Bobo Olson

Carl "Bobo" Olson (July 11, 1928 – January 16, 2002) was an American boxer. He was the World Middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955,[1] the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s. His nickname was based on his younger sister's mispronunciation of "brother".[2]

Bobo Olson
Olson in 1954
Statistics
Real nameCarl Olson
Nickname(s)The Hawaiian Swede
The Kalihi Kid
Weight(s)Middleweight
Height5 ft 10+1⁄2 in (1.79 m)
NationalityAmerican (after 1959)
Hawaiian (before 1959)
Born(1928-07-11)July 11, 1928
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
DiedJanuary 16, 2002(2002-01-16) (aged 73)
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Stanceorthodox
Boxing record
Total fights115
Wins97
Wins by KO47
Losses16
Draws2

Early years

Olson was born in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii to a Portuguese mother and a Swedish father, hence his other nickname "The Hawaiian Swede". Like many boxers, Olson decided to take up the sport after getting into fights on the streets. Olson received training from boxers who were stationed in Hawaii during World War II, and it was during this period that he picked up his two trademark tattoos.[3][2]

Using a fake identity card Olson obtained a boxing license at the age of 16. His earliest fights were in his native Kalihi, Hawaii. He had won his first three contests, two by knockout, before his true age was discovered. During 1945, Olson ran off to San Francisco to continue his boxing career. By the time he was 18, he had amassed a record of 13 successive wins (10 by KO). Even at this stage his power and huge reserves of stamina were clear, as was his rather average skill.[3][2][4][5]

Professional career
Olson and Sugar Ray Robinson before their 1955 fight
Olson knocked out by Sugar Ray Robinson in 1955

The first real test of Olson's career came on March 20, 1950, Olson's record at this point was 40 wins and 2 losses, against the Australian Dave Sands. Olson lost to a close points decision in Sydney. Seven months after this Olson had his first fight against Sugar Ray Robinson, for the lowly regarded Pennsylvania State World Middleweight Title. Olson, who was widely seen as a slow starter, failed to get into the fight, even though Robinson was not having one of his best fights. Olson managed to hold on for 11 rounds before being knocked out. Despite his great record it was clear that Olson was still too inexperienced to be fighting at that level.[3][2]

A year after his loss to Robinson, Olson managed to get a rematch against Dave Sands. This fight was the first to be televised coast-to-coast in America. However, Sands once again proved too much for Olson, he again won by unanimous decision.[3]

On March 13, 1952 Olson fought Robinson again, this time for the world middleweight title. Robinson, who had lost and regained the title against Randy Turpin in his previous two fights, was looking for an easy fight. However, Olson had improved significantly from their first encounter. Through ten rounds the fight was neck-and-neck, and only a dominant finish by Robinson over the last five rounds won him the decision. The Los Angeles Times wrote that Robinson won the first six rounds easily, slowly stacking up points, but that Olson reduced the points margin in the seventh through tenth. Robinson won the fifteenth convincingly with hard rights and lefts.[6] This would be the only time that Olson lasted the duration against Robinson.[3]

Robinson retired for the first time in December 1952, vacating his middleweight crown. The top four contenders fought a tournament for the title. Olson defeated Paddy Young for the American title to gain the right to fight for the vacant world title, Turpin won the other eliminator against Charley Humez.[3]

The title fight against Turpin took place on October 21, 1953, at Madison Square Garden. Turpin dominated the first four rounds, he almost scored a knockdown in the first round, before Olson got a grip on the fight. As the fight progressed Olson took the initiative, he scored knockdowns in the 10th and 11th rounds on the way to a unanimous decision. Following his success Olson was voted Ring magazine's fighter of the year for 1953.[3][5]

Olson won all seven of his fights in 1954 including defenses of his title against such big names as Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, and Pierre Langlois.[3]

Olson with wife Helen in 1955. They got married in Hawaii in 1946 and divorced in 1955

In 1955 Olson, who was finding it increasingly difficult to make weight, stepped up to light heavyweight. His first major fight in this category was against former champion Joey Maxim. Olson won the fight easily on points after scoring knockdowns in both the 2nd and 9th rounds. On June 22 Olson challenged 41-year-old Archie Moore for the light heavyweight title, a fight that many believed Olson would easily win. However, Moore was too strong for Olson and won by knockout after only a minute had elapsed of the third round. After this fight Olson began his decline.[3][2]

Following two walkover wins, Olson put his middleweight title on the line against Robinson, who was once again number 1 contender following his brief retirement, on December 9, 1955. It was Olson's fourth and final defense of his title, but ended as a stunning comeback for Robinson. Olson, who entered the fight as a 3–1 favorite, was knocked out in the second round. The rematch, fought five months later at Wrigley Field, on May 18, 1956, ended similarly with Olson going down in the fourth. Robinson ended the bout with a hard left hook to the body and a right to the jaw. Olson had made the mistake of dropping his right hand after Robinson's hard left, dropping his only defense in an instant.[7] After this second defeat Olson announced his retirement.[3][8]

