On This Day In Boxing History!

2000: Beau Jack, Passes!

Born Sidney Walker on April 1, 1921, in Waynesboro, Georgia, Beau Jack was raised by his grandmother Evie Mixom, who gave him the nickname "Beau Jack". He grew up in poverty and worked as a shoeshine boy and caddie at the Augusta National Golf Club as a teenager. His boxing talent was discovered by legendary golfer Bobby Jones and other club members, who pooled their money to finance his professional training in the North.

Jack turned professional in 1940 in Massachusetts and quickly established himself as a formidable fighter, compiling a 27-4-2 record in his early years. In 1942, he captured the NYSAC World Lightweight title by knocking out Tippy Larkin, becoming a two-time world champion after regaining the belt from Bob Montgomery in 1943. He lost and won the title multiple times between 1942 and 1944, engaging in a fierce rivalry with Montgomery that defined his career.

Jack became one of boxing's biggest stars during World War II, headlining a record 21 main events at Madison Square Garden—more than any other fighter in history. In March 1944 alone, he headlined three separate bouts at the venue. His most famous fight came in August 1944 when he faced Montgomery in the "War Bonds Fight," where both fighters, serving as Army privates, refused their purses and spectators could only attend by purchasing war bonds. The event raised nearly $36 million for the war effort, making it one of the largest gates in boxing history.

Known for his swarming, high-volume punching style, Jack was a relentless pressure fighter who overwhelmed opponents with constant forward movement and combinations. Over his career facing elite competition including Henry Armstrong, Sammy Angott and Ike Williams (defeated Jack by TKO6 in his final title shot in 1948) headlined a record 21 main events at Madison Square Garden compiling a record of 91-24-5, 44Ko’s.

After retiring from boxing in 1955, Jack found his earnings largely depleted. He returned to his roots, operating a shoeshine concession at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach and training young fighters at the famous Fifth Street Gym. Despite financial struggles and later suffering from Parkinson's disease, he maintained a positive outlook, famously stating, "I've been to the top of the mountain... I'm happy doing what I'm doing." He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991 and remembered as a beloved figure whose heart, courage, and contributions helped define boxing's golden era he passed away age 78 on February 9th, 2000, in Miami, Florida.

Beau Jack

Born: 1921-04-01

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″  

Career: 1939-1955

Bouts: 121

Rounds: 855

Ko’s: 36.36%

Record: 91-24-5, 44Ko’s

Died: Age 78, February 9th, 2000

February 9th

1908: Jackie Fields was born Chicago, Illinois

1920: Benny Leonard NWS8 Johnny Dundee

1938: Henry Armstrong TKO4 Al Citrino

1940: Joe Louis W15 Arturo Godoy

1948: Ike Williams W10 Livio Minelli

1953: Vito Antuofermo born in Palo del Colle, Italy

1954: Alfonso Zamora born in Mexico City, Mexico

1956: Ruben Salazar WSD10 Lauro Salas

Marty Marshall WMD10 John Riggins

1962: Ingemar Johansson TKO7 Joe Bygraves

1969: Shozo Saijyo W15 Pedro Gomez

1973: Venice Borkorsor W15 Erbito Salavarria

1974: Carlos Monzon KO7 Jose Napoles

1980: Lupe Pintor KO12 Alberto Sandoval

1986: Marvin Johnson KO7 Leslie Stewart

1991: Terry Norris W12 Sugar Ray Leonard

1996: Julio César Chávez TKO2 Scott Walker

2000: Beau Jack passes age 78

Greg Page KO7 Terrence Lewis

2001: Aaron Davis KO8 Vinny Pazienza

Ulises Solis W8 Jaime Parga

2002: Ricky Hatton KO9 Mikhail Krivolapov

Eamonn Magee KO6 Jonathan Thaxton

Silvio Branco KO1 Juergen Hartenstein

2005: Sammy Gutierrez KO7 Branni Guerrero,

2006: Florante Condes KO5 Elmer Gejon

2007: Denkaosan Kaovichit W12 Alfred Nagal

Czar Amonsot W12 Do-Woon Jung

Yong-Sung Kim KO7 Mark Melligen

Dean Francis KO1 Ovill McKenzie

Carl Johanneson W12 Ricky Burns

Rocky Juarez KO5 Emmanuel Lucero

Eddie Chambers KO7 Derric Rossy

Chris Arreola KO3 Zakeem Graham

2008: Carlos Quintana W12 Paul Williams

Edgar Sosa W12 Jesus Iribe

Andre Berto KO6 Michel Trabant

Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. KO8 Jose Celaya

Marco Antonio Rubio K 7 Jose Luis Zertuche

Adrian Hernandez KO4 Rodel Mayol

Tommy Morrison KO3 Matt Weishaar

Krzysztof Wlodarczyk KO4 Gabor Halasz

2012: Vicente Mosquera WSD10 Walter Castillo

Jhonatan Arenas TKO6 Jose Gutierrez

Miguel Callist TKO2 Carlos Guevara

Viorel Simion W12 Edgar Riovalle.

2013: Patrick Nielsen W12 Patrick Mendy

Alexander Miskirtchian TKO12 Andreas Evensen

Carl Frampton TKO9 Kiko Martinez

Lee Selby W12 Martin Lindsay

Andy Lee W10 Anthony Fitzgerald

Humberto Soto W12 Silverio Ortiz

2014: Mako Yamada SD10 Su Yun Hong      

2016: Yutthana Kaensa WMD12 Gregorio Lebron

2019: Gervonta Davis KO1 Hugo Ruiz

Andrew Cancio KO4 Alberto Machado           

Rey Vargas W12 Franklin Manzanilla

Christina Hammer TKO2 Elene Sikmashvili