Julian Jackson (boxer)

Julian Jackson (born September 12, 1960) is a former professional boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who competed from 1981 to 1998. He is a three-time world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBA super welterweight title from 1987 to 1990, and the WBC middleweight title twice between 1990 and 1995. Possessing formidable knockout power, Jackson is regarded by many as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, pound for pound, and was ranked number 25 by The Ring magazine in a 2003 list of "100 Greatest Punchers".[1]Jackson's knockout-to-win ratio stands at 89%.

Julian Jackson
Statistics
Nickname(s)The Hawk
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Reach73 in (185 cm)
NationalityVirgin Islander
Born (1960-09-12) September 12, 1960
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights61
Wins55
Wins by KO49
Losses6

Amateur career

Jackson represented the United States Virgin Islands at the 1979 Pan American Games, losing his first fight to Jose Baret of the Dominican Republic.[2]

Jackson reportedly completed his amateur career with a record of 15 wins, 2 losses.

Professional career

Jackson turned professional in February 1981 and had many of his early fights in Puerto Rico, where he lived for a short time, and gained a shot at WBA super welterweight champion Mike McCallum in August 1986. Jackson hurt the champion on a couple occasions in the first round, but McCallum came storming back with a barrage that forced the referee to stop matters in the second round.

After McCallum moved up to middleweight, Jackson got his second shot at the now-vacant WBA title in November 1987 against Korean In-Chul Baek, winning in three rounds. Baek would go on to win the WBA super-middleweight title a year later. Jackson made three defenses of his crown, against former IBF title-holder Buster Drayton (TKO 3), Francisco DeJesus (KO 8), and future three-time champion Terry Norris (TKO 2). All these defenses were won with a single knockout punch.

Jackson then vacated his crown, moved up to 160 lb (73 kg), and was matched against Herol 'Bomber' Graham for the vacant WBC middleweight title. Due to Jackson's recent retina damage which had required surgery, the British Boxing Board of Control felt that Jackson was returning to boxing too soon and didn't allow him to box in the UK, so the bout was held at Torrequebrada Hotel & Casino, Benalmádena, Andalucía, Spain on 24 November 1990.

Graham was putting on his typical savvy performance against Jackson: countering, slipping, and dancing out of the way, targeting Jackson's vulnerable eye which started to swell. After being consistently beaten to the punch for three and a half rounds, Jackson then unleashed one of the great right hands in boxing history. After Jackson connected with the punch, Graham was unconscious before he hit the canvas, and was revived only after five alarming minutes.

Defenses against Dennis Milton (KO 1), Ismael Negron (KO 1), and Ron Collins (TKO 5) ended quickly, but Thomas Tate would make Jackson work longer and harder in their August 1992 encounter – Julian had to go to the scorecards for the first time in a title bout in winning a 12-round unanimous decision, scoring a knockdown along the way. At this point Jackson was in the middle of the pound-for-pound rankings.

This would lead to his showdown in May 1993 with another big hitter, Gerald McClellan. This time the challenger prevailed, as Jackson failed to find the knockout blow when hitting McClellan with hard punches and controlling Rounds 2 and 3, with McClellan turning the fight around and knocking Jackson down twice in the fifth round. The second knockdown prompted the referee to stop the fight, after Jackson made it to his feet yet remained unsteady. After winning his next three fights, Jackson had another shot at the title in May 1994 in a rematch with McClellan. In a very brief fight, Jackson hit McClellan with some hard punches, but Jackson was then hurt himself and put under heavy pressure by McClellan, with McClellan flooring Jackson with a left hook to the body after 65 seconds. The referee counted Jackson out as he rose to his feet.

After McClellan vacated the title to move up to super-middleweight, Jackson would have a second but brief reign as WBC middleweight champion, beating the previously undefeated European champion Agostino Cardamone in March 1995. Jackson had a shaky end to the first round, during which he was hurt and put under pressure until the bell by Cardamone, who wasn't considered a hard puncher. In round two however, Jackson again showed his punching power by suddenly dropping Cardamone heavily with a short right hand. Cardamone managed to make it to his feet but remained badly shaken, forcing the referee to stop the fight.

