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.

Light middleweight Champion

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.

First middleweight title reign

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.

Second middleweight title reign

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.

Post title

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), 1:36 Jun 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), 2:19 Feb 25, 1989 Las 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), 2:16 May 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

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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
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