Full Description
Among the great lightweights of the 1940s and 1950s, Boxing Hall of Famer Sidney "Beau Jack" Walker (1921-2000) was virtually orphaned by his parents and eked out a living as a shoeshine boy. He honed his craft fighting battles royale for wealthy white members of the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, eventually receiving financing for his career from club founders.
He went on to win two lightweight titles and set numerous records. He was the draw for the highest admission paid for a ringside seat--$100,000--and was named "Fighter of the Year" in 1944.
Like most black pugilists of his day he struggled against discrimination in the sport. Despite this, he sustained an impressive 18-year professional career--117 fights, 83 wins, 40 by KO. Walker retired from the ring penniless and went back to shining shoes, the money set aside for him by his handlers mysteriously depleted.
Contents
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Part I. The Early Days
1. Roaring Twenties, Racial Tension and Segregation
2. Beau's Early Life
3. Battles Royal Bring Opportunity
4. Beau Begins Boxing
5. A Syndicate Forms
Part II. Media Sensation at "Valley" Arena
6. Learning the Ropes
7. A Featured Attraction
Part III. Beau Bounces to New York
8. Publicity and Training
9. Fistic Debut in New York
10. Eleven Straight Wins and a Title Fight
Part IV. Claiming the Lightweight Title
11. Stolz Stands Between Beau and a Title Bout
12. Beau Crowned Lightweight Champion
13. Beau's First Reign
14. Montgomery Dethrones Beau
15. Beau Regains the Title
16. Beau vs. Montgomery III
Part V. Called to Service
17. Jack Selects the Army
18. The Great "War Bonds Fight"
19. 1944 Fighter of the Year
20. Beau's Return as a Welterweight
Part VI. Jack Breaks His Kneecap
21. Stopped for the First Time
22. Comeback from a Broken Kneecap
23. Third Shot at the Lightweight Title
24. Beau Seeks Welterweight Title
25. Beau's 27th Appearance Makes Madison Square Garden History
26. Tissue Paper Legs
27. Reentering the Ring
Part VII. Retirement from the Ring
28. Financial Woes
29. On His Knees Again
30. Beau Jack the Trainer
31. Final Days
32. An American Hero Passes
Appendix: Boxing Record
Chapter Notes
Bibliography
Index
