On This Day In Boxing History

1921: Beau Jack Was Born!

Beau Jack

Born: April 1st, 1921

Birth Name: Sidney Walker

Birth Place: Augusta, Georgia

Residence: Augusta, Georgia

Pro-Debut: April 7th, 1939

Division: Lightweight 

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5′ 6″  

Reach: 68½″  

Bouts: 121

Rounds: 855

Record: 91-24-5, 44Ko’s

Ko’s: 36.36%

Career: 1939-1955

Died: Age 78, February 9th, 2000

Beau Jack was an American lightweight boxer and two-time world lightweight champion in the 1940s. One of the most popular fighters during the War Years, he headlined at Madison Square Garden on twenty-one occasions, a record that still stands.

On Aug. 4, 1944: With the world at war, Beau squared off against Montgomery once more at Madison Square Garden, this time for Uncle Sam. Fans bought $35,864,900 in war bonds, still the highest live gate receipt for a boxing match.

Jack, fought in a swarming style in which he used his great upper body strength and volume of punches to wear down an opponent. During his career, he defeated such fighters as Sammy Angott, Henry Armstrong, Johnny Bratton, Tippy Larkin, Bob Montgomery, Fritzie Zivic and Juan Zurita.

April Fools 1955: Johnny Saxton vs Tony DeMarco!

In one of the most fascinating April Fools' Day boxing stories on April 1, 1955, the World Welterweight Title fight between Johnny Saxton and Tony DeMarco which became an unexpected triumph for DeMarco has been dubbed by some as the "April Fools' Day Massacre," this bout was steeped in intrigue, gangland connections, and surprising turns.

Johnny Saxton, the reigning welterweight champion, was heavily favored to win against DeMarco, a Boston fighter who had recently struggled in his matches. Saxton was part of Frankie Carbo's infamous stable—a mob-connected figure who manipulated boxing through bribes and threats. Saxton's camp underestimated DeMarco, believing he lacked the skill to challenge their champion. Confident in their superiority, they even agreed to fight in DeMarco's home turf at Boston Garden.

However, the fight took an unexpected turn. Saxton abandoned his usual slick boxing style and engaged in a slugfest with DeMarco—a decision that proved disastrous. After 13 grueling rounds, DeMarco landed a decisive right hand to Saxton's chin in the 14th round. Though Saxton managed to rise before the count, he was visibly dazed. DeMarco capitalized on this moment, unleashing a barrage of punches until the referee stopped the fight. DeMarco was crowned the new welterweight champion, shocking everyone who had doubted him.

This victory came with its own "April Fools" twist for DeMarco. As part of his agreement for the fight, he had to defend his title against top contender Carmen Basilio immediately afterward. Just 70 days later, still recovering from his battle with Saxton, DeMarco lost his title to Basilio in a 12th-round TKO.

The Saxton-DeMarco fight remains a memorable piece of boxing history, showcasing how April Fools' Day can deliver unexpected outcomes—even in the ring.

2023: Scottish Legend Ken Buchanan Passes!

(April 1st) With the following statement “It is with great sadness that we have to inform you Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep this morning; the Ken Buchanan Foundation announced the passing of Scottish Legend and former world champion boxer Ken Buchanan has died at the age of 77 following a battle with dementia.

The "Tartan Legend" born and raised, Edinburgh, Scotland, Ken first undisputed world champion when he won the lightweight WBO and WBC titles in 1970 and 71. After winning the title against Panama’s Ismael Laguna in Puerto Rica in 1970, considered by many as the country’s greatest boxer ever, he was named the American Boxing Writers’ Association’s Fighter of the Year, ahead of Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.

Ken Buchanan

Born: June 28, 1945

Birth Place: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Residence: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Pro-Debut: October 18th, 1965

Division: Lightweight

Bouts: 69

Rounds: 555

Ko’s: 39.13%

Stance: Orthodox

Height: 5′ 7½″  

Reach: 70″  

Record: 61-8, 27Ko’s

Career: 1965-1982

Died: April 1st, 2023

WBA Lightweight Champion

1970 Sep 26 – 1972 Jun 26          

WBC Lightweight Champion

1971 Feb 12 – 1971 Jun 25

Induction IBHOF: 2000

A clever boxer, Buchanan was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and turned pro in 1965. He won both the Scottish and British lightweight crowns before traveling to the United States and gaining world-wide recognition.

