Ron Stander (October 17, 1944 – March 8, 2022) was an American professional boxer, who fought from 1969 to 1982. The highlight of Stander's pro career came on May 25, 1972 when he challenged for the world heavyweight championship in

Omaha, Nebraska Omaha ( ) is the List of cities in Nebraska, most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's List of United S ...

. Stander lost to champion

Joe Frazier Joseph William Frazier (January 12, 1944November 7, 2011) was an American professional boxer who competed from 1965 to 1981. Nicknamed "Smokin' Joe", he is widely regarded as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time. He was known for ...

by fifth-round

technical knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...

when the ring doctor stopped the fight after the fourth round. Prior to his unsuccessful match versus Frazier, Stander had scored a fifth-round knockout victory over hard-punching

Earnie Shavers Earnie Dee Shaver (August 31, 1944 – September 1, 2022), best known as Earnie Shavers, was an American professional boxer who competed between 1969 and 1995. A two-time world heavyweight championship challenger, he is known as one of the hard ...

in 1970, and a decision win over contender

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

in 1971. An award-winning documentary titled "The Bluffs Butcher," after his adopted hometown of

Council Bluffs, Iowa Council Bluffs is a city in and the county seat of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, United States. The population was 62,799 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the state's List of cities in Iowa, te ...

, produced by journalism student Andrew Batt, was released in 2004. The documentary tells the story of Iowa's arguably best shot at a World Heavyweight Boxing Title and chronicled Stander's journey from virtual unknown to boxing's largest stage.

Frazier-Stander Fight

Stander was largely an unknown commodity when he was given the opportunity to fight for the world heavyweight title in Omaha. The fight prompted Stander's then wife Darlene Stander, to famously compare it to putting a

Volkswagen Volkswagen (VW; )English: , . is a German automotive industry, automobile manufacturer based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, Germany. Established in 1937 by German Labour Front, The German Labour Front, it was revitalized into the global brand it ...

to compete at the

Indianapolis 500 The Indianapolis 500, formally known as the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, and commonly shortened to Indy 500, is an annual automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, United States, an enclave suburb of Indian ...

race, when she said "You don't take a Volkswagen into the Indy 500, unless you know of a hell of a shortcut". It marked the first time a world heavyweight title fight had been held in Nebraska. Stander had a solid 23-1-1 record entering the bout and was clearly the fans' favorite based on the huge, enthusiastic ovation he received when he was introduced. Frazier was the undefeated champion and entered the ring as a 10-1 betting favorite. He was booed after being introduced. Both men employed the same aggressive fighting style of pushing forward and fighting at close quarters, which made for an exciting contest. Stander was quite competitive in the first round, even buckling Frazier's knees with one blow late in the round. However, by the second round, Frazier's superiority in class began to show and the champion was getting the better of the frequent exchanges. In the third round Frazier opened a cut on the bridge of Stander's nose and severely staggered him late in the round. Stander was not knocked down, however. By the fourth round Stander was bleeding profusely from the cut and again was badly staggered towards the end of the round as Frazier landed numerous telling blows to Stander's face. Between rounds four and five the fight was stopped by veteran referee Zack Clayton on the advice of the ring doctor. Officially Frazier was credited with a victory by a fifth-round technical knockout.

Personal life and death

Stander died from complications of

diabetes Diabetes mellitus, commonly known as diabetes, is a group of common endocrine diseases characterized by sustained high blood sugar levels. Diabetes is due to either the pancreas not producing enough of the hormone insulin, or the cells of th ...

on March 8, 2022, at the age of 77.

Professional boxing record

, - , align="center" colspan=8, 38 Wins (29 knockouts, 9 decisions), 21 Losses (9 knockouts, 12 decisions), 3 Draws , - , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Result , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Record , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Opponent , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Type , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Round , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Date , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Location , align="center" style="border-style: none none solid solid; background: #e3e3e3", Notes , -align=center , Loss , 38–21–3 , align=left, Otis Bates , PTS , 10 , July 6, 1982 , align=left, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 38–20–3 , align=left, Les Myers , TKO , 6 , October 24, 1981 , align=left,

Dodge City, Kansas Dodge City is a city in and the county seat of Ford County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the city was 27,788. It was named after nearby Fort Dodge, which was named in honor of Grenville Dodge. The city ...

, U.S. , , - , Loss , 38–19–3 , align=left, Jeff May , UD , 4 , June 25, 1981 , align=left, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. , align=left, , - , Draw , 38–18–3 , align=left, Otis Bates , PTS , 10 , July 27, 1980 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 38–18–2 , align=left, Jeff Shelburg , PTS , 10 , May 24, 1980 , align=left,

Salt Lake City, Utah Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities and towns in Utah, most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, Salt ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 38–17–2 , align=left,

James Tillis James Tillis (born July 5, 1957) is an American former professional boxer and actor. Known as "Quick", he was known for his remarkably fast hand speed for a man of his size and build. A natural southpaw, Tillis turned around to orthodox midway ...

