2/02/07 - Jim Amato Beau Jack; A True All Time Great By Jim Amato The name Sidney Walker would not be very familiar to most fight fans. Mention the name Beau Jack and you would get a much different reaction. They are one and the same. Beau Jack was one of the most exciting fighters of the 1940's and early 50's. Sidney Walker was born on April 1, 1921 in Augusta, Georgia. He began his professional career in 1939 fighting out of South Carolina. Later Beau Jack boxed often out of the New England area. By the time he invaded New York in 1941 he sported a 27-4-2 record. He scored a knockout win in a fight at Ebbets Field and his next bout was at Madison Square Garden. It would be the first of twenty seven appearances Beau Jack would make at that famous venue. A testimony to his popularity over the years. Late in 1941 Beau lost two fights to tough Freddie Archer. He would bounce back to win twelve straight including victories over Terry Young and Allie Stolz. This set the stage for a 1942 match between Jack and Tippy Larkin for the vacant New York State Athletic Commission lightweight title. Beau took out Larkin in three rounds to win the title. Beau would then defeat Fritzie Zivic twice and Henry Armstrong in over weight matches. In 1943 Beau lost his NYSAC title to the talented Bob Montgomery. Three fights later he was upset by Bobby Ruffin. In his next fight Beau would regain his title by beating Montgomery. In 1944 Beau beat Lulu Costantino, drew with Sammy Angott and beat Maxie Berger at The Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. He would again lose to Montgomery and his title was gone. Jack came right back with wins over Al " Bummy " Davis, Juan Zurita and Montgomery with no title at stake. He then beat Willie Joyce, drew with rugged Johnny Greco and stopped Angott. In 1946 he was upset by Buster Tyler. In 1947 he was stopped for the first time in his career by Youngstown great Tony Janiro. Beau suffered a knee injury in the fight. Back on the comeback trail Beau put together five wins but then lost to Terry Young. He then defeated Johnny Greco and Janiro in rematches. In 1948 he was halted by the sensational Ike Williams. Beau came right back to stop England's highly touted Eric Boon. In eight fights after beating Boon he only lost to Greco. This led to a bout with the legendary Kid Gavilan. The " Keed " dominated Beau and won a lopsided decision. Jack then lost to Tuzo Portuguez and another Youngstown battler Joey Carkido. He did stop Lew Jenkins but in his last twelve fights he went 4-7-1. He lost to Fritzie Pruden, Del Flanagan and Ike Williams. He was stopped inside the distance by Gil Turner and in his last bout he was kayoed by Ike Williams. In his remarkable career Beau Jack had 117 fights. His final ledger was 88-24-5. He scored 43 KO's and was stopped only four times in his storied career. He was a thrilling, action fighter who met the best of his time. He truly was an all time great. 
 Esteban De Jesus - A Tragic Story By Jim Amato If ever a boxer was a victim of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, it was Puerto Rico's Esteban De Jesus. This former one time claimant of the W.B.C. lightweight title may have been the best Puerto Rican 135 pounder since Carlos Ortiz. Unfortunately he boxed during the era of possibly the greatest of all lightweights, Roberto Duran. This occurred on November 17, 1972 at Madison Square Garden. Esteban floored Duran in the first round and then boxed his way to a decision win in a non-title bout. Then he twice whipped the respected Ray Lampkin in bouts for the American Lightweight title thus establishing himself as the top contender. On his way to his first meeting with Duran, Esteban had lost just once and that was to W.B.A. featherweight champion Antonio Gomez in a non-title fight. He defeated Josque Marquez twice, Victor Ortiz, Lionel Hernandez, Percy Hayles, Angel Robinson, and Cleveland's Chuck Wilburn. After his victory over Duran, Estsban defeated the classy Johnny Gant and former junior welterweight titleholder, Alfonso Frazier. These victories finally set up a title shot against Duran. On March 16, 1974 in Panama City, Esteban again decked Duran in the first round. this time though Roberto was in much better condition and he gradually wore down his formidable foe stopping Esteban in round eleven. One year later De Jesus moved up in weight and challenged Antonio Cervantes for the junior welterweight championship. Once again Esteban faded down the stretch as he dropped a fifteen round decision. Again one year later De Jesus received yet another title opportunity. He was matched with W.B.C. lightweight champion Guts Suzuki. Showing his true class Esteban Dominated Suzuki to win an easy decision and the crown. De Jesus would defend his title successfully three times thus setting up the rubber match with Duran for the undisputed title. Duran v De Jesus III was held in Las Vegas and this much anticipated Superfight would determine once and for all who was the world's best lightweight. In possibly the best performance of his career Duran proved his superiority halting Estsban in round twelve. De Jesus would come back and put together another win streak that included a victory over Edwin Viruet. Once more De Jesus was granted a title shot. This time he would meet W.B.C. junior welterweight champion Saoul Mamby. The bout took place on July 7, 1980 and the signs of Esteban's obviously eroding skills were there for all to see. Mamby finally halted an exhausted and outclassed De Jesus in round thirteen. The final chapter in this fine, but yet tragic career. Esteban would never gain full acceptance as lightweight champion although only the great Duran could master him. Esteban's final ledger is as follows; 62 bouts, 57 victories, and only 5 defeats. He scored 32 knockouts and he was stopped 3 times. All of his setbacks were to world champions, Gomez, Duran twice, Cervantes, and Mamby. The bad luck that dogged Esteban's career was only an omen of things to come. Not long after his retirement Esteban was involved in a traffic dispute during which he shot and killed a seventeen year old youth. For this crime De Jesus was sentenced to life in prison. While in prison De Jesus was infected with AIDS. Bedridden and dying Esteban received a surprise visit from none other then his old adversary, Roberto Duran. In a moment of compassion completely out of character for the mean and macho Duran, he had come to pay his respects. He had come to show his admiration for his toughest foe. He also knew in his heart that Esteban was a true champion. jimsboxing@zoominternet.net
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