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Virgil Akins

Virgil Akins (March 10, 1928 – January 22, 2011) was an American boxer who won the Welterweight Championship of the World in 1958.[1] Nicknamed ‘Honeybear’, Akins was the first World Champion boxer from St. Louis.

Virgil Akins
Born(1928-03-10)March 10, 1928
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 2011(2011-01-22) (aged 82)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Other namesHoneybear
Boxing record
Total fights93
Wins60
Wins by KO34
Losses31
Draws2

Career

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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

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93 fights60 wins31 losses
By knockout342
By decision2629
Draws2
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
93Loss60–31–2Rip RandallUD10Mar 20, 1962Houston, Texas, U.S.
92Loss60–30–2Ralph DupasUD10Dec 27, 1961Bayfront Park Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
91Win60–29–2Vince BonomoTKO4 (10)Dec 13, 1961Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
90Draw59–29–2Stefan RedlTKO10 (?)Nov 17, 1961Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
89Win59–29–1Jose Antonio BurgosTKO10 (?)Oct 16, 1961Caracas, Venezuela
88Loss58–29–1Kenny LaneUD10Sep 22, 1961Navy-Marine Corps Mem. Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
87Loss58–28–1Henry WhiteMD10Sep 5, 1961Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
86Win58–27–1Cecil ShortsTKO8 (10)Jul 10, 1961Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
85Win57–27–1Billy CollinsUD10May 15, 1961Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
84Win56–27–1Gerald GrayMD10Mar 4, 1961Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
83Win55–27–1TJ JonesTKO9 (10)Jan 16, 1961Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
82Loss54–27–1Candy McFarlandSD10Dec 6, 1960Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
81Win54–26–1Carl HubbardKO5 (10)Nov 21, 1960Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
80Loss53–26–1Luis Manuel RodriguezUD10Jul 6, 1960Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
79Win53–25–1Charley ScottUD10May 20, 1960Chase Hotel, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
78Win52–25–1Fernando BarretoPTS10Apr 1, 1960Ginásio Estadual do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
77Loss51–25–1Wally SwiftPTS10Mar 8, 1960Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
76Loss51–24–1Don FullmerUD10Jan 28, 1960Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
75Loss51–23–1Denny MoyerSD10Dec 10, 1959Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
74Loss51–22–1Kenny LaneMD10Oct 28, 1959Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
73Win51–21–1Stan HarringtonMD10Aug 14, 1959Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
72Loss50–21–1Luis Manuel RodriguezUD10Jun 17, 1959Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
71Loss50–20–1Don JordanUD15Apr 24, 1959Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
70Loss50–19–1Don JordanUD15Dec 5, 1958Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
69Loss50–18–1Del FlanaganUD10Sep 18, 1958Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
68Win50–17–1Charley Tombstone SmithTKO10 (10)Aug 20, 1958Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
67Win49–17–1Vince MartinezTKO4 (15)Jun 6, 1958Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Won vacant NYSAC, NBA and The Ring welterweight titles
66Win48–17–1Issac LogartTKO6 (12)Mar 21, 1958Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
65Win47–17–1Tony DeMarcoTKO12 (15)Jan 21, 1958Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Retained Massachusetts world welterweight title
64Win46–17–1Tony DeMarcoKO14 (15)Oct 29, 1957Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Won vacant Massachusetts world welterweight title
63Loss45–17–1Gil TurnerPTS10Sep 18, 1957Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
62Win45–16–1Garnet HartTKO8 (10)Aug 9, 1957Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
61Loss44–16–1Franz SzuzinaUD10Jul 8, 1957Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
60Win44–15–1Walter ByarsUD10Jun 12, 1957Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
59Win43–15–1Jimmy BeechamTKO3 (10)May 24, 1957Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
58Win42–15–1Franz SzuzinaUD10Mar 4, 1957Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
57Win41–15–1Al AndrewsTKO6 (10)Jan 31, 1957Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
56Win40–15–1Sammy WalkerUD10Jan 8, 1957Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
55Win39–15–1Pat LowryKO2 (10)Oct 22, 1956Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S.
54Loss38–15–1Charlie SawyerUD10Sep 15, 1956Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
53Win38–14–1Don JoseTKO4 (10)Jun 21, 1956Kallio's Arena, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
52Win37–14–1Hector ConstanceUD10Mar 21, 1956Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
51Win36–14–1Andy WatkinsTKO2 (10)Mar 8, 1956Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
50Win35–14–1Mel BarkerTKO8 (10)Jan 26, 1956Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