Jackson lost the title in his first defense against Quincy Taylor in August 1995, by a sixth round stoppage. During the fight with Taylor, Jackson tore his rotator cuff and looked a shadow of his former self. Jackson would have four more low-key victories, before ending his career with losses to Verno Phillips and Anthony Jones, both in nine rounds, in 1998.

Life after boxing

After retiring from the sport, Jackson joined the ministry and still lives in his birthplace of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He has continued his involvement in the local boxing field as a trainer and coach, and his three sons, Julius Jackson, Julian Jackson Jr. and John Jackson, have all competed professionally since 2009.

Jackson was once hired by Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas as a way to attract visitors to the park.[3]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
61 fights 55 wins 6 losses
By knockout 49 6
By decision 6 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
61 Loss 55–6 Anthony Jones TKO 9 (10) May 24, 1998 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
60 Loss 55–5 Verno Phillips KO 9 (12), 2:01 Jan 23, 1998 Grand Casino Tunica, Robinsonville, Mississippi, U.S. For WBU light middleweight title
59 Win 55–4 Eduardo Gutiérrez TKO 3 (10), 0:36 Oct 31, 1997 Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.
58 Win 54–4 Terry Ford TKO 2 (10), 1:01 Jul 25, 1997 Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
57 Win 53–4 Augustine Renteria UD 10 Dec 7, 1996 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
56 Win 52–4 Leonardo Aguilar UD 10 Sep 9, 1996 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
55 Loss 51–4 Quincy Taylor TKO 6 (12), 2:33 Aug 19, 1995 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBC middleweight title
54 Win 51–3 Agostino Cardamone TKO 2 (12), 1:50 Mar 17, 1995 Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. Won vacant WBC middleweight title
53 Win 50–3 Luis Buitron TKO 3 (10) Dec 17, 1994 Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador
52 Loss 49–3 Gerald McClellan KO 1 (12), 1:23 May 7, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. For WBC middleweight title.
51 Win 49–2 Eduardo Ayala UD 10 Mar 4, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
50 Win 48–2 Jaime Montano TKO 1 (10), 1:50 Dec 15, 1993 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
49 Win 47–2 Carlton Haywood TKO 1 (10), 2:16 Aug 6, 1993 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
48 Loss 46–2 Gerald McClellan TKO 5 (12), 2:09 May 8, 1993 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBC middleweight title
47 Win 46–1 Eddie Hall TKO 4 (10) Dec 13, 1992 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46 Win 45–1 Thomas Tate UD 12 Aug 1, 1992 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC middleweight title
45 Win 44–1 Ron Collins TKO 5 (12), 1:27 Apr 10, 1992 Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico Retained WBC middleweight title
44 Win 43–1 Ismael Negron TKO 1 (12), 0:50 Feb 15, 1992 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC middleweight title
43 Win 42–1 Dennis Milton KO 1 (12), 2:10 Sep 14, 1991 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC middleweight title
42 Win 41–1 Herol Graham KO 4 (12), 1:13 Nov 24, 1990 Torrequebrada Hotel & Casino, Benalmádena, Spain Won vacant WBC middleweight title
41 Win 40–1 Wayne Powell TKO 4 (10), 1:36 Jun 16, 1990 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40 Win 39–1 John McClendon KO 2 (10) May 18, 1990 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
39 Win 38–1 Terry Norris TKO 2 (12), 1:33 Jul 30, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBA light middleweight title
38 Win 37–1 Derwin Richards TKO 6 (10), 1:33 May 13, 1989 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
37 Win 36–1 Francisco de Jesus KO 8 (12), 2:19 Feb 25, 1989 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA light middleweight title
36 Win 35–1 Buster Drayton TKO 3 (12), 2:57 Jul 30, 1988 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained WBA light middleweight title
35 Win 34–1 Efren Olivo TKO 1 (10) Jun 25, 1988 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
