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Archie Moore: He was the Text Book Definition of the Word Legendary

Who do you think would win if Archie Moore & Bernard Hopkins fought each other at the age of 45?

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archie-moore-4-sizedBy Anne “Boxologist” Whitlock

I often get asked who is my all-time favorite fighter? Well, my lovelies my choice is and always will be Archie Moore (Archibald Lee Wright) and let me say it loud and clear….. Nicknamed “The Old Mongoose” Moore holds the record for the most career knockouts 131 and a fight record which is phenomenal and stands at: 185-23-10, 131 KO’s which gave him a 59.82% knockout ratio. Moore had more knockouts than 10 fighters combined today finish a career with.

He turned professional in 1938 and boxed all but one of his 12 bouts that year in San Diego. Moore had eight bouts in 1939, going 5–2 during that span, with one “no contest.” He lost to former Middleweight Champion Teddy Yarosz during that time, and his no-contest was with Jack Coggins, in eight rounds.

In 1940 Moore fought in Melbourne, Tasmania, Adelaide and Sydney. He won all of his seven bouts there, including six by knockout. When returning to the United States, he defeated Pancho Ramirez by a knockout in five, but lost to Shorty Hogue by a six-round decision. However, at least three of Moore’s record 131 knockouts came in less-than-competitive matches against pro wrestlers: “Professor” Roy Shire in 1956, Sterling Davis in 1959 and Mike DiBiase in 1963 Moore’s 131st and final knockout.

The second-highest amount of knockouts in boxing history is 125, a total shared by light heavyweight Young Stribling and welterweight Billy Bird.

At one point in boxing’s history he was the oldest boxer to win the World’s Light Heavyweight Championship, until Bernard Hopkins came along and beat his record. Moore is the only boxer who boxed professionally in the eras of Joe, Louis, Rocky Marciano, and Muhammad Ali.

Sadly Moore passed away of heart failure on December 9,1998, just four days shy of his 82nd birthday. This boxing scribe could on for days, weeks and months about Archie Moore, but I will end like this. Archie, thanks not only on my behalf, but from all the fans from the many eras you fought in. We will never forget you…….

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