Archie Moore

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Archie Moore
Archie Moore 1955.jpg
Archie Moore in 1955
Statistics
Real nameArchibald Lee Wright
Nickname(s)The (Old) Mongoose
Ancient Archie
Weight(s)Middleweight
Light heavyweight
Heavyweight
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Reach75 in (191 cm)
NationalityAmerican
Born(1916-12-13)December 13, 1916
Benoit, Mississippi, U.S.
DiedDecember 9, 1998(1998-12-09) (aged 81)
San Diego, California, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights220
Wins186
Wins by KO132
Losses23
Draws10
No contests1

Archie Moore (born Archibald Lee Wright; December 13, 1916 – December 9, 1998)[1] was an American professional boxer and the longest reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion of all time (December 1952 – May 1962). He had one of the longest professional careers in the history of the sport, competing from 1935 to 1963. Nicknamed "The Mongoose", and then "The Old Mongoose" in the latter half of his career, Moore was a highly strategic and defensive boxer, with a strong chin and unusual resilience. As of December 2020, BoxRec ranks Moore as the third greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time.[2] He also ranks fourth on The Ring's list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". Moore was also a trainer for a short time after retirement, training Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and James Tillis.

A native of Benoit, Mississippi, Moore was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in poverty. Moore was denied a shot at the world title for over ten years, and spent many of those years fighting on the road with little to show for it. An important figure in the American Black community, he became involved in African American causes once his days as a fighter were over. He also established himself as a successful character actor in television and film. Moore died in his adopted home of San Diego, California; he was 81 years old.

Early life[]

Born Archibald Lee Wright, the son of Thomas Wright, a farm laborer and drifter, and Lorena Wright. He always insisted that he was born in 1916 in Collinsville, Illinois, but his mother told reporters that he was actually born in 1913 in Benoit, Mississippi. His father abandoned the family when Archie was an infant. Unable to provide for him and his older sister, his mother gave them into the care of an uncle and aunt, Cleveland and Willie Pearl Moore, who lived in St. Louis. Archie later explained why he was given their surname: "It was less questions to be called Moore."

He attended segregated all-Black schools in St. Louis, including Lincoln High School, although he never graduated. His uncle and aunt provided him with a stable upbringing, but after his uncle died in a freak accident around 1928, Moore began running with a street gang. One of his first thefts was a pair of oil lamps from his home, which he sold so that he would have money to buy boxing gloves. He later recalled of his stealing: "It was inevitable that I would be caught. I think I knew this even before I started, but somehow the urge to have a few cents in my pocket made me overlook this eventuality". After he was arrested for attempting to steal change from a motorman's box on a streetcar, he was sentenced to a three-year term at a reform school in Booneville, Missouri. He was released early from the school for good behavior after serving twenty-two months.

Around 1933 Moore joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, working for the forestry division at a camp in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Determined to become a boxer, he decided to make his work at the camp a form of training. He later recalled that the other boys constantly kidded him about one daily exercise—standing upright in the bed of a truck as it drove along primitive forest roads, waiting until the last possible moment before ducking or weaving away from tree branches.

Boxing career[]

The captain of the camp permitted him to organize a boxing team, which competed in Golden Gloves tournaments in southern Missouri and Illinois. Many of his fights occurred in a racially charged atmosphere; he later described one of them, against a White boxer named Bill Richardson in Poplar Bluff:

I knocked him down with a volley of head punches about one minute into round one. His brother ... was the referee. He was furious at me and told me to keep my punches up. Since I had been hitting Bill in the head I would have missed him altogether if I threw my punches any higher. But the referee said I had fouled him. ... I got steamed at this and offered to fight [the referee], too. I resolved not to hit Bill any place but his head. ... In the second round I dropped him with a left hook that spun his head like a top. ... I heard a man at ringside say, "For two cents I'd shoot that nigger."

First retirement and comeback[]

Moore had four fights in 1941, during which he went 2–1–1, with the draw against Eddie Booker. By then, however, he had suffered through several stomach ulcers and the resulting operations, and had announced his retirement from boxing.

His retirement was brief. By 1942 he was back in the ring. He won his first six bouts that year, including a second-round knockout of Hogue in a rematch, and a ten-round decision over Jack Chase. He met Booker in a rematch, and reached the same conclusion as their first meeting had: another 10-round draw.

In 1943, Moore fought seven bouts, winning five and losing two. He won and then lost the California State Middleweight title against Chase, both by 15-round decisions, and beat Chase again in his last bout of that year, in a ten-round decision. He also lost a decision to Aaron Wade that year.

The Atlantic Coast[]

In 1944, he had nine bouts, going 7–2. His last bout that year marked his debut on the Atlantic Coast, and the level of his opposition began to improve. He beat Jimmy Hayden by a knockout in five, lost to future Hall of Famer Charlie Burley by a decision, and to Booker by a knockout in eight.

He won his first eight bouts of 1945, impressing Atlantic coast boxing experts and earning a fight with future IBHOF enshrinee Jimmy Bivins, who defeated Moore by a knockout in six at Cleveland. He returned to the Eastern Seaboard to fight five more times before that year was over. He met, among others, future IBHOF enshrinee Holman Williams during that span, losing a ten-round decision, and knocking him out in eleven in the rematch.

By 1946, Moore had moved to the light heavyweight division and he went 5–2–1 that year, beating contender Curtis Sheppard, but losing to future World Heavyweight Champion and Hall of Famer Ezzard Charles by a decision in ten, and drawing with old nemesis Chase. By then, Moore began complaining publicly that, according to him, none of boxing's world champions would risk their titles fighting him. 1947 was essentially a year of rematches for Moore. He went 7–1 that year, his one loss being to Charles. He beat Chase by a knockout in nine, Sheppard by a decision in ten and Bivins by a knockout in nine. He also defeated Burt Lytell, by a decision in ten.

He fought a solid 14 fights in 1948, losing again to Charles by a knockout in nine, losing to Leonard Morrow by a knockout in the first, to Henry Hall by a decision in ten and to Lloyd Gibson by a disqualification in four. But he also beat Ted Lowry, by a decision in ten, and Hall in a rematch, also by decision.

In 1949, he had 13 bouts, going 12–1. He defeated the Alabama Kid twice; by knockout in four and by knockout in three, Bob Satterfield by a knockout in three, Bivins by a knockout in eight, future World Light Heavyweight Champion and IBHOF inductee Harold Johnson by a decision, Bob Sikes by a knockout in three and Phil Muscato by a decision. He lost to Clinton Bacon by a disqualification in six. By Moore's standards, 1950 was a vacation year for him: he only had two fights, winning both, including a 10-round decision in a rematch with Lydell.

In 1951, Moore boxed 18 times, winning 16, losing one, and drawing one. He went on an Argentinian tour, fighting seven times there, winning six and drawing one. In between those seven fights, he found time for a trip to Montevideo, Uruguay, where he defeated Vicente Quiroz by a knockout in six. He knocked out Bivins in nine and split two decisions with Johnson.

