Billy Graham (American boxer)

Billy Graham (September 9, 1922 – January 22, 1992) was an American boxer from New York City who had an impressive professional record of 102 wins and 15 losses. Though a leading lightweight contender, Graham was never the recipient of a world title. Graham did however, have the remarkable distinction of never having been knocked off his feet in his long career. He was elected into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987, and is also in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[1][2]

This article is about an American boxer. For the American televangelist, see Billy Graham. For the American professional wrestler, see Superstar Billy Graham.
Billy Graham
Statistics
Real nameWilliam Walter Graham Jr.
Weight(s)Welterweight
NationalityAmerican
Born(1922-09-09)September 9, 1922
East Side of Manhattan, New York, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 1992(1992-01-22) (aged 69)
Long Island, New York, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights126
Wins102
Wins by KO27
Losses15
Draws9

Early life and career

Graham was born on the East side of Manhattan on September 9, 1922. Graham defeated Sugar Ray Robinson as an amateur, when they were both teenagers in NYC. He was undefeated in his first 58 fights, going 52-0-6, until he fought Tony Pellone, where he lost by a split decision.[1]

Boxing career

Graham was known as a welterweight with stylish and subtle moves that made him a difficult target in the ring.[3] He fought the legendary Kid Gavilán (commonly spelled Kid Gavilan) four times. In the first fight, held at Madison Square Garden, he beat Gavilan by a split decision. In the second fight, he lost at Madison Square Garden by a medical decision. The third fight was for the National Boxing Association World welterweight title and was again held at Madison Square Garden; this time, Gavilan won by a split decision. The final fight was for the World Welterweight Title in Havana, Cuba at Stadium Ball Park; Gavilan was again the victor, winning in a unanimous decision.[1]

In a 2002 interview with The Observer, Budd Schulberg talked about mob involvement in boxing in the 1950s and how Gavilan both won and lost the welterweight championship due to mob interference.

"...Frankie Carbo, the mob's unofficial commissioner for boxing, controlled a lot of the welters and middles.... Not every fight was fixed, of course, but from time to time Carbo and his lieutenants, like Blinky Palermo in Philadelphia, would put the fix in. When the Kid Gavilan-Johnny Saxton fight was won by Saxton on a decision in Philadelphia in 1954, I was covering it for Sports Illustrated and wrote a piece at that time saying boxing was a dirty business and must be cleaned up now. It was an open secret. All the press knew that one - and other fights - were fixed. Gavilan was a mob-controlled fighter, too, and when he fought Billy Graham it was clear Graham had been robbed of the title. The decision would be bought. If it was close, the judges would shade it the way they had been told."[4]

Billy Graham also fought Carmen Basilio three times in his career. The first fight was held at Chicago Stadium; Graham won by a unanimous decision. Basilio won the second fight, held for the New York State Welterweight Title at Memorial Stadium in Syracuse, by a unanimous decision. The third and final fight was deemed a draw; Basilio kept his New York State Welterweight Title.[1]

Life after boxing

After his boxing career, Graham worked for 35 years as a representative for liquor companies, 25 years for Seagram's. While employed by National Distillers, Graham made a guest appearance as an imposter for a police officer on the August 18, 1960 episode of the CBS game show To Tell the Truth. He fooled the panel into thinking he was the officer, garnering two of the four possible votes from Kitty Carlisle and Jim Fleming. After all the votes were cast, Tom Poston recognized Graham's true identity.[5]

Graham also worked as a boxing judge and referee.[3]

Graham died of cancer at his home in West Islip, Long Island, New York, on January 22, 1992.[3]



