Scott LeDoux
Scott LeDoux | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Alan Scott LeDoux |
Nickname(s) | The Fighting Frenchman |
Rated at | Heavyweight |
Nationality | American |
Born |
Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota, U.S. | January 7, 1949
Died | August 11, 2011 62) | (aged
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 50 |
Wins | 33 |
Wins by KO | 22 |
Losses | 13 |
Draws | 4 |
No contests | 0 |
Alan Scott LeDoux, nicknamed "The Fighting Frenchman," (January 7, 1949 – August 11, 2011) was a politician, professional heavyweight boxer, professional wrestler and referee.
Career
Boxing
LeDoux began his professional boxing career in 1974. His first boxing match was a knockout victory over Arthur Pullens. LeDoux's final bout in 1983 was a technical knockout loss to Frank Bruno. LeDoux retired with a record of 33-13-4 (22 knockouts).
LeDoux's opponents included Ken Norton, Ron Lyle, Gerrie Coetzee, Leon Spinks, Greg Page, Frank Bruno, George Foreman, Mike Weaver, and Larry Holmes. In his match with Leon Spinks, LeDoux earned a 'draw', just months before Spinks defeated Ali. He also scored a KO over broadcaster Howard Cosell's infamous toupee knocking it off in front of millions of ABC network viewers in a scuffle that followed a losing effort with Johnny Boudreaux. LeDoux insisted the fight was fixed by Don King and he ranted to Cosell to "Tell it like it is" mimicking Cosell's famous catch phrase. A pushing match ensued and in the process, Cosell's headset along with his toupee was dislodged by an errant LeDoux shove in front of live ABC cameras. Cosell quickly retrieved his hair from the floor and replaced it on top of his head. LeDoux also took part in a five round exhibition match with Muhammad Ali. LeDoux over the course of his career also sparred with Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis.
Ledoux's best achievements were that he scored draws against Leon Spinks and an ageing Ron Lyle. He also nearly knocked out a past his peak Ken Norton in round ten, when after some confusion as to whether the Ref had signalled the fight over or not it was declared a draw. Never a 'fancy dan' fighter style-wise as they say in the trade, Ledoux was probably underrated in much of his career- he had met many tough top-name opponents.
On April 22, 1976, LeDoux lost to fellow Minnesotan Duane Bobick before a crowd of 13,789, which is still a Minnesota record.[1]
LeDoux later worked as a ringside commentator for ESPN and in 1986 as a referee for the American Wrestling Association.
It was announced on July 5, 2010 that LeDoux would be a member of the inaugural class of inductees to the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame.[2]
Politics
LeDoux was elected to the Anoka County, Minnesota Board of County Commissioners[3] and re-elected in 2008, defeating challenger Becky Fink.[4]
In 2006, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the creation of a state Boxing Commission. LeDoux was appointed boxing commissioner by the state Governor Tim Pawlenty. In August 2006 LeDoux was also named Executive Director of the Minnesota Combative Sports Commission.
Controversy
- In 2007, the Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, Melanie Benjamin, objected to LeDoux's public criticism of her band and their boxing matches at the Grand Casino Hinckley Casino in Hinckley, Minnesota.[5]
- In November 2007, LeDoux was accused by boxing promoter John Hoffman of "insulting and assaulting" him at a boxing event in Maplewood, Minnesota.[6] LeDoux claims that Hoffman was intoxicated and fabricated the story.[6]
- In December 2008 a state investigation revealed that LeDoux, in his capacity as head of the Combative Sports Commission, accepted free tickets to an MMA event, some of which had a face value of $600. This was determined to be a violation of state ethics rules.[7]
- In January 2009, commission member Chad Ridler resigned in protest "of the inaction of the commission in providing oversight of Scott LeDoux...He's unaccountable".[8]
Personal life
LeDoux was diagnosed with ALS or "Lou Gehrig's Disease" in August 2008. A point of note however is that a 2010 study, see Wikipedia link to, questioned the diagnosis in athletes who'd experienced head trauma or repeated concussions. It suggests some may have a variant of Dementia Pugilistica, known as Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy or Boxer's Syndrome.[9] [10] LeDoux was a member of the National Board of Directors of the Wishes and More.[11] He was also honorary chair of the American Cancer Society. LeDoux founded a golf tournament called the Scott LeDoux Long Haul Classic.