World Light Heavyweight Champion[]

Archie Moore vs. Joey Maxim in December 1952

1952 was one of the most important years in Moore's life. After beating Johnson, heavyweight contenders Jimmy Slade, Bob Dunlap, and Clarence Henry and light heavyweight Clinton Bacon (knocked out in four in a rematch), Moore was finally given an opportunity at age 36 to fight for the title of World Light Heavyweight Champion against future IBHOF honoree Joey Maxim. Maxim had just defeated the great Sugar Ray Robinson by a technical knockout in 14 rounds, forcing Robinson to quit in his corner due to heat exhaustion. Against Maxim, Moore consistently landed powerful right hands, hurting him several times en route to a fifteen-round decision. After sixteen long years, he had finally achieved his dream. The next year, Moore won all nine of his bouts, including a 10-round, non-title win against then fringe heavyweight contender Nino Valdez of Cuba and a 15-round decision over Maxim in a rematch to retain the belt. He made two more bouts in Argentina before the end of the year.

Archie Moore in 1954

In 1954, he had only four fights, retaining the title in a third fight with Maxim, who once again went the 15 round distance, and versus Johnson, whom he knocked out in 14. He also beat highly ranked heavyweight Bob Baker. In 1955, Moore again beat Valdez, who by that time was the no. 1 heavyweight contender, and defended against Bobo Olson, the World Middleweight Champion and future Hall of Famer who was coming off a decision victory over Joey Maxim, by a knockout in three.

"The Mongoose", received two cracks at the heavyweight championship of the world. On September 21, 1955, Moore faced future Hall of Famer Rocky Marciano at New York's Yankee Stadium. It was in this fight Archie came closest to wearing the belt. A Moore surprise right hand in the 2nd round sent Marciano down for the second and final time in his career, setting the stage for a legendary battle, but also creating controversy as far as shared memory. In subsequent years Moore made much of Referee Harry Kessler's handling of the pivotal moment. A half-decade on, in Archie's autobiography, The Archie Moore Story (1960), he describes in detail the referee, though Rocky arose at "two", continuing a superfluous mandatory eight-count: "...Kessler went on, three, four. The mandatory count does not apply in championship bouts (1955)...My seconds were screaming for me to finish him and I moved to do so, but Kessler...carefully wiped off Rocky's gloves, giving him another few seconds...he gave him a sort of stiff jerk, which may have helped Rocky clear his head." Moore admits to being angry enough at what he saw as interference, he went recklessly, "blind and stupid with rage", going for the knockout, toe-to-toe.[3] This resentment toward referee Kessler appears only to have grown more entrenched. By the time of a recorded interview with Peter Heller, in October, 1970, Archie had this to say: "(Kessler) had no business refereeing that match because he was too excitable. He didn't know what to do...He grabbed Marciano's gloves and began to wipe Marciano's gloves and look over his shoulder...I'll never forget it. It cost me the heavyweight title."[4]

This grudge, however, was not mutual. In his own autobiography, Harry Kessler indeed recounts Marciano-Moore with a great excitement, frequently employing exclamation marks in his punctuation, going so far as a direct comparison to the donnybrook between Jack Dempsey and Luis Firpo. Yet, the third man is evenhanded in his praise, taking time over most of a chapter on the bout, to laud Moore. His praise for Moore include the following quotes: "Archie had exuded a stalwart confidence from his training camp..." "Archie Moore had more punches in his arsenal than Robin Hood and all his Merry Men had arrows in their quivers..." "Archie Moore was probably as sure a fighter as ever set foot in the ring..." "No one ever questioned Archie Moore's courage...". As for the knockdown, described here also in detail, Kessler offers a perspective directly contradicting Moore's, saying "I didn't bother to wipe Marciano's gloves on my shirt before I waved them back to combat; that early in the drama, there was no resin on the canvas." As opposed to any blind rage, Kessler states that "Archie hesitated a couple of seconds before he came in." With humor and without malice, Kessler even recounts the 38-year-old Moore poo-pooing any talk of retirement at the postfight press conference, then sitting in on bass fiddle at a hotspot in Greenwich Village until 5 A.M.![5]

Examination of the original, uncut closed circuit broadcast from 1955, shows no excesses in referee involvement. Marciano arises at "two", but the voice of Al Berl, assigned the counting for knockdowns, continues to "four". In harmony with Archie's further 1960 description, Marciano has moved to the ropes and rests an elbow. Moore is already moving toward him. Kessler flashes onscreen quickly, then away again, as though he had meant to separate the fighters. He is perpendicular to Marciano's chest, and his right hand waves rapidly near Rocky's left glove. Kessler reverses out as fast as he has come into frame, with no wiping of Marciano's gloves, and the action resumes. Marciano recovered, and went on to knock Moore down five times, finally knocking him out in the ninth to retain the belt. It was Marciano's sixth and last title defense, before retiring in 1956.

Archie Moore and Onyx Roach in 1956

In 1956, Moore fought mostly as a heavyweight but did retain his Light Heavyweight title with a ten-round knockout over Yolande Pompey in London. He won 11 bouts in a row before challenging again for the World Heavyweight Championship. The title was left vacant by Marciano, but Moore lost to Floyd Patterson by a knockout in five (Patterson, yet another future Hall of Famer, himself made history that night, becoming, at the age of 21, the youngest World Heavyweight Champion yet, a record he would hold until 1986).

Moore won all six of his bouts during 1957. Among those wins was an easy 10-round decision over heavyweight contender Hans Kalbfell in Germany, a knockout in 7 rounds over highly ranked Tony Anthony to retain the light heavyweight title, a one-sided 10-round decision over light heavyweight contender Eddie Cotton in a non-title bout and a 4th-round knockout of future top ten heavyweight contender Roger Rischer.

In 1958, Moore had 10 fights, going 9–0–1 during that span. His fight with Yvon Durelle in particular was of note: defending his world light heavyweight title in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, he was felled three times in round one, and once again in round five, but then dropped Durelle in round 10 and won by a knockout in the 11th. 1959, his last full year as uncontested champion, was another rare low-profile year; in his two fights, he beat Sterling Davis by a knockout in three, and then Durelle again, also by a knockout in three, to once again retain his World Light Heavyweight title.

In 1960, Moore was stripped of his World Light Heavyweight title by the National Boxing Association (NBA), but continued to be recognized by most major boxing authorities including the New York State Athletic Commission and The Ring Magazine. Moore won three of his four bouts in 1960, one by decision against Buddy Turman in Dallas, his lone loss coming in a ten-round decision versus Giulio Rinaldi in Rome. In 1961, he defeated Turman again by decision in Manila, Philippines before defending his Lineal World Light Heavyweight Championship for what would be the last time, beating Rinaldi by a 15-round decision to retain the belt. In his last fight that year, he once again ventured into the heavyweights, and met Pete Rademacher, a man who had made history earlier in his career by becoming the first man ever to challenge for a world title in his first professional bout (when he lost to Patterson by a knockout in six). Moore beat Rademacher by a knockout in nine.

