Mickey Walker
Encyclopedia
Edward Patrick "Mickey" Walker (July 13, 1903, some sources indicate 1901 – April 28, 1981) was a multi-faceted boxer
from New Jersey
. He was also an avid golf
er and a renowned artist.
. Walker did not venture from Elizabeth until his eighteenth bout, he went to Newark
. On April 29, 1919, he was defeated by knockout
in round one by Phil Delmontt, suffering his first defeat.
In 1920, he boxed twelve times, winning two and participating in ten no-decisions. Once again, all his bouts were held in New Jersey, which was, at the time, one of the areas where scoring systems had not been installed in boxing, therefore, each fight that lasted the scheduled distance was automatically declared a no-decision, regardless of who the better boxer had been.
He boxed sixteen times in 1921, winning six, losing one and having nine no-decisions. By then, Rhode Island
had already become one of the areas where scoring in fights had been installed to allow fighters to get decision victories, and this attracted Walker twice to the area. He lost on a disqualification to Joe Stenafik his first time there, but earned his first decision win, in twelve rounds, against Kid Green, the second time around. He also held world champion boxer Jack Britton
to a no-decision back in his home state of New Jersey, and beat Nate Siegal in Boston
.
In 1922 Walker went 3-4-4 before getting a world title shot. He lost to Jock Malone during that span. However, on November 1 of that year, he found himself a world title challenger against Britton, who was the world's Welterweight
champion. Walker outpointed Britton over fifteen rounds to become world champion.
. He defended the title twice, against Pete Latzo
and Jimmy Jones. Nine bouts followed in 1924, Walker winning six and having three no decisions. He defeated Lew Tendler
and Bobby Barrett in defense of his world title, and had two of his three no decisions that year against Jock Malone.
After winning two fights to start 1925, he went up in division to challenge world Middleweight champion Harry Greb
on July 2 but he failed to win the Middleweight crown at that time, losing a fifteen round decision to the 160 pounds (72.6 kg) division champion. He went back to the Welterweight division, defending his title against Dave Shade, retaining it by decision. He won three bouts, lost one and had three no decisions that year.
. He kept that title for five years, although he only defended it three times during that span. He beat Mike McTigue
and former world champion Paul Berlenbach.
On March 28, 1929, he tried to become a member of the exclusive group of boxers who have been world champions in three different weight divisions, however, he failed in his attempt when he was defeated in a close ten round decision to world Light Heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran
. On June 19, 1931, Walker decided to give away his world Middleweight title to take a leap into the Heavyweight division.
His debut as a Heavyweight on July 22, against former world Heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey
, ended with a fifteen round draw (tie). In 1932, he went 5-1, beating such fighters as King Levinsky
and Paulino Uzcudun
before facing former world Heavyweight champion Max Schmeling
, who knocked Walker out in round eight.
for the world title. The next year, Walker rematched Rosenbloom and was awarded a decision win. Unfortunately for Walker, Rosenbloom, though still champion, had taken Walker on in a non-title fight. Undaunted, Walker kept campaigning in that division until 1935, when he retired after losing to Eric Seelig
by a seven round technical decision.
. He became an accomplished painting artist, many of his works being exhibited at New York and London
art galleries. During his boxing career, he found golf to be a suitable distraction to his training
regimen, and he often dragged his manager Doc Kearns, and his kids to golf courses to play golf.
Walker was found by police in 1974 lying on a street in Freehold, NJ and taken to a hospital, where he was admitted with doctors initially thinking he was just a drunken man picked up at the streets. But further testing revealed that Walker was suffering from Parkinson's Syndrome, Arteriosclerosis
and Anemia
; he died on April 28, 1981 in Freehold, NJ.
Walker had a record of 93 wins, 14 losses, 4 draws, 46 no decisions and 1 no contest in 163 professional bouts, his 60 knockout wins making him a member of the exclusive group of boxers who have won 50 or more bouts by knockout.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
in 1990, as an original member of that institution.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. He was also an avid golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er and a renowned artist.
