Bobo Olson

Carl Olson (July 11, 1928 – January 16, 2002) was an American boxer. He was the World Middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955,[1] the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s. His nickname, Bobo, was based on his younger sister's mispronunciation of "brother".[2]

Bobo Olson
Statistics
Real nameCarl Olson
Nickname(s)The Hawaiian Swede
The Kalihi Kid
Weight(s)Middleweight
Height5 ft 10 1⁄2 in (1.79 m)
NationalityAmerican (since 1959)
Hawaiian (until 1959)
Born(1928-07-11)July 11, 1928
Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
DiedJanuary 16, 2002(2002-01-16) (aged 73)
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Stanceorthodox
Boxing record
Total fights115
Wins97
Wins by KO47
Losses16
Draws2
No contests0

Early years

Olson was born in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii to a Portuguese mother and a Swedish father, hence his other nickname "The Hawaiian Swede". Like many boxers, Olson decided to take up the sport after getting into fights on the streets. Olson received training from boxers who were stationed in Hawaii during World War II, and it was during this period that he picked up his two trademark tattoos.[3][2]

Using a fake identity card Olson obtained a boxing license at the age of 16. His earliest fights were in his native Kalihi, Hawaii. He had won his first three contests, two by knockout, before his true age was discovered. During 1945, Olson ran off to San Francisco to continue his boxing career. By the time he was 18, he had amassed a record of 13 successive wins (10 by KO). Even at this stage his power and huge reserves of stamina were clear, as was his rather average skill.[3][2][4][5]

Professional career

The first real test of Olson's career came on March 20, 1950, Olson's record at this point was 40 wins and 2 losses, against the Australian Dave Sands. Olson lost to a close points decision in Sydney. Seven months after this Olson had his first fight against Sugar Ray Robinson, for the lowly regarded Pennsylvania State World Middleweight Title. Olson, who was widely seen as a slow starter, failed to get into the fight, even though Robinson was not having one of his best fights. Olson managed to hold on for 11 rounds before being knocked out. Despite his great record it was clear that Olson was still too inexperienced to be fighting at that level.[3][2]

A year after his loss to Robinson, Olson managed to get a rematch against Dave Sands. This fight was the first to be televised coast-to-coast in America. However, Sands once again proved too much for Olson, he again won by unanimous decision.[3]

On March 13, 1952 Olson fought Robinson again, this time for the world middleweight title. Robinson, who had lost and regained the title against Randy Turpin in his previous two fights, was looking for an easy fight. However, Olson had improved significantly from their first encounter. Through ten rounds the fight was neck-and-neck, and only a dominant finish by Robinson over the last five rounds won him the decision. The Los Angeles Times wrote that Robinson won the first six rounds easily, slowly stacking up points, but that Olson reduced the points margin in the seventh through tenth. Robinson won the fifteenth convincingly with hard rights and lefts.[6] This would be the only time that Olson lasted the duration against Robinson.[3]

Robinson retired for the first time in December 1952, vacating his middleweight crown. The top four contenders fought a tournament for the title. Olson defeated Paddy Young for the American title to gain the right to fight for the vacant world title, Turpin won the other eliminator against Charley Humez.[3]

The title fight against Turpin took place on October 21, 1953, at Madison Square Garden. Turpin dominated the first four rounds, he almost scored a knockdown in the first round, before Olson got a grip on the fight. As the fight progressed Olson took the initiative, he scored knockdowns in the 10th and 11th rounds on the way to a unanimous decision. Following his success Olson was voted Ring magazine's fighter of the year for 1953.[3][5]

Olson won all seven of his fights in 1954 including defenses of his title against such big names as Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, and Pierre Langlois.[3]

In 1955 Olson, who was finding it increasingly difficult to make weight, stepped up to light heavyweight. His first major fight in this category was against former champion Joey Maxim. Olson won the fight easily on points after scoring knockdowns in both the 2nd and 9th rounds. On June 22 Olson challenged 41-year-old Archie Moore for the light heavyweight title, a fight that many believed Olson would easily win. However, Moore was too strong for Olson and won by knockout after only a minute had elapsed of the third round. After this fight Olson began his decline.[3][2]

