Willie Monroe (boxer, born 1946)

Willie "The Worm" Monroe (June 5, 1946 - June 22, 2019)[2] was a middleweight boxer who competed from 1969 to 1981. He was most notable for defeating Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1976 before Hagler went on an eleven year undefeated streak.[3]

Willie Monroe
Statistics
Nickname(s)The Worm
Weight(s)Middleweight
Height6 ft (183 cm)[1]
Born(1946-06-05)June 5, 1946
Alabama, U.S.
DiedJune 22, 2019(2019-06-22) (aged 73)
Sicklerville, New Jersey, U.S.
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights51
Wins40
Wins by KO26
Losses10
Draws1
For the boxer born in 1986, see Willie Monroe Jr.

Monroe received his nickname "the Worm" for his slippery fighting style from Yank Durham.[4] He died on Saturday, June 22 2019, after complications with Alzheimers.[3]

He was inducted into the Pennsylvania boxing hall of fame in 1990 [5] and is the great uncle of American boxer Willie Monroe Jr.[4]

Early life and amateur career

Monroe was born in Alabama as the 13th of 17 children and spent his early years in Crestview, Florida.[3] He started boxing in Rochester, New York where he claimed an undefeated 43-0 amateur record.[4] He arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the autumn of 1969 to train for his pro-debut.[6]

Professional career

Monroe started his professional career with a perfect record of 20-0 before being stopped in a controversial split decision against Max Cohen.[7]

A string of mixed results would follow with a notable win over Eugene Hart and losses to Alvin Philipps and Bobby Watts.[6]

Monroe would go on to defeat Marvelous Marvin Hagler on March 9th, 1976 in decisive fashion. Unfortunately no footage of the fight exists as a snowstorm in the area prevented filming.[6] Two rematches would follow which were both won by technical knockout by Hagler [8]

