Bobo Olson
Carl Olson (July 11, 1928 – January 16, 2002) was an American boxer. He was the World Middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955,[1] the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s. His nickname, Bobo, was based on his younger sister's mispronunciation of "brother".[2]
Bobo Olson | |
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Statistics | |
Real name | Carl Olson |
Nickname(s) | The Hawaiian Swede The Kalihi Kid |
Weight(s) | Middleweight |
Height | 5 ft 10 1⁄2 in (1.79 m) |
Nationality | American (since 1959) Hawaiian (until 1959) |
Born | Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | July 11, 1928
Died | January 16, 2002 73) Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | (aged
Stance | orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 115 |
Wins | 97 |
Wins by KO | 47 |
Losses | 16 |
Draws | 2 |
No contests | 0 |
Early years
Olson was born in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii to a Portuguese mother and a Swedish father, hence his other nickname "The Hawaiian Swede". Like many boxers, Olson decided to take up the sport after getting into fights on the streets. Olson received training from boxers who were stationed in Hawaii during World War II, and it was during this period that he picked up his two trademark tattoos.[3][2]
Using a fake identity card Olson obtained a boxing license at the age of 16. His earliest fights were in his native Kalihi, Hawaii. He had won his first three contests, two by knockout, before his true age was discovered. During 1945, Olson ran off to San Francisco to continue his boxing career. By the time he was 18, he had amassed a record of 13 successive wins (10 by KO). Even at this stage his power and huge reserves of stamina were clear, as was his rather average skill.[3][2][4][5]
Professional career
The first real test of Olson's career came on March 20, 1950, Olson's record at this point was 40 wins and 2 losses, against the Australian Dave Sands. Olson lost to a close points decision in Sydney. Seven months after this Olson had his first fight against Sugar Ray Robinson, for the lowly regarded Pennsylvania State World Middleweight Title. Olson, who was widely seen as a slow starter, failed to get into the fight, even though Robinson was not having one of his best fights. Olson managed to hold on for 11 rounds before being knocked out. Despite his great record it was clear that Olson was still too inexperienced to be fighting at that level.[3][2]
A year after his loss to Robinson, Olson managed to get a rematch against Dave Sands. This fight was the first to be televised coast-to-coast in America. However, Sands once again proved too much for Olson, he again won by unanimous decision.[3]
On March 13, 1952 Olson fought Robinson again, this time for the world middleweight title. Robinson, who had lost and regained the title against Randy Turpin in his previous two fights, was looking for an easy fight. However, Olson had improved significantly from their first encounter. Through ten rounds the fight was neck-and-neck, and only a dominant finish by Robinson over the last five rounds won him the decision. The Los Angeles Times wrote that Robinson won the first six rounds easily, slowly stacking up points, but that Olson reduced the points margin in the seventh through tenth. Robinson won the fifteenth convincingly with hard rights and lefts.[6] This would be the only time that Olson lasted the duration against Robinson.[3]
Robinson retired for the first time in December 1952, vacating his middleweight crown. The top four contenders fought a tournament for the title. Olson defeated Paddy Young for the American title to gain the right to fight for the vacant world title, Turpin won the other eliminator against Charley Humez.[3]
The title fight against Turpin took place on October 21, 1953, at Madison Square Garden. Turpin dominated the first four rounds, he almost scored a knockdown in the first round, before Olson got a grip on the fight. As the fight progressed Olson took the initiative, he scored knockdowns in the 10th and 11th rounds on the way to a unanimous decision. Following his success Olson was voted Ring magazine's fighter of the year for 1953.[3][5]
Olson won all seven of his fights in 1954 including defenses of his title against such big names as Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, and Pierre Langlois.[3]
In 1955 Olson, who was finding it increasingly difficult to make weight, stepped up to light heavyweight. His first major fight in this category was against former champion Joey Maxim. Olson won the fight easily on points after scoring knockdowns in both the 2nd and 9th rounds. On June 22 Olson challenged 41-year-old Archie Moore for the light heavyweight title, a fight that many believed Olson would easily win. However, Moore was too strong for Olson and won by knockout after only a minute had elapsed of the third round. After this fight Olson began his decline.[3][2]
Following two walkover wins, Olson put his middleweight title on the line against Robinson, who was once again number 1 contender following his brief retirement, on December 9, 1955. It was Olson's fourth and final defense of his title, but ended as a stunning comeback for Robinson. Olson, who entered the fight as a 3–1 favorite, was knocked out in the second round. The rematch, fought five months later at Wrigley Field, on May 18, 1956, ended similarly with Olson going down in the fourth. Robinson ended the bout with a hard left hook to the body and a right to the jaw. Olson had made the mistake of dropping his right hand after Robinson's hard left, dropping his only defense in an instant.[7] After this second defeat Olson announced his retirement.[3][8]