In 1962, the remaining boxing commissions that had continued to back Moore as the World Light Heavyweight Champion withdrew their recognition. He campaigned exclusively as a heavyweight from then on, and beat Alejandro Lavorante by a knockout in 10 and Howard King by a knockout in one round in Tijuana. He then drew against future World Light Heavyweight Champion Willie Pastrano in a 10-round heavyweight contest. On the posters advertising that fight, Moore was billed as the "World Light Heavyweight Champion." The bout took place in California, which had not yet withdrawn recognition from Moore at the time the Moore-Pastrano fight was signed. By the time the bout took place, the California commission, like New York, Massachusetts, the EBU and Ring Magazine, had recognized Harold Johnson, who had beaten Doug Jones 16 days earlier, as the new Light Heavyweight Champion. Johnson had reigned as the NBA (WBA) Champion since February 7, 1961.

Then, in his last fight of note, Moore faced a young heavyweight out of Louisville named Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). Moore had been Clay's trainer for a time, but Clay became dissatisfied and left Moore because of Moore's attempts to change his style and his insistence that Clay do dishes and help clean gym floors. In the days before the fight, Clay had rhymed that "Archie Moore...Must fall in four." Moore replied that he had perfected a new punch for the match: The Lip-Buttoner. Nonetheless, as Clay predicted, Moore was beaten by a knockout in four rounds. Moore is the only man to have faced both Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. After one more fight in 1963, a third-round knockout win over Mike DiBiase in Phoenix, Moore announced his retirement from boxing, for good.

Final retirement[]

Despite retiring, Moore couldn't escape the limelight, and received numerous awards and dedications. In 1965, he was given the key to the city of San Diego, California. In 1970, he was named "Man of The Year" by Listen Magazine, and received the key to the city of Sandpoint, Idaho. He was elected in 1985 to the St. Louis city Boxing Hall of Fame and he received the Rocky Marciano Memorial Award in the city of New York in 1988. In 1990, he became a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York, being one of the original members of that institution.[citation needed]

At one point the oldest boxer to win the World's Light Heavyweight Championship, he is believed to have been the only boxer who boxed professionally in the eras of Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano and Muhammad Ali. He is one of only a handful of boxers whose careers spanned four decades, retiring with a final record of 185 wins, 23 losses, 11 draws and 1 no contest, with 131 official knockouts.[citation needed]

However, at least three of Moore's 131 knockouts came in less-than-competitive matches against pro wrestlers: "Professor" Roy Shire in 1956, Sterling Davis in 1959 and Mike DiBiase in 1963 (Moore's 131st and final knockout).[6] All three matches are officially listed as third-round TKO stoppages. The second-highest amount of knockouts in boxing history is 128, which belongs to Sam Langford .[7]

During the 1960s he founded an organization called Any Boy Can, which taught boxing to underprivileged youth in the San Diego area. In 1974 he helped train heavyweight boxer George Foreman for his famous "Rumble in the Jungle" title bout in Zaire against Muhammad Ali. In 1976 he served as an assistant coach for the Nigerian Olympic boxing team. Actively involved in efforts to teach children about the dangers of drug abuse, he worked during the 1980s as a youth boxing instructor for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, assigned largely to ghettos in San Diego and Los Angeles. "I try to pass on the arts I know: self-control, self-reliance, self-defense," he told a reporter. In the early 1990s he again worked as a trainer for George Foreman.[8]

Acting career[]

In 1960, Moore was chosen to play the role of the runaway slave Jim in Michael Curtiz's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, based on Mark Twain's book of the same title, opposite Eddie Hodges as Huck. Moore garnered positive reviews for his sympathetic portrayal of Jim, which some viewers still consider the best interpretation of this much-filmed role.[citation needed]

Moore did not choose to pursue a full-time career as an actor, but he did appear in films such as The Carpetbaggers (1964), The Hanged Man (1964) and The Fortune Cookie (1966), and on television in episodes of Family Affair, Perry Mason, Wagon Train, The Reporter, Batman (episode 35) and the soap opera One Life to Live. He also appeared in the critically aclaimed TV movie My Sweet Charlie. His later film appearances included the crime film The Outfit (1973), as a chef in Breakheart Pass (1975) with Charles Bronson, and a cameo role as himself in the 1982 film Penitentiary II, along with Leon Isaac Kennedy and Mr. T.

Humanitarian[]

Boxing took Moore all over the world as a fighter, a civil rights activist, and a leader in the fight to influence the minds of the nation's youth. He arrived in Argentina in June 1951 for a rematch with the champion Abel Cestac. Moore's victory made headlines and caught the attention of the Argentinian President Juan Perón and his wife Eva for his selfless act helping children, buying them shoes, clothing, and building their confidence. Moore was invited to stay in Argentina and accept an appointment as the Minister of Welfare of Children. He declined the offer to continue his road to winning title fights.

In 1957, Moore founded Any Boy Can, a non-profit organization based in San Diego, California. ABC, as it was known, provides services to all who seek help regardless of age, race, creed, religion or national origin. Moore stated that the mission of ABC is to help the youth to "step off in life with their best foot forward." The students were taught good sportsmanship, respect, and confidence. They were instructed to look a person in the eye and give them a firm handshake. They addressed him as Instructor Moore.

Word traveled fast about Moore's ABC program. He was invited to Jamaica and sponsored by the Jamaican Boxing Board of Control to train boys for the Olympics. He trained 600 boys using his ABC methods.

In 1968, the ABC Foundation received the Freedom Foundation's Patriotism Award, a special citation for providing a challenge for youth to become contributing members of their communities and upholding the ideals and ideas that were present at the founding of our great nation. This recognition is one of many.

Based on his work with the youth, in 1981, Moore became the Presidential Appointee of Ronald Reagan to work under Samuel R. Pierce, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Under the national heading, Project Build, Moore taught boxing to underprivileged youth in and around the housing projects in California.

Moore applied the philosophy and mechanics of his ABC program and until his death, he believed that "Any Body Can."

Personal life[]

Archie Moore and Joan Hardy in 1956

Archie Moore had three daughters, Reena, J'Marie and Elizabeth Moore-Stump, and four sons, Archie Jr., Hardy, Anthony and D'Angelo.[9] The marriage of Archie Moore and Elizabeth Thorton produced Archie Jr. and Elizabeth. In 1956, he married Joan Hardy and had five children: Reena, J'Marie, Hardy, Anthony and D'Angelo. They were married until his death in 1998.

