe TKO 3 (4) 03/05/1960   Tacoma Armory, Tacoma, Washington

References

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  1. ^ "Thad Spencer, longtime Portland resident and former No. 1 heavyweight boxer, dies at 70". December 18, 2013.
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