LeDoux died of his illness on August 11, 2011.[12][13]
Professional boxing record
33 Wins (22 knockouts, 11 decisions), 13 Losses (7 knockouts, 5 decisions), 4 Draws[1] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
Loss | 14-0 | Frank Bruno | TKO | 3 | 03/05/1983 | Wembley Arena, Wembley, London | Referee stopped the bout at 1:35 of the third round. |
Win | 17-8 | Ken Arlt | UD | 10 | 07/04/1983 | Marriott Hotel, Portland, Oregon | |
Win | 7-7 | Larry Ware | TKO | 7 | 28/02/1983 | Edmonton, Alberta | |
Win | -- | Steve Ward | KO | 8 | 13/11/1982 | Gillette, Minnesota | |
Win | -- | Marlo Malino | KO | 5 | 27/10/1982 | Schollander Pavilion, West Fargo, North Dakota | |
Loss | 31-2 | Gordon Racette | SD | 10 | 23/09/1982 | PNE Agrodome, Vancouver, British Columbia | 95-96, 97-94, 97-98. |
Loss | 26-3 | Gerrie Coetzee | KO | 8 | 27/03/1982 | Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng | |
Win | -- | Steve Sanchez | KO | 8 | 25/02/1982 | Sioux Falls, South Dakota | |
Loss | 17-0 | Greg Page | TKO | 4 | 11/12/1981 | Thomas Robinson Stadium, Nassau, Bahamas | IBF USBA Heavyweight Title. |
Win | 4-17-1 | Arnold Sam | PTS | 10 | 30/07/1981 | Gillette, Minnesota | |
Win | 4-13 | Reggie Fleming | KO | 2 | 24/04/1981 | Billings, Montana | |
Loss | 34-0 | Larry Holmes | TKO | 7 | 07/07/1980 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | WBC World Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:05 of the seventh round. |
Win | 21-0-1 | Marty Monroe | UD | 10 | 09/03/1980 | Saint Paul Civic Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota | |
Loss | 20-9 | Mike Weaver | UD | 12 | 24/11/1979 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | IBF USBA Heavyweight Title. 110-118, 114-117, 108-117. |
Draw | 41-6 | Ken Norton | PTS | 10 | 19/08/1979 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | 95-94, 94-95, 95-95. |
Loss | 36-5-1 | Ron Lyle | SD | 10 | 12/05/1979 | Las Vegas, Nevada | 45-44, 44-45, 45-46. |
Win | 40-7 | James J. Beattie | TKO | 3 | 20/02/1979 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | |
Win | 4-5 | Joe Donatto | KO | 3 | 15/12/1978 | Omaha Civic Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska | |
Win | 0-1 | James Brown | KO | 2 | 10/11/1978 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada | Brown knocked out at 1:42 of the second round. |
Win | 4-32 | Sylvester Wilder | KO | 2 | 03/10/1978 | Winnipeg, Manitoba | |
Draw | 17-2 | Bill Sharkey | PTS | 10 | 26/09/1978 | Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida | |
Draw | 5-0 | Leon Spinks | PTS | 10 | 22/10/1977 | Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts, Las Vegas, Nevada | 46-46, 46-45, 45-47. |
Loss | 38-1 | Duane Bobick | TKO | 8 | 28/07/1977 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | Minnesota Heavyweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the eighth round. |
Win | 18-5-1 | Tom Prater | TKO | 7 | 23/06/1977 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | |
Win | 15-3-1 | Pedro Soto | SD | 10 | 02/03/1977 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | |
Loss | 19-1-1 | Johnny Boudreaux | UD | 8 | 13/02/1977 | Halsey Field House, Annapolis, Maryland | |
Win | 3-1 | Rocky Bentley | KO | 2 | 30/11/1976 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Loss | 42-1 | George Foreman | TKO | 3 | 14/08/1976 | Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York | Referee stopped the bout at 2:58 of the third round. |
Loss | 27-0-1 | John Dino Denis | UD | 10 | 26/06/1976 | Providence, Rhode Island | |
Loss | 34-0 | Duane Bobick | UD | 10 | 22/04/1976 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | Minnesota Heavyweight Title. 92-100, 91-99, 92-100. |
Win | 22-7-2 | Larry Middleton | PTS | 10 | 09/03/1976 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 10-5-1 | Bill Carson | KO | 9 | 07/02/1976 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 27-7-2 | Ron Stander | UD | 10 | 10/12/1975 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | 99-94, 99-90, 100-90. |