In 1970, Buchanan, fighting outside of the British Empire for the first time, lost to Miguel Velasquez in Madrid, Spain, in a bid to capture the European 135-pound title. By year's end, though, he'd conquer the world.

Buchanan challenged lightweight champion Ismael Laguna on September 26, 1970 in Puerto Rico. The temperature inside Hiram Bithorn Stadium reached 100-degrees as these master boxers put on a sterling exhibition. Buchanan rocked the champion in the 12th round and won the title via narrow split decision -- 145-144 (twice) and 144-145. He became the first British lightweight champ since Freddie Welsh in 1917.

In 1971, Buchann successfully defended his title twice, copping 15-round decisions over Ruben Navarro in Los Angeles and Laguna at Madison Square Garden in New York. A year later, Buchanan would return to the Garden for his most controversial and memorable contest.

On June 26, 1972 Buchanan put his belt on the line against Roberto Duran (Duran scored an impressive kayo on the undercard of the Buchanan-Laguna rematch). Duran dropped Buchanan early and controlled much of the action. At the close of Round 13, the fighters swapped punches. Buchanan claimed he was kneed in the groin. Referee Johnny LoBianco, however, did not see the infraction. The fight was stopped before the 14th round could begin and Duran was rewarded with the victory and the title.

Buchanan came back three months later and stopped future Hall-of-Famer Carlos Ortiz in six rounds. In 1973, he decisioned future world champ Jim Watt to regain the British lightweight title. He lost in his only other world-title bid, dropping a decision in 1975 to WBC champ Ishimatsu Suzuki.

Buchanan was inactive from 1976 to 1978 and fought sporadically until retiring for good in 1983.

April 1st

1903: Joe Walcott D20 Billy Woods

1910: Owen Moran ND10 Abe Attell

1921: Beau Jack was born Sidney Walker in Augusta, Georgia

1925: Mike Ballerino W10 Steve Sullivan

1938: Joe Louis KO5 Harry Thomas

 Fred Apostoli W15 Glenn Lee

1939: Sixto Escobar W15 KO Morgan

1952: Jimmy Carter W15 Lauro Salas

1954: Carl Olson W15 Kid Gavilan

1955: Tony DeMarco KO14 Johnny Saxton

1957: Alphonse Halimi W15 Mario Di’Agata

1958: Hogan Bassey KO3 Ricardo Moreno

1961: Emile Griffith KO13 Benny Kid Paret

1968: Jose Torres TKO6 Bob Dunlop

1971: Masao Ohba W15 Betulio Gonzalez

James Page was born in Pittsburg, California

1972: Muhammed Ali W15 Mac Foster

1973: Fres Oquendo was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico

1975: Erbito Salavarria W15 Susumu Hanagata

1976: Alfredo Escalera KO6 Buzzsaw Yamabe

1980: Colin Jones TKO9 Kirkland Laing

1990: Simon Brown KO10 Tyrone Trice
Andrew Maynard MD12 Mike Sedillo

1991: Mike McCallum W12 Sumbu Kalambay

1995: Ricardo Lopez KO12 Andy Tabanas

Valery Kayumba TKO8 Jose Luis Navarro

Corrie Sanders W10 Nikolay Kulpin
Julio Cesar Chavez TKO4 Verdell Smith

1998: Floyd Patterson resigns as commissioner NYSAC

2000: Chris Byrd KO10 Vitali Klitschko

2002: Referee Mills Lane, 64 passes at his home in Reno, the victim of a stroke

2006: Siarhei Liakhovich W12 Lamon Brewster

2016: Adrien Broner TKO9 Ashley Theophane

Farida El Hadrati MD10 Ana Laura Esteche

2023: Scottish Legend Ken Buchanan Passes