Clay Moyle, Author at BlackPast

Clay Moyle

Independent Historian

Clay Moyle is a member of the International Boxing Research Organization (IBRO), created in 1982 for the purpose of establishing an accurate history of boxing and compiling complete and accurate boxing records. He is also a passionate collector of boxing books with close to 3,000 titles in his personal collection, many dating back to the 1800’s. He has a personal website from which he sells boxing books, autographs, programs, and other forms of boxing memorabilia. The Seattle, Washington native’s latest book is Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion (Seattle: Bennett & Hastings, 2008).

Sidney/Beau Jack Walker (1921-2000)

"Image Courtesy of Clay Moyle" Sidney Walker, world champion boxer in world light heavyweight class, was born in Augusta, Georgia on April 1, 1921. He was raised by his grandmother, Evie Mixom, on her small farm near Augusta. Walker quit school by the second grade … Read MoreSidney/Beau Jack Walker (1921-2000)

Laila Ali (1977- )

Laila Ali, the daughter of former heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, and Jacqui Frazier, the daughter of former heavyweight champion Joe Frazier, became the first woman in history to headline a pay-per-view event when they fought on June 7, 2001. It was also the first time … Read MoreLaila Ali (1977- )

Bill Richmond (1763 – 1829)

Bill Richmond, a.k.a. “The Black Terror”, the first black boxer to gain international recognition, was born in Cuckold’s Town (now Richmondtown), on Staten Island, New York, on August 5, 1763. In 1777 when the English troops held New York during the revolutionary war, he served … Read MoreBill Richmond (1763 – 1829)

Mike Tyson (1966 – )

Image Ownership: Public Domain Michael Gerard Tyson was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 30, 1966. He was raised by a single mother in the slums of Brooklyn in what he described as awful living conditions, in poverty, and surrounded by peer pressure. By … Read MoreMike Tyson (1966 – )

Don King (1931- )

Image Ownership: Public Domain Boxing promoter Don King was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1931. The son of a steelworker who died in a smelter explosion, King’s earliest success was the result of his ownership of a popular tavern, where many top black musicians performed, … Read MoreDon King (1931- )

Thomas Molyneux (1784–1818)

Image Ownership: Public Domain By all rights Thomas Molyneux should have become recognized as the first world boxing champion from the United States. Born in 1784 to parents enslaved by a wealthy Virginian plantation owner named Molyneux, Tom—because of his size and strength—was selected to … Read MoreThomas Molyneux (1784–1818)

Sam Langford: History’s Forgotten Boxer

Sports historian Clay Moyle describes Canadian-born Sam Langford as one of the most successful and yet little known boxers of the 20th Century. In the excerpt below, drawn from his recently publisher book titled Sam Langford: Boxing’s Greatest Uncrowned Champion, Moyle makes his case for … Read MoreSam Langford: History’s Forgotten Boxer

Ken Norton (1943-2013)

Image Ownership: Public Domain Kenneth Howard Norton was born on August 9, 1943 in Jacksonville, Illinois. An all around athlete, Ken excelled in varsity track and football in high school, and earned a football scholarship to Northeast Missouri State University. He left school during … Read MoreKen Norton (1943-2013)

Joe Frazier (1944-2011)

Joe Frazier (Right) and Muhammad Ali Fight Image Ownership: Public Domain Joe Frazier, 20th Century heavyweight boxing champion, is principally known for his rivalry with fellow boxer Muhammad Ali. Frazier was born on January 12, 1944 in Beaufort County, South Carolina. One of eleven children, he … Read MoreJoe Frazier (1944-2011)

George “Little Chocolate” Dixon (1870-1909)

Image Ownership: Public Domain George Dixon, also known as “Little Chocolate,” was born on July 29, 1870 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Standing only 5’ 3 ½” and weighing no more than 118 pounds over the bulk of his career, “Little Chocolate” was described as long … Read MoreGeorge “Little Chocolate” Dixon (1870-1909)