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Tag: Occupation-Boxer

Emile Alphonse Griffith (1938-2013)

Professional boxer Emile Griffith was born February 3, 1938 on the island of St. Thomas, in the United States Virgin Islands. He moved to New York before he became a teenager. Griffith was 14 years old and working at a hat factory, when he asked his boss if he could … Read MoreEmile Alphonse Griffith (1938-2013)

Posted on September 23, 2018June 7, 2020by contributed by: Euell A. Nielsen
African American History: African American History: People

Rubin “The Hurricane” Carter (1937-2014)

Rubin Carter was an American middleweight boxer, who is best known not because of his sports career but because of his murder conviction in 1967 and exoneration in 1985. Carter, born in Clifton, New Jersey on May 6, 1937, the fourth of seven children. Shortly … Read MoreRubin “The Hurricane” Carter (1937-2014)

Posted on August 4, 2017January 14, 2021by contributed by: Coley Veitenhans
African American History: African American History: People

Leone Jacovacci (1902–1983)

“Image Ownership: Public Domain” Afro-Italian boxing champion Leone Jacovacci (a.k.a. John Douglas Walker and Jack Walker) was born in 1902 in the village of Pombo in the Belgian Congo (now Democratic Republic of the Congo), the son of Umberto Jacovacci, a contracted Italian agronomist, and … Read MoreLeone Jacovacci (1902–1983)

Posted on November 29, 2015January 5, 2021by contributed by: Robert Fikes
Global African History: Global African History: People

Sidney/Beau Jack Walker (1921-2000)

“Fair Use Image” 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 to assist … Read MoreSidney/Beau Jack Walker (1921-2000)

Posted on November 3, 2014January 4, 2021by contributed by: Clay Moyle
African American History: African American History: People

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- )

Posted on September 20, 2009February 25, 2020by contributed by: Clay Moyle
African American History: African American History: People

Canada Lee (1907-1952)

Canada Lee (the adopted name of Lionel Cornelius Canegata) was a noted 20th Century jockey, boxer, and actor.  Born on May 3, 1907 in New York City’s San Juan Hill district, he attended Public School 5 in Harlem. Canegata began his musical education at the … Read MoreCanada Lee (1907-1952)

Posted on June 29, 2008July 25, 2020by contributed by: Julia Larsen
African American History: African American History: People

George “Little Chocolate” Dixon (1870-1909)

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 armed and skinny legged, … Read MoreGeorge “Little Chocolate” Dixon (1870-1909)

Posted on July 30, 2007July 15, 2020by contributed by: Clay Moyle
Global African History: Global African History: People

Muhammad Ali (1942-2016)

Muhammad Ali, arguably the most famous professional boxer in the 20th Century and the only fighter to win the heavyweight championship three times, was born Cassius Clay in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky, to Cassius Marcellus Clay, Sr. and Odessa Grady Clay.  At the age of 12 Clay began training … Read MoreMuhammad Ali (1942-2016)

Posted on February 12, 2007June 19, 2020by contributed by: Dwayne Mack
African American History: African American History: People

Leslie “Wildcat” Carter (1909-1985)

Leslie “Wildcat” Carter was born on December 12, 1909 and migrated to Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with his family as a very small boy.  At fourteen, he and an older sister moved to Everett, Washington.  One year later, at fifteen, he began his professional boxing career … Read MoreLeslie “Wildcat” Carter (1909-1985)

Posted on January 26, 2007December 3, 2020by contributed by: Clay Moyle
African American History: African American History: People

Tiger Jack Fox (1907-1954)

Born John Linwood Fox on April 2, 1907 in Indianapolis, Indiana (some say Minnesota), Fox earned the moniker “Tiger Jack” early in his career and boxed under the name Tiger Jack Fox. He claimed that he got his start in boxing when he was picked … Read MoreTiger Jack Fox (1907-1954)

Posted on January 22, 2007June 9, 2020by contributed by: Clay Moyle
African American History: African American History: People

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