Late career
After a year out of the game Olson returned as a heavyweight to fight Maxim again, a fight he won on points. Olson took another year out following a knockout defeat against Pat McMurtry. Whilst initially coming back as a journeyman, despite being only 30, Olson managed to reestablish himself as a contender. On November 27, 1964, he fought José Torres with the winner going on to fight the champion, Willie Pastrano. Olson was knocked out after 2 minutes of the first round. This defeat effectively ended his career, he would only fight again four more times, with his final fight being a defeat to Gene Fullmer's younger brother, Don.[3]
Life after boxing
Olson retired with a record of 97 wins (47 by KO), 16 losses, and 2 draws from his 115 professional fights. He went on to work with disaffected youngsters before working as a PR officer for the Elevator Operating Engineers Local Union in San Francisco. In 1987 he was a Union Elevator Operator in Lancaster, California, working on new construction at the Antelope Valley Medical Center.[9]
In the 1990s he lived in Northern California for a time. In his later years Olson suffered from Alzheimer's disease to add quality of life to his later years he and much of his close family returned to Honolulu. He died on January 16, 2002, in Honolulu at Queens Medical Center at the age of 73. He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1958, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.[3][2][10]
Professional boxing record
97 Wins (47 knockouts, 50 decisions), 16 Losses (7 knockouts, 9 decisions), 2 Draws[11] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
Loss | 97–16–2 | Don Fullmer | MD | 10 | November 28, 1966 | Oakland Arena, Oakland, California | |
Win | 97–15–2 | Piero Del Papa | SD | 10 | July 11, 1966 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 96–15–2 | Fred Roots | TKO | 3 | September 23, 1965 | Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada | |
Win | 95–15–2 | Andy Kendall | UD | 10 | June 24, 1965 | Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada | |
Loss | 94–15–2 | José Torres | KO | 1 | November 27, 1964 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | |
Win | 94–14–2 | Wayne Thornton | UD | 10 | August 28, 1964 | Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California | |
Loss | 93–14–2 | Johnny Persol | MD | 10 | June 19, 1964 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | |
Win | 93–13–2 | Wayne Thornton | MD | 10 | March 27, 1964 | Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California | |
Draw | 92–13–2 | Hank Casey | PTS | 10 | December 9, 1963 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | |
Win | 92–13–1 | Jose Menno | UD | 10 | October 21, 1963 | Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 91–13–1 | Jesse Bowdry | UD | 10 | May 14, 1963 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 90–13–1 | Sonny Ray | TKO | 8 | April 30, 1963 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 89–13–1 | Tiger Al Williams | TKO | 5 | January 25, 1963 | Lane County Fair, Eugene, Oregon | |
Draw | 88–13–1 | Giulio Rinaldi | PTS | 10 | December 14, 1962 | Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome | |
Win | 88–13 | Lennart Risberg | KO | 6 | June 3, 1962 | Stockholm Olympic Stadium, Stockholm | |
Loss | 87–13 | Pete Rademacher | UD | 10 | April 3, 1962 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 87–12 | Artie Dixon | PTS | 10 | January 19, 1962 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 86–12 | Tiger Al Williams | PTS | 10 | January 12, 1962 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 85–12 | Yancy D. Smith | TKO | 8 | November 14, 1961 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 84–12 | Sixto Rodriguez | UD | 10 | October 23, 1961 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Loss | 83–12 | Sixto Rodriguez | UD | 10 | September 11, 1961 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 83–11 | Roque Maravilla | UD | 10 | August 14, 1961 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | |
Win | 82–11 | Floyd Buchanan | TKO | 3 | February 16, 1961 | Victoria Memorial Arena, Victoria, British Columbia | |
Win | 81–11 | Bobby Daniels | UD | 10 | January 19, 1961 | Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, Washington | |
Loss | 80–11 | Doug Jones | KO | 6 | August 31, 1960 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | |
Win | 80–10 | Mike Holt | PTS | 10 | June 6, 1960 | Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng | |
Win | 79–10 | Al Sparks | TKO | 5 | May 5, 1960 | Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, British Columbia | |
Win | 78–10 | Roque Maravilla | TKO | 7 | April 7, 1960 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | |
Win | 77–10 | George Kartalian | TKO | 5 | August 25, 1959 | Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California | |
Win | 76–10 | Herman Calhoun | UD | 10 | March 30, 1959 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | |
Win | 75–10 | Tommy Villa | TKO | 5 | December 16, 1958 | Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California | |
