Tommy Hurricane Jackson
Encyclopedia
Thomas "Hurricane" Jackson (August 9, 1931 - February 14, 1982) was a professional boxer
from 1951 to 1961. He was trained and managed by Whitey Bimstein.http://www.njboxinghof.org/cgi-bin/henryseehof.pl?507
While Jackson never won the heavyweight
title, he had a career which saw him defeat some notable heavyweights. Probably his best wins came against former champion Ezzard Charles
, whom Jackson beat twice in 1955. In February 1956, he was ranked behind Archie Moore
as a contender for Rocky Marciano
's heavyweight title.
He fought two bouts with Floyd Patterson
. In June 1956 he and Patterson fought in an elimination fight to see who would fight for the heavyweight championship left vacant by Rocky Marciano's retirement. Jackson lost a twelve-round split decision
.
In July 1957 Jackson fought Floyd Patterson again, this time for the heavyweight championship held by Patterson. Jackson lost in the tenth round by technical knockout. He fought on with limited success and had his final bout in 1960. After a few exhibition bouts in 1961, he retired.
In his later life he worked shining shoes and as a taxi driver. While driving his cab in late 1981 he was hit by a car and was critically injured. He died in 1982 in New York City.
Jackson was famous for bravery in the ring and at times taking much punishment. At one stage his license was suspended to help recovery.
His overall career record was 34 wins (with 16 knockouts), nine losses, and one draw.
Professional Boxing
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, emerged in the early twentieth century as boxing gradually attained legitimacy and became a regulated, sanctioned sport. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse which is divided among the fighters and promoters as determined by contract...
from 1951 to 1961. He was trained and managed by Whitey Bimstein.http://www.njboxinghof.org/cgi-bin/henryseehof.pl?507
While Jackson never won the heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
title, he had a career which saw him defeat some notable heavyweights. Probably his best wins came against former champion Ezzard Charles
Ezzard Charles
Ezzard Mack Charles was an African-American professional boxer and former world heavyweight champion. He holds wins over numerous Hall of Fame fighters in three different weight classes. Charles retired with a record of 93 wins, 25 losses and 1 draw.-Career:He was born in Lawrenceville, Georgia,...
, whom Jackson beat twice in 1955. In February 1956, he was ranked behind Archie Moore
Archie Moore
Archie Moore, born Archibald Lee Wright , was light heavyweight world boxing champion who had one of the longest professional careers in the history of that sport....
as a contender for Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano
Rocky Marciano , born Rocco Francis Marchegiano, was an American boxer and the heavyweight champion of the world from September 23, 1952, to April 27, 1956. Marciano is the only champion to hold the heavyweight title and go undefeated throughout his career. Marciano defended his title six times...
's heavyweight title.
He fought two bouts with Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson
Floyd Patterson was an American heavyweight boxer and former undisputed heavyweight champion. At 21, Patterson became the youngest man to win the world heavyweight title. He was also the first heavyweight boxer to regain the title. He had a record of 55 wins 8 losses and 1 draw, with 40 wins by...
. In June 1956 he and Patterson fought in an elimination fight to see who would fight for the heavyweight championship left vacant by Rocky Marciano's retirement. Jackson lost a twelve-round split decision
Split decision
A split decision is a winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts and others sports involving striking in which two of the three judges score for the same fighter as the winner, while the third judge scores for the other...
.
In July 1957 Jackson fought Floyd Patterson again, this time for the heavyweight championship held by Patterson. Jackson lost in the tenth round by technical knockout. He fought on with limited success and had his final bout in 1960. After a few exhibition bouts in 1961, he retired.
In his later life he worked shining shoes and as a taxi driver. While driving his cab in late 1981 he was hit by a car and was critically injured. He died in 1982 in New York City.
Jackson was famous for bravery in the ring and at times taking much punishment. At one stage his license was suspended to help recovery.
His overall career record was 34 wins (with 16 knockouts), nine losses, and one draw.