Following two walkover wins, Olson put his middleweight title on the line against Robinson, who was once again number 1 contender following his brief retirement, on December 9, 1955. It was Olson's fourth and final defense of his title, but ended as a stunning comeback for Robinson. Olson, who entered the fight as a 3–1 favorite, was knocked out in the second round. The rematch, fought five months later at Wrigley Field, on May 18, 1956, ended similarly with Olson going down in the fourth. Robinson ended the bout with a hard left hook to the body and a right to the jaw. Olson had made the mistake of dropping his right hand after Robinson's hard left, dropping his only defense in an instant.[7] After this second defeat Olson announced his retirement.[3][8]

Late career

After a year out of the game Olson returned as a heavyweight to fight Maxim again, a fight he won on points. Olson took another year out following a knockout defeat against Pat McMurtry. Whilst initially coming back as a journeyman, despite being only 30, Olson managed to reestablish himself as a contender. On November 27, 1964, he fought José Torres with the winner going on to fight the champion, Willie Pastrano. Olson was knocked out after 2 minutes of the first round. This defeat effectively ended his career, he would only fight again four more times, with his final fight being a defeat to Gene Fullmer's younger brother, Don.[3]

Life after boxing

Olson retired with a record of 97 wins (47 by KO), 16 losses, and 2 draws from his 115 professional fights. He went on to work with disaffected youngsters before working as a PR officer for the Elevator Operating Engineers Local Union in San Francisco. In 1987 he was a Union Elevator Operator in Lancaster, California, working on new construction at the Antelope Valley Medical Center.[9]

In the 1990s he lived in Northern California for a time. In his later years Olson suffered from Alzheimer's disease to add quality of life to his later years he and much of his close family returned to Honolulu. He died on January 16, 2002, in Honolulu at Queens Medical Center at the age of 73. He was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1958, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.[3][2][10]

