With the exception of Russian giant at 7’0″ Nicolay Valuev who was the WBA World heavyweight champion those 6′ 8″ and taller heavyweight boxers have come up short in boxing.

Still active is 7’1″ Julius “Towering Inferno” Long of Romulus, MI, now fighting out of Auckland, NZ, who is 18-20 (14), who is scheduled to box May 27th in NZ in defense of his interim WBA Oceania heavyweight title after defeating Bowie Tupou, 26-4, in October of 2016.

The 39 year-old Long has been in with Odlanier Solis, Lucas Browne, Jonathan Banks, Kevin Johnson, Kelvin Price and Tye Fields. Speaking of Fields who was a 6’8″ southpaw and out of Missoula, MT, while residing in Edmonton, Alberta, CAN, who retired after his March 2012 at age 37 had a record of 49-5 (44) while trained by Jesse Reid. He was 8-4 in his last 12 bouts.

This writer was in attendance when 6’10” Mike “The Giant” White, 26-13-1 (19, fought to a draw with 6’6″ Joe Thomas in Atlantic City, NJ. White was out of Bay City, MI, while residing in Long Beach, CA, and finished 4-6 in his last 10 bouts. He had a win over James “Buster” Douglas then 18-1-1.

Then there was James J Beattie, 40-10 (32), out of St. Paul, MN, at 6’91/2″ going 1-4 in his last 5 fights. His biggest win was over title challenger Tom McNeely, 34-9.

And who could forget Dallas Cowboy Ed “Too Tall Jones”, 6-0 (5), at 6’9″ coming off the canvas in his debut against Abraham Yaqui Meneses on national TV? He won a majority decision and went on to win his next 5 fights by knockout before retiring.