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
Statistics
Nickname(s)Honeybear
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.
Boxing record
Total fights92
Wins59
Wins by KO34
Losses31
Draws2

Career

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
Professional record summary
93 fights 60 wins 31 losses
By knockout 34 2
By decision 26 29
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
93 Loss 60–31–2 Rip Randall UD 10 Mar 20, 1962 Houston
92 Loss 60–30–2 Ralph Dupas UD 10 Dec 27, 1961 Bayfront Park Auditorium, Miami
91 Win 60–29–2 Vince Bonomo TKO 4 (10) Dec 13, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach
90 Draw 59–29–2 Stefan Redl TKO 10 (?) Nov 17, 1961 Gladiators' Arena, Totowa
89 Win 59–29–1 Jose Antonio Burgos TKO 10 (?) Oct 16, 1961 Caracas
88 Loss 58–29–1 Kenny Lane UD 10 Sep 22, 1961 Navy-Marine Corps Mem. Stadium, Annapolis
87 Loss 58–28–1 Henry White MD 10 Sep 05, 1961 Vogue Arena, Chicago
86 Win 58–27–1 Cecil Shorts TKO 8 (10) Jul 10, 1961 Vogue Arena, Chicago
85 Win 57–27–1 Billy Collins UD 10 May 15, 1961 Marigold Gardens, Chicago
84 Win 56–27–1 Gerald Gray MD 10 Mar 04, 1961 Sabina Park, Kingston
83 Win 55–27–1 TJ Jones TKO 9 (10) Jan 16, 1961 Marigold Gardens, Chicago
82 Loss 54–27–1 Candy McFarland SD 10 Dec 06, 1960 Convention Hall, Philadelphia
81 Win 54–26–1 Carl Hubbard KO 5 (10) Nov 21, 1960 Marigold Gardens, Chicago
80 Loss 53–26–1 Luis Manuel Rodriguez UD 10 Jul 06, 1960 Freedom Hall, Louisville
79 Win 53–25–1 Charley Scott UD 10 May 20, 1960 Chase Hotel, Saint Louis
78 Win 52–25–1 Fernando Barreto PTS 10 Apr 01, 1960 Ginásio Estadual do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo
77 Loss 51–25–1 Wally Swift PTS 10 Mar 08, 1960 Empire Pool, Wembley
76 Loss 51–24–1 Don Fullmer UD 10 Jan 28, 1960 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
75 Loss 51–23–1 Denny Moyer SD 10 Dec 10, 1959 Auditorium, Portland
74 Loss 51–22–1 Kenny Lane MD 10 Oct 28, 1959 Capitol Arena, Washington
73 Win 51–21–1 Stan Harrington MD 10 Aug 14, 1959 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu
72 Loss 50–21–1 Luis Manuel Rodriguez UD 10 Jun 17, 1959 Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach
71 Loss 50–20–1 Don Jordan UD 15 Apr 24, 1959 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis For The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
70 Loss 50–19–1 Don Jordan UD 15 Dec 05, 1958 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Lost The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
69 Loss 50–18–1 Del Flanagan UD 10 Sep 18, 1958 Auditorium, Saint Paul
68 Win 50–17–1 Charley Tombstone Smith TKO 10 (10) Aug 20, 1958 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
67 Win 49–17–1 Vince Martinez TKO 4 (15) Jun 06, 1958 Arena, Saint Louis Won vacant The Ring and lineal welterweight titles
66 Win 48–17–1 Issac Logart TKO 6 (12) Mar 21, 1958 Madison Square Garden, New York
65 Win 47–17–1 Tony DeMarco TKO 12 (15) Jan 21, 1958 Boston Garden, Boston
64 Win 46–17–1 Tony DeMarco KO 14 (15) Oct 29, 1957 Boston Garden, Boston
63 Loss 45–17–1 Gil Turner PTS 10 Sep 18, 1957 Convention Hall, Atlantic City
62 Win 45–16–1 Garnet Hart TKO 8 (10) Aug 09, 1957 Public Hall, Cleveland
61 Loss 44–16–1 Franz Szuzina UD 10 Jul 08, 1957 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
60 Win 44–15–1 Walter Byars UD 10 Jun 12, 1957 Arena, Norfolk
59 Win 43–15–1 Jimmy Beecham TKO 3 (10) May 24, 1957 Capitol Arena, Washington
58 Win 42–15–1 Franz Szuzina UD 10 Mar 04, 1957 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
57 Win 41–15–1 Al Andrews TKO 6 (10) Jan 31, 1957 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
56 Win 40–15–1 Sammy Walker UD 10 Jan 08, 1957 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo
55 Win 39–15–1 Pat Lowry KO 2 (10) Oct 22, 1956 Biscayne Arena, Miami
54 Loss 38–15–1 Charlie Sawyer UD 10 Sep 15, 1956 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
53 Win 38–14–1 Don Jose TKO 4 (10) Jun 21, 1956 Kallio's Arena, Monroe
52 Win 37–14–1 Hector Constance UD 10 Mar 21, 1956 Arena, Saint Louis
51 Win 36–14–1 Andy Watkins TKO 2 (10) Mar 08, 1956 Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis
50 Win 35–14–1 Mel Barker TKO 8 (10) Jan 26, 1956 Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis
49 Win 34–14–1 Clarence Cook KO 4 (10) Jan 19, 1956 Sportatorium, Dallas
48 Win 33–14–1 Rudolph Bent TKO 5 (10) Jan 03, 1956 Valley Arena, Holyoke
47 Loss 32–14–1 Issac Logart UD 10 Dec 02, 1955 Madison Square Garden, New York
46 Win 32–13–1 Harold Jones UD 10 Sep 13, 1955 Victory Field, Indianapolis
