Beau Jack
Encyclopedia
Sidney Walker, better known as Beau Jack, (April 1, 1921 – February 9, 2000), was an American
lightweight
boxer
, he was a world champion twice. One of the most popular fighters during the war years
, he headlined at Madison Square Garden
on 21 occasions, a record that still stands.
and was raised by his maternal grandmother, who gave him the nickname "Beau Jack", following the death of his mother. From an early age Jack worked as a shoe-shine boy in Augusta, when he was 15 he looked to supplement his income by participating in the brutal battles royal
. These fights featured six black men fighting blindfolded until one remained, these fights were funded by rich white men for their own entertainment, the winner received a relatively meagre purse. Despite his small stature Jack was often victorious.
Following his first battle royal at the Augusta National Golf Club
Jack became a caddie at the club. He quickly befriended some of the club's members, including the golfing legend Bobby Jones
, who helped fund his boxing training.
where he quickly established an impressive record of 27-4-2. It was also during these early fights that Jack earned his reputation for being a relentless and powerful fighter, two traits which endeared him to audiences.
To further his career Jack moved to New York
in August 1941, where he continued to impress. By November 1942 Jack found himself in a fight against Allie Stolz to decide who would challenge for the New York version of the world title. Going into the fight Stolz was the clear favourite, he was 3-1 to win, however Jack pulled off a massive shock by knocking out Stolz in the seventh round. In the title fight, against Tippy Larkin
, Jack pulled off a similar surprise by knocking out the champion in the third round.
Jack only held the title for six months before dropping it to fellow hall-of-famer Bob Montgomery
on a unanimous points decision. Jack did go on to regain the title from Montgomery, before losing it to Juan Zurita
in March 1944.
The most famous fight of Jack's career was his fourth battle with Montgomery on August 4, 1944, the so-called "War Bonds Fight" for which tickets were only available to those who purchased war bonds. Although Montgomery's title was not on the line, the gate was a record $36m with 15,822 war bonds being sold. Many people who purchased bonds left their tickets at the box office for US servicemen, indeed Montgomery and Jack, who were both serving as privates in the US Army
, refused to take purses for the fight. Jack took the fight on points after 10 rounds, however the highlight of the evening was when the lights dimmed and a spotlight picked out Joe Louis
, who was standing in the front row, to the reception of a standing ovation.
Jack would not challenge for the title again until July 12, 1948 when he fought another hall-of-famer: Ike Williams
. This challenge proved to be unsuccessful as Jack was knocked out in the sixth round. This defeat marked the start of a rivalry between the pair who would go on to fight on three more occasions. However, with Jack's skills clearly waning, Williams managed to take the first match by a split decision, the second match was drawn, and Williams won the third as Jack was unable to answer the bell for the ninth round. This third fight, on August 12, 1958, also marked the end of Jack's career.
. Jack also campaigned heavily for a pension scheme for boxers, he felt that no fighter should be reduced to the impoverished fate he was. He also trained fighters in Miami Beach at the Fifth Street Gym.
Beau Jack had seven children. Ronald, Donald, George, Barbara Ann, Yvonne, Georgiana, Tim. His wife was named Josephine. None of the sons became boxers. (information came directly from George Walker, 4/18/2007)
In his later years Jack suffered from pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome (which also affected Muhammad Ali
and Joe Louis
), complications from which ultimately killed him.
Beau Jack was the 1944 Ring Magazine fighter of the year
and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
in 1991.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
lightweight
Lightweight
Light-weight is a class of athletes in a particular sport, based on their weight.-Professional boxing:The lightweight division is over 130 pounds and up to 135 pounds weight class in the sport of boxing....
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
, he was a world champion twice. One of the most popular fighters during the war years
United States home front during World War II
This page, United States home front during World War II, covers the developments within the United States, 1940–1945, to support its efforts during World War II.-Economics:...
, he headlined at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
on 21 occasions, a record that still stands.
Early years
He was born in Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
and was raised by his maternal grandmother, who gave him the nickname "Beau Jack", following the death of his mother. From an early age Jack worked as a shoe-shine boy in Augusta, when he was 15 he looked to supplement his income by participating in the brutal battles royal
Battle royal
Battle royal traditionally refers to a fight involving three or more combatants that is fought until only one fighter remains standing. In recent times the term has been used in a more general sense to refer to any fight involving large numbers of people that are not organized into factions...
. These fights featured six black men fighting blindfolded until one remained, these fights were funded by rich white men for their own entertainment, the winner received a relatively meagre purse. Despite his small stature Jack was often victorious.
