Tommy Jackson (boxer)
Thomas "Tommy" Jackson (August 9, 1931 – February 14, 1982), often known as "Hurricane" Jackson, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1951 to 1961. In July 1957, he fought Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight championship. Jackson was noted for his stamina, bravery, and unorthodox style as a fighter.[1] He was trained and managed by Whitey Bimstein.[2]
| Tommy Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Thomas Jackson |
| Nickname(s) | Hurricane |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | August 9, 1931 Sparta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | February 14, 1982 (aged 50) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 44 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Wins by KO | 16 |
| Losses | 9 |
| Draws | 1 |
Jackson, who was said to implore a "wild, windmill attack" was known to throw a double uppercut, in which he held both hands together as he brought them up.
While Jackson never won the Heavyweight title, he defeated some notable heavyweights, including tough contender Bob Baker and former champion Ezzard Charles, whom Jackson beat twice in 1955. In February 1956, he was ranked behind Light Heavyweight champion Archie Moore as a contender for Rocky Marciano's heavyweight title.
He fought two bouts with Floyd Patterson. In June 1956 he and Patterson fought in an elimination fight to see who would fight for the heavyweight championship left vacant by Rocky Marciano's retirement. Jackson lost a twelve-round split decision. In July 1957 Jackson fought Patterson again, this time for the heavyweight championship held by Patterson. Jackson lost in the tenth round by technical knockout. He fought on with limited success and had his final bout in 1960. After a few exhibition bouts in 1961, he retired, permanently leaving the ring.
In his later life he worked shining shoes and as a taxi driver. While driving his cab in late 1981 he was hit by a car and was critically injured. He died in 1982 in New York City due to his injuries.
Jackson was famous for bravery in the ring and at times taking much punishment. At one stage his license was suspended to help recovery.[3]
His overall career record was 34 wins (with 16 knockouts), nine losses, and one draw.
Professional boxing record
| 44 fights | 34 wins | 9 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 16 | 4 |
| By decision | 18 | 5 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | Loss | 34–9–1 | Hans Kalbfell | KO | 8 (10) | Oct 1, 1960 | Westfalenhalle, Dortmund, Germany | |
| 43 | Loss | 34–8–1 | Howard King | MD | 10 | Aug 22, 1960 | Moana Ball Park, Reno, Nevada, US | |
| 42 | Win | 34–7–1 | Jim O'Connell | TKO | 4 (10), 2:13 | Jul 21, 1960 | Steubenville, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 41 | Win | 33–7–1 | Howard King | TKO | 10 (10), 1:45 | Nov 5, 1959 | Fairgrounds Arena, Boise, Idaho, US | |
| 40 | Win | 32–7–1 | George Logan | UD | 10 | Sep 3, 1959 | Fairgrounds Outdoor Arena, Boise, Idaho, US | |
| 39 | Win | 31–7–1 | Solomon McTier | TKO | 8 (10), 3:00 | Apr 24, 1959 | Alabama State College Arena, Montgomery, Alabama, US | |
| 38 | Win | 30–7–1 | Eddie Vick | UD | 10 | Sep 15, 1958 | Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada | |
| 37 | Loss | 29–7–1 | Eddie Machen | RTD | 10 (12), 3:00 | Nov 13, 1957 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California, US | |
| 36 | Loss | 29–6–1 | Floyd Patterson | TKO | 10 (15), 1:52 | Jul 29, 1957 | Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring heavyweight titles |
| 35 | Win | 29–5–1 | Julio Mederos | UD | 10 | Dec 27, 1956 | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US | |
| 34 | Win | 28–5–1 | Bob Baker | SD | 12 | Sep 26, 1956 | Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 33 | Loss | 27–5–1 | Floyd Patterson | SD | 12 | Jun 8, 1956 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 32 | Win | 27–4–1 | Johnny Williams | TKO | 4 (10), 2:49 | Apr 13, 1956 | Uline Arena, Washington, DC, US | |
