Billy Joiner

Joiner was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on 10 May 1938.[1] His father was a former professional boxer, as was his uncle who had once knocked out Freddie Miller in a bout.[2]

Joiner was the 1962 National Golden Gloves and National AAU Light-Heavyweight Champion and compiled an Amateur record of 86–6 (The Ring, March 1964), and won the National Golden Gloves with a win over Gerald McClure of Toledo, Ohio. He also fought Cassius Clay twice as an amateur between 1960–61. He made his professional debut in August 1962, stopping Jukius Dickins in two rounds.

He was a promising heavyweight prospect in the 1960s who failed to live up to his promise. A slick boxer with little punch, Joiner is best remembered for lasting the distance with former world heavyweight champion Sonny Liston on March 28, 1969, during Liston's comeback. This was in fact their second fight. They'd fought in May the year before with Liston winning a seventh round stoppage.

He also fought (and lost) to top heavyweight contenders Zora Folley, Oscar Bonavena, Mac Foster, Alfredo Evangelista and Larry Holmes.

After retiring from the ring Joiner worked for thirty years with the Ohio State Highway Maintenance Department, finishing as a Superintendent. He was also employed as an amateur boxing coach.[2]

Joiner died at the age of 81 in June 2019.[3]

• Boxing record for Billy Joiner from BoxRec (registration required)
• Billy Joiner embodies city's boxing legacy