, TKO , 7 , March 3, 1980 , align=left,

Chicago, Illinois Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

, U.S. , , - , Loss , 38–16–2 , align=left, Scott Frank , TKO , 1 , January 8, 1980 , align=left,

Totowa, New Jersey Totowa (pronounced "TO-tuh-wuh" ) is a Borough (New Jersey), borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 11,065, an increase of 261 (+ ...

, U.S. , , - , Loss , 38–15–2 , align=left, Tom Fischer , PTS , 10 , August 24, 1979 , align=left,

Cincinnati, Ohio Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 38–14–2 , align=left, Jim Pearish , TKO , 5 , August 16, 1979 , align=left,

North Platte, Nebraska North Platte is a city in and the county seat of Lincoln County, Nebraska, United States. It is located in the west-central part of the state, along Interstate 80, at the confluence of the North and South Platte Rivers forming the Platte River. ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 37–14–2 , align=left, James Dixon , UD , 12 , June 25, 1979 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 37–13–2 , align=left, James Dixon , UD , 10 , April 28, 1979 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 37–12–2 , align=left, Rick Howe , TKO , 5 , April 3, 1979 , align=left,

Marshalltown, Iowa Marshalltown is a city in Marshall County, Iowa, and is the county seat of the county. With a population of 27,591 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the 16th largest city in the state. Marshalltown is home to the Iowa Vetera ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 36–12–2 , align=left, Charles Atlas , KO , 1 , November 29, 1978 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 35–12–2 , align=left, Charley Polite , UD , 10 , October 25, 1978 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 34–12–2 , align=left, Bill Jackson , KO , 1 , July 26, 1978 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 33–12–2 , align=left, Jesus Montes , KO , 3 , June 20, 1978 , align=left, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 32–12–2 , align=left, Clyde Mudgett , TKO , 4 , March 23, 1978 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 31–12–2 , align=left, Horace Robinson , KO , 5 , November 30, 1977 , align=left,

White Plains, New York White Plains is a city in and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is an inner suburb of New York City, and a commercial hub of Westchester County, a densely populated suburban county that is home to about one milli ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 31–11–2 , align=left, Raul Hernandez , KO , 4 , November 15, 1977 , align=left, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 30–11–2 , align=left,

Boone Kirkman Daniel Victor "Boone" Kirkman (born February 6, 1945) is a former professional heavyweight boxing, boxer. He was a Contender throughout his career and scored notable victories over Heavyweight World Champion Jimmy Ellis (boxer), Jimmy Ellis, as ...

, TKO , 7 , July 19, 1977 , align=left,

Seattle, Washington Seattle ( ) is the List of municipalities in Washington, most populous city in the U.S. state of Washington (state), Washington and in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. With a population of 780,995 in 2024, it is the List of Unit ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 30–10–2 , align=left,

Gerrie Coetzee Gerhardus Christian Coetzee OIB (8 April 1955 – 12 January 2023) was a South African professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1986, and in 1993 and 1997. He was the first African in history to ever fight for, and win, a world heavyweight ...

, KO , 8 , July 17, 1976 , align=left,

Johannesburg Johannesburg ( , , ; Zulu language, Zulu and Xhosa language, Xhosa: eGoli ) (colloquially known as Jozi, Joburg, Jo'burg or "The City of Gold") is the most populous city in South Africa. With 5,538,596 people in the City of Johannesburg alon ...

, South Africa , align=left, , - , Win , 30–9–2 , align=left, Beau Williford , KO , 3 , June 1, 1976 , align=left, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 29–9–2 , align=left,

Ken Norton Kenneth Howard Norton Sr. (August 9, 1943 – September 18, 2013) was an American actor and professional boxer who competed from 1967 to 1981. He was awarded the World Boxing Council, WBC world heavyweight championship in 1978, after winning a ...

, TKO , 5 , April 30, 1976 , align=left,

Landover, Maryland Landover is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Prince George's County, Maryland, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 25,998. Landover is contained between Sheriff Road and Central Avenue to the ...

, U.S. , , - , Win , 29–8–2 , align=left, Jesus Montes , KO , 3 , January 26, 1976 , align=left,

Little Rock, Arkansas Little Rock is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Arkansas, most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas. The city's population was 202,591 as of the 2020 census. The six-county Central Arkan ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 28–8–2 , align=left, Willie Jackson , KO , 1 , January 6, 1976 , align=left, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 27–8–2 , align=left,

Scott LeDoux Alan Scott LeDoux (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 kno ...

, UD , 10 , December 10, 1975 , align=left, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 27–7–2 , align=left, Terry Daniels , TKO , 1 , November 20, 1975 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 26–7–2 , align=left, Morris Jackson , TKO , 2 , September 4, 1975 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 25–7–2 , align=left, Bruce Scott , TKO , 2 , August 5, 1975 , align=left, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. , , - , Loss , 24–7–2 , align=left, Fred Askew , UD , 10 , May 7, 1975 , align=left,

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 24–6–2 , align=left, Rodney Bobick , UD , 10 , July 31, 1974 , align=left,

Bloomington, Minnesota Bloomington is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States. It is located on the north bank of the Minnesota River above its confluence with the Mississippi River, south of downtown Minneapolis and just south of the Interstate 494/Inter ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Draw , 24–5–2 , align=left, Morris Jackson , PTS , 10 , March 22, 1974 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 24–5–1 , align=left, Charlie James , PTS , 10 , February 19, 1974 , align=left,

Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the Pacific Ocean. It is the county seat of the Consolidated city-county, consolidated City and County of Honol ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 24–4–1 , align=left, Jeff Merritt , TKO , 3 , November 28, 1973 , align=left,

Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–United States border, Canada–U.S. maritime border ...

