Allen Green vs. Jaidon Codrington – One of the Most Decisive TV Knockouts Ever Seen in History

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

Taken in historical context, Jack Johnson over James Jeffries, Max Schmeling over Joe Louis I, Rocky Marciano over Jersey Joe Walcott I, Muhammad Ali versus Sonny Liston II, Muhammad Ali over George Foreman, and Juan Manuel Marquez over Manny Pacquiao, certain famous knockouts have a timeless ring-a-ding-ding memory to them on YouTube and other sources.

 One brief knockout stands out, Allan ‘Green Dog’ Green over Jaidon ‘The Don’ Codrington, on November 4, 2005, at Buffalo Run Casino, in Miami, Florida, not because it is a famous knockout, not because the bout ended so quickly, but because the aftermath inside after the knockout proved a brief momentary spooky scare into the side of what can go wrong in pro boxing. Actually, the knockout came so quickly, it was not long enough for Jaidon Codrington to sustain long term damage, in that sense. However, the knockout was a grim remember of what was, is, and will still to come on the dark side of boxing from time to time, like the ending of Nigel Benn versus Gerald McClellan in perpetuity.

 Green, 17-0, knocked out Codrington with a power shot flurry from both hands, through the ropes, down and out, in only 18 seconds. Codrington’s career went 21-4 between 2004 and 2013. Green, the ‘Ghost dog’, went 34-6 between 2002 and 2021, including a fourth round stoppage of Anthony LaCaze at Buffalo Run Casino in December 2021 in his final bout.

 When Green suddenly knocked Codrington out, the scene which unfolded in the ring for the next 15 minutes on television was one of confusion inside the ring, and utter madness. Not quite Andrew Golota versus Riddick Bowe I pandemonium, but fright on what to do with Codrington. Eventually Codrington was stretched out of the ring conscious, and it was handled correctly.

 What struck this reporter was the sudden shock of events which occurred. In boxing we always have expect the unexpected in the theater of the unexpected. Showtime ShoBox was and still is considered a great source of upcoming talent. By the seventeen second mark, Green had Codrington unconscious, down and out, and referee Gerald Ritter had done no more than give the prefight instructions, and suddenly it was all over. Despite Codrington’s record and amateur pedigree, Green had more experience and was one notch above Codrington in terms of level of opposition.

 Chaos broke out inside the ring, there was no sense of control, and even though the ringside doctor got inside the ring, the referee wound up on all fours trying to protect the fighter from the crowd inside the ring as the madness unfolded.

 Part of the issue was Codrington’s corner and entourage contained concerned friends who, in their concern, refused to leave the immediate circle around Codrington, forcing security intervention. Codrington’s gym supporters created several rumbles in the ring, at a time when their fighter’s life was at stake. The Codrington camp was frightened. Green had missed with his first left hook, then scored with his second left hook, a picture perfect head counter which began the 14 punch combination which spelled Codrington’s dramatic immediate doom.

 Green lost a 12 round decision to Andre Ward and Blake Caparello in his only two world title bout opportunities and never held a world title. Against Codrington, Green certainly made his statement at that time. “I hope the young man is okay, because I respect fighters and I love all fighters. I hope this guy comes out okay,” stated Green after the bout. Codrington made a full recovery, probably because the knockout happened so quickly before real damage could occur in a long drawn out bout. Codrington was able to continue his career. Other fighters in a similar position in the history of the ring were not so fortunate or lucky.

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