Moore joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church later in life.[10]

In 1997, J'Marie Moore became the first daughter of a famous boxer to herself become a professional boxer.[11]

Death[]

Archie Moore died of heart failure in 1998. He was cremated and is interred in a niche at Cypress View Mausoleum and Crematory, in San Diego.[12]

Filmography[]

Year Title Role Notes
1960 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Jim
1964 The Carpetbaggers Jedediah
1964 The Hanged Man Xavier TV movie
1966 The Fortune Cookie Mr. Jackson
1970 My Sweet Charlie TV movie
1973 The Outfit Packard
1975 Breakheart Pass Carlos
1993 The Adventures of Huck Finn cameo role

Accolades[]

  • In 1965, Moore was also inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions into the Breitbard Hall of Fame.[13]
  • In 1980, he was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
  • In 1990, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[14]
  • In 2002, Archie Moore was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.[15]
  • In 2006, Moore was inducted into the California Boxing Hall of Fame.
  • The Ring ranked Moore #4 on its "Best Punchers of all time" list in 2003 and #14 on its list of the "80 Best Fighters of the Last 80 Years."
  • Moore was ranked as the #1 light heavyweight of all-time by the International Boxing Research Organization in 2005.[16]
  • Moore was voted as the #1 light heavyweight of the 20th century by the Associated Press in 1999.[17]
  • Moore is rated the number sixth pound for pound fighter of all time by Boxrec.[18]

Professional boxing record[]