1919–1921
He boxed professionally for the first time on February 10, 1919, fighting Dominic Orsini to a four round no-decision in his hometown of Elizabeth, New JerseyElizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
. Walker did not venture from Elizabeth until his eighteenth bout, he went to Newark
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. On April 29, 1919, he was defeated by knockout
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
in round one by Phil Delmontt, suffering his first defeat.
In 1920, he boxed twelve times, winning two and participating in ten no-decisions. Once again, all his bouts were held in New Jersey, which was, at the time, one of the areas where scoring systems had not been installed in boxing, therefore, each fight that lasted the scheduled distance was automatically declared a no-decision, regardless of who the better boxer had been.
He boxed sixteen times in 1921, winning six, losing one and having nine no-decisions. By then, Rhode Island
Rhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
had already become one of the areas where scoring in fights had been installed to allow fighters to get decision victories, and this attracted Walker twice to the area. He lost on a disqualification to Joe Stenafik his first time there, but earned his first decision win, in twelve rounds, against Kid Green, the second time around. He also held world champion boxer Jack Britton
Jack Britton
Jack Britton was three-time world welterweight boxing champion, born William J. Breslin in Clinton, New York....
to a no-decision back in his home state of New Jersey, and beat Nate Siegal in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.
In 1922 Walker went 3-4-4 before getting a world title shot. He lost to Jock Malone during that span. However, on November 1 of that year, he found himself a world title challenger against Britton, who was the world's Welterweight
Welterweight
Welterweight is a weight class division in combat sports. Originally the term "welterweight" was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like kickboxing, taekwondo and mixed martial arts also began to use it for their own weight division system...
champion. Walker outpointed Britton over fifteen rounds to become world champion.
1923–1925
He had thirteen fights in 1923, winning 11, having one no decision and one no contestNo contest (boxing)
No contest is a technical term used in some combat sports to describe a fight that ends for reasons outside the fighters' hands.-Boxing:...
. He defended the title twice, against Pete Latzo
Pete Latzo
Pete Latzo was the boxing world welterweight champion from 1926 to 1927. Latzo fought all the top welterweights of his era and won the title from hall of famer Mickey Walker on May 20, 1926. He lost the crown to Joe Dundee on June 3, 1927.After losing the welter crown Latzo invaded the heavier...
and Jimmy Jones. Nine bouts followed in 1924, Walker winning six and having three no decisions. He defeated Lew Tendler
Lew Tendler
"Lefty" Lew Tendler was an American boxer. He is a member of the World Boxing Hall of Fame, the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, the Philadelphia Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame.-External links:******...
and Bobby Barrett in defense of his world title, and had two of his three no decisions that year against Jock Malone.
After winning two fights to start 1925, he went up in division to challenge world Middleweight champion Harry Greb
Harry Greb
Harry Greb was an American boxer. He was World Middleweight boxing Champion from 1923 to 1926 and American Light Heavyweight title holder 1922–1923. He fought a recorded 303 times in his 13 year-career, against the best opposition the talent-rich 1910s & 20s could provide him, frequently squaring...
on July 2 but he failed to win the Middleweight crown at that time, losing a fifteen round decision to the 160 pounds (72.6 kg) division champion. He went back to the Welterweight division, defending his title against Dave Shade, retaining it by decision. He won three bouts, lost one and had three no decisions that year.
1926–1932
On May 20, 1926, he lost the world Welterweight title in a rematch with Pete Latzo. It seemed Walker, now in his 20s, had physically matured out the Welterweight division; though many might also point to his extra-curriculars. Whatever the reasons, Walker then began concentrating on winning the world Middleweight championship. On November 22, he finally was able to beat Jock Malone, and on December 3, he conquered the world's Middleweight title with a controversial ten-round decision over world champion Tiger FlowersTiger Flowers
Theodore Flowers became the first African-American middleweight boxing champion, defeating Harry Greb in 1926. Known as "Tiger", he began boxing professionally in 1918 at the age of 23 while working at a Philadelphia shipbuilding plant...
. He kept that title for five years, although he only defended it three times during that span. He beat Mike McTigue
Mike McTigue
"Bold" Mike McTigue was the light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1923-1925....
and former world champion Paul Berlenbach.
