Beau Jack

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Beau Jack

Statistics

Real name Sidney Walker

Rated at Lightweight

Height 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)

Nationality American

Born April 1, 1921

Augusta, Georgia

Died February 9, 2000 (aged 78)

Stance Orthodox

Boxing record

Total fights 117

Wins 88

Wins by KO 43

Losses 24
 Draws 5

No contests 0

Sidney Walker, better known as Beau Jack, (April 1, 1921 – February 9, 2000), was
an American lightweight boxerand two-time world champion. One of the most popular fighters
during the War Years, he headlined at Madison Square Garden on twenty one occasions, a
record that still stands.[1][2]
Called "The greatest lightweight ever" by Cus D'Amato, trainer and manager of fighters such
as Floyd Patterson, José Torres and Mike Tyson.

Contents
[hide]

 1Early years
 2Boxing career
 3Life after boxing
 4References
 5External links

Early years[edit]
Born in the Waynesboro, Georgia, a boy named Sidney Walker took his first breath on April 1,
1921. The name "Beau Jack" was given to young Sidney by his maternal grandmother. After
the death of his mother he moved to Augusta, Georgia, and stayed with his grandmother, Evie
Mixom. During his time in Augusta he worked as a shoe-shine boy. To make extra money, he
would engage in battle royales, which consisted of five to ten boys fighting each other
blindfolded, until only one remained standing. The winner was given a purse by the white
organisers
Following his first battle royale at the Augusta National Golf Club, Jack became a caddie at the
club. He quickly befriended some of the club's members, including golfing legend Bobby
Jones, who helped fund his boxing training.

Boxing career[edit]
Jack turned professional in 1940, he began his career fighting in Massachusetts 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
under the management of Chick Wergeles. 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, with 3-1 odds 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.[3]
Jack only held the title for six months before dropping it to fellow hall-of-famer Bob
Montgomery on a unanimous points decision. Jack would 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
$36 million with 15,822 war bonds being sold. Many people who purchased bonds left their
tickets at the box office for US servicemen. 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 hall-of-famer Ike
Williams, protégé of Mafioso boxing promoter Blinky Palmermo, who was a partner of Murder
Inc. button-man Frankie Carbo. Carbo operated a stable of fighters which later included
heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. 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[edit]

He retired with a record of 83 wins, with 40 knockouts, 24 losses and five draws. After
retirement he ran a drive-in barbecue stand, operated a small farm, and refereed wrestling
matches. After all of his boxing earnings were depleted, he returned to shoe shining, working at
the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Florida, which was reportedly run by the mafia. There, Jack
would also train fighters in Miami's Fifth Street Gym.[4]
Beau Jack had seven children, Ronald, Donald, George, Barbara Ann, Yvonne, Georgiana and
Timothy. His wife was named Josephine. None of the sons became boxers. (information came
directly from George Walker, 4/18/2007)
In his later years he suffered from poverty and Parkinson disease. In 1991 he was inducted
into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He died nine years later in a Miami nursing home,
on February 9, 2000, from complications relating from Parkinsons.[5]