Professional boxing record
51 fights 40 wins 10 losses
By knockout 26 4
By decision 14 6
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location
51 Loss 40–10–1 Willie Edwards KO 4 Oct 24, 1981 Cobo Hall, Detroit, U.S.
50 Win 40–9-1 Jimmy McClain UD 10 Jul 28, 1980 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
49 Loss 39–9-1 Dwight Davison UD 10 Nov 15, 1979 Cobo Hall, Detroit, U.S.
48 Loss 39–8–1 Curtis Parker UD 10 Jul 16, 1979 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
47 Win 39–7–1 Keith Broom UD 10 May 31, 1979 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, U.S.
46 Loss 38–7–1 Richard Ofosu PTS 10 Mar 3, 1979 Accra
45 Win 38–6–1 Frank Lucas TKO 8 Apr 22, 1978 Teatro Ariston, Sanremo, Italy
44 Loss 37–6–1 Marvelous Marvin Hagler TKO 2 Aug 23, 1977 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
43 Win 37–5–1 Larry Davis PTS 10 Jun 15, 1977 Wagner Ballroom, Philadelphia, U.S.
42 Loss 36–5–1 Marvelous Marvin Hagler TKO 12 Feb 15, 1977 Hynes Convention Center, Boston, U.S.
41 Win 36–4–1 Lenny Harden TKO 3 Jan 21, 1977 Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York, U.S.
40 Win 35–4–1 Angel Robinson Garcia TKO 7 Dec 3, 1976 Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York, U.S.
39 Loss 34–4–1 David Love TKO 4 Aug 16, 1976 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
38 Win 34–3–1 Felton Marshall TKO 7 May 19, 1976 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
37 Win 33–3–1 Marvelous Marvin Hagler UD 10 Mar 9, 1976 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
36 Win 32–3–1 Carlos Marks UD 10 Jan 28, 1976 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
35 Win 31–3–1 Carlos Marks MD 10 Jun 2, 1975 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
34 Win 30–3–1 Rennie Pinder KO 4 Apr 28, 1975 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
33 Loss 29–3–1 Bobby Watts UD 10 Nov 12, 1974 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
32 Win 29–2–1 Billy Douglas UD 10 Aug 19, 1974 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
31 Win 28–2–1 Stanley Hayward TKO 7 Apr 8, 1974 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
30 Win 27–2–1 Eugene Hart UD 10 Feb 18, 1974 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
29 Draw 26–2–1 Fabio Bettini PTS 10 Nov 3, 1973 Palais des Sports, Paris, France
28 Win 26–2–0 Jose Gonzalez UD 10 Aug 14, 1973 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, U.S
27 Win 25–2–0 Roy McMillan TKO 3 May 10, 1973 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
26 Win 24–2–0 Don Cobbs UD 10 Mar 5, 1973 Spectrum (arena), Philadelphia
25 Win 23–2–0 Roy Lee TKO 1 Jan 22, 1973 National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
24 Win 22–2–0 George Davis TKO 6 Dec 5, 1972 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
23 Win 21–2–0 Leroy Roberts KO 1 Oct 24, 1972 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
22 Loss 20–2–0 Alvin Phillips SD 10 Sep 6, 1972 Municipal Auditorium (New Orleans), New Orleans, U.S
21 Loss 20–1–0 Nessim Max Cohen SD 10 Mar 27, 1972 Palais des Sports Porte de Versailles, Paris XV, France
20 Win 20–0–0 Luis Miguel Galvan UD 10 Mar 21, 1972 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, U.S
19 Win 19–0–0 Alvin Phillips PTS 10 Jan 15, 1972 Rivergate Auditorium, New Orleans, U.S
18 Win 18–0–0 Willie Warren UD 10 Oct 19, 1971 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, U.S
17 Win 17–0–0 Elgie Walters TKO 4 Jul 14, 1971 Astro Hall, Houston, U.S
16 Win 16–0–0 Abraham Cabrera KO 3 May 27, 1971 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S
15 Win 15–0–0 Adam Moore KO 2 Apr 12, 1971 Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, U.S.
14 Win 14–0–0 Alvin Phillips UD 10 Jan 18, 1971 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
13 Win 13–0–0 Luis Vinales TKO 6 Nov 17, 1970 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
12 Win 12–0–0 Nojeen Adigun KO 4 Oct 6, 1970 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
11 Win 11–0–0 Adam Moore TKO 3 Sep 14, 1970 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, U.S.
10 Win 10–0–0 Oscar Coor TKO 2 Jul 20, 1970 Spectrum, Philadelphia, U.S.
9 Win 9–0–0 Santiago Rosa TKO 2 Jul 13, 1970 Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, U.S.
8 Win 8–0–0 Harold Glaspy TKO 2 Jul 6, 1970 Municipal Auditorium (New Orleans), New Orleans, U.S.
7 Win 7–0–0 Ruben Figueroa KO 2 Jun 15, 1970 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, U.S.
6 Win 6–0–0 Alberto Millan KO 3 May 18, 1970 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, U.S.
5 Win 5–0–0 Ted Hamilton KO 1 Apr 22, 1970 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, U.S.
4 Win 4–0–0 Luis Rivera TKO 1 Mar 25, 1970 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, U.S.
3 Win 3–0–0 Fred Thomas KO 1 Feb 25, 1970 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, U.S.
2 Win 2–0–0 Joe Williams TKO 4 Dec 9, 1969 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, U.S.
1 Win 1–0–0 Vince Neratka KO 1 Nov 11, 1969 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, U.S.

References
  1. "Willy Monroe". Boxrec. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  2. "Willy Monroe". Philly Boxing History. Fairhill Street Productions, LLC. Archived from the original on 3 Sep 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  3. "Willie 'the Worm' Monroe, 73, Philly boxing legend". The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC. 27 June 2019. Archived from the original on 3 Sep 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  4. "R.I.P. Willie the Worm and Billy Joiner, Emblems of a Bright and Bygone Era". The Sweet Science. 5 July 2019. Archived from the original on 3 Sep 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  5. "Willie The Worm - PA Boxing Hall of Fame". Philly Boxing History. Fairhill Street Productions, LLC. Archived from the original on 14 Aug 2023. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  6. "A Look Back at The Career of Willie "The Worm" Monroe". BoxingScene. 23 June 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  7. "Knocks Man Down, Still Loses Bout". The Gettysburg Times. Associated Press. 1972-03-28. Retrieved 2023-08-16.
  8. "Hagler takes middle bout". Lewiston Morning Tribute. Associated Press. 1977-08-24. Retrieved 2023-08-16.

Footage of the second and third bout against Marvin Hagler

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