[professordp]

Another heavyweight during the Ali Exile period of the late 60s fighting out of the Golden State, the "King" never got close to the crown! Not really a knockout puncher, Fletcher tended to wear his opponents down and had decent power.

His biggest wins were against an increasingly shopworn Amos Lincoln and a far over-the-hill Brian London. Not much on defensive skills, his jaw was not made of iron but far from glass. He was only counted out twice. Bonavena stiffed him in one round in their 1968 meeting.

The other kayo loss was to Mel Turnbow!! Mel took him out in the fourth, sending the King to the canvas twice in the round. Now that gives Fletcher the dubious distinction of being the only person knocked out by Mel Turnbow. Oh the humanity!!! (Mel's only other early win was a second round TKO over Jesse Goudy in Turnbow's first pro fight).

Fletcher retired in 1970 after dropping a unanimous decision to Henry Clark for the California State heavyweight belt. He returned, however, five years later at the age of thirty-three for three more fights. He won his first two matches, but in 1976 he suffered a fifth round TKO loss to Billy Joiner and retired for good.