Scott LeDoux (1949-2011)
Birthplace:
Crosby-Ironton, Minnesota, USA
Born:
January 7, 1949
Died:
August 11, 2011
Alan Scott LeDoux was a politician, professional heavyweight boxer, professional wrestler, and referee. 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 from the ring with a record of 33-13-4 (including 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 knocked off broadcaster Howard Cosell's toupee 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 hairpiece 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 aging Ken Norton, who won the first 8 rounds clear but then tired. But Scott nearly knocked out the past-his-peak Ken Norton in round ten, when after some confusion as to whether the ref had signaled the fight over or not it was declared a draw. On April 22, 1976, LeDoux lost to fellow Minnesotan Duane Bobick before a crowd of 13,789, which is still a Minnesota record. 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.