Julian Jackson (boxer)

Last updated
Julian Jackson
Born (1960-09-12) September 12, 1960 (age 64)
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Other namesThe Hawk
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm) [1]
Reach73 in (185 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights61
Wins55
Wins by KO49
Losses6

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 World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title from 1987 to 1990, and the World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight title twice between 1990 and 1995. Possessing formidable punching power, with a knockout-to-win rate of 89%, 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 the "100 Greatest Punchers". [2] Jackson was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019.

Contents

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. [3]

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 Baek In-chul, 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. [4]

Professional boxing record

61 fights55 wins6 losses
By knockout496
By decision60
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
61Loss55–6Anthony JonesTKO9 (10), 1:31May 24, 1998 The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.
60Loss55–5 Verno Phillips KO9 (12), 2:01Jan 23, 1998 Grand Casino Tunica, Robinsonville, Mississippi, U.S.For WBU super welterweight title
59Win55–4Eduardo GutiérrezTKO3 (10), 0:36Oct 31, 1997Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S.
58Win54–4Terry FordTKO2 (10), 1:01Jul 25, 1997 Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
57Win53–4Augustine RenteriaUD10Dec 7, 1996 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
56Win52–4Leonardo AguilarUD10Sep 9, 1996Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
55Loss51–4 Quincy Taylor TKO6 (12), 2:33 Aug 19, 1995 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC middleweight title
54Win51–3 Agostino Cardamone TKO2 (12), 1:50Mar 17, 1995 Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.Won vacant WBC middleweight title
53Win50–3Luis BuitronTKO3 (10)Dec 17, 1994 Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador
52Loss49–3 Gerald McClellan KO1 (12), 1:23 May 7, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.For WBC middleweight title
51Win49–2Eduardo AyalaUD10Mar 4, 1994 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
50Win48–2Jaime MontanoTKO1 (10), 1:50Dec 15, 1993 The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
49Win47–2Carlton HaywoodTKO1 (10), 2:16Aug 6, 1993 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto Rico
48Loss46–2 Gerald McClellan TKO5 (12), 2:09 May 8, 1993 Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBC middleweight title
47Win46–1Eddie HallTKO4 (10)Dec 13, 1992The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
46Win45–1 Thomas Tate UD12Aug 1, 1992Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC middleweight title
45Win44–1Ron CollinsTKO5 (12), 1:27Apr 10, 1992Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, MexicoRetained WBC middleweight title
44Win43–1Ismael NegronTKO1 (12), 0:50Feb 15, 1992The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC middleweight title
43Win42–1 Dennis Milton KO1 (12), 2:10Sep 14, 1991 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC middleweight title
42Win41–1 Herol Graham KO4 (12), 1:13Nov 24, 1990Torrequebrada Hotel & Casino, Benalmádena, SpainWon vacant WBC middleweight title
41Win40–1Wayne PowellTKO4 (10), 1:36Jun 16, 1990 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40Win39–1John McClendonKO2 (10)May 18, 1990Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
39Win38–1 Terry Norris TKO2 (12), 1:33Jul 30, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBA super welterweight title
38Win37–1Derwin RichardsTKO6 (10), 1:33May 13, 1989 Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
37Win36–1 Francisco de Jesus KO8 (12), 2:19Feb 25, 1989Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA super welterweight title
36Win35–1 Buster Drayton TKO3 (12), 2:57Jul 30, 1988Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained WBA super welterweight title
35Win34–1Efren OlivoTKO1 (10)Jun 25, 1988 Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
34Win33–1Reggie BarnesTKO1 (10) Apr 16, 1988 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
33Win32–1 Baek In-chul TKO3 (12), 1:17 Nov 21, 1987 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBA super welterweight title
32Win31–1Milton LeaksTKO10 (12), 0:38Apr 24, 1987 Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title
31Win30–1Khalif ShabazzKO1 (10)Dec 19, 1986Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
30Loss29–1 Mike McCallum TKO2 (15), 2:03Aug 23, 1986Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.For WBA super welterweight title
29Win29–0Derrick DraneTKO2 (10), 2:16May 20, 1986 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
28Win28–0Francisco Del ToroKO2 (10), 2:05 Apr 19, 1986 Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
27Win27–0Mark AllmanTKO1 (10)Mar 22, 1986Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
26Win26–0Lopez McGeeKO4 (12)Feb 28, 1986Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin IslandsRetained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title
25Win25–0Raúl HernandezTKO1 (10)Nov 15, 1985 Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
24Win24–0José PadillaTKO3 (10), 1:22Aug 10, 1985Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
23Win23–0Rafael CoronaKO3 (12)Jul 12, 1985Marriott Hotel, Santa Clara, California, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title
22Win22–0Tim HarrisTKO8 (12), 0:18Nov 21, 1984Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title
21Win21–0Santos SolisTKO2 (10), 2:14Nov 3, 1984Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
20Win20–0Curtis RamseyTKO12 (12), 0:43Aug 15, 1984 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title
19Win19–0Ron Lee WarriorTKO3 (12), 2:35Jan 20, 1984 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto RicoWon WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title
18Win18–0JJ CottrellTKO5 (10), 2:57May 16, 1984 Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
17Win17–0 Eddie Gazo KO2 (10), 0:36Mar 17, 1984Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
16Win16–0Carlton BrownTKO1 (10)Jan 20, 1984 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
15Win15–0Jeff NelsonTKO3 (10), 2:31Oct 15, 1983 Knight International Center, Miami, Florida, U.S.
14Win14–0David PlowdenKO3 (10)Jun 25, 1983 Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
13Win13–0Reinaldo RoqueTKO1 (10), 2:46May 18, 1983 Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0Jake TorranceTKO5 (10)Mar 6, 1983 Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win11–0Dominic FoxKO2 (10), 2:19Feb 19, 1983 Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
10Win10–0Mack HeimbaughTKO4 (8)Nov 17, 1982 Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S.
9Win9–0Miguel SepulvedaTKO3 (8), 0:24Aug 18, 1982 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
8Win8–0Al CookKO2 (8), 2:15Jun 8, 1982Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
7Win7–0William PageUD6Mar 20, 1982 Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
6Win6–0Dario De AsaKO3 (8)Sep 26, 1981 Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
5Win5–0Edwin RodriguezKO1 (6)Aug 15, 1981San Juan, Puerto Rico
4Win4–0Reyes EscaleraTKO3 (6)May 15, 1981 Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
3Win3–0Marcelino FloresKO2 (4)May 9, 1981San Juan, Puerto Rico
2Win2–0Rafael AyalaKO1 (4)Mar 5, 1981 Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico
1Win1–0Inocencio CarmonaPTS4Feb 2, 1981 San Juan, Puerto Rico