Win | 14-25-2 | Brian O'Melia | UD | 10 | 23/09/1975 | Saint Paul, Minnesota | |
Draw | 22-26-4 | George Johnson | PTS | 10 | 14/08/1975 | Saint Paul Civic Center, Saint Paul, Minnesota | Decision for LeDoux overturned due to crowd response. |
Win | 34-19-1 | Terry Daniels | TKO | 6 | 08/07/1975 | Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida | |
Win | 33-4 | Rodney Bobick | UD | 10 | 23/04/1975 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | 100-94, 100-90, 99-90. |
Loss | 18-19-2 | Roy Wallace | TKO | 2 | 14/03/1975 | University of Minnesota Armory, Saint Paul, Minnesota | Referee stopped the bout at 1:45 of the second round. |
Win | 19-14 | Larry Renaud | TKO | 6 | 29/01/1975 | Mayo Civic Center, Rochester, Minnesota | |
Win | 1-0-1 | CJ Bar Brown | PTS | 6 | 18/01/1975 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | |
Win | 8-5 | John L Johnson | KO | 5 | 22/11/1974 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 7-4 | Lou Rogan | PTS | 10 | 08/11/1974 | Crosby, Minnesota | |
Win | 1-1 | Ron Draper | KO | 10 | 08/10/1974 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 8-4-1 | Tom Berry | KO | 4 | 13/08/1974 | Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 6-4-2 | Joe Batton | KO | 6 | 31/07/1974 | Met Center, Bloomington, Minnesota | |
Win | 2-0 | Larry Penniger | KO | 5 | 23/05/1974 | Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 4-3 | Reggie Fleming | KO | 3 | 15/05/1974 | Saint Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota | |
Win | -- | Steve Patterson | PTS | 6 | 23/04/1974 | Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | 1-3 | Floyd Cox | TKO | 3 | 14/03/1974 | Minneapolis Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota | |
Win | -- | Arthur Pullins | KO | 3 | 04/02/1974 | Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
References
- 1 2 "Scott LeDoux". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ↑ "The Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame Announces Inaugural Class of 2010". Minnesotaboxing.com. July 5, 2010. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ↑ "Former prize fighter Scott LeDoux upends incumbent Anoka County Commissioner Dave McCauley". Former prize fighter Scott LeDoux upends incumbent Anoka County Commissioner Dave McCauley. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
- ↑ "County board incumbents re-elected". County board incumbents re-elected. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
- ↑ Levy, Paul (October 16, 2007). "Scott LeDoux: Still fighting". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- 1 2 Demko, Paul (March 19, 2008). "Beer as combat sport: Boxing commissioner Scott LeDoux unleashes "Miller Lite Technique"". City Pages. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ↑ Pugmire, Tim (December 19, 2008). "Investigation: head of Combatitive Sports Commission violated ethics". Minnesota Public Radio News. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ↑ Von Sternberg, Bob (January 16, 2009). "Boxing panel member resigns over dispute". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
- ↑ Former Boxer LeDoux Diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's NY Times, January 27, 2009
- ↑ "Scott LeDoux fighting his toughest foe: Lou Gehrig's disease". Scott LeDoux fighting his toughest foe: Lou Gehrig's disease. Retrieved January 27, 2007.
- ↑ "AboutUs/Directors". Wishesandmore.org. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
- ↑ Hevesi, Dennis (August 12, 2011). "Scott LeDoux, Gritty Heavyweight Boxing Contender, Dies at 62". The New York Times.
- ↑ "LeDoux's legacy is his charity work, friend says | BrainerdDispatch.com | Brainerd, Minnesota". BrainerdDispatch.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.