Late career

After a year out of the game Olson returned as a heavyweight to fight Maxim again, a fight he won on points. Olson took another year out following a knockout defeat against Pat McMurtry. Whilst initially coming back as a journeyman, despite being only 30, Olson managed to reestablish himself as a contender. On November 27, 1964, he fought José Torres with the winner going on to fight the champion, Willie Pastrano. Olson was knocked out after 2 minutes of the first round. This defeat effectively ended his career, he would only fight again four more times, with his final fight being a defeat to Gene Fullmer's younger brother, Don.[3]

Life after boxing

Olson retired with a record of 97 wins (47 by KO), 16 losses, and 2 draws from his 115 professional fights. He went on to work with disaffected youngsters before working as a PR officer for the Elevator Operating Engineers Local Union in San Francisco. In 1987 he was a Union Elevator Operator in Lancaster, California, working on new construction at the Antelope Valley Medical Center.[9]

In the 1990s he lived in Northern California for a time. In his later years Olson suffered from Alzheimer's disease. To add quality of life to his later years he and much of his close family returned to Honolulu. He died on January 16, 2002, in Honolulu at Queens Medical Center at the age of 73.

He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1958, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.[2][3][10]

Professional boxing record
115 fights 97 wins 16 losses
By knockout 47 7
By decision 50 9
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
115 Loss 97–16–2 Don Fullmer MD 10 Nov 28, 1966 Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, US
114 Win 97–15–2 Piero Del Papa SD 10 Jul 11, 1966 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
113 Win 96–15–2 Fred Roots TKO 3 (10), 2:35 Sep 23, 1965 Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada, US
112 Win 95–15–2 Andy Kendall UD 10 Jun 24, 1965 Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada, US
111 Loss 94–15–2 José Torres KO 1 (10), 2:51 Nov 27, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
110 Win 94–14–2 Wayne Thornton UD 10 Aug 28, 1964 Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US
109 Loss 93–14–2 Johnny Persol MD 10 Jun 19, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
108 Win 93–13–2 Wayne Thornton MD 10 Mar 27, 1964 Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US
107 Draw 92–13–2 Hank Casey SD 10 Dec 9, 1963 Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
106 Win 92–13–1 Jose Menno UD 10 Oct 21, 1963 Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US
105 Win 91–13–1 Jesse Bowdry UD 10 May 14, 1963 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
104 Win 90–13–1 Sonny Ray TKO 7 (10), 3:00 Apr 30, 1963 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
103 Win 89–13–1 Tiger Al Williams TKO 5 (10) Jan 25, 1963 Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene, Oregon, US
102 Draw 88–13–1 Giulio Rinaldi PTS 10 Dec 14, 1962 PalaEur, Roma, Italy
101 Win 88–13 Lennart Risberg KO 6 (10), 1:44 Jun 3, 1962 Olympic Stadium, Stockholm, Sweden
100 Loss 87–13 Pete Rademacher UD 10 Apr 3, 1962 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
99 Win 87–12 Artie Dixon UD 10 Jan 19, 1962 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
98 Win 86–12 Tiger Al Williams UD 10 Jan 12, 1962 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
97 Win 85–12 Roy Smith TKO 8 (10), 2:44 Nov 14, 1961 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, US
96 Win 84–12 Sixto Rodriguez UD 10 Oct 23, 1961 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
95 Loss 83–12 Sixto Rodriguez UD 10 Sep 11, 1961 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
94 Win 83–11 Roque Maravilla UD 10 Aug 14, 1961 Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
93 Win 82–11 Floyd Buchanan TKO 3 (10) Feb 16, 1961 Memorial Arena, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
92 Win 81–11 Bobby Daniels UD 10 Jan 19, 1961 Coliseum, Spokane, Washington, US
91 Loss 80–11 Doug Jones KO 6 (10), 1:30 Aug 31, 1960 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
90 Win 80–10 Mike Holt PTS 10 Jun 6, 1960 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
89 Win 79–10 Al Sparks TKO 5 (10) May 5, 1960 Exhibition Gardens, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
88 Win 78–10 Roque Maravilla TKO 7 (10), 3:00 Apr 7, 1960 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, US
87 Win 77–10 George Kartalian TKO 5 (10) Aug 25, 1959 Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California, US
86 Win 76–10 Rory Calhoun UD 10 Mar 30, 1959 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US
85 Win 75–10 Tommy Villa TKO 5 (10), 1:28 Dec 16, 1958 Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California, US
84 Win 74–10 Paddy Young TKO 6 (10) Nov 25, 1958 Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
83 Win 73–10 Don Grant TKO 7 (10), 2:32 Oct 28, 1958 Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