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinny Paz</span> American boxer (born 1962)

Vinny Paz, formerly Vinny Pazienza, is an American former professional boxer who held world titles at lightweight and light middleweight. The 2016 film Bleed for This is based on his comeback from a spinal injury. In 2022, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Hearns</span> American world champion boxer (b. 1958)

Thomas Hearns is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1977 to 2006. Nicknamed the "Motor City Cobra", and more famously "The Hitman", Hearns's tall, slender build and long arms and shoulders allowed him to move up over fifty pounds (22.7kg) in his career and become the first boxer in history to win world titles in five weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.

Nigel Gregory Benn is a British former professional boxer who competed from 1987 to 1996. He held world titles in two weight classes, including the WBO middleweight title in 1990 and the WBC super-middleweight title from 1992 to 1996. At the regional level, he held the Commonwealth middleweight title from 1988 to 1989. He scored wins over Champions Doug DeWitt, Iran Barkley, Thulani Malinga, Mauro Galvano and Gerald McClellan.

Gerald Allen McClellan is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 1995. He is a two-time middleweight world champion, having held the WBO title from 1991 to 1992, and the WBC title from 1993 to 1995. McClellan was forced to retire from boxing after a severe brain injury suffered during his final fight in 1995, a loss to WBC super middleweight champion Nigel Benn.

Donald Curry, is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1980 to 1991, and in 1997. He held the WBA world welterweight title from 1983 to 1986, the undisputed world welterweight title from 1985 to 1986 and the WBC light middleweight title from 1988 to 1989, and challenged once for the IBF middleweight title in 1990. In 2019, he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boxing in the 1980s</span> Overview of boxing in the 1980s

Boxing in the 1980s was filled with important fights, events and personalities that shaped the sport. Boxing in the 1980s was shaped by many different situations, such as the continuous corporate battles between the different world sanctioning organizations, the void left by Muhammad Ali as the sport's ambassador and consequent search for a new boxing hero, the continuous presence of Don King as the sport's most famous promoter, the surge of rival promoters as Bob Arum, Butch Lewis and Murad Muhammad, and major rule changes. In 1986, Mike Tyson emerged as a fresh new face in the heavyweight division, which had seen a decline in champion quality level after Ali's retirement and, later on, after longtime WBC ruler Larry Holmes' prime. In addition, the IBF and WBO began operating.

Mike McCallum is a Jamaican former professional boxer who competed from 1981 to 1997. He held world championships in three weight classes, including the WBA super welterweight title from 1984 to 1988, the WBA middleweight title from 1989 to 1991, and the WBC light heavyweight title from 1994 to 1995.

