Davey Moore (1980s)
Encyclopedia
Davey Moore was an American world champion boxer
, the second of two boxers who shared the name in the late 20th century, and whose respective careers each ended with death by trauma
around the age of thirty.
This Davey Moore was born in New York, during the championship reign of the first Davey Moore. As a boxer, he rose quickly through the junior middleweight ranks—perhaps too quickly, according to some boxing writers and critics.
named him their No. 1 challenger, and in February 1982, he travelled to Japan, where he knocked out defending champion Tadashi Mihara
in six, winning the WBA world junior middleweight title.
In April of that year he defended it against Charlie Weir, taking five rounds to knock him out, and in July former world champion Ayub Kalule, whom he stopped in ten.
Moore started 1983 by beating challenger Gary Guiden, again by knockout, in four. He had been scheduled to fight Tony Ayala Jr., however Ayala was convicted of burglary and rape, he was sentenced the 35 years in prison. Next, he defended against former two-time world champion Roberto Durán
. Moore was perhaps overconfident, against an aging 'Hands of Stone' Duran, but experience proved the key with Duran hammering shut one of Moore's eyes and stopping him in eight rounds at Madison Square Garden
. Moore won his next two fights, the first in Monte Carlo
over Wilfred Benítez
, but then he was disqualified in the ninth round against Louis Acaries in Paris. In 1985, he won one more fight and was in line to challenge Carlos Santos for the IBF
World Junior Middleweight title. That fight did not materialize, but eventually he did get to challenge for the IBF title, going against Buster Drayton
in August 1986. Moore lost by TKO in the tenth and only fought 5 more times, winning 3 and losing 2.
a former professional Middleweight.
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...
, the second of two boxers who shared the name in the late 20th century, and whose respective careers each ended with death by trauma
Physical trauma
Trauma refers to "a body wound or shock produced by sudden physical injury, as from violence or accident." It can also be described as "a physical wound or injury, such as a fracture or blow." Major trauma can result in secondary complications such as circulatory shock, respiratory failure and death...
around the age of thirty.
This Davey Moore was born in New York, during the championship reign of the first Davey Moore. As a boxer, he rose quickly through the junior middleweight ranks—perhaps too quickly, according to some boxing writers and critics.
Professional career
After winning eight professional fights, five by knockout, the WBAWorld Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
named him their No. 1 challenger, and in February 1982, he travelled to Japan, where he knocked out defending champion Tadashi Mihara
Tadashi Mihara
is a former professional boxer who competed as a light middleweight throughout his career.Mihara began his boxing career when he was a third grader of the high school. He won the title of the All-Japan Amateur Boxing Championships in the light middleweight division in 1977. He also got the group...
in six, winning the WBA world junior middleweight title.
In April of that year he defended it against Charlie Weir, taking five rounds to knock him out, and in July former world champion Ayub Kalule, whom he stopped in ten.
Moore started 1983 by beating challenger Gary Guiden, again by knockout, in four. He had been scheduled to fight Tony Ayala Jr., however Ayala was convicted of burglary and rape, he was sentenced the 35 years in prison. Next, he defended against former two-time world champion Roberto Durán
Roberto Durán
Roberto Durán Samaniego is a retired professional boxer from Panama, widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time. A versatile brawler in the ring, he was nicknamed "Manos de Piedra" during his career....
. Moore was perhaps overconfident, against an aging 'Hands of Stone' Duran, but experience proved the key with Duran hammering shut one of Moore's eyes and stopping him in eight rounds 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...
. Moore won his next two fights, the first in Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo is an administrative area of the Principality of Monaco....
over Wilfred Benítez
Wilfred Benitez
Wilfred Benítez , is a Puerto Rican boxer. He is remembered best as a skilled and aggressive fighter with exceptional defensive abilities who won world championships in three separate weight divisions, and was the youngest world champion in boxing history at the age of 17...
, but then he was disqualified in the ninth round against Louis Acaries in Paris. In 1985, he won one more fight and was in line to challenge Carlos Santos for the IBF
International Boxing Federation
The International Boxing Federation or IBF is one of four major organizations recognized by IBHOF which sanction world championship boxing bouts, alongside the WBA, WBC and WBO.- History :...
World Junior Middleweight title. That fight did not materialize, but eventually he did get to challenge for the IBF title, going against Buster Drayton
Buster Drayton
Buster Drayton , was a professional boxer in the Light Middleweight division.Drayton turned pro in 1978 and won the Vacant IBF Light Middleweight Title with a decision win over Carlos Santos in 1986. He defended the belt twice before losing it to Matthew Hilton the following year...
in August 1986. Moore lost by TKO in the tenth and only fought 5 more times, winning 3 and losing 2.
Death
One morning in early June 1988, as Moore was leaving his home, he stepped out of his car to open his garage door. The car lurched backwards, pinning him against the door of his garage. He died at the scene.Amateur Highlights
Davey Moore won five New York Golden Gloves Championships. Moore won the 1976 135 lb Sub-Novice Championship. Moore also won the 1977, 1978 and 1979 147 lb Open Championships. He was defeated in the 1980 147 lb Open division by Pedro Vilella himself a three time New York Golden Gloves Champion. Moore was trained at the Morrisania Youth Center in the Bronx, New York by Leon WashingtonLeon Washington
Leon Washington is an American football running back for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State. He is married to Charity Washington with whom he has a son...
a former professional Middleweight.