Overview

" Among the great lightweights of the 1940s and 1950s, Boxing Hall of Famer Sidney ""Beau Jack"" Walker (1921-2000) was virtually orphaned by his parents and eked out a living as a shoeshine boy. He honed his craft fighting battles royale for wealthy white members of the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, eventually receiving financing for his career from club founders. He went on to win two lightweight titles and set numerous records. He was the draw for the highest admission paid for a ringside seat--$100,000--and was named ""Fighter of the Year"" in 1944. Like most black pugilists of his day he struggled against discrimination in the sport. Despite this, he sustained an impressive 18-year professional career--117 fights, 83 wins, 40 by KO. Walker retired from the ring penniless and went back to shining shoes, the money set aside for him by his handlers mysteriously depleted."

Full Product Details

Author:   Robert Mullins
Publisher:   McFarland & Co Inc
Imprint:   McFarland & Co Inc
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 1.60cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.422kg
ISBN:  

9781476679068

ISBN 10:   1476679061
Pages:   311
Publication Date:   18 December 2019
Recommended Age:   From 18 years
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Available To Order  
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Table of Contents

Table of Contents Preface Introduction Part I. The Early Days  1. Roaring Twenties, Racial Tension and Segregation  2. Beau’s Early Life  3. Battles Royal Bring Opportunity  4. Beau Begins Boxing  5. A Syndicate Forms Part II. Media Sensation at “Valley” Arena  6. Learning the Ropes  7. A Featured Attraction Part III. Beau Bounces to New York  8. Publicity and Training  9. Fistic Debut in New York 10. Eleven Straight Wins and a Title Fight Part IV. Claiming the Lightweight Title 11. Stolz Stands Between Beau and a Title Bout 12. Beau Crowned Lightweight Champion 13. Beau’s First Reign 14. Montgomery Dethrones Beau 15. Beau Regains the Title 16. Beau vs. Montgomery III Part V. Called to Service 17. Jack Selects the Army 18. The Great “War Bonds Fight” 19. 1944 Fighter of the Year 20. Beau’s Return as a Welterweight Part VI. Jack Breaks His Kneecap 21. Stopped for the First Time 22. Comeback from a Broken Kneecap 23. Third Shot at the Lightweight Title 24. Beau Seeks Welterweight Title 25. Beau’s 27th Appearance Makes Madison Square Garden History 26. Tissue Paper Legs 27. Reentering the Ring Part VII. Retirement from the Ring 28. Financial Woes 29. On His Knees Again 30. Beau Jack the Trainer 31. Final Days 32. An American Hero Passes Appendix: Boxing Record Chapter Notes Bibliography Index

Reviews

In this deeply researched narrative Mullins has corrected certain myths about Walker, giving a full-bodied treatment to an African American fighter who has too often been portrayed as a one-dimensional victim....recommended --Choice

“In this deeply researched narrative Mullins has corrected certain myths about Walker, giving a full-bodied treatment to an African American fighter who has too often been portrayed as a one-dimensional victim....recommended”—Choice

"""In this deeply researched narrative Mullins has corrected certain myths about Walker, giving a full-bodied treatment to an African American fighter who has too often been portrayed as a one-dimensional victim....recommended""--Choice"

Author Information

Robert Mullins is an attorney and assistant professor of political science at East Georgia State College–Augusta. He has authored numerous professional journal articles and regularly writes about local history.

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