Virgil Akins
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Virgil Akins (March 10, 1928 – January 22, 2011) was an American boxer who won the Undisputed Welterweight Championship of the World in 1958.[1] Nicknamed ‘Honeybear’, Akins was the first World Champion boxer from St. Louis.
Career
Akins was born and died in St. Louis, Missouri.
Akins was considered lanky, but proved nevertheless to be a powerful hitter with either hand. He began his career as a Lightweight in 1948, continuing to fight in that division for 6 years before finally growing into the Welterweight class. He was long considered to be an effective operator and boasted wins over future World Champions Joe Brown and Wallace ‘Bud’ Smith, as well as ending the incredible forty-seven fight winning streak of Ronnie Delaney, by way of knock-out in 1955.
Akins had powered his way up the rankings in both divisions and finally got his chance of a World title once Carmen Basilio relinquished the Welterweight Championship to concentrate on defending his new Middleweight crown. An elimination tournament including six of the World's top-rated Welterweights was swiftly established in an effort to find Basilio's successor. Akins emerged the victor and new World Champion on June 6, 1958, by pounding favourite Vince Martinez to a fourth round destruction. All told, Martinez went down nine times, having never seriously recovered from a shattering right delivered early in the First.
Akins's reign would not last long however. Six months later, he lost his title to Don Jordan by way of unanimous decision and in only his first defense. Akins disputed the result but fared no better in the return, held the following Spring. From that moment on, it was downhill all the way for the former champion, who would win just ten of his last twenty-three fights before hanging up his gloves in 1962.
Akins's contract was "owned" under the table by the notorious Frank "Blinky" Palermo, a member of the Philadelphia crime family. Palermo was imprisoned in 1961 for conspiracy and extortion for the covert ownership of prizefighters.[2]
Akins died at the age of 82 on January 22, 2011.[3]
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 93 | Loss | 60–31–2 | Rip Randall | UD | 10 | Mar 20, 1962 | Houston, Texas, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 92 | Loss | 60–30–2 | Ralph Dupas | UD | 10 | Dec 27, 1961 | Bayfront Park Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 91 | Win | 60–29–2 | Vince Bonomo | TKO | 4 (10) | Dec 13, 1961 | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 90 | Template:DrawDraw | 59–29–2 | Stefan Redl | TKO | 10 (?) | Nov 17, 1961 | Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 89 | Win | 59–29–1 | Jose Antonio Burgos | TKO | 10 (?) | Oct 16, 1961 | Caracas, Venezuela Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 88 | Loss | 58–29–1 | Kenny Lane | UD | 10 | Sep 22, 1961 | Navy-Marine Corps Mem. Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 87 | Loss | 58–28–1 | Henry White | MD | 10 | Sep 5, 1961 | Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 86 | Win | 58–27–1 | Cecil Shorts | TKO | 8 (10) | Jul 10, 1961 | Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 85 | Win | 57–27–1 | Billy Collins | UD | 10 | May 15, 1961 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 84 | Win | 56–27–1 | Gerald Gray | MD | 10 | Mar 4, 1961 | Sabina Park, Kingston, JamaicaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 83 | Win | 55–27–1 | TJ Jones | TKO | 9 (10) | Jan 16, 1961 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 82 | Loss | 54–27–1 | Candy McFarland | SD | 10 | Dec 6, 1960 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 81 | Win | 54–26–1 | Carl Hubbard | KO | 5 (10) | Nov 21, 1960 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 80 | Loss | 53–26–1 | Luis Manuel Rodriguez | UD | 10 | Jul 6, 1960 | Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 79 | Win | 53–25–1 | Charley Scott | UD | 10 | May 20, 1960 | Chase Hotel, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 78 | Win | 52–25–1 | Fernando Barreto | PTS | 10 | Apr 1, 1960 | Ginásio Estadual do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, BrazilScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 77 | Loss | 51–25–1 | Wally Swift | PTS | 10 | Mar 8, 1960 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 76 | Loss | 51–24–1 | Don Fullmer | UD | 10 | Jan 28, 1960 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 75 | Loss | 51–23–1 | Denny Moyer | SD | 10 | Dec 10, 1959 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 74 | Loss | 51–22–1 | Kenny Lane | MD | 10 | Oct 28, 1959 | Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 73 | Win | 51–21–1 | Stan Harrington | MD | 10 | Aug 14, 1959 | Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 72 | Loss | 50–21–1 | Luis Manuel Rodriguez | UD | 10 | Jun 17, 1959 | Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 71 | Loss | 50–20–1 | Don Jordan | UD | 15 | Apr 24, 1959 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 70 | Loss | 50–19–1 | Don Jordan | UD | 15 | Dec 5, 1958 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 69 | Loss | 50–18–1 | Del Flanagan | UD | 10 | Sep 18, 1958 | Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 68 | Win | 50–17–1 | Charley Tombstone Smith | TKO | 10 (10) | Aug 20, 1958 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 67 | Win | 49–17–1 | Vince Martinez | TKO | 4 (15) | Jun 6, 1958 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant NYSAC, NBA and The Ring welterweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 66 | Win | 48–17–1 | Issac Logart | TKO | 6 (12) | Mar 21, 1958 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 65 | Win | 47–17–1 | Tony DeMarco | TKO | 12 (15) | Jan 21, 1958 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained Massachusetts world welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 64 | Win | 46–17–1 | Tony DeMarco | KO | 14 (15) | Oct 29, 1957 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant Massachusetts world welterweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 63 | Loss | 45–17–1 | Gil Turner | PTS | 10 | Sep 18, 1957 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 62 | Win | 45–16–1 | Garnet Hart | TKO | 8 (10) | Aug 9, 1957 | Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 61 | Loss | 44–16–1 | Franz Szuzina | UD | 10 | Jul 8, 1957 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 60 | Win | 44–15–1 | Walter Byars | UD | 10 | Jun 12, 1957 | Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 59 | Win | 43–15–1 | Jimmy Beecham | TKO | 3 (10) | May 24, 1957 | Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 58 | Win | 42–15–1 | Franz Szuzina | UD | 10 | Mar 4, 1957 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 57 | Win | 41–15–1 | Al Andrews | TKO | 6 (10) | Jan 31, 1957 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 56 | Win | 40–15–1 | Sammy Walker | UD | 10 | Jan 8, 1957 | Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 55 | Win | 39–15–1 | Pat Lowry | KO | 2 (10) | Oct 22, 1956 | Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 54 | Loss | 38–15–1 | Charlie Sawyer | UD | 10 | Sep 15, 1956 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 53 | Win | 38–14–1 | Don Jose | TKO | 4 (10) | Jun 21, 1956 | Kallio's Arena, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 52 | Win | 37–14–1 | Hector Constance | UD | 10 | Mar 21, 1956 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 51 | Win | 36–14–1 | Andy Watkins | TKO | 2 (10) | Mar 8, 1956 | Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 50 | Win | 35–14–1 | Mel Barker | TKO | 8 (10) | Jan 26, 1956 | Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 49 | Win | 34–14–1 | Clarence Cook | KO | 4 (10) | Jan 19, 1956 | Sportatorium, Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 48 | Win | 33–14–1 | Rudolph Bent | TKO | 5 (10) | Jan 3, 1956 | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 47 | Loss | 32–14–1 | Issac Logart | UD | 10 | Dec 2, 1955 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 46 | Win | 32–13–1 | Harold Jones | UD | 10 | Sep 13, 1955 | Victory Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 45 | Win | 31–13–1 | Issac Logart | SD | 10 | Aug 8, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 44 | Win | 30–13–1 | Bill Sudduth | TKO | 8 (10) | Jun 21, 1955 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 43 | Win | 29–13–1 | Joe Miceli | TKO | 1 (10) | May 23, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 42 | Win | 28–13–1 | Ronnie Delaney | KO | 8 (10) | May 2, 1955 | St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 41 | Template:DrawDraw | 27–13–1 | Johnny Brown | PTS | 8 | Apr 8, 1955 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 40 | Win | 27–13 | Tommy Maddox | TKO | 4 (10) | Mar 15, 1955 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 39 | Win | 26–13 | Johnny Brown | TKO | 10 (10) | Mar 2, 1955 | Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 38 | Win | 25–13 | Henry Hank | UD | 8 | Oct 26, 1954 | Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 37 | Loss | 24–13 | Andrew Brown | SD | 10 | Oct 16, 1954 | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 36 | Win | 24–12 | Joey Greenwood | TKO | 8 (10) | Jun 2, 1954 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 35 | Loss | 23–12 | Philip Kim | TKO | 10 (10) | Aug 29, 1953 | Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 34 | Loss | 23–11 | Johnny Gonsalves | MD | 10 | Apr 4, 1953 | Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 33 | Loss | 23–10 | Joe Miceli | UD | 10 | Sep 30, 1952 | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 32 | Loss | 23–9 | Johnny Saxton | UD | 10 | Jul 30, 1952 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 31 | Win | 23–8 | Jay Watkins | TKO | 2 (10) | May 8, 1952 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 30 | Win | 22–8 | Henry Davis | TKO | 9 (10) | Feb 29, 1952 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 29 | Win | 21–8 | Joe Gilmer | TKO | 9 (10) | Feb 19, 1952 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 28 | Win | 20–8 | Baby LeRoy | TKO | 4 (10) | Feb 8, 1952 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 27 | Loss | 19–8 | Luther Rawlings | PTS | 8 | Dec 24, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 26 | Win | 19–7 | Joe Brown | UD | 10 | Dec 6, 1951 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 25 | Win | 18–7 | Luther Rawlings | SD | 10 | Oct 17, 1951 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 24 | Win | 17–7 | Freddie Dawson | SD | 10 | Sep 26, 1951 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 23 | Loss | 16–7 | Joe Brown | PTS | 10 | Jul 6, 1951 | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 22 | Win | 16–6 | Tommy Campbell | PTS | 10 | Jun 8, 1951 | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 21 | Loss | 15–6 | Joe Brown | PTS | 10 | May 25, 1951 | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 20 | Win | 15–5 | Wallace Bud Smith | PTS | 10 | Apr 17, 1951 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 19 | Win | 14–5 | Wallace Bud Smith | PTS | 10 | Apr 4, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 18 | Win | 13–5 | Gene Parker | TKO | 6 (6) | Mar 9, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 17 | Loss | 12–5 | Gene Parker | UD | 6 | Jan 18, 1951 | Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 16 | Win | 12–4 | Joe Sgro | UD | 10 | Dec 6, 1950 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 15 | Win | 11–4 | Rudy Zadell | TKO | 3 (8) | Nov 1, 1950 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 14 | Win | 10–4 | Nelson Levering | KO | 2 (8) | Oct 24, 1950 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 13 | Win | 9–4 | Art Edmundson | PTS | 8 | Oct 5, 1950 | Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 12 | Loss | 8–4 | Joe Fisher | PTS | 8 | Jul 15, 1950 | Denver, Colorado, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Loss | 8–3 | Nelson Levering | PTS | 6 | Jul 6, 1950 | Warren Bowl, Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 10 | Loss | 8–2 | Arthur Persley | PTS | 6 | Sep 29, 1949 | Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Clem Custer | PTS | 8 | Mar 30, 1949 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Willie Cheatum | PTS | 8 | Mar 8, 1949 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Russ Moore | KO | 2 (6) | Feb 15, 1949 | Forum, Wichita, Kansas, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Joe Henderson | KO | 3 (6) | Jan 17, 1949 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Danny Robinson | PTS | 6 | Nov 23, 1948 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Ollie Cobbins | PTS | 6 | Jul 12, 1948 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Charlie Baxter | PTS | 6 | Apr 21, 1948 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | Charlie Baxter | TKO | 3 (6) | Apr 5, 1948 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Albert Adams | PTS | 6 | Mar 10, 1948 | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
Titles in boxing
Major world titles
- NYSAC welterweight champion (147 lbs)
- NBA (WBA) welterweight champion (147 lbs)
The Ring magazine titles
- The Ring welterweight champion (147 lbs)
Regional/International titles
- Massachusetts welterweight champion (147 lbs)
Undisputed titles
Honors
- Named The Ring magazine Progress of the Year fighter for 1958.
- Elected to the Gateway Classic Walk of Fame
See also
References
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Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
External links
- Template:Boxrec
- https://titlehistories.com/boxing/na/usa/ny/nysac-wl.html
- https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1958
- https://boxrec.com/media/index.php/National_Boxing_Association%27s_Quarterly_Ratings:_1959
- Biographical Information from: (i) The Ring Record Book & Boxing Encyclopedia, 1959 (Nat Fleischer, The Ring Book Shop Inc., 1959). See p. 4. (ii) STL Today [1].
- Details of Akin's Ring Record from: (i) The Boxing Records Archive [2]. (ii) The Cyber Boxing Zone [3].