82 Loss 72–10 Pat McMurtry KO 2 (10), 2:34 Aug 17, 1957 Meadows Race Track, Portland, Oregon, US
81 Win 72–9 Joey Maxim SD 10 Jun 18, 1957 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, US
80 Loss 71–9 Sugar Ray Robinson KO 4 (15), 2:51 May 18, 1956 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
79 Loss 71–8 Sugar Ray Robinson KO 2 (15), 2:51 Dec 9, 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
78 Win 71–7 Joey Giambra UD 10 Aug 26, 1955 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US
77 Win 70–7 Jimmy Martinez UD 10 Aug 13, 1955 Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon, US
76 Loss 69–7 Archie Moore KO 3 (15), 1:19 Jun 22, 1955 Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring light heavyweight titles
75 Win 69–6 Joey Maxim UD 10 Apr 13, 1955 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US
74 Win 68–6 Willie Vaughn UD 10 Mar 12, 1955 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
73 Win 67–6 Ralph Jones UD 10 Feb 16, 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
72 Win 66–6 Pierre Langlois TKO 11 (15), 0:58 Dec 15, 1954 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
71 Win 65–6 Garth Panter TKO 8 (10), 0:41 Nov 3, 1954 Auditorium, Richmond, California, US
70 Win 64–6 Rocky Castellani UD 15 Aug 20, 1954 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
69 Win 63–6 Pedro Gonzales KO 4 (10), 2:57 Jul 7, 1954 Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
68 Win 62–6 Jesse Turner TKO 8 (10), 1:09 Jun 15, 1954 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
67 Win 61–6 Kid Gavilan MD 15 Apr 2, 1954 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
66 Win 60–6 Joe Rindone KO 5 (10) Jan 23, 1954 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, US
65 Win 59–6 Randy Turpin UD 15 Oct 21, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won vacant NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
64 Win 58–6 Paddy Young UD 15 Jun 19, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won American Middleweight Title
63 Win 57–6 Garth Panter UD 10 Mar 16, 1953 Butte, Montana, US
62 Win 56–6 Norman Hayes UD 10 Feb 7, 1953 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
61 Win 55–6 Norman Hayes UD 10 Dec 18, 1952 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
60 Win 54–6 Lee Sala KO 2 (10), 2:12 Nov 20, 1952 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, US
59 Win 53–6 Gene Hairston TKO 6 (10), 3:00 Aug 27, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
58 Win 52–6 Robert Villemain SD 10 Jul 12, 1952 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US
57 Win 51–6 Jimmy Beau UD 10 Jun 6, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
56 Win 50–6 Walter Cartier TKO 5 (10), 1:01 May 19, 1952 Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US
55 Win 49–6 Woody Harper TKO 7 (10) May 6, 1952 Auditorium, Richmond, California, US
54 Loss 48–6 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 15 Mar 13, 1952 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US For NYAC, NBA, and The Ring middleweight titles
53 Win 48–5 Tommy Harrison UD 10 Feb 15, 1952 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, US
52 Win 47–5 Woody Harper UD 10 Feb 12, 1952 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, US
51 Loss 46–5 Dave Sands UD 10 Oct 3, 1951 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
50 Win 46–4 Bobby Jones MD 10 Aug 27, 1951 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, US
49 Win 45–4 Charley Cato TKO 3 (10) Jul 27, 1951 Auditorium, Richmond, California, US
48 Win 44–4 Chuck Hunter UD 10 Jul 9, 1951 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
47 Win 43–4 Lloyd Marshall KO 5 (10), 1:03 May 8, 1951 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
46 Win 42–4 Art Soto UD 10 Mar 20, 1951 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
45 Loss 41–4 Sugar Ray Robinson KO 12 (15), 1:19 Oct 26, 1950 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US For Pennsylvania State middleweight title
44 Win 41–3 Henry Brimm UD 10 Sep 5, 1950 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
43 Win 40–3 Otis Graham UD 10 May 22, 1950 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
42 Win 39–3 Roy Miller RTD 5 (10) Apr 25, 1950 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
41 Loss 38–3 Dave Sands PTS 12 Mar 20, 1950 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, Australia
40 Win 38–2 Don Lee UD 10 Feb 22, 1950 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
39 Win 37–2 Earl Turner UD 10 Dec 13, 1949 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
38 Win 36–2 Johnny Duke UD 10 Nov 22, 1949 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
37 Win 35–2 Art Hardy KO 3 (10), 1:31 Aug 23, 1949 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
36 Win 34–2 Milo Savage UD 10 Jul 26, 1949 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
35 Win 33–2 Tommy Yarosz UD 10 Jun 3, 1949 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