Win | 74–10 | Paddy Young | TKO | 6 | November 25, 1958 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | |
Win | 73–10 | Don Grant | TKO | 7 | October 28, 1958 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | |
Loss | 72–10 | Pat McMurtry | KO | 2 | August 17, 1957 | Meadows Race Track, Portland, Oregon | |
Win | 72–9 | Joey Maxim | SD | 10 | June 18, 1957 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | |
Loss | 71–9 | Sugar Ray Robinson | KO | 4 | May 18, 1956 | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles | For The Ring middleweight title |
Loss | 71–8 | Sugar Ray Robinson | KO | 2 | December 9, 1955 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | Lost The Ring middleweight title |
Win | 71–7 | Joey Giambra | UD | 10 | August 26, 1955 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | |
Win | 70–7 | Jimmy Martinez | UD | 10 | August 13, 1955 | Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon | |
Loss | 69–7 | Archie Moore | KO | 3 | June 22, 1955 | Polo Grounds, New York City | For The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles |
Win | 69–6 | Joey Maxim | UD | 10 | April 13, 1955 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | |
Win | 68–6 | Willie Vaughn | UD | 10 | March 12, 1955 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California | |
Win | 67–6 | Ralph Jones | UD | 10 | February 16, 1955 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | |
Win | 66–6 | Pierre Langlois | TKO | 11 | December 15, 1954 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | Retained The Ring middleweight title |
Win | 65–6 | Garth Panter | TKO | 8 | November 3, 1954 | Auditorium, Richmond, California | Joe Louis refereed the bout. |
Win | 64–6 | Rocky Castellani | UD | 15 | August 20, 1954 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | Retained The Ring middleweight title |
Win | 63–6 | Pedro Gonzales | KO | 4 | July 7, 1954 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | Max Baer refereed the bout. |
Win | 62–6 | Jesse Turner | TKO | 8 | June 15, 1954 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 61–6 | Kid Gavilan | MD | 15 | April 2, 1954 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | Retained The Ring middleweight title |
Win | 60–6 | Joe Rindone | KO | 5 | January 23, 1954 | Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 59–6 | Randy Turpin | UD | 15 | October 21, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | Won vacant The Ring middleweight title |
Win | 58–6 | Paddy Young | UD | 15 | June 19, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | Won American Middleweight Title |
Win | 57–6 | Garth Panter | UD | 10 | March 16, 1953 | Butte, Montana | |
Win | 56–6 | Norman Hayes | UD | 10 | February 7, 1953 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | |
Win | 55–6 | Norman Hayes | UD | 10 | December 18, 1952 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 54–6 | Lee Sala | KO | 2 | November 20, 1952 | Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 53–6 | Gene Hairston | TKO | 6 | August 27, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | |
Win | 52–6 | Robert Villemain | SD | 10 | July 12, 1952 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | |
Win | 51–6 | Jimmy Beau | UD | 10 | June 6, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | |
Win | 50–6 | Walter Cartier | TKO | 5 | May 19, 1952 | Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York | |
Win | 49–6 | Woody Harper | TKO | 7 | May 6, 1952 | Auditorium, Richmond, California | |
Loss | 48–6 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 15 | March 13, 1952 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | For The Ring and lineal middleweight titles |
Win | 48–5 | Tommy Harrison | UD | 10 | February 15, 1952 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California | |
Win | 47–5 | Woody Harper | UD | 10 | February 12, 1952 | Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
Loss | 46–5 | Dave Sands | UD | 10 | October 3, 1951 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | |
Win | 46–4 | Bobby Jones | MD | 10 | August 27, 1951 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 45–4 | Charley Cato | TKO | 3 | July 27, 1951 | Auditorium, Richmond, California | |
Win | 44–4 | Chuck Hunter | UD | 10 | July 9, 1951 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 43–4 | Lloyd Marshall | KO | 5 | May 7, 1951 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 42–4 | Art Soto | PTS | 10 | March 20, 1951 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Loss | 41–4 | Sugar Ray Robinson | KO | 12 | October 26, 1950 | Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia | Pennsylvania Middleweight Title |
Win | 41–3 | Henry Brimm | UD | 10 | September 5, 1950 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 40–3 | Otis Graham | PTS | 10 | May 22, 1950 | Honolulu Stadium, Holulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 39–3 | Roy Miller | RTD | 5 | April 25, 1950 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | Miller retired due to a broken jaw. |
Loss | 38–3 | Dave Sands | PTS | 12 | March 20, 1950 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney | |
Win | 38–2 | Don Lee | PTS | 10 | February 22, 1950 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 37–2 | Earl Turner | PTS | 10 | December 13, 1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 36–2 | Johnny Duke | UD | 10 | November 22, 1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 35–2 | Art Hardy | KO | 3 | August 23, 1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 34–2 | Milo Savage | UD | 10 | July 26, 1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 33–2 | Tommy Yarosz | PTS | 10 | June 3, 1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 32–2 | Anton Raadik | TKO | 7 | March 15, 1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 31–2 | Paul Perkins | TKO | 2 | January 11, 1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 30–2 | Johnny Boski | KO | 1 | December 14, 1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 29–2 | Kenny Watkins | UD | 10 | October 26, 1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 28–2 | Boy Brooks | TKO | 3 | October 12, 1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 27–2 | Charley Cato | PTS | 8 | July 20, 1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 26–2 | Bobby Castro | PTS | 10 | May 11, 1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 25–2 | Flashy Sebastian | KO | 7 | April 7, 1948 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila | |
Win | 24–2 | Boy Brooks | PTS | 12 | January 17, 1948 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Win | 23–2 | Nai Som Pong | KO | 3 | December 17, 1947 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila | |
Loss | 22–2 | Boy Brooks | PTS | 10 | November 22, 1947 | Honolulu Stadium, Holulu, Territory of Hawaii | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Win | 22–1 | Georgie Duke | PTS | 10 | August 19, 1947 | Honolulu Stadium, Holulu, Territory of Hawaii | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Loss | 21–1 | Georgie Duke | PTS | 10 | July 4, 1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Win | 21–0 | Paulie Lewis | PTS | 10 | June 20, 1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 20–0 | Leroy Wade | TKO | 4 | May 2, 1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 19–0 | Candy McDaniels | PTS | 10 | March 21, 1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 18–0 | Gil Mojica | PTS | 10 | January 28, 1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 17–0 | Wayne Powell | TKO | 4 | December 2, 1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 16–0 | Wayne Powell | TKO | 4 | October 7, 1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 15–0 | Jackie Ryan | TKO | 6 | September 9, 1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 14–0 | Johnny Boski | KO | 3 | August 19, 1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 13–0 | Johnny Boski | KO | 4 | July 26, 1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 12–0 | Ernie Horne | TKO | 2 | July 18, 1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 11–0 | Delaware Bradby | KO | 3 | February 25, 1946 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 10–0 | Chuck Ross | PTS | 6 | February 4, 1946 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 9–0 | Pedro Jimenez | KO | 4 | January 28, 1946 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 8–0 | Vepe Watson | TKO | 1 | January 14, 1946 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 7–0 | Obie Wooten | TKO | 1 | January 7, 1946 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 6–0 | LaVelle Perkins | TKO | 2 | December 21, 1945 | Sacramento, California | |
Win | 5–0 | Bobby Jones | KO | 2 | December 10, 1945 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 4–0 | Art Robinson | TKO | 4 | November 23, 1945 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 3–0 | Young Pancho | PTS | 4 | September 10, 1944 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 2–0 | Ben Ramos | TKO | 4 | August 27, 1944 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii | |
Win | 1–0 | Bob Correa | KO | 2 | August 19, 1944 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii |
See also
- List of middleweight boxing champions
References
- "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- Exshaw, John (January 21, 2002). "Obituary – Carl Olson". The Independent. London: 6.
- "Bobo Olson". BoxRec. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
- He boxed at 16 in "Boxer Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies at 73", Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 1, January 17, 2002
- Lewis, Ferd, "Hall of Fame Boxer, Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies", The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 21, January 17, 2002
- March 13 bout in Newland, Russ, "Robinson Retains Title By Decision", The Los Angeles Times, pg. 57, March 14, 1952
- Loss on May 18 in Dyer, Braven, "Kayo Simple As One Two", The Los Angeles Times, pg. 45, May 19, 1956
- Loss on December 9 in "Robinson Kayos Olson in Second Round", Oakland Tribune, Oakland California, pg. 13, December 10, 1955
- Teamster's Union in "Hall of Fame Boxer, Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies", The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 21, January 17, 2002
- World Boxing Hall of Fame in "Boxer Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies at 73", Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 1, January 17, 2002
- http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=024927&cat=boxer&pageID=1
Achievements | ||
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Preceded by Sugar Ray Robinson Retired |
World Middleweight Champion October 21, 1953 – December 9, 1955 |
Succeeded by Sugar Ray Robinson |