Professional boxing record
97 Wins (47 knockouts, 50 decisions), 16 Losses (7 knockouts, 9 decisions), 2 Draws[11]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 97–16–2 Don Fullmer MD 10 November 28, 1966 Oakland Arena, Oakland, California
Win 97–15–2 Piero Del Papa SD 10 July 11, 1966 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 96–15–2 Fred Roots TKO 3 September 23, 1965 Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada
Win 95–15–2 Andy Kendall UD 10 June 24, 1965 Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada
Loss 94–15–2 José Torres KO 1 November 27, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 94–14–2 Wayne Thornton UD 10 August 28, 1964 Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California
Loss 93–14–2 Johnny Persol MD 10 June 19, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 93–13–2 Wayne Thornton MD 10 March 27, 1964 Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California
Draw 92–13–2 Hank Casey PTS 10 December 9, 1963 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 92–13–1 Jose Menno UD 10 October 21, 1963 Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California
Win 91–13–1 Jesse Bowdry UD 10 May 14, 1963 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 90–13–1 Sonny Ray TKO 8 April 30, 1963 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 89–13–1 Tiger Al Williams TKO 5 January 25, 1963 Lane County Fair, Eugene, Oregon
Draw 88–13–1 Giulio Rinaldi PTS 10 December 14, 1962 Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome
Win 88–13 Lennart Risberg KO 6 June 3, 1962 Stockholm Olympic Stadium, Stockholm
Loss 87–13 Pete Rademacher UD 10 April 3, 1962 Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 87–12 Artie Dixon PTS 10 January 19, 1962 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 86–12 Tiger Al Williams PTS 10 January 12, 1962 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 85–12 Yancy D. Smith TKO 8 November 14, 1961 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 84–12 Sixto Rodriguez UD 10 October 23, 1961 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Loss 83–12 Sixto Rodriguez UD 10 September 11, 1961 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 83–11 Roque Maravilla UD 10 August 14, 1961 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 82–11 Floyd Buchanan TKO 3 February 16, 1961 Victoria Memorial Arena, Victoria, British Columbia
Win 81–11 Bobby Daniels UD 10 January 19, 1961 Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, Washington
Loss 80–11 Doug Jones KO 6 August 31, 1960 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
Win 80–10 Mike Holt PTS 10 June 6, 1960 Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Win 79–10 Al Sparks TKO 5 May 5, 1960 Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, British Columbia
Win 78–10 Roque Maravilla TKO 7 April 7, 1960 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
Win 77–10 George Kartalian TKO 5 August 25, 1959 Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California
Win 76–10 Herman Calhoun UD 10 March 30, 1959 Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Win 75–10 Tommy Villa TKO 5 December 16, 1958 Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California
Win 74–10 Paddy Young TKO 6 November 25, 1958 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 73–10 Don Grant TKO 7 October 28, 1958 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Loss 72–10 Pat McMurtry KO 2 August 17, 1957 Meadows Race Track, Portland, Oregon
Win 72–9 Joey Maxim SD 10 June 18, 1957 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon
Loss 71–9 Sugar Ray Robinson KO 4 May 18, 1956 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles For The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
Loss 71–8 Sugar Ray Robinson KO 2 December 9, 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago Lost The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
Win 71–7 Joey Giambra UD 10 August 26, 1955 Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Win 70–7 Jimmy Martinez UD 10 August 13, 1955 Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon
Loss 69–7 Archie Moore KO 3 June 22, 1955 Polo Grounds, New York City For The Ring and lineal light heavyweight titles
Win 69–6 Joey Maxim UD 10 April 13, 1955 Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Win 68–6 Willie Vaughn UD 10 March 12, 1955 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California
Win 67–6 Ralph Tiger Jones UD 10 February 16, 1955 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
Win 66–6 Pierre Langlois TKO 11 December 15, 1954 Cow Palace, Daly City, California Retained The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
Win 65–6 Garth Panter TKO 8 November 3, 1954 Auditorium, Richmond, California Joe Louis refereed the bout.
Win 64–6 Rocky Castellani UD 15 August 20, 1954 Cow Palace, Daly City, California Retained The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
Win 63–6 Pedro Gonzales KO 4 July 7, 1954 Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California Max Baer refereed the bout.
Win 62–6 Jesse Turner TKO 8 June 15, 1954 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 61–6 Kid Gavilan MD 15 April 2, 1954 Chicago Stadium, Chicago Retained The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
Win 60–6 Joe Rindone KO 5 January 23, 1954 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California
Win 59–6 Randy Turpin UD 15 October 21, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City Won The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
Win 58–6 Paddy Young UD 15 June 19, 1953 Madison Square Garden, New York City Won American Middleweight Title
Win 57–6 Garth Panter UD 10 March 16, 1953 Butte, Montana
Win 56–6 Norman Hayes UD 10 February 7, 1953 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Win 55–6 Norman Hayes UD 10 December 18, 1952 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 54–6 Lee Sala KO 2 November 20, 1952 Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California
Win 53–6 Gene Hairston TKO 6 August 27, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 52–6 Robert Villemain SD 10 July 12, 1952 Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Win 51–6 Jimmy Beau UD 10 June 6, 1952 Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 50–6 Walter Cartier TKO 5 May 19, 1952 Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York
Win 49–6 Woody Harper TKO 7 May 6, 1952 Auditorium, Richmond, California
Loss 48–6 Sugar Ray Robinson UD 15 March 13, 1952 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California For The Ring and lineal middleweight titles
Win 48–5 Tommy Harrison UD 10 February 15, 1952 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California
Win 47–5 Woody Harper UD 10 February 12, 1952 Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California
Loss 46–5 Dave Sands UD 10 October 3, 1951 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
Win 46–4 Bobby Jones MD 10 August 27, 1951 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 45–4 Charley Cato TKO 3 July 27, 1951 Auditorium, Richmond, California
Win 44–4 Chuck Hunter UD 10 July 9, 1951 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 43–4 Lloyd Marshall KO 5 May 7, 1951 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 42–4 Art Soto PTS 10 March 20, 1951 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Loss 41–4 Sugar Ray Robinson KO 12 October 26, 1950 Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia Pennsylvania Middleweight Title
Win 41–3 Henry Brimm UD 10 September 5, 1950 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 40–3 Otis Graham PTS 10 May 22, 1950 Honolulu Stadium, Holulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 39–3 Roy Miller RTD 5 April 25, 1950 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Miller retired due to a broken jaw.
Loss 38–3 Dave Sands PTS 12 March 20, 1950 Sydney Stadium, Sydney
Win 38–2 Don Lee PTS 10 February 22, 1950 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 37–2 Earl Turner PTS 10 December 13, 1949 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 36–2 Johnny Duke UD 10 November 22, 1949 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 35–2 Art Hardy KO 3 August 23, 1949 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 34–2 Milo Savage UD 10 July 26, 1949 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 33–2 Tommy Yarosz PTS 10 June 3, 1949 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 32–2 Anton Raadik TKO 7 March 15, 1949 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 31–2 Paul Perkins TKO 2 January 11, 1949 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 30–2 Johnny Boski KO 1 December 14, 1948 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 29–2 Kenny Watkins UD 10 October 26, 1948 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 28–2 Boy Brooks TKO 3 October 12, 1948 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 27–2 Charley Cato PTS 8 July 20, 1948 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 26–2 Bobby Castro PTS 10 May 11, 1948 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 25–2 Flashy Sebastian KO 7 April 7, 1948 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila
Win 24–2 Boy Brooks PTS 12 January 17, 1948 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Win 23–2 Nai Som Pong KO 3 December 17, 1947 Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila
Loss 22–2 Boy Brooks PTS 10 November 22, 1947 Honolulu Stadium, Holulu, Territory of Hawaii Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Win 22–1 Georgie Duke PTS 10 August 19, 1947 Honolulu Stadium, Holulu, Territory of Hawaii Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Loss 21–1 Georgie Duke PTS 10 July 4, 1947 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Win 21–0 Paulie Lewis PTS 10 June 20, 1947 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 20–0 Leroy Wade TKO 4 May 2, 1947 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 19–0 Candy McDaniels PTS 10 March 21, 1947 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 18–0 Gil Mojica PTS 10 January 28, 1947 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 17–0 Wayne Powell TKO 4 December 2, 1946 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 16–0 Wayne Powell TKO 4 October 7, 1946 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 15–0 Jackie Ryan TKO 6 September 9, 1946 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 14–0 Johnny Boski KO 3 August 19, 1946 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 13–0 Johnny Boski KO 4 July 26, 1946 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 12–0 Ernie Horne TKO 2 July 18, 1946 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 11–0 Delaware Bradby KO 3 February 25, 1946 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 10–0 Chuck Ross PTS 6 February 4, 1946 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 9–0 Pedro Jimenez KO 4 January 28, 1946 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 8–0 Vepe Watson TKO 1 January 14, 1946 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 7–0 Obie Wooten TKO 1 January 7, 1946 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 6–0 LaVelle Perkins TKO 2 December 21, 1945 Sacramento, California
Win 5–0 Bobby Jones KO 2 December 10, 1945 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 4–0 Art Robinson TKO 4 November 23, 1945 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 3–0 Young Pancho PTS 4 September 10, 1944 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 2–0 Ben Ramos TKO 4 August 27, 1944 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii
Win 1–0 Bob Correa KO 2 August 19, 1944 Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii

See also
  • List of middleweight boxing champions

References
  1. "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
  2. Exshaw, John (January 21, 2002). "Obituary – Carl Olson". The Independent. London: 6.
  3. "Bobo Olson". BoxRec. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  4. He boxed at 16 in "Boxer Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies at 73", Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 1, January 17, 2002
  5. Lewis, Ferd, "Hall of Fame Boxer, Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies", The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 21, January 17, 2002
  6. March 13 bout in Newland, Russ, "Robinson Retains Title By Decision", The Los Angeles Times, pg. 57, March 14, 1952
  7. Loss on May 18 in Dyer, Braven, "Kayo Simple As One Two", The Los Angeles Times, pg. 45, May 19, 1956
  8. Loss on December 9 in "Robinson Kayos Olson in Second Round", Oakland Tribune, Oakland California, pg. 13, December 10, 1955
  9. Teamster's Union in "Hall of Fame Boxer, Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies", The Honolulu Advertiser, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 21, January 17, 2002
  10. World Boxing Hall of Fame in "Boxer Carl 'BoBo' Olson Dies at 73", Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Honolulu, Hawaii, pg. 1, January 17, 2002
  11. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=024927&cat=boxer&pageID=1


Achievements
Preceded by
Sugar Ray Robinson
Retired		 World Middleweight Champion
October 21, 1953 – December 9, 1955		 Succeeded by
Sugar Ray Robinson
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