Professional boxing record
126 fights 102 wins 15 losses
By knockout 27 0
By decision 75 15
Draws 9
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
126 Loss 102–15–9 Chico Vejar UD 10 Apr 1, 1955 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
125 Loss 102–14–9 Chico Vejar SD 10 Mar 4, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
124 Loss 102–13–9 Ramon Fuentes UD 10 Oct 21, 1954 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
123 Loss 102–12–9 Christian Christensen SD 10 Jul 19, 1954 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US
122 Win 102–11–9 Charlie Simmons TKO 6 (8) Jun 10, 1954 Candlewood Arena, Danbury, Connecticut, US
121 Win 101–11–9 Paddy Young UD 10 Dec 18, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
120 Draw 100–11–9 Carmen Basilio SD 12 Jul 25, 1953 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US For USA New York State welterweight title
119 Loss 100–11–8 Carmen Basilio UD 12 Jun 6, 1953 Memorial Stadium, Syracuse, New York, US For inaugural USA New York State welterweight title
118 Win 100–10–8 Joey Giardello UD 12 Mar 6, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
117 Win 99–10–8 Art Aragon UD 10 Jan 29, 1953 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
116 Loss 98–10–8 Joey Giardello SD 10 Dec 19, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
115 Loss 98–9–8 Kid Gavilán UD 15 Oct 5, 1952 Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana, Cuba For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
114 Win 98–8–8 Carmen Basilio UD 10 Aug 20, 1952 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
113 Loss 97–8–8 Joey Giardello SD 10 Aug 4, 1952 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US
112 Draw 97–7–8 Rocky Castellani SD 10 May 16, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
111 Win 97–7–7 Art Soto UD 10 Apr 14, 1952 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, US
110 Win 96–7–7 Mike Gillo UD 10 Mar 24, 1952 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
109 Win 95–7–7 Jimmy Herring UD 10 Feb 15, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
108 Win 94–7–7 Danny Stepanovich UD 10 Nov 27, 1951 Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, US
107 Win 93–7–7 Johnny Cesario SD 10 Nov 1, 1951 Memorial Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, US
106 Win 92–7–7 Jimmy Brown KO 4 (10), 1:16 Oct 22, 1951 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
105 Draw 91–7–7 Mario Trigo SD 10 Oct 8, 1951 Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
104 Loss 91–7–6 Kid Gavilán SD 15 Aug 29, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
103 Win 91–6–6 Billy Jenkins UD 8 Aug 2, 1951 Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, US
102 Win 90–6–6 Tommy Ciarlo UD 8 Dec 19, 1950 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
101 Loss 89–6–6 Kid Gavilán MD 10 Nov 17, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
100 Win 89–5–6 Auguste 'Kid' Dussart UD 10 Oct 24, 1950 Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, US
99 Win 88–5–6 Sammy Mastrean TKO 7 (10), 1:59 Aug 14, 1950 Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, US
98 Win 87–5–6 Tommy Bazzano PTS 10 Jul 14, 1950 Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US
97 Win 86–5–6 Jimmy Sanders UD 10 Apr 18, 1950 Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US
96 Win 85–5–6 Phil Burton SD 10 Apr 14, 1950 South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US
95 Win 84–5–6 Kid Gavilán SD 10 Feb 10, 1950 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
94 Win 83–5–6 Tony Pellone SD 10 Jan 18, 1950 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
93 Win 82–5–6 Tony LaBua UD 10 Nov 23, 1949 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
92 Win 81–5–6 Jean Walzack UD 10 Oct 19, 1949 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
91 Win 80–5–6 Jimmy Cox TKO 3 (10), 1:59 Sep 19, 1949 Coliseum, Coral Gables, Florida, US
90 Win 79–5–6 Jimmy Sanders UD 10 Jul 8, 1949 Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US
89 Win 78–5–6 Sonny Jim Hampton UD 10 Jun 23, 1949 Artillery Park, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US
88 Win 77–5–6 Mike Koballa UD 8 Apr 9, 1949 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
87 Loss 76–5–6 Paddy DeMarco UD 10 Mar 4, 1949 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
86 Loss 76–4–6 Eddie Thomas PTS 10 Feb 7, 1949 Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