34 Win 33–1 Reggie Barnes TKO 1 (10) Apr 16, 1988 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
33 Win 32–1 Baek In-chul TKO 3 (12), 1:17 Nov 21, 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBA light middleweight title
32 Win 31–1 Milton Leaks TKO 10 (12), 0:38 Apr 24, 1987 Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
31 Win 30–1 Khalif Shabazz KO 1 (10) Dec 19, 1986 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
30 Loss 29–1 Mike McCallum TKO 2 (15), 2:03 Aug 23, 1986 Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. For WBA light middleweight title
29 Win 29–0 Derrick Drane TKO 2 (10), 2:16 May 20, 1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Win 28–0 Francisco Del Toro KO 2 (10), 2:05 Apr 19, 1986 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
27 Win 27–0 Mark Allman TKO 1 (10) Mar 22, 1986 Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
26 Win 26–0 Lopez McGee KO 4 (12) Feb 28, 1986 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
25 Win 25–0 Raúl Hernandez TKO 1 (10) Nov 15, 1985 Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
24 Win 24–0 José Padilla TKO 3 (10), 1:22 Aug 10, 1985 Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
23 Win 23–0 Rafael Corona KO 3 (12) Jul 12, 1985 Marriott Hotel, Santa Clara, California, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
22 Win 22–0 Tim Harris TKO 8 (12), 0:18 Nov 21, 1984 Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
21 Win 21–0 Santos Solis TKO 2 (10), 2:14 Nov 3, 1984 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
20 Win 20–0 Curtis Ramsey TKO 12 (12), 0:43 Aug 15, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
19 Win 19–0 Ron Lee Warrior TKO 3 (12), 2:35 Jan 20, 1984 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico Won WBC Continental Americas light middleweight title
18 Win 18–0 JJ Cottrell TKO 5 (10), 2:57 May 16, 1984 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Eddie Gazo KO 2 (10), 0:36 Mar 17, 1984 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
16 Win 16–0 Carlton Brown TKO 1 (10) Jan 20, 1984 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 Jeff Nelson TKO 3 (10), 2:31 Oct 15, 1983 Knight International Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 David Plowden KO 3 (10) Jun 25, 1983 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
13 Win 13–0 Reinaldo Roque TKO 1 (10), 2:46 May 18, 1983 Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Jake Torrance TKO 5 (10) Mar 6, 1983 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Dominic Fox KO 2 (10) Feb 19, 1983 Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
10 Win 10–0 Mack Heimbaugh TKO 4 (8) Nov 17, 1982 Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Miguel Sepulveda TKO 3 (8), 0:24 Aug 18, 1982 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
8 Win 8–0 Al Cook KO 2 (8), 2:15 Jun 8, 1982 Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 William Page UD 6 Mar 20, 1982 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Dario De Asa KO 3 (8) Sep 26, 1981 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Edwin Rodriguez KO 1 (6) Aug 15, 1981 San Juan, Puerto Rico
4 Win 4–0 Reyes Escalera TKO 3 (6) May 15, 1981 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
3 Win 3–0 Marcelino Flores KO 2 (4) May 9, 1981 San Juan, Puerto Rico
2 Win 2–0 Rafael Ayala KO 1 (4) Mar 5, 1981 Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
1 Win 1–0 Inocencio Carmona PTS 4 Feb 2, 1981 San Juan, Puerto Rico

References

Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Carlos Maria
del Valle Herrera
WBC Continental Americas
super welterweight champion

June 20, 1984 – April 1987
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Billy Bridges
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Mike McCallum
WBA super welterweight champion
November 21, 1987 – November 1990
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Gilbert Delé
Vacant
Title last held by
Roberto Durán
WBC middleweight champion
November 24, 1990 – May 8, 1993
Succeeded by
Gerald McClellan
Vacant
Title last held by
Gerald McClellan
WBC middleweight champion
March 17, 1995 – August 19, 1995
Succeeded by
Quincy Taylor
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.