Following his first battle royal at the Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a famous men's golf club. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts and designed by Alister MacKenzie on the site of a former indigo plantation, the club opened for play in January 1933. Since 1934, it has played host to the annual...
Jack became a caddie at the club. He quickly befriended some of the club's members, including the golfing legend Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones (golfer)
Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was an American amateur golfer, and a lawyer by profession. Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level...
, who helped fund his boxing training.
Boxing career
Jack turned professional in 1940, he began his career fighting in MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
where he quickly established an impressive record of 27-4-2. It was also during these early fights that Jack earned his reputation for being a relentless and powerful fighter, two traits which endeared him to audiences.
To further his career Jack moved to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in August 1941, where he continued to impress. By November 1942 Jack found himself in a fight against Allie Stolz to decide who would challenge for the New York version of the world title. Going into the fight Stolz was the clear favourite, he was 3-1 to win, however Jack pulled off a massive shock by knocking out Stolz in the seventh round. In the title fight, against Tippy Larkin
Tippy Larkin
Tippy Larkin was a boxer from New Jersey who appeared on the cover of The Ring magazine in July 1944. From 1935 to 1946, Larkin's record was 114-9.-External links:* http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9619&cat=boxer&pageID=1...
, Jack pulled off a similar surprise by knocking out the champion in the third round.
Jack only held the title for six months before dropping it to fellow hall-of-famer Bob Montgomery
Bob Montgomery (boxer)
Bob Montgomery was an American lightweight boxer. He was born in Sumter, South Carolina.Montgomery went undefeated in his first 23 fights, going 22-0-1 and winning the Pennsylvania State Lightweight Title....
on a unanimous points decision. Jack did go on to regain the title from Montgomery, before losing it to Juan Zurita
Juan Zurita
Juan Zurita was a Mexican boxer in the Lightweight division and a former Lightweight world champion.-Pro career:During his career he won a version of the Lightweight Championship of the World and other belts such as the NBA Lightweight Championship of the World, Featherweight Championship of...
in March 1944.
The most famous fight of Jack's career was his fourth battle with Montgomery on August 4, 1944, the so-called "War Bonds Fight" for which tickets were only available to those who purchased war bonds. Although Montgomery's title was not on the line, the gate was a record $36m with 15,822 war bonds being sold. Many people who purchased bonds left their tickets at the box office for US servicemen, indeed Montgomery and Jack, who were both serving as privates in the US Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, refused to take purses for the fight. Jack took the fight on points after 10 rounds, however the highlight of the evening was when the lights dimmed and a spotlight picked out Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
, who was standing in the front row, to the reception of a standing ovation.
Jack would not challenge for the title again until July 12, 1948 when he fought another hall-of-famer: Ike Williams
Ike Williams (boxer)
Ike Williams was a former lightweight world boxing champion. Williams was known for his great right hand, and was named to the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time as well as Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year for 1948.-Professional Career:During his career, Williams faced and...
. This challenge proved to be unsuccessful as Jack was knocked out in the sixth round. This defeat marked the start of a rivalry between the pair who would go on to fight on three more occasions. However, with Jack's skills clearly waning, Williams managed to take the first match by a split decision, the second match was drawn, and Williams won the third as Jack was unable to answer the bell for the ninth round. This third fight, on August 12, 1958, also marked the end of Jack's career.
Life after boxing
Immediately after his career Jack operated a drive-in barbecue stand, ran a small farm, and refereed wrestling matches. However, when his earnings ran out he returned to shining shoes at a hotel in Miami, FloridaMiami, Florida
Miami is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, the most populous county in Florida and the eighth-most populous county in the United States with a population of 2,500,625...
. Jack also campaigned heavily for a pension scheme for boxers, he felt that no fighter should be reduced to the impoverished fate he was. He also trained fighters in Miami Beach at the Fifth Street Gym.
Beau Jack had seven children. Ronald, Donald, George, Barbara Ann, Yvonne, Georgiana, Tim. His wife was named Josephine. None of the sons became boxers. (information came directly from George Walker, 4/18/2007)
In his later years Jack suffered from pugilistic Parkinson's syndrome (which also affected Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
and Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
), complications from which ultimately killed him.
Beau Jack was the 1944 Ring Magazine fighter of the year
Ring Magazine fighters of the year
The Ring was established in 1922. Since 1928, it has named a fighter as Fighter of the Year, based on the magazine's writers' criteria...
and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta...
in 1991.