85 Win 76–3–6 Fitzie Pruden UD 10 Jan 26, 1949 Manhattan Center, New York City, New York, US
84 Win 75–3–6 Billy Lee PTS 8 Dec 13, 1948 Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US
83 Win 74–3–6 Joe Lucignano UD 8 Dec 2, 1948 Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, US
82 Win 73–3–6 Terry Young UD 10 Aug 26, 1948 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
81 Win 72–3–6 Maxie Starr PTS 8 Jul 16, 1948 Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US
80 Win 71–3–6 Patsy Brandino PTS 8 Jun 21, 1948 Croke Park, New York City, New York, US
79 Win 70–3–6 Patsy Brandino UD 10 Feb 2, 1948 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US
78 Win 69–3–6 Jimmy Joyce TKO 5 (10) Jan 20, 1948 Park Arena, New York City, New York, US
77 Win 68–3–6 Rocco Rossano SD 10 Nov 21, 1947 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
76 Win 67–3–6 Willie Beltram UD 10 Oct 24, 1947 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
75 Win 66–3–6 Patsy Giordano PTS 10 Oct 13, 1947 Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York, US
74 Win 65–3–6 Billy Seep KO 2 (10) Sep 12, 1947 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
73 Win 64–3–6 Aldo Minelli PTS 10 Jun 2, 1947 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
72 Win 63–3–6 Ernie Petrone UD 8 May 27, 1947 Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, US
71 Loss 62–3–6 Tippy Larkin UD 10 Mar 21, 1947 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
70 Win 62–2–6 Ruby Kessler UD 10 Jan 17, 1947 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
69 Win 61–2–6 Doll Rafferty UD 10 Oct 25, 1946 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
68 Win 60–2–6 Cleo Shans SD 10 Oct 15, 1946 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
67 Loss 59–2–6 Tony Pellone SD 10 Aug 30, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
66 Win 59–1–6 Vic Costa PTS 8 Aug 20, 1946 MacArthur Stadium, New York City, New York, US
65 Win 58–1–6 Jimmy Joyce UD 10 May 20, 1946 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
64 Win 57–1–6 Frankie Carto KO 9 (10), 0:58 May 13, 1946 Jamaica Arena, New York City, New York, US
63 Win 56–1–6 Pedro Biesca UD 8 May 8, 1946 Jamaica Arena, New York City, New York, US
62 Win 55–1–6 Pat Scanlon TKO 5 (10), 3:00 Apr 15, 1946 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
61 Win 54–1–6 Charley Milan SD 10 Mar 25, 1946 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
60 Win 53–1–6 Charley Cabey Lewis UD 10 Oct 8, 1945 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
59 Loss 52–1–6 Tony Pellone SD 10 Sep 11, 1945 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
58 Win 52–0–6 Donnie Maes TKO 1 (8), 2:19 Aug 27, 1945 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
57 Win 51–0–6 Johnny Rinaldi TKO 4 (8), 1:15 Aug 13, 1945 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
56 Win 50–0–6 Joey Manfro PTS 6 May 25, 1945 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
55 Win 49–0–6 Johnny Williams PTS 8 Apr 21, 1945 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
54 Win 48–0–6 Jeff Holloway PTS 8 Mar 31, 1945 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
53 Win 47–0–6 Herbert Solomon PTS 6 Mar 17, 1945 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
52 Win 46–0–6 Tommy Mills PTS 6 Mar 5, 1945 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
51 Win 45–0–6 Jackie Connors TKO 6 (8), 2:42 Jul 21, 1944 Municipal Stadium, Long Branch, New Jersey, US
50 Win 44–0–6 Julian Malavez PTS 6 Jul 17, 1944 Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, US
49 Win 43–0–6 Jimmy Pierce PTS 6 Jul 10, 1944 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
48 Win 42–0–6 Johnny Williams KO 4 (6), 0:29 Jun 28, 1944 Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
47 Win 41–0–6 George Johnson TKO 5 (6) Jun 26, 1944 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
46 Win 40–0–6 Doug Carter PTS 6 May 31, 1944 Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
45 Win 39–0–6 Sammy Mammone PTS 6 May 10, 1944 Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
44 Win 38–0–6 Sammy Mammone PTS 6 May 4, 1944 Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, US
43 Win 37–0–6 Jackie Smallwood KO 1 (6), 2:11 Apr 19, 1944 Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
42 Win 36–0–6 Prudencio Pacheco PTS 6 Apr 13, 1944 Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, US
41 Draw 35–0–6 Joey Varoff PTS 6 Nov 13, 1942 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