| 31 | Win | 26–4–1 | Bob Baker | MD | 10 | Feb 3, 1956 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 30 | Loss | 25–4–1 | Jimmy Slade | SD | 10 | Oct 28, 1955 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US | |
| 29 | Win | 25–3–1 | Rex Layne | TKO | 6 (10), 0:25 | Oct 7, 1955 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US | |
| 28 | Win | 24–3–1 | Ezzard Charles | UD | 10 | Aug 31, 1955 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US | |
| 27 | Win | 23–3–1 | Ezzard Charles | UD | 10 | Aug 3, 1955 | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 26 | Win | 22–3–1 | Jimmy Slade | UD | 10 | Jun 27, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 25 | Win | 21–3–1 | Archie McBride | UD | 10 | Apr 4, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 24 | Win | 20–3–1 | Charles 'Kid' Saucer | TKO | 3 (10), 2:11 | Mar 15, 1955 | Turner's Arena, Washington, DC, US | |
| 23 | Win | 19–3–1 | Roy Thomas | TKO | 5 (10), 1:30 | Mar 8, 1955 | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US | |
| 22 | Win | 18–3–1 | Leo Johnson | TKO | 3 (10), 2:09 | Feb 17, 1955 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, New York City, New York, US | |
| 21 | Win | 17–3–1 | Keene Simmons | TKO | 6 (10), 1:18 | Nov 15, 1954 | Arcadia Ballroom, Providence, Rhode Island, US | |
| 20 | Loss | 16–3–1 | Niño Valdés | TKO | 2 (10), 2:35 | Jul 14, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 19 | Win | 16–2–1 | Charley Norkus | TKO | 5 (10), 2:29 | May 28, 1954 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 18 | Loss | 15–2–1 | Jimmy Slade | UD | 10 | Apr 26, 1954 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 17 | Win | 15–1–1 | Dan Bucceroni | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 29, 1954 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 16 | Win | 14–1–1 | Clarence Henry | UD | 10 | Mar 1, 1954 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 15 | Win | 13–1–1 | Rex Layne | TKO | 6 (10), 1:44 | Jan 25, 1954 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 14 | Win | 12–1–1 | Archie McBride | PTS | 6 | Sep 4, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 13 | Win | 11–1–1 | Joe Lindsay | PTS | 6 | Aug 12, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 12 | Loss | 10–1–1 | Bert Whitehurst | PTS | 6 | Jun 30, 1953 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 11 | Win | 10–0–1 | Joe Lindsay | PTS | 8 | May 1, 1953 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 10 | Win | 9–0–1 | Bob Golden | PTS | 6 | Apr 20, 1953 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 9 | Win | 8–0–1 | Elmo Lincoln | KO | 3 (6) | Mar 31, 1953 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 8 | Win | 7–0–1 | Roy Thomas | PTS | 8 | Jan 3, 1953 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 7 | Draw | 6–0–1 | Shirley Pembleton | PTS | 6 | Dec 12, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Jimmy DiLenge | PTS | 8 | Nov 27, 1952 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, New York City, New York, US | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Phil Alston | PTS | 6 | Nov 4, 1952 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Jack Jacobs | PTS | 4 | Oct 21, 1952 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Gene Brixen | KO | 4 (4) | Sep 22, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Jimmy Middleton | TKO | 3 (3) | Jul 29, 1952 | Bulkeley Stadium, Hartford, Connecticut, US | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Terry Halpine | TKO | 4 (4) | Jul 14, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
References
- "For one thing, judges in the past have been impressed, perhaps more than they should have been, by Jackson's curious but relentless pawings and slappings, by his stamina and by his ability to confuse prizefighters trained to contend with orthodoxy." Sports Illustrated, July 29, 1957
- New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame - Whitey Bimstein
- Pictorial History of boxing by Andre & Fleischer