Professional record summary hide
220 fights 186 wins 23 losses
By knockout 132 7
By decision 54 14
By disqualification 0 2
Draws 10
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Age Location Notes
220 Win 186–23–10 (1) United States Mike DiBiase TKO 3 (10) Mar 15, 1963 49 years, 92 days United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
219 Loss 185–23–10 (1) United States Muhammad Ali TKO 4 (12) Nov 15, 1962 48 years, 337 days United States Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
218 Draw 185–22–10 (1) United States Willie Pastrano MD 10 May 28, 1962 48 years, 166 days United States Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
217 Win 185–22–9 (1) United States Howard King KO 1 (10) May 7, 1962 48 years, 145 days Mexico Plaza de Toros, Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico
216 Win 184–22–9 (1) Argentina Alejandro Lavorante TKO 10 (10) Mar 30, 1962 48 years, 107 days United States Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Lavorante was carried out on a stretcher
215 Win 183–22–9 (1) United States Pete Rademacher TKO 6 (10) Oct 23, 1961 47 years, 314 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
214 Win 182–22–9 (1) Italy Giulio Rinaldi UD 15 Jun 10, 1961 47 years, 179 days United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NYSAC and The Ring light heavyweight titles
213 Win 181–22–9 (1) United States Buddy Turman UD 10 Mar 25, 1961 47 years, 102 days Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
212 Win 180–22–9 (1) United States Buddy Turman UD 10 Nov 28, 1960 46 years, 351 days United States Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
211 Loss 179–22–9 (1) Italy Giulio Rinaldi PTS 10 Oct 29, 1960 46 years, 321 days Italy Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma, Lazio, Italy
210 Win 179–21–9 (1) United States George Abinet RTD 3 (10) Sep 13, 1960 46 years, 275 days United States Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
209 Win 178–21–9 (1) Germany Willi Besmanoff TKO 10 (15) May 25, 1960 46 years, 164 days United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Promoted as for "American Heavyweight Title"
208 Win 177–21–9 (1) Canada Yvon Durelle KO 3 (15) Aug 12, 1959 45 years, 242 days Canada Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
207 Win 176–21–9 (1) United States Sterling Davis TKO 3 (10) Mar 9, 1959 45 years, 86 days United States Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas, U.S.
206 Win 175–21–9 (1) Canada Yvon Durelle KO 11 (15) Dec 10, 1958 44 years, 362 days Canada Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
205 Draw 174–21–9 (1) United States Howard King PTS 10 Aug 4, 1958 44 years, 234 days United States Moana Ball Park, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
204 Win 174–21–8 (1) United States Howard King UD 10 Jun 9, 1958 44 years, 178 days United States Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
203 Win 173–21–8 (1) United States Charley Norkus UD 10 May 26, 1958 44 years, 164 days United States Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
202 Win 172–21–8 (1) United States Howard King UD 10 May 17, 1958 44 years, 155 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
201 Win 171–21–8 (1) Germany Willi Besmanoff SD 10 May 2, 1958 44 years, 140 days United States Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
200 Win 170–21–8 (1) United States Bob Albright TKO 7 (10) Mar 10, 1958 44 years, 87 days Canada Exhibition Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
199 Win 169–21–8 (1) United States Bert Whitehurst TKO 10 (10) Mar 4, 1958 44 years, 81 days United States Swing Auditorium, San Bernardino, California, U.S.
198 Win 168–21–8 (1) Portugal Julio Neves KO 3 (10) Feb 1, 1958 44 years, 50 days Brazil Ginásio Gilberto Cardoso, Río de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
197 Win 167–21–8 (1) Brazil Luis Ignacio PTS 10 Jan 18, 1958 44 years, 36 days Brazil Ginásio Estadual do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
196 Win 166–21–8 (1) United States Roger Rischer KO 4 (10) Nov 29, 1957 43 years, 351 days United States Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
195 Win 165–21–8 (1) United States Eddie Cotton UD 10 Nov 5, 1957 43 years, 327 days United States Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
194 Win 164–21–8 (1) United States Ralph Hooker TKO 5 (10) Oct 31, 1957 43 years, 322 days Canada Exhibition Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
193 Win 163–21–8 (1) United States Tony Anthony KO 7 (15) Sep 20, 1957 43 years, 281 days United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
192 Win 162–21–8 (1) Belgium Alain Cherville TKO 6 (10) Jun 2, 1957 43 years, 171 days Germany Killesberghalle, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
191 Win 161–21–8 (1) Germany Hans Kalbfell UD 10 May 1, 1957 43 years, 139 days Germany Dubois-Arena, Essen, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
190 Loss 160–21–8 (1) United States Floyd Patterson KO 5 (15) Nov 30, 1956 42 years, 353 days United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. For vacant NBA, NYSAC, The Ring heavyweight titles
189 Win 160–20–8 (1) United States Roy Shire TKO 3 (10) Sep 8, 1956 42 years, 270 days United States Ogden Stadium, Ogden, Utah, U.S.
188 Win 159–20–8 (1) Canada James J Parker TKO 9 (15) Jul 25, 1956 42 years, 225 days Canada Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
187 Win 158–20–8 (1) Trinidad and Tobago Yolande Pompey TKO 10 (15) Jun 5, 1956 42 years, 175 days United Kingdom Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
186 Win 157–20–8 (1) United States Gene Thompson KO 3 (10) Apr 30, 1956 42 years, 139 days United States Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
185 Win 156–20–8 (1) United States Sonny Andrews KO 4 (10) Apr 26, 1956 42 years, 135 days Canada Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
184 Win 155–20–8 (1) United States George Parmentier TKO 3 (10) Apr 16, 1956 42 years, 125 days United States Civic Auditorium, Seattle, Washington, U.S.
183 Win 154–20–8 (1) United States Willie Bean TKO 5 (10) Apr 10, 1956 42 years, 119 days United States Auditorium, Richmond, California, U.S.
182 Win 153–20–8 (1) United States Howard King UD 10 Mar 27, 1956 42 years, 105 days United States Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
181 Win 152–20–8 (1) United States Frankie Daniels UD 10 Mar 17, 1956 42 years, 95 days United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
180 Win 151–20–8 (1) United States Bob Dunlap KO 1 (10) Feb 27, 1956 42 years, 76 days United States Arena, San Diego, California, U.S.
179 Win 150–20–8 (1) United States Howard King UD 10 Feb 20, 1956 42 years, 69 days United States Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
178 Loss 149–20–8 (1) United States Rocky Marciano KO 9 (15) Sep 21, 1955 41 years, 282 days United States Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S. For NBA, NYSAC, The Ring heavyweight titles
177 Win 149–19–8 (1) Hawaii Bobo Olson KO 3 (15) Jun 22, 1955 41 years, 191 days United States Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
176 Win 148–19–8 (1) Cuba Nino Valdes PTS 15 May 2, 1955 41 years, 140 days United States Cashman Field, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant world heavyweight title recognized only by Nevada
175 Win 147–19–8 (1) United States Harold Johnson TKO 14 (15) Aug 11, 1954 40 years, 241 days United States Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
174 Win 146–19–8 (1) United States Bert Whitehurst TKO 6 (10) Jun 7, 1954 40 years, 176 days United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
173 Win 145–19–8 (1) United States Bob Baker TKO 9 (10) Mar 9, 1954 40 years, 86 days United States Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
172 Win 144–19–8 (1) United States Joey Maxim UD 15 Jan 27, 1954 40 years, 45 days United States Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
171 Win 143–19–8 (1) Uruguay Dogomar Martinez PTS 10 Sep 12, 1953 39 years, 273 days Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
170 Win 142–19–8 (1) Argentina Rinaldo Ansaloni TKO 4 (10) Aug 22, 1953 39 years, 252 days Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
169 Win 141–19–8 (1) United States Joey Maxim UD 15 Jun 24, 1953 39 years, 193 days United States Ogden, Utah, U.S. Retained NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
168 Win 140–19–8 (1) United States Frank Buford TKO 9 (10) Mar 30, 1953 39 years, 107 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
167 Win 139–19–8 (1) United States Al Spaulding KO 3 (10) Mar 17, 1953 39 years, 94 days United States Armory, Spokane, Washington, U.S.
166 Win 138–19–8 (1) Cuba Nino Valdes UD 10 Mar 11, 1953 39 years, 88 days United States Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
165 Win 137–19–8 (1) United States Sonny Andrews TKO 5 (10) Mar 3, 1953 39 years, 80 days United States Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
164 Win 136–19–8 (1) United States Leonard Dugan TKO 8 (10) Feb 16, 1953 39 years, 65 days United States Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S.
163 Win 135–19–8 (1) United States Toxie Hall KO 4 (10) Jan 27, 1953 39 years, 45 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
162 Win 134–19–8 (1) United States Joey Maxim UD 15 Dec 17, 1952 39 years, 4 days United States Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. Won NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
161 Win 133–19–8 (1) United States Clinton Bacon TKO 4 (10) Jul 25, 1952 38 years, 225 days United States Bears Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S.
160 Win 132–19–8 (1) United States Clarence Henry UD 10 Jun 26, 1952 38 years, 196 days United States Memorial Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
159 Win 131–19–8 (1) United States Bob Dunlap KO 6 (10) May 19, 1952 38 years, 158 days United States Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California], U.S.
158 Win 130–19–8 (1) United States Jimmy Slade UD 10 Feb 27, 1952 38 years, 76 days United States Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
157 Win 129–19–8 (1) United States Harold Johnson UD 10 Jan 29, 1952 38 years, 47 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
156 Loss 128–19–8 (1) United States Harold Johnson UD 10 Dec 10, 1951 37 years, 362 days United States Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
155 Win 128–18–8 (1) United States Chubby Wright TKO 7 (10) Oct 29, 1951 37 years, 320 days United States Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
154 Win 127–18–8 (1) United States Harold Johnson UD 10 Sep 25, 1951 37 years, 286 days United States Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
153 Win 126–18–8 (1) United States Embrel Davidson KO 1 (10) Sep 5, 1951 37 years, 266 days United States Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
152 Win 125–18–8 (1) Argentina Alfredo Lagay KO 3 (10) Aug 17, 1951 37 years, 247 days Argentina Palacio de los Deportes, Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires Province, Argentina
