Dubbed “Bump City”….Johnny Bumphus began his professional career as a hot prospect by winning his first 22 fights….including the vacant WBA Light Welterweight Title….with a decision win over Lorenzo Luis Garcia in 1984…..then Bumphus lost the belt to Gene Hatcher in June 1984 in Buffalo, New York….in which Hatcher scored an 11th-round TKO that had Hatcher knocking Bumphus down….then slipping and falling on a follow-up attempt….and then throwing Bumphus down to the mat when both fighters clinched. A post-fight melee in the ring then ensued…..as Hatcher was celebrating in triumph while the now-deposed champion was slugging away in frustration. The fight was named as Ring magazine’s Upset of the Year for 1984…..as Hatcher was trailing on all scorecards going into the 11th round.
The interview seen in the video herewith has boxing analyst Al Bernstein interviewing Bump City and his manager / trainer Lou Duva…..who are both quite upset that the referee called the fight a Hatcher win by TKO….as this interview is one of the most action packed interview that we have in our treasure chest of vintage memories.