On March 28, 1929, he tried to become a member of the exclusive group of boxers who have been world champions in three different weight divisions, however, he failed in his attempt when he was defeated in a close ten round decision to world Light Heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran
Tommy Loughran
Thomas Patrick Loughran was the light heavyweight boxing champion of the world.Loughran's effective use of coordinated foot work, sound defense and swift, accurate counter punching is now regarded as a precursor to the techniques practiced in modern boxing...
. On June 19, 1931, Walker decided to give away his world Middleweight title to take a leap into the Heavyweight division.
His debut as a Heavyweight on July 22, against former world Heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey
Jack Sharkey
Jack Sharkey was an American heavyweight boxing champion. He was born Joseph Paul Zukauskas , the son of Lithuanian immigrants, in Binghamton, New York but moved to Boston, Massachusetts as a young man...
, ended with a fifteen round draw (tie). In 1932, he went 5-1, beating such fighters as King Levinsky
King Levinsky
King Levinsky , also known as Kingfish Levinsky, was an American heavyweight boxer who fought during the 1930s...
and Paulino Uzcudun
Paulino Uzcudun
Paulino Uzcudun Eizmendi was a Basque heavyweight boxer, who is considered to be the greatest heavyweight from Spain. Uzkudun is another variation on the spelling of his last name. He was the youngest of 9 siblings. In his youth, he became an Aizkolari or traditional competitive Basque wood chopper...
before facing former world Heavyweight champion Max Schmeling
Max Schmeling
Maximillian Adolph Otto Siegfried Schmeling was a German boxer who was heavyweight champion of the world between 1930 and 1932. His two fights with Joe Louis in the late 1930s transcended boxing, and became worldwide social events because of their national associations...
, who knocked Walker out in round eight.
1933–1935
He went down in weight again, to the Light Heavyweight division, in 1933, when he lost a fifteen round decision to Maxie RosenbloomMaxie Rosenbloom
Max Everitt Rosenbloom, known as Slapsie Maxie was an American boxer, actor, and television personality.-Life and career:...
for the world title. The next year, Walker rematched Rosenbloom and was awarded a decision win. Unfortunately for Walker, Rosenbloom, though still champion, had taken Walker on in a non-title fight. Undaunted, Walker kept campaigning in that division until 1935, when he retired after losing to Eric Seelig
Eric Seelig
Eric Seelig was middleweight/light-heavyweight boxing champion in Germany in 1933. Because he was Jewish, he was stripped of his titles, and, in July 1933, he was threatened by the Nazis if he dared fight another match. He fled to France...
by a seven round technical decision.
Retirement
Walker opened a restaurant after retirement and his restaurant became a popular dining place in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He became an accomplished painting artist, many of his works being exhibited at New York and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
art galleries. During his boxing career, he found golf to be a suitable distraction to his training
Boxing training
Boxing training is the training method that boxers use in order to get more fit for their sport. This training method is often cited by medical doctors, boxing trainers, and writers as one of the most spartan forms of sports training.- Training :...
regimen, and he often dragged his manager Doc Kearns, and his kids to golf courses to play golf.
Walker was found by police in 1974 lying on a street in Freehold, NJ and taken to a hospital, where he was admitted with doctors initially thinking he was just a drunken man picked up at the streets. But further testing revealed that Walker was suffering from Parkinson's Syndrome, Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis refers to a stiffening of arteries.Arteriosclerosis is a general term describing any hardening of medium or large arteries It should not be confused with "arteriolosclerosis" or "atherosclerosis".Also known by the name "myoconditis" which is...
and Anemia
Anemia
Anemia is a decrease in number of red blood cells or less than the normal quantity of hemoglobin in the blood. However, it can include decreased oxygen-binding ability of each hemoglobin molecule due to deformity or lack in numerical development as in some other types of hemoglobin...
; he died on April 28, 1981 in Freehold, NJ.
Walker had a record of 93 wins, 14 losses, 4 draws, 46 no decisions and 1 no contest in 163 professional bouts, his 60 knockout wins making him a member of the exclusive group of boxers who have won 50 or more bouts by knockout.
He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta...
in 1990, as an original member of that institution.