151 Win 124–18–8 (1) Argentina Rafael Miranda TKO 4 (10) Aug 5, 1951 37 years, 235 days Argentina Palacio de los Deportes, Comodoro Rivadavia, Chubut, Argentina
150 Win 123–18–8 (1) Argentina Americo Capitanelli KO 3 (10) Jul 28, 1951 37 years, 227 days Argentina San Miguel de Tucumán, Tucuman, Argentina
149 Win 122–18–8 (1) Argentina Victor Carabajal KO 3 (12) Jul 26, 1951 37 years, 225 days Argentina Córdoba, Argentina
148 Win 121–18–8 (1) Peru Vicente Quiroz RTD 6 (10) Jul 14, 1951 37 years, 213 days Uruguay Cine Boston, Montevideo, Uruguay
147 Win 120–18–8 (1) Argentina Alberto Santiago Lovell KO 1 (12) Jul 7, 1951 37 years, 206 days Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
146 Draw 119–18–8 (1) Belgium Karel Sys PTS 12 Jun 23, 1951 37 years, 192 days Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
145 Win 119–18–7 (1) Argentina Abel Cestac RTD 9 (12) Jun 9, 1951 37 years, 178 days Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
144 Win 118–18–7 (1) United States Art Henri TKO 4 (10) May 14, 1951 37 years, 152 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
143 Win 117–18–7 (1) United States Herman Harris TKO 4 (10) Apr 26, 1951 37 years, 134 days United States I.M.A. Auditorium, Flint, Michigan, U.S
142 Win 116–18–7 (1) Argentina Abel Cestac UD 10 Mar 13, 1951 37 years, 90 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
141 Win 115–18–7 (1) United States Jimmy Bivins TKO 9 (10) Feb 21, 1951 37 years, 70 days United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
140 Win 114–18–7 (1) United States John Thomas KO 1 (10) Jan 28, 1951 37 years, 46 days Panama Estadio Olimpico, Panama City, Panama
139 Win 113–18–7 (1) United States Billy Smith TKO 8 (10) Jan 2, 1951 37 years, 20 days United States Auditoriu, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
138 Win 112–18–7 (1) United States Vernon Williams KO 2 (10) Jul 31, 1950 36 years, 230 days United States Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
137 Win 111–18–7 (1) United States Bert Lytell UD 10 Jan 31, 1950 36 years, 49 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
136 Win 110–18–7 (1) United States Leonard Morrow KO 10 (15) Dec 13, 1949 36 years, 0 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
135 Win 109–18–7 (1) United States Charley Williams KO 8 (10) Dec 6, 1949 35 years, 358 days United States Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
134 Win 108–18–7 (1) United States Phil Muscato KO 6 (10) Oct 24, 1949 35 years, 315 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
133 Win 107–18–7 (1) United States Bob Amos UD 10 Oct 4, 1949 35 years, 295 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
132 Win 106–18–7 (1) United States Esco Greenwood TKO 2 (10) Jul 29, 1949 35 years, 228 days United States Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, U.S.
131 Win 105–18–7 (1) United States Bob Sikes TKO 3 (10) Jun 27, 1949 35 years, 196 days United States Outdoor Sports Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
130 Loss 104–18–7 (1) United States Clinton Bacon DQ 6 (10) Jun 13, 1949 35 years, 182 days United States Outdoor Sports Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Moore was disqualified for low blows
129 Win 104–17–7 (1) United States Harold Johnson UD 10 Apr 26, 1949 35 years, 134 days United States Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
128 Win 103–17–7 (1) United States Jimmy Bivins KO 8 (10) Apr 11, 1949 35 years, 119 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
127 Win 102–17–7 (1) United States Dusty Wilkerson TKO 6 (10) Mar 23, 1949 35 years, 100 days United States Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
126 Win 101–17–7 (1) United States Alabama Kid KO 3 (10) Mar 4, 1949 35 years, 81 days United States Memorial Hall, Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
125 Win 100–17–7 (1) United States Bob Satterfield KO 3 (10) Jan 31, 1949 35 years, 49 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
124 Win 99–17–7 (1) United States Alabama Kid KO 4 (10) Jan 10, 1949 35 years, 28 days United States Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
123 Win 98–17–7 (1) United States Charley Williams KO 7 (10) Dec 27, 1948 35 years, 14 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
122 Win 97–17–7 (1) United States Bob Amos UD 10 Dec 6, 1948 34 years, 359 days United States Turner's Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
121 Win 96–17–7 (1) United States Henry Hall UD 10 Nov 15, 1948 34 years, 338 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
120 Loss 95–17–7 (1) United States Lloyd Gibson DQ 4 (10) Nov 1, 1948 34 years, 324 days United States Turner's Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S. Moore was disqualified for low blows
119 Loss 95–16–7 (1) United States Henry Hall PTS 10 Oct 15, 1948 34 years, 307 days United States Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
118 Win 95–15–7 (1) United States Billy Smith KO 4 (10) Sep 20, 1948 34 years, 282 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
117 Win 94–15–7 (1) United States Ted Lowry UD 10 Aug 2, 1948 34 years, 233 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
116 Win 93–15–7 (1) United States Jimmy Bivins MD 10 Jun 28, 1948 34 years, 198 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
115 Loss 92–15–7 (1) United States Leonard Morrow KO 1 (12) Jun 2, 1948 34 years, 172 days United States Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. Lost USA California state light heavyweight title
114 Win 92–14–7 (1) United States Billy Smith UD 10 May 5, 1948 34 years, 144 days United States Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
113 Win 91–14–7 (1) United States Charley Williams KO 7 (10) Apr 19, 1948 34 years, 128 days United States Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
112 Win 90–14–7 (1) United States Dusty Wilkerson TKO 7 (10) Apr 12, 1948 34 years, 121 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
111 Loss 89–14–7 (1) United States Ezzard Charles KO 8 (15) Jan 13, 1948 34 years, 31 days United States Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
110 Win 89–13–7 (1) United States George Fitch TKO 6 (10) Nov 10, 1947 33 years, 332 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
109 Win 88–13–7 (1) United States Jimmy Bivins TKO 8 (10) Sep 8, 1947 33 years, 269 days United States 5th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
108 Win 87–13–7 (1) United States Bobby Zander PTS 12 Jul 30, 1947 33 years, 229 days United States Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. Won vacant USA California state light heavyweight title
107 Win 86–13–7 (1) United States Bert Lytell UD 10 Jul 14, 1947 33 years, 213 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore,Maryland, U.S.
106 Win 85–13–7 (1) United States Curtis Sheppard UD 10 Jun 16, 1947 33 years, 185 days United States Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S.
105 Loss 84–13–7 (1) United States Ezzard Charles MD 10 May 5, 1947 33 years, 143 days United States Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
104 Win 84–12–7 (1) United States Rusty Payne PTS 10 Apr 11, 1947 33 years, 119 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
103 Win 83–12–7 (1) United States Jack Chase KO 9 (10) Mar 18, 1947 33 years, 95 days United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
102 Draw 82–12–7 (1) United States Jack Chase PTS 10 Nov 6, 1946 32 years, 328 days United States Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
101 Draw 82–12–6 (1) United States Billy Smith PTS 12 Oct 23, 1946 32 years, 314 days United States Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. For USA California state light heavyweight title
100 Win 82–12–5 (1) United States Jimmy O'Brien TKO 2 (10) Sep 9, 1946 32 years, 270 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
99 Win 81–12–5 (1) United States Buddy Walker KO 4 (10) Aug 19, 1946 32 years, 249 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
98 Loss 80–12–5 (1) United States Ezzard Charles UD 10 May 20, 1946 32 years, 158 days United States Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
97 Win 80–11–5 (1) United States Vern Escoe TKO 7 (10) May 2, 1946 32 years, 140 days United States Armory, Orange, New Jersey, U.S.
96 Win 79–11–5 (1) United States George Parks KO 1 (10) Feb 5, 1946 32 years, 54 days United States Turner's Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
95 Win 78–11–5 (1) United States Curtis Sheppard UD 12 Jan 28, 1946 32 years, 46 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
94 Win 77–11–5 (1) United States Colion Chaney KO 5 (10) Dec 13, 1945 32 years, 0 days United States Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
93 Win 76–11–5 (1) United States Holman Williams TKO 11 (12) Nov 26, 1945 31 years, 348 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
92 Win 75–11–5 (1) United States O'Dell Riley KO 6 (10) Nov 12, 1945 31 years, 334 days United States Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
91 Loss 74–11–5 (1) United States Holman Williams MD 10 Oct 22, 1945 31 years, 313 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
90 Win 74–10–5 (1) United States Cocoa Kid KO 8 (10) Sep 17, 1945 31 years, 278 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
89 Loss 73–10–5 (1) United States Jimmy Bivins KO 6 (10) Aug 22, 1945 31 years, 252 days United States Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
88 Win 73–9–5 (1) United States Lloyd Marshall TKO 10 (10) Jun 26, 1945 31 years, 195 days United States Lakefront Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
87 Win 72–9–5 (1) United States George Kochan TKO 6 (10) Jun 18, 1945 31 years, 187 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
86 Win 71–9–5 (1) United States Lloyd Marshall UD 10 May 21, 1945 31 years, 159 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
85 Win 70–9–5 (1) United States Teddy Randolph TKO 9 (10) Apr 23, 1945 31 years, 131 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
84 Win 69–9–5 (1) United States Nate Bolden UD 10 Apr 2, 1945 31 years, 110 days United States Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
83 Win 68–9–5 (1) United States Napoleon Mitchell KO 6 (8) Feb 12, 1945 31 years, 61 days United States Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
82 Win 67–9–5 (1) United States Bob Jacobs TKO 9 (10) Jan 29, 1945 31 years, 47 days United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
81 Win 66–9–5 (1) United States Joey Jones TKO 2 (8) Jan 11, 1945 31 years, 29 days United States Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
80 Win 65–9–5 (1) United States Nate Bolden UD 10 Dec 18, 1944 31 years, 5 days United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
79 Win 64–9–5 (1) United States Battling Monroe KO 6 (10) Sep 1, 1944 30 years, 263 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
78 Win 63–9–5 (1) United States Jimmy Hayden KO 5 (10) Aug 18, 1944 30 years, 249 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
77 Win 62–9–5 (1) United States Lloyd Kip Mays KO 3 (10) Aug 11, 1944 30 years, 242 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
76 Win 61–9–5 (1) United States Kenny LaSalle PTS 10 May 19, 1944 30 years, 158 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
