Ron Stander

Infobox_Boxer


name = Ron Stander
nationality =flagicon|USA American
realname = Ron Stander
nickname = The Council Bluffs Butcher
weight = Heavyweight
height = 5'11"
birth_date = birth date and age|1944|10|17
birth_place = Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.
home =
style = Orthodox
total = 61
wins = 37
KO = 28
losses = 21
draws = 3
no contests = 0

Ron Stander (born 17 October 1944 in Columbia, South Carolina) is a boxing referee and former professional boxer from Council Bluffs, Iowa, who was once a challenger for the heavyweight championship of the world.

Stander built up a 21-1-1 record, including a knockout win over future world title challenger, the hard-punching Earnie Shavers, and decisions over fringe contenders Jack O'Halloran, Manuel Ramos, and Thad Spencer. Stander was ranked number 30 among the world's Heavyweights when he was given a shot at world champion Joe Frazier, prompting his wife Darlene to say the now famous words, "You don't take a Volkswagen into the Indianapolis 500 unless you know a short-cut."

The fight took place at the Civic Auditorium in Omaha, Nebraska on 25 May 1972. Stander was not knocked out by Frazier, but he lost by a technical knockout after the fourth round, due to heavy cuts, requiring 32 stitches after the fight.

Stander continued boxing until 1982; among his most notable opponents were future world title holders Ken Norton and Gerrie Coetzee, losing to both by knockout. He retired with a record of 37 wins, 21 losses and 3 draws, 28 of those wins coming by knockout.

Stander's success earned him a unique title: The Council Bluffs Butcher.

In 2004, an award-winning documentary entitled "The Bluffs Butcher" and produced by journalism student Andrew Batt, was released. The documentary told 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.

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