40 Win 35–0–5 Lew Maxwell PTS 6 Nov 5, 1942 Grotto Auditorium, Jersey City, New Jersey, US
39 Win 34–0–5 Mickey LaRosa TKO 5 (6) Oct 27, 1942 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
38 Win 33–0–5 Thaddeus Caby KO 3 (6), 2:58 Oct 15, 1942 Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
37 Win 32–0–5 Johnny Rudd TKO 2 (6) Oct 12, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
36 Win 31–0–5 Julian Malavez PTS 6 Sep 19, 1942 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
35 Win 30–0–5 Gus Coen Levine PTS 8 Sep 14, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
34 Win 29–0–5 Cedric Flournoy KO 3 (6) Aug 1, 1942 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
33 Win 28–0–5 Ted Christie TKO 2 (6), 2:58 Jul 23, 1942 Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
32 Win 27–0–5 Jeff Holloway TKO 5 (6), 2:00 Jul 9, 1942 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
31 Win 26–0–5 Bobby Henderson PTS 6 Jul 3, 1942 Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
30 Draw 25–0–5 Wallace Brown PTS 6 Jun 9, 1942 Queensboro Arena, New Jersey, US
29 Win 25–0–4 Jimmy Anest PTS 6 Jun 5, 1942 Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
28 Win 24–0–4 Bobby Root PTS 6 Jun 1, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
27 Win 23–0–4 Moe Weiss PTS 4 May 15, 1942 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
26 Win 22–0–4 Lew Maxwell PTS 6 Apr 30, 1942 Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
25 Win 21–0–4 Al Simmons KO 1 (6), 2:00 Apr 27, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York, New York, US
24 Win 20–0–4 Russell Sawyer KO 1 (6), 1:24 Apr 16, 1942 Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
23 Win 19–0–4 Davey Crawford PTS 6 Apr 7, 1942 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
22 Win 18–0–4 Lew Maxwell PTS 6 Apr 1, 1942 Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
21 Win 17–0–4 Al Guido PTS 6 Mar 23, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
20 Win 16–0–4 Al Guido PTS 6 Mar 3, 1942 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
19 Win 15–0–4 Harry Diduck PTS 6 Feb 24, 1942 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
18 Win 14–0–4 Terry Amico KO 2 (6), 2:23 Feb 19, 1942 Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
17 Win 13–0–4 Harry Diduck PTS 6 Feb 17, 1942 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
16 Win 12–0–4 Bob Henry KO 2 (4), 2:20 Feb 2, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
15 Win 11–0–4 Julian Malavez KO 3 (4), 1:40 Jan 26, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
14 Win 10–0–4 Joe Maldonado PTS 4 Jan 19, 1942 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
13 Win 9–0–4 Al Guido PTS 4 Dec 19, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
12 Draw 8–0–4 Louis La Salle PTS 4 Dec 9, 1941 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
11 Win 8–0–3 Mike Martinez TKO 3 (4), 0:50 Nov 24, 1941 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
10 Win 7–0–3 Bobby Henderson PTS 4 Nov 18, 1941 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
9 Win 6–0–3 Bobby Henderson PTS 4 Nov 10, 1941 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
8 Win 5–0–3 Bobby Henderson PTS 4 Oct 13, 1941 Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
7 Win 4–0–3 Bob Henry PTS 4 Sep 30, 1941 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
6 Draw 3–0–3 Joey Agro PTS 4 Jul 30, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
5 Win 3–0–2 Bob Henry PTS 4 Jun 24, 1941 Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
4 Draw 2–0–2 Joey Manfro PTS 4 Jun 9, 1941 Starlight Park, New York City, New York, US
3 Draw 2–0–1 Jimmy Kemp PTS 4 May 19, 1941 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
2 Win 2–0 Frankie Van PTS 4 May 5, 1941 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
1 Win 1–0 Connie Savoie TKO 4 (4), 2:20 Apr 14, 1941 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US

References
  1. "Billy Graham". BoxRec. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  2. "Billy Graham". BoxRec Bio. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
  3. New York Times, "Obituaries, Billy Graham, 70, Welterweight Boxer", New York, New York, 24 January 1992
  4. Hagerty, Bill. "Budd the wiser". Observer. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  5. "To Tell The Truth". CBS. Archived from the original on 2021-12-14. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
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