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Johnny “Dancing Machine” Carter Remembered

Johnny CarterBy Ian “The Boxing Historian” Murphy

Philadelphia, PA has produced some of boxing’s best and most respected fighters. Among them are pugilistic immortals Philadelphia Jack O’Brien, Tommy Loughran, Joe Frazier, Ike Williams and Sonny Liston. The City of Brotherly Love also cranked out other greats like Midget Wolgast, Bernard Hopkins, Dwight Muhammad Qawi, Lew Tendler and Joey Giardello. Besides these luminaries and legends, many talented and gifted fighters came from the streets of Philadelphia and honed their skills in their many top gyms. Men like “Bad” Bennie Briscoe, Boogaloo Watts, “Joltin” Jeff Chandler, and The Dancing Machine, Johnny Carter. Mr. Carter is of particular interest because he was on the same championship track that Jeff Chandler was, but like many talented “can’t miss” prospects, he just fell short of greatness.

Carter was born in Philadelphia in 1957 and started his professional career there in 1977. In 1979, he relocated to Las Vegas for two years, winning the Nevada State 118lb title in 1980. He won his first seventeen fights before his career had its first hiccup in October 1980, losing to Sergio Castro. He rebounded in December by knocking out Mark Pacheco in six for the USBA Bantamweight title. In 1981, Carter returned to Philadelphia and fought five times, winning all but one by knockout. This 24-1 start to his career led him to contender status for the WBA Bantamweight title, held by fellow Philadelphian “Joltin” Jeff Chandler.

These men had history as they fought in the amateurs (Carter won) and they briefly went to school together. As for Carter’s style in the ring, he was not called ‘The Dancing Machine” for nothing. The man could really move! Carter possessed a rapier stiff and quick jab, often doubling and tripling it with blurring speed. He also had great footwork, weaving in and out, trying to keep his opponent off balance. When Carter and Chandler were matched up for the WBA title in 1982, it was for hometown bragging rights as well as for the Bantamweight Championship.

Physically, Carter and Chandler were very evenly matched. Both men were tall for the 118lb division at 5’7 and 5’6, and both had a long reach of 71 inches. Unlike many of the Philadelphia school, (which was noted for aggressive sluggers) Carter was more of a slick-moving boxer, but that Philly “go to war” mentality was never far from his mind. His management felt he could outbox Chandler and take the title. “Joltin’ Jeff” had other ideas. He reminisces on this encounter: “We were in the ring getting announced when Carter gives me the “tomahawk”sign and started dancing around. I thought “you’re in the wrong spot this time”. Carter looked confident he could repeat his amateur victory over Chandler, but now it was for the Championship.

WBC Bantamweight Championship: Jeff Chandler vs Johnny Carter, March 1982

This fight was held in the hometown of both fighters, at the Philadelphia Civic Center.
Carter looked great at the opening bell, beating the champion to the punch with a stiff and stinging jab. He was also keeping Chandler from setting and establishing his rhythm. Chandler was just biding his time, waiting for his jumpy foe to slow down just a tick so he could land. The second round was more of the same, but in the third, Chandler found his range and started landing with regularity on Carter, who inexplicably decided to slug it out with the harder hitting champion. The momentum had quickly shifted in favor of Chandler.

In the fourth round, Carter was met by a massive left hook that staggered him. Chandler was all over him, taunting his former Philadelphia classmate. Carter showed heart and determination, but Chandler continued to slow him down by keeping him in the corner and winging away at his body. He was going toe to toe with the champ, giving it right back, but his punches didn’t have the same pop on them as Chandler’s did. The round closed with the two in the center of the ring, going for it. The fifth round was a repeat of the fourth, with the champion landing the harder, more punishing blows.

Carter came out in the sixth with renewed movement, (and an admonishment by his corner!) showing the crowd why he was the “Dancing Machine”. However, the champion felt he had his man where he wanted him. Chandler just walked him down, mocking his fleet-footed opponent by feigning a bolo punch, driving Carter to the ropes, where the champion resumed his methodical beating. Chandler landed a big right uppercut/left hook combo that dropped Carter, who got up at the count of 8. Chandler then went on a rampage, mauling Carter all around the ring, landing vicious combinations. Carter stayed on his feet, but referee Frank Cappuccino called a stop to the fight. Carter was TKO’d at 2:28 of the 6th round.

Following his championship loss to Jeff Chandler, Johnny Carter was never the same. He had some fleeting success winning the USBA Pennsylvania Super Bantamweight title on two occasions in 1985 and 1987, but after that point his career nosedived, losing five of his last nine fights. He retired in 1989 with a record of 33-8 with 21 wins by way of knockout. Carter had tons of talent and potential, but he never was able to capitalize on it. However, in 2012, Johnny “Dancing Machine” Carter was recognized by his Philadelphia boxing brothers and was inducted into the Philadelphia Boxing Hall of Fame.

*Special Thanks to Kenn Kuren, whose expertise on 1980s champions and contenders seems to be limitless.

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