Report by Bob Ryder
1970’s Light Heavyweight contender Len “Stinger” Hutchins has passed. Hutchins was an accomplished amateur winning the National AAU championships in 1967 and ’68 as well as the National Golden Gloves title in 1968. He also made it to the box offs for the 68 US Olympic team, losing by decision. His smooth boxing style caught the eye of Yank Durham and the people of Cloverlay (who provided financial support for Joe Frazier) and he joined the group. Hutchins made his successful pro debut under Frazier’s title fight vs Oscar Bonavena. Six of Hutchins’ first seven fights were out East, the exception being when he fought on the undercard of the Joe Frazier vs Dave Zyglewicz match in Houston.
Stinger suffered his first loss to Richie Kates by split decision in Philadelphia and shortly after, moving away from the Cloverlay connection, took his career to Michigan and his Detroit roots. Through the early 70’s Hutchins moved steadily up the light heavyweight ranks defeating fighters Eddie Jones, Roger Rouse, Vincente Rondon, Harold Richardson and Rafael Gutierrez. By April, 1974, Hutchins was ranked #2 by The Ring Magazine, behind only Bob Foster and John Conteh. Hutchins secured a fight for the vacant WBA title but was required to travel to Argentina to take on Victor Galindez for the belt. After twelve hard rounds Hutchins retired before the start of the thirteenth.
After a few months rest, Hutchins resumed his career, winning the American US Light Heavyweight title and working his way up to another opportunity for a world title. Taking on champion John Conteh in Liverpool, Hutchins suffered a bad cut along his left eye from a clash with Conteh’s head in the very first round. Thrown off his game, Hutchins was floored and stopped in the third round. His career seemingly over, Hutchins took off three years before making a comeback, taking on non descript opposition, scoring three easy KO wins. Mixing it up with fellow Detroiter Wille “Sandman” Edwards in his fourth fight back however was a mistake. The young up and coming Edwards dished out a brutal beating to the Stinger, stopping Len in three. Hutchins retired with a (29-4-1, 13 KOs) record.
Hutchins could often be seen at the Detroit area fights after his ring retirement and for a time was involved in training some of the Motor City’s young pugilists. Len was always good for some interesting stories involving his career and was quick to offer his critique of the current state of the game. As his health declined he was seen far less often and in recent years was rumored to being cared for by his sister. Stinger Hutchins was 77.