45 Win 31–13–1 Issac Logart SD 10 Aug 08, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
44 Win 30–13–1 Bill Sudduth TKO 8 (10) Jun 21, 1955 Marigold Gardens, Chicago
43 Win 29–13–1 Joe Miceli TKO 1 (10) May 23, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
42 Win 28–13–1 Ronnie Delaney KO 8 (10) May 02, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, New York
41 Draw 27–13–1 Johnny Brown PTS 8 Apr 08, 1955 Arena, Saint Louis
40 Win 27–13 Tommy Maddox TKO 4 (10) Mar 15, 1955 Marigold Gardens, Chicago
39 Win 26–13 Johnny Brown TKO 10 (10) Mar 02, 1955 Miami Stadium, Miami
38 Win 25–13 Henry Hank UD 8 Oct 26, 1954 Motor City Arena, Detroit
37 Loss 24–13 Andrew Brown SD 10 Oct 16, 1954 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans
36 Win 24–12 Joey Greenwood TKO 8 (10) Jun 02, 1954 Arena, Saint Louis
35 Loss 23–12 Philip Kim TKO 10 (10) Aug 29, 1953 Rainbo Arena, Chicago
34 Loss 23–11 Johnny Gonsalves MD 10 Apr 04, 1953 Rainbo Arena, Chicago
33 Loss 23–10 Joe Miceli UD 10 Sep 30, 1952 Arena, Milwaukee
32 Loss 23–9 Johnny Saxton UD 10 Jul 30, 1952 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
31 Win 23–8 Jay Watkins TKO 2 (10) May 08, 1952 Chicago Stadium, Chicago
30 Win 22–8 Henry Davis TKO 9 (10) Feb 29, 1952 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
29 Win 21–8 Joe Gilmer TKO 9 (10) Feb 19, 1952 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
28 Win 20–8 Baby LeRoy TKO 4 (10) Feb 08, 1952 Legion Stadium, Hollywood
27 Loss 19–8 Luther Rawlings PTS 8 Dec 24, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
26 Win 19–7 Joe Brown UD 10 Dec 06, 1951 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
25 Win 18–7 Luther Rawlings SD 10 Oct 17, 1951 Arena, Saint Louis
24 Win 17–7 Freddie Dawson SD 10 Sep 26, 1951 Arena, Saint Louis
23 Loss 16–7 Joe Brown PTS 10 Jul 06, 1951 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans
22 Win 16–6 Tommy Campbell PTS 10 Jun 08, 1951 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans
21 Loss 15–6 Joe Brown PTS 10 May 25, 1951 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans
20 Win 15–5 Wallace Bud Smith PTS 10 Apr 17, 1951 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
19 Win 14–5 Wallace Bud Smith PTS 10 Apr 04, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
18 Win 13–5 Gene Parker TKO 6 (6) Mar 09, 1951 Madison Square Garden, New York
17 Loss 12–5 Gene Parker UD 6 Jan 18, 1951 Auditorium, Minneapolis
16 Win 12–4 Joe Sgro UD 10 Dec 06, 1950 Arena, Saint Louis
15 Win 11–4 Rudy Zadell TKO 3 (8) Nov 01, 1950 Arena, Saint Louis
14 Win 10–4 Nelson Levering KO 2 (8) Oct 24, 1950 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
13 Win 9–4 Art Edmundson PTS 8 Oct 05, 1950 Arena, Saint Louis
12 Loss 8–4 Joe Fisher PTS 8 Jul 15, 1950 Denver
11 Loss 8–3 Nelson Levering PTS 6 Jul 06, 1950 Warren Bowl, Cheyenne
10 Loss 8–2 Arthur Persley PTS 6 Sep 29, 1949 Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens
9 Win 8–1 Clem Custer PTS 8 Mar 30, 1949 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
8 Win 7–1 Willie Cheatum PTS 8 Mar 08, 1949 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
7 Win 6–1 Russ Moore KO 2 (6) Feb 15, 1949 Forum, Wichita
6 Win 5–1 Joe Henderson KO 3 (6) Jan 17, 1949 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
5 Win 4–1 Danny Robinson PTS 6 Nov 23, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
4 Win 3–1 Ollie Cobbins PTS 6 Jul 12, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
3 Win 2–1 Charlie Baxter PTS 6 Apr 21, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
2 Loss 1–1 Charlie Baxter TKO 3 (6) Apr 05, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis
1 Win 1–0 Albert Adams PTS 6 Mar 10, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis

Honors
  • Named The Ring magazine Progress of the Year fighter for 1958.
  • Elected to the Gateway Classic Walk of Fame

See also
  • List of welterweight boxing champions

References
  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. http://www.stlamerican.com/sports/local_sports/article_86810998-2801-11e0-91bb-001cc4c03286.html

Sources
  • Boxing record for Virgil Akins from BoxRec
  • Biographical Information from: (i) The Ring Record Book & Boxing Encyclopedia, 1959 (Nat Fleischer, The Ring Book Shop Inc., 1959). See p. 4. (ii) STL Today .
  • Details of Akin’s Ring Record from: (i) The Boxing Records Archive . (ii) The Cyber Boxing Zone .
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Carmen Basilio
Vacated		 World Welterweight Champion
June 6, 1958 – December 5, 1958		 Succeeded by
Don Jordan
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