Billy Joiner
Billy Joiner (1938 - 2019), was a 20th Century American professional boxer from Cincinnati, U.S.A..
Early life[]
Joiner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 10 May 1938.[1] His father was a former professional boxer, as was his uncle who had once knocked out Freddie Miller in a bout.[2]
Amateur career[]
Joiner was the 1962 National Golden Gloves and National AAU Light-Heavyweight Champion and compiled an Amateur record of 86-6 (The Ring, March 1964), and won the National Golden Gloves with a win over Gerald McClure of Toledo, Ohio. He also fought Cassius Clay twice as an amateur between 1960-61. He made his professional debut in August 1962, stopping Jukius Dickins in two rounds.
Professional career[]
He was a promising heavyweight prospect in the 1960s who failed to live up to his promise. A slick boxer with little punch, Joiner is best remembered for lasting the distance with former world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston on March 28, 1969, during Liston's comeback. This was in fact their second fight. They'd fought in May the year before with Liston winning a seventh round stoppage.
He also fought (and lost) to top heavyweight contenders Zora Folley, Oscar Bonavena, Mac Foster, Alfredo Evangelista, and future heavyweight champion Larry Holmes.
Later life[]
After retiring from the ring Joiner worked for thirty years with the Ohio State Highway Maintenance Department, finishing as a Superintendent. He was also employed as an amateur boxing coach.[3]
Death[]
Joiner died at the age of 81 in June 2019.[4]
Professional boxing record[]
References[]
- ^ a b "Billy Joiner". BoxRec.com. Archived from the original on 2015-04-07.
- ^ 'The man who fought Liston and Cassius Clay four times', 'Boxing.com', 28 July 2016. http://www.boxing.com/the_man_who_fought_liston_and_cassius_clayfour_times.html
- ^ 'The man who fought Liston and Cassius Clay four times', 'Boxing.com', 28 July 2016. http://www.boxing.com/the_man_who_fought_liston_and_cassius_clayfour_times.html
- ^ Obituary for Joiner, 'Boxing 247.com', 14 June 2019. https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/r-i-p-billy-joiner-1938-2019/120566
External links[]
- 1938 births
- Boxers from Cincinnati
- Winners of the United States Championship for amateur boxers
- National Golden Gloves champions
- Living people
- American male boxers
- Heavyweight boxers