By James Slater: In sad news, it has been reported by publication The Deseret News how former world title challenger and top-ranked middleweight Don Fullmer passed away yesterday morning, having lost a long battle with a form of Leukaemia. The 72-year-old died peacefully, surrounded by members of his family.
The less famous brother of former middleweight king Gene Fullmer, Don had a fine career in his own right. Turning pro in August of 1957, the Utah man won his first 18 bouts, before dropping three points losses in a row (to Orlando DiPietro, Eddie Andrews, Phil Moyer). Bouncing back with seven wins and a draw, Fullmer was then beaten by Joey Archer, Ted Wright (who TKO’d him in the 7th, this loss being just the second career stoppage defeat on Don’s record), Terry Downes and Emile Griffith.
Further defeats followed at the hands of Sandro Mazzinghi (an 8th-round TKO loss), Jose Torres and Dick Tiger – before Fullmer enjoyed one of the best spells of his career.
Avenging the Griffith, Archer and Wright defeats, Fullmer earned a shot at middleweight ruler Nino Benevento (who held an earlier non-title points win over Don). Decking the Italian great in the 7th-round, Fullmer went on to lose a 15-round UD. Fullmer never forgot about this fight, his success in the 7th serving to haunt him until his dying day (“about ten years ago, he told me that a day never goes by that he hasn’t thought about that fight,” son Hud Fullmer told The Deseret News).
It wasn’t to be that Don became world ruler, but his career was not yet over; with the contender battling on for a further 15 bouts after the 1968 title shot: picking up draws with Billy Douglas and Tom Boggs, losing decisions to Eugene “Cyclone” Hart and, in his final fight, in Sept. 1973, Richie Kates.
Fullmer was never a world champion and he will not enter The Hall of Fame. However, he and his brother Gene made a huge impact on the sport. Don really did fight a who’s who of the middleweight decision.
His final record reads 54-20-5(14). He fought from 1957 to 1973.