As in the 1980s, the 1990s in boxing's popularity focused on all divisions. When 1980s legends Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, as well as others retired, newer superstars filled the void: Pernell Whitaker, Julio César Chávez, in the early 1990s, Oscar De La Hoya, Félix Trinidad, Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the mid to late 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Erislandy Lara</span> Cuban world champion boxer (b. 1983)

Erislandy Lara Santoya is a Cuban-American professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in two weight classes, including the World Boxing Association (WBA) middleweight title since 2023. Previously he held the WBA super welterweight title between 2014 and 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nonito Donaire</span> Filipino professional boxer

Nonito Gonzales Donaire Jr. is a Filipino American professional boxer. He has held multiple world championships in four weight classes from flyweight to featherweight, and is the oldest boxer in history to win a bantamweight world title, as well as being the first three-time champion in that weight class. Donaire has also held world championships in three consecutive decades: the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s, being the sixth boxer to do so after Evander Holyfield, Manny Pacquiao, Bernard Hopkins, Erik Morales, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Badou Jack is a Swedish professional boxer. He has held world titles in three weight classes, including the WBC super-middleweight title from 2015 to 2017, the WBA (Regular) light-heavyweight title in 2017, and the WBC cruiserweight title in 2023. As an amateur, he represented Gambia at the 2008 Olympics, reaching the first round of the middleweight bracket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Groves (boxer)</span> British boxer

George Groves is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2008 to 2018. He held the WBA (Super) super-middleweight title from 2017 to 2018. At regional level, he held multiple super-middleweight titles, including the European, British, and Commonwealth titles between 2010 and 2014. As an amateur, Groves won the ABA middleweight title twice in 2007 and 2008.

Boxing in the 2010s includes notable events about boxing which occurred between 2010 and 2019. The decade saw high intensity action in the welterweight division. The match between veterans Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao broke PPV records. The broadcast of the fight in the Philippines was watched by nearly half the country's households. Mayweather retired at a record 50-0-0 while Pacquiao became the first eight division champion. The middleweight division saw immense action in the later years of the decade. After a draw in 2017, Canelo Alvarez ended Gennady Golovkin's long reign in 2018. The heavyweight division was dominated by Klitschko brothers before Wladimir's loss to Tyson Fury in 2015. Other talents that emerged were Anthony Joshua, Deontay Wilder and undisputed cruiserweight champion Oleksander Usyk.

Tyrone Trice was an American former professional boxer who competed from 1983 to 1996. He is a one-time International Boxing Council (IBC) Middleweight champion and WBA Americas Welterweight champion. Trice also had two world-title challenges for the IBF Welterweight and WBO Middleweight titles.

Callum John Smith is an English professional boxer. He held the World Boxing Association (WBA) and Ring magazine super-middleweight titles from 2018 to 2020. At regional level, he held the British and European super-middleweight titles between 2015 and 2017. In 2018 he won the World Boxing Super Series super-middleweight tournament, winning the Muhammad Ali trophy in the process. He is the youngest of the Smith brothers—Paul, Stephen, and Liam—all of whom are professional boxers.

Fedor Alexandrovich Chudinov is a Russian professional boxer. He held the WBA (Super) super-middleweight title in 2016, having previously held the regular title from 2015 to 2016 and the interim title from 2014 to 2015. He is the brother of fellow boxer Dmitry Chudinov.

Jason Welborn is an English professional boxer who challenged once for the unified WBA (Super), IBF and IBO light-middleweight titles in 2018. At national level, he held the British middleweight title in 2018, and challenged for the British welterweight and light middleweight titles in 2013 and 2014 respectively, and the Commonwealth light-middleweight and middleweight titles in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Durán</span> Professional boxing match contested on June 15, 1984

Thomas Hearns vs. Roberto Durán, billed as Malice at the Palace, was a professional boxing match contested on June 15, 1984 for the WBC and The Ring super welterweight titles.

Boxing in the 2020s is a list of notable fights and events in boxing during the decade from the year 2020 to 2029.

References

  1. 1 2 Showtime tale of the tape prior to the Quincy Taylor fight.
  2. ↑ Eisele, Andrew. "Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers" Archived 2011-07-07 at the Wayback Machine . About.com. Retrieved 2015-08-18.
  3. ↑ "8.Panamerican Games - San Juan, Puerto Rico - July 1-15 1979". amateur-boxing.strefa.pl. Retrieved 2018-07-25.
  4. ↑ "Coral World Ocean Park". tripbucket.com.
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 – January 10, 1991
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
Vacant
Title last held by
Gerald McClellan 		WBC middleweight champion
March 17, 1995 – August 19, 1995 		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.