, U.S. , , - , Win , 24–3–1 , align=left, Walker Smith , TKO , 3 , September 10, 1973 , align=left,

Providence, Rhode Island Providence () is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Rhode Island, most populous city of the U.S. state of Rhode Island. The county seat of Providence County, Rhode Island, Providence County, it is o ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 23–3–1 , align=left, John Jordan , UD , 10 , March 29, 1973 , align=left,

Portland, Maine Portland is the List of municipalities in Maine, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine and the county seat, seat of Cumberland County, Maine, Cumberland County. Portland's population was 68,408 at the 2020 census. The Portland metropolit ...

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Loss , 23–2–1 , align=left,

, RTD , 5 , May 25, 1972 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 23–1–1 , align=left, Johnny Mac , UD , 10 , March 20, 1972 , align=left,

, U.S. , align=left, , - , Win , 22–1–1 , align=left, Mike Boswell , UD , 10 , February 14, 1972 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Loss , 21–1–1 , align=left, Rico Brooks , SD , 10 , January 22, 1972 , align=left,

Denver, Colorado Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

, U.S. , , - , Win , 21–0–1 , align=left, Clyde Brown , TKO , 3 , December 20, 1971 , align=left,

Elgin, Illinois Elgin ( ) is a city in Cook County, Illinois, Cook and Kane County, Illinois, Kane counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is located northwest of Chicago along the Fox River (Illinois River tributary), Fox River. As of the 2020 United Stat ...

, U.S. , , - , Win , 20–0–1 , align=left, Jesse Crown , KO , 3 , October 26, 1971 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 19–0–1 , align=left, Manuel Ramos , UD , 10 , August 26, 1971 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 18–0–1 , align=left,

Jack O'Halloran Jack O'Halloran (born April 8, 1943) is an American actor and former professional boxer. As a heavyweight, he fought in 57 professional boxing matches (including fights with future heavyweight champions George Foreman and Ken Norton) between 196 ...

, UD , 10 , July 29, 1971 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 17–0–1 , align=left, Lee Carr , KO , 6 , May 24, 1971 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 16–0–1 , align=left,

, UD , 10 , April 23, 1971 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 15–0–1 , align=left, Frank Bullard , KO , 6 , March 30, 1971 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 14–0–1 , align=left, Joe Murphy Goodwin , KO , 1 , November 3, 1970 , align=left,

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Oklahoma City (), officially the City of Oklahoma City, and often shortened to OKC, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Oklahoma, most populous city of the U.S. state of Oklahoma. The county seat ...

, U.S. , , - , Draw , 13–0–1 , align=left, Manuel Ramos , PTS , 10 , September 17, 1970 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 13–0 , align=left, Bill Hardney , KO , 1 , August 28, 1970 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 12–0 , align=left, Ray Ellis , TKO , 3 , July 17, 1970 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 11–0 , align=left, Eddie Dembry , UD , 8 , June 8, 1970 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 10–0 , align=left,

, KO , 5 , May 11, 1970 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 9–0 , align=left, Woody Parks , TKO , 1 , April 9, 1970 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 8–0 , align=left, Joe Harris , KO , 4 , March 23, 1970 , align=left, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. , , - , Win , 7–0 , align=left, Lee Powell , KO , 1 , March 2, 1970 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 6–0 , align=left, Roy Rodriguez , UD , 6 , January 29, 1970 , align=left,

Waterloo, Iowa Waterloo is a city in and the county seat of Black Hawk County, Iowa, Black Hawk County, Iowa, United States. As of the 2020 United States census the population was 67,314, making it the List of cities in Iowa, eighth-most populous city in the st ...

, U.S. , , - , Win , 5–0 , align=left, Joe Byrd , PTS , 6 , December 19, 1969 , align=left, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. , , - , Win , 4–0 , align=left, Wilbert Elbert , KO , 1 , November 17, 1969 , align=left,

, U.S. , , - , Win , 3–0 , align=left, Lee Estes , TKO , 2 , September 29, 1969 , align=left, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. , , - , Win , 2–0 , align=left, Red Ferris , KO , 1 , August 15, 1969 , align=left,

Sioux Falls, South Dakota Sioux Falls ( ) is the List of cities in South Dakota, most populous city in the U.S. state of South Dakota and the List of United States cities by population, 117th-most populous city in the United States. It is the county seat of Minnehaha Coun ...

, U.S. , , - , Win , 1–0 , align=left, Bobby Street , KO , 1 , August 7, 1969 , align=left,

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

, U.S. ,

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Stander, Ron 1944 births 2022 deaths American male boxers Heavyweight boxers Sportspeople from Columbia, South Carolina Diabetes-related deaths Place of death missing 20th-century American sportsmen