Oregon player’s punch impresses boxing world

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Veteran boxing promoter Bob Arum saw the devastating right that Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount threw to drop Boise State linebacker Byron Hout and saw great potential.

‘The kid threw a great punch,’ Arum said.

When told that Blount would likely be suspended, Arum extended an opportunity during Blount’s possible layoff.

‘I’d support the kid for six months in the amateurs, he knows how to throw a punch,’ Arum said, tongue partially in cheek. ‘He’d need work, though. Unlike the Boise defensive player, the guys [Blount] would be stepping into the ring against would be looking for the punch.’

Still, Blount’s right-handed bomb inspired talk of how it ranked among the greatest knockouts in boxing history, including Sugar Ray Robinson’s famed left hook that upset Gene Fullmer in 1957, George Foreman’s six knockdowns and devastating right uppercut that lifted Joe Frazier off the canvas in 1973, and Manny Pacquiao’s stiff right that temporarily sent Ricky Hatton into la-la land in May.

Arum has signed a college football player before, putting Notre Dame defensive captain Tom Zbikowski on a card in New York.

Should the Pacific 10 Conference, NCAA or Oregon punish Blount severely, Arum replied, ‘Tell him to call me.’

--Lance Pugmire