75 Loss 60–9–5 (1) United States Charley Burley PTS 10 Apr 21, 1944 30 years, 130 days United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
74 Win 60–8–5 (1) United States Roman Starr TKO 2 (10) Mar 24, 1944 30 years, 102 days United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
73 Loss 59–8–5 (1) United States Eddie Booker TKO 8 (10) Jan 21, 1944 30 years, 39 days United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
72 Win 59–7–5 (1) United States Amado Rodriguez KO 1 (10) Jan 7, 1944 30 years, 25 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
71 Win 58–7–5 (1) United States Jack Chase MD 10 Nov 26, 1943 29 years, 348 days United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
70 Win 57–7–5 (1) Mexico Kid Hermosillo TKO 5 (10) Nov 4, 1943 29 years, 326 days United States Glacier Gardens, San Diego, California, U.S.
69 Loss 56–7–5 (1) United States Aaron Wade PTS 10 Aug 16, 1943 29 years, 246 days United States Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
68 Loss 56–6–5 (1) United States Jack Chase UD 15 Aug 2, 1943 29 years, 232 days United States Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. Lost California state middleweight title
67 Win 56–5–5 (1) United States Eddie Cerda KO 3 (10) Jul 28, 1943 29 years, 227 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S.
66 Win 55–5–5 (1) United States Big Boy Hogue TKO 5 (10) Jul 22, 1943 29 years, 221 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S.
65 Win 54–5–5 (1) United States Jack Chase UD 15 May 8, 1943 29 years, 146 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S. Won California state middleweight title
64 Draw 53–5–5 (1) United States Eddie Booker PTS 12 Dec 11, 1942 28 years, 363 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. For California state middleweight title
63 Win 53–5–4 (1) United States Jack Chase UD 10 Nov 27, 1942 28 years, 349 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
62 Win 52–5–4 (1) United States Tabby Romero KO 2 (10) Nov 6, 1942 28 years, 328 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
61 Win 51–5–4 (1) United States Shorty Hogue TKO 2 (10) Oct 30, 1942 28 years, 321 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
60 Win 50–5–4 (1) United States Jimmy Casino TKO 5 (10) Mar 18, 1942 28 years, 95 days United States Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
59 Win 49–5–4 (1) United States Al Globe TKO 2 (10) Feb 27, 1942 28 years, 76 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
58 Win 48–5–4 (1) United States Bobby Britt KO 3 (10) Jan 28, 1942 28 years, 46 days United States Legion Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
57 Draw 47–5–4 (1) United States Eddie Booker PTS 10 Feb 20, 1941 27 years, 69 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
56 Loss 47–5–3 (1) United States Shorty Hogue PTS 10 Jan 31, 1941 27 years, 49 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
55 Win 47–4–3 (1) United States Clay Rowan KO 1 (10) Jan 17, 1941 27 years, 35 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
54 Win 46–4–3 (1) United States Pancho Ramirez TKO 5 (10) Oct 18, 1940 26 years, 310 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
53 Win 45–4–3 (1) Australia Ron Richards PTS 12 Jul 11, 1940 26 years, 211 days Australia Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
52 Win 44–4–3 (1) Australia Fred Henneberry TKO 7 (12) Jun 27, 1940 26 years, 197 days Australia Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
51 Win 43–4–3 (1) Australia Frank Lindsay KO 4 (12) May 27, 1940 26 years, 166 days Australia City Hall, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
50 Win 42–4–3 (1) Australia Joe Delaney KO 2 (12) May 18, 1940 26 years, 157 days Australia Grenfell Street Stadium, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
49 Win 41–4–3 (1) Puerto Rico Atilio Sabatino TKO 5 (12) May 9, 1940 26 years, 148 days Australia Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
48 Win 40–4–3 (1) Australia Ron Richards TKO 10 (12) Apr 18, 1940 26 years, 127 days Australia Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
47 Win 39–4–3 (1) Australia Jack McNamee TKO 4 (12) Mar 30, 1940 26 years, 108 days Australia West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia[19]
46 Loss 38–4–3 (1) United States Shorty Hogue PTS 6 Dec 29, 1939 26 years, 16 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
45 Win 38–3–3 (1) United States Honeyboy Jones PTS 10 Dec 7, 1939 25 years, 359 days United States Municipal Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
44 Win 37–3–3 (1) United States Billy Day KO 1 (10) Nov 27, 1939 25 years, 349 days United States Legion Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
43 Draw 36–3–3 (1) United States Freddie Dixon TD 8 (10) Nov 13, 1939 25 years, 335 days United States Legion Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. TD in the 8th round after Dixon was hit low and could not continue.
PAC's rules stated that no fighter could win or lose a fight due to a foul.
42 Win 36–3–2 (1) United States Bobby Seaman TKO 7 (10) Sep 22, 1939 25 years, 283 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
41 Win 35–3–2 (1) United States Jack Coggins PTS 10 Sep 1, 1939 25 years, 262 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
40 NC 34–3–2 (1) United States Jack Coggins NC 8 (10) Jul 21, 1939 25 years, 220 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. Following several warnings to the effect that more action and effort were needed,
the referee called it "no contest" in round eight
39 Loss 34–3–2 United States Teddy Yarosz UD 10 Apr 20, 1939 25 years, 128 days United States Municipal Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
38 Win 34–2–2 United States Marty Simmons UD 10 Mar 16, 1939 25 years, 93 days United States Municipal Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
37 Win 33–2–2 United States Domenico Ceccarelli KO 1 (10) Mar 2, 1939 25 years, 79 days United States Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
36 Win 32–2–2 United States Jack Moran KO 1 (10) Jan 20, 1939 25 years, 38 days United States Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
35 Win 31–2–2 United States Bob Turner KO 2 (8) Dec 7, 1938 24 years, 359 days United States Arena, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
34 Win 30–2–2 United States Ray Lyle KO 2 (10) Nov 22, 1938 24 years, 344 days United States Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
33 Win 29–2–2 United States Bobby Yannes TKO 2 (10) Oct 19, 1938 24 years, 310 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
32 Win 28–2–2 United States Tom Henry TKO 4 (6) Sep 27, 1938 24 years, 288 days United States Los Angeles, California, U.S.
31 Win 27–2–2 United States Frank Rowsey TKO 3 (10) Sep 16, 1938 24 years, 277 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
30 Win 26–2–2 United States Johnny Romero KO 8 (10) Sep 2, 1938 24 years, 263 days United States Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
29 Win 25–2–2 United States Lorenzo Pedro PTS 10 Aug 5, 1938 24 years, 235 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S.
28 Win 24–2–2 United States Johnny Sikes KO 1 (10) Jul 22, 1938 24 years, 221 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S.
27 Loss 23–2–2 United States Johnny Romero PTS 10 Jun 24, 1938 24 years, 193 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S.
26 Win 23–1–2 United States Ray Vargas KO 3 (10) May 27, 1938 24 years, 165 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S.
25 Win 22–1–2 United States Jimmy Brent KO 1 (6) May 20, 1938 24 years, 158 days United States Lane Field, San Diego, California, U.S.
24 Win 21–1–2 United States Karl Lautenschlager TKO 2 (5) Jan 7, 1938 24 years, 25 days United States Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
23 Win 20–1–2 United States Sammy Jackson KO 8 (10) Dec 1, 1937 24 years, 4 days United States Jackson, Missouri, U.S. Month & date need verification
22 Win 19–1–2 United States Sammy Christian PTS 5 Nov 16, 1937 23 years, 338 days United States Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
21 Win 18–1–2 United States Chuck Vickers KO 2 (10) Nov 9, 1937 23 years, 331 days United States Shrine Auditorium, Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
20 Win 17–1–2 United States Charley Dawson TKO 5 (5) Sep 17, 1937 23 years, 278 days United States Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
19 Win 16–1–2 United States Sammy Slaughter PTS 10 Sep 9, 1937 23 years, 270 days United States Outdoor Sports Arena, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
18 Loss 15–1–2 United States Billy Adams PTS 8 Sep 1, 1937 23 years, 262 days United States Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
17 Win 15–0–2 United States Deacon Logan KO 3 (5) Aug 19, 1937 23 years, 249 days United States Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
16 Win 14–0–2 United States Frank Hatfield KO 1 (8) Jul 21, 1937 23 years, 220 days United States Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
15 Win 13–0–2 United States Al Dublinsky KO 3 (?) Jun 1, 1937 23 years, 170 days United States United States of America Month & date unknown
14 Win 12–0–2 United States Doty Turner KO 1 (8) May 28, 1937 23 years, 166 days United States Armory, Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S.
13 Win 11–0–2 United States Carl Martin RTD 1 (8) Apr 23, 1937 23 years, 131 days United States Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
12 Win 10–0–2 United States Charley Dawson PTS 8 Apr 9, 1937 23 years, 117 days United States Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
11 Win 9–0–2 United States Ham Pounder KO 2 (8) Mar 23, 1937 23 years, 100 days United States Ponca City, Oklahoma, U.S.
10 Win 8–0–2 United States Joe Huff KO 3 (5) Feb 2, 1937 23 years, 51 days United States Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
9 Draw 7–0–2 United States Sammy Jackson PTS 8 Jan 29, 1937 23 years, 47 days United States Quincy, Illinois, U.S.
8 Win 7–0–1 United States Johnny Davis KO 4 (8) Jan 18, 1937 23 years, 36 days United States Eagles Hall, Quincy, Illinois, U.S.
7 Win 6–0–1 United States Mack Payne KO 1 (8) Jan 5, 1937 23 years, 23 days United States Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
6 Win 5–0–1 United States Sammy Jackson PTS 5 Oct 9, 1936 22 years, 301 days United States Coliseum, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
5 Win 4–0–1 United States Murray Allen KO 2 (6) Sep 30, 1936 22 years, 292 days United States Hi-Life Garden, Keokuk, Iowa, U.S.
4 Draw 3–0–1 United States Sammy Christian PTS 6 Aug 4, 1936 22 years, 235 days United States Quincy, Illinois, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States Murray Allen PTS 6 Jul 14, 1936 22 years, 214 days United States Eagles Hall, Quincy, Illinois, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Kid Pocahuntas KO 3 (8) Jan 1, 1936 22 years, 19 days United States Hot Springs, Arkansas, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Billy Simms KO 2 (4) Sep 3, 1935 21 years, 264 days United States Poplar Bluff, Missouri, U.S.