34 Win 32–2 Anton Raadik TKO 6 (10), 3:00 Mar 15, 1949 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
33 Win 31–2 Paul Perkins TKO 2 (10), 1:06 Jan 11, 1949 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
32 Win 30–2 Johnny Boski KO 1 (10) Dec 14, 1948 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
31 Win 29–2 Kenny Watkins UD 10 Oct 26, 1948 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
30 Win 28–2 Boy Brooks TKO 3 (10) Oct 12, 1948 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
29 Win 27–2 Charley Cato UD 8 Jul 20, 1948 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
28 Win 26–2 Bobby Castro MD 10 May 11, 1948 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
27 Win 25–2 Flashy Sebastian KO 7 (10) Apr 7, 1948 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
26 Win 24–2 Boy Brooks PTS 12 Jan 18, 1948 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines Won USA Hawaii middleweight title
25 Win 23–2 Nai Som Pong TKO 3 (10) Dec 17, 1947 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
24 Loss 22–2 Boy Brooks PTS 10 Nov 22, 1947 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Lost USA Hawaii middleweight title
23 Win 22–1 George Duke UD 10 Aug 19, 1947 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Won USA Hawaii middleweight title
22 Loss 21–1 George Duke UD 10 Jul 4, 1947 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii Lost USA Hawaii middleweight title
21 Win 21–0 Paule Lewis UD 10 Jun 20, 1947 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
20 Win 20–0 Leroy Wade TKO 4 (10), 3:00 May 2, 1947 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii Retained USA Hawaii middleweight title
19 Win 19–0 Candy McDaniels UD 10 Mar 21, 1947 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii Retained USA Hawaii middleweight title
18 Win 18–0 Gil Mojica PTS 10 Jan 28, 1947 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
17 Win 17–0 Wayne Powell TKO 4 (10), 2:30 Dec 2, 1946 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
16 Win 16–0 Wayne Powell TKO 4 (10), 2:20 Oct 7, 1946 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii Won vacant USA Hawaii middleweight title
15 Win 15–0 Jackie Ryan TKO 5 (8), 3:00 Sep 9, 1946 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
14 Win 14–0 Johnny Boskie KO 3 (5) Aug 19, 1946 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
13 Win 13–0 Johnny Boskie KO 4 (6) Jul 26, 1946 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
12 Win 12–0 Ernie Horne TKO 2 (5), 1:25 Jul 19, 1946 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
11 Win 11–0 Delaware Bradby TKO 3 (6) Feb 25, 1946 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
10 Win 10–0 Chuck Ross PTS 6 Feb 4, 1946 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, US
9 Win 9–0 Pedro Jimenez KO 4 (6) Jan 28, 1946 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, US
8 Win 8–0 Vepe Watson KO 1 (4) Jan 14, 1946 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, US
7 Win 7–0 Obie Wooten TKO 1 (4) Jan 7, 1946 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
6 Win 6–0 LaVelle Perkins PTS 4 Dec 21, 1945 Sacramento, California, US
5 Win 5–0 Bobby Jones TKO 2 (4) Dec 10, 1945 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
4 Win 4–0 Art Robinson TKO 4 (4) Nov 23, 1945 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
3 Win 3–0 Young Pancho PTS 4 Sep 10, 1944 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
2 Win 2–0 Ben Ramos TKO 4 (4), 2:35 Aug 27, 1944 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 Win 1–0 Bob Correa KO 2 (4) Aug 19, 1944 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii

See also

References
  1. "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  2. Exshaw, John (January 21, 2002). "Obituary – Carl Olson". The Independent. London: 6.
  3. "Bobo Olson". BoxRec. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  4. He boxed at 16 in "Boxer Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies at 73", Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 1, January 17, 2002
  5. Lewis, Ferd, "Hall of Fame Boxer, Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies", The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 21, January 17, 2002
  6. March 13 bout in Newland, Russ, "Robinson Retains Title By Decision", The Los Angeles Times, pg. 57, March 14, 1952
  7. Loss on May 18 in Dyer, Braven, "Kayo Simple As One Two", The Los Angeles Times, pg. 45, May 19, 1956
  8. Loss on December 9 in "Robinson Kayos Olson in Second Round", Oakland Tribune, Oakland California, pg. 13, December 10, 1955
  9. Teamster's Union in "Hall of Fame Boxer, Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies", The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 21, January 17, 2002
  10. World Boxing Hall of Fame in "Boxer Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies at 73", Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Hawaii, p. 1, January 17, 2002



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