49Win34–14–1Clarence CookKO4 (10)Jan 19, 1956Sportatorium, Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
48Win33–14–1Rudolph BentTKO5 (10)Jan 3, 1956Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
47Loss32–14–1Issac LogartUD10Dec 2, 1955Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
46Win32–13–1Harold JonesUD10Sep 13, 1955Victory Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
45Win31–13–1Issac LogartSD10Aug 8, 1955St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
44Win30–13–1Bill SudduthTKO8 (10)Jun 21, 1955Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
43Win29–13–1Joe MiceliTKO1 (10)May 23, 1955St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
42Win28–13–1Ronnie DelaneyKO8 (10)May 2, 1955St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
41Draw27–13–1Johnny BrownPTS8Apr 8, 1955Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
40Win27–13Tommy MaddoxTKO4 (10)Mar 15, 1955Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
39Win26–13Johnny BrownTKO10 (10)Mar 2, 1955Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
38Win25–13Henry HankUD8Oct 26, 1954Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
37Loss24–13Andrew BrownSD10Oct 16, 1954Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
36Win24–12Joey GreenwoodTKO8 (10)Jun 2, 1954Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
35Loss23–12Philip KimTKO10 (10)Aug 29, 1953Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
34Loss23–11Johnny GonsalvesMD10Apr 4, 1953Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
33Loss23–10Joe MiceliUD10Sep 30, 1952Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
32Loss23–9Johnny SaxtonUD10Jul 30, 1952Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
31Win23–8Jay WatkinsTKO2 (10)May 8, 1952Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
30Win22–8Henry DavisTKO9 (10)Feb 29, 1952Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
29Win21–8Joe GilmerTKO9 (10)Feb 19, 1952Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28Win20–8Baby LeRoyTKO4 (10)Feb 8, 1952Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
27Loss19–8Luther RawlingsPTS8Dec 24, 1951Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
26Win19–7Joe BrownUD10Dec 6, 1951Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
25Win18–7Luther RawlingsSD10Oct 17, 1951Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
24Win17–7Freddie DawsonSD10Sep 26, 1951Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
23Loss16–7Joe BrownPTS10Jul 6, 1951Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
22Win16–6Tommy CampbellPTS10Jun 8, 1951Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
21Loss15–6Joe BrownPTS10May 25, 1951Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
20Win15–5Wallace Bud SmithPTS10Apr 17, 1951Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
19Win14–5Wallace Bud SmithPTS10Apr 4, 1951Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
18Win13–5Gene ParkerTKO6 (6)Mar 9, 1951Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
17Loss12–5Gene ParkerUD6Jan 18, 1951Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
16Win12–4Joe SgroUD10Dec 6, 1950Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
15Win11–4Rudy ZadellTKO3 (8)Nov 1, 1950Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
14Win10–4Nelson LeveringKO2 (8)Oct 24, 1950Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
13Win9–4Art EdmundsonPTS8Oct 5, 1950Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
12Loss8–4Joe FisherPTS8Jul 15, 1950Denver, Colorado, U.S.
11Loss8–3Nelson LeveringPTS6Jul 6, 1950Warren Bowl, Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S.
10Loss8–2Arthur PersleyPTS6Sep 29, 1949Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
9Win8–1Clem CusterPTS8Mar 30, 1949Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
8Win7–1Willie CheatumPTS8Mar 8, 1949Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
7Win6–1Russ MooreKO2 (6)Feb 15, 1949Forum, Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
6Win5–1Joe HendersonKO3 (6)Jan 17, 1949Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
5Win4–1Danny RobinsonPTS6Nov 23, 1948Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
4Win3–1Ollie CobbinsPTS6Jul 12, 1948Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
3Win2–1Charlie BaxterPTS6Apr 21, 1948Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
2Loss1–1Charlie BaxterTKO3 (6)Apr 5, 1948Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
1Win1–0Albert AdamsPTS6Mar 10, 1948Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.

Honors

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. ^ "BLINKY PALERMO, MOBSTER WHO RAN BOXING DIES!". Ring Talk. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  3. ^ "St. Louis' first homegrown world boxing champion Virgil Akins dies at 82". January 27, 2011.
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Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Carmen Basilio 		NYSAC welterweight champion
June 6, 1958 – December 5, 1958		Succeeded by
NBA welterweight champion
June 6, 1958 – December 5, 1958
The Ring welterweight champion
June 6, 1958 – December 5, 1958
Undisputed welterweight champion
June 6, 1958 – December 5, 1958
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