See also[]

  • List of light heavyweight boxing champions

References[]

  1. ^ Mee, Bob (December 11, 1998). "Obituary: Archie Moore". The Independent. London. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  2. ^ "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive". BoxRec. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Moore, Archie (1960). The Archie Moore Story (pre-ISBN First ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company, Inc. p. 150.
  4. ^ Heller, Peter (1973). In This Corner! (Dell Paperback first printing, 1974 ed.). New York, NY: Simon and Schuster, Inc. p. 314.
  5. ^ Kessler, Harry (1982). The Millionaire Referee (First ed.). St. Louis, MO: Harkess Publishing. pp. 331–333, 336–337. ISBN 0-9608600-0-2.
  6. ^ "Archie Moore". Boxrec.com. October 25, 1960. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  7. ^ "The Knockout- Boxing\'s Homerun | Jose Corpas". Fightbeat.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  8. ^ Thomas W. Collins, Jr. (February 2000). "Archie Moore". American National Biography Online. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  9. ^ The New York Times, December 11, 1998
  10. ^ Land, Gary (October 23, 2014). Historical Dictionary of the Seventh-day Adventists. Google. ISBN 9781442241886. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
  11. ^ "Women's Boxing -History's First on events in female boxing". Womenboxing.com. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  12. ^ Mee, Bob (December 11, 1998). "Obituary: Archie Moore". The Independent. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum » Archie Moore". Sdhoc.com. Archived from the original on October 2, 2009. Retrieved August 22, 2010.
  14. ^ "Archie Moore". Ibhof.com. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  15. ^ St. Louis Walk of Fame. "St. Louis Walk of Fame Inductees". Stlouiswalkoffame.org. Archived from the original on October 31, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
  16. ^ "IBRO Ratings". Ibroresearch.com. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  17. ^ "AP Fighter of the Century list". Statis.espn.go.com. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  18. ^ "BoxRec Boxing Records – World, male, P4P". Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  19. ^ "Archie Moore Beats McNamee". Kalgoorlie Miner. 46 (11, 783). Western Australia. April 1, 1940. p. 4. Retrieved April 2, 2021 – via National Library of Australia.

Further reading[]

External links[]

Achievements
Preceded by
Joey Maxim
World Light Heavyweight Champion
17 December 1952 – 12 May 1962
Abandons title
Succeeded by
Harold Johnson
Records
Preceded by
Bob Fitzsimmons
Oldest Light Heavyweight World Champion
December 17, 1952 – April 18, 2013
Succeeded by
Bernard Hopkins
Retrieved from ""