Billy Graham (boxer)

:"This article is about the Welterweight boxing champion of the world. For the winner of four New Zealand titles at light welterweight, see Billy Graham (NZ boxer). For the former amateur and professional English boxer, Billy Graham (boxing trainer)."

Infobox Boxer
name=Billy Graham
nationality=Flagicon|USA American
realname=William Walter Graham Jr.
weight=Welterweight
birth_date=birth date|1922|09|09|mf=y
birth_place=New York, New York, U.S.
death_date=death date and age|1992|01|22|1922|09|09|mf=y
style=Orthodox
total=126
wins=102
KO=27
losses=15
draws=9
no contests=0|

Billy Graham (September 9, 1922 - January 22, 1992) was an American boxer from New York City, New York. Graham had 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.

He was undefeated in his first 58 fights, going 52-0-6, until he fought the great Tippy Larkin at Madison Square Garden, where he lost by decision.

Graham fought the legendary 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.

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.

ee also

* International Boxing Hall of Fame
* World Boxing Hall of Fame Inductees

External links

* http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9689&cat=boxer
* http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Human:9689