BEFORE MUHAMMAD ALI THERE WAS WILLIE PASTRANO

WILLIE PASTRANO,  MASTER OF BOXING SKILL: by Brian Zelley


As I look back into the past, I remember 1972 and the time 
heavyweight Dan Wright  and I visited Muhammad Ali
in his penthouse suite at the Hotel Georgie in Vancouver.
After our knock on his door, Ali stepped-out into the hall
for some brief chit chat, and I remembered the story about
how the then Cassius Clay knocked on Pastrano's door.
I relayed the story to Ali, and a big smile appeared on his 
face and he invited us in to his suite for more detailed 
discussions.

Photo of Ali
signed by Ali in 1972
at the Hotel Georgie
in Vancouver from
Ali to Brian Zelley,
and boxer Dan Wright
also received a copy.
But it was the discussion
about a young boxer
by the name of 
Cassius Clay
 knocking on 
the door of boxer
Willie Patrano 
that would be the
symbolic door 
opener where 
Dan and I were
able to enter the world of MUHAMMAD ALI.




BACK TO WHY WILLIE WAS SO IMPORTANT:
Anyone who understands Muhammad Ali would
understand why Ali would smile and be thrilled
by any discusssion of Willie Pastrano.


In fact, every would be amateur of professional boxer should
understand Pastrano's focus on boxing skill.  One such article
by Willie appeared in the November 1963 issue of the magazine
"Boxing & Wrestling" by Complete Sports Publications.
The article was titled: "I Don't Take Chances" - Willie Pastrano.

The article was written after Pastrano defeated the excellent
boxer HAROLD JOHNSON, for the light-heavyweight crown.


From the article, there are a number of  thoughts by Willie
that is a must read for all persons that would like to be
long time boxers with boxing moves and top rated defensive
skills:
"In my book the smart fighter knows how to make his
opponent make mistakes.  There are many ways to do this and
you don't learn them  by letting him take target practice on 
your chin." AND
"I have always felt every fighter should be a master of defense.
The smart fighter Never tries to prove how tough he is by
taking punches" - Willie Pastrano, light-heavyweight champ, 1963.


The Lessons We Learn:
i remember reading this article so many years ago during my
boxing days and always tried to improve on the defensive skills
thanks in part to the wise words of Willie Pastrano, I fighter who
was respected highly by the great Muhammad Ali.


Passing It Forward:

Boxer Danny O'Sullivan getting a lesson from Coach Brian Zelley - Seventies