By Tom Ray
My friend Kelly Burden (who fought Bob Foster for the light-heavyweight title in 1971) started out his pro career in the Marv Jensen stable and as one of Gene Fullmer's sparring partners. One thing Kelly used to say about Fuller was about how strong Fullmer was, and how he would bull Kelly around during sparring sessions. That always impressed me because I knew from sparring with Kelly how strong Kelly was, and the fact that Fuller could push him around really impressed me.
I think Fullmer was a great fighter, and one reason was because he could change styles to become more effective. Look at his fight with Carmen Basilio. I had always assumed that, when he and Carmen met, they fought toe-to-toe, neither taking a backward step. But I was surprised when I saw a film of the first fight that Gene actually boxed Carmen, backed away, and ripped Carmen as Basilio tried to move in on him. It was a great display, and showed that Gene was not the one-dimensional fighter some people make him out to be, but was adaptable.
Does anyone have photos of Kelly Burden (born in Cushing, OK and graduated CHS in 1856) that they would be willing to share. I am the website administrator for two CHS Alumni sites and am in the beginning stages of building a tribute page to Kelly. If you can help with stories and/or picture of him, please contact me: chsclassof1963@cox.net.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cushingalumni.com/
http://www.cushingalumni.com/
I meant to say that Kelly Burden graduated in 1956 from Cushing High School! The tribute page will be on this site:
ReplyDeletehttp://chsclassof1963.webs.com/
My name is Freddie Mills of McAlester, Ok. and I boxed in the Ft.Smith Golden Gloves, I think, the last 2 years Kelly fought over there and he was always my idol. I did not get to go with him to Memphis, Tenn. However, I did hear a story about him the first year he fought in the Nationals in Chicago.The bell for the first round rang in his first fight and Kelly knocked the guy out before he even got out of the corner. He was one of the most intense fighters I ever saw, as well as toughest.
ReplyDeletekelly is one of the greatest men I ve had the pleasure to get to know. He trained me and shared his vast wisdom with me and I would like everyone else, who was blessed enough to know kelly, to realize that kelly is in his declining moments in an assisted living center in ponca city ok.
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