Bobo Olson
Bobo Olson | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Carl Olson |
Nickname(s) | The Hawaiian Swede |
Rated at | Middleweight |
Height | 5 ft 10 1⁄2 in (1.79 m) |
Nationality | American |
Born |
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | July 11, 1928
Died |
January 16, 2002 73) Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | (aged
Stance | orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 115 |
Wins | 97 |
Wins by KO | 47 |
Losses | 16 |
Draws | 2 |
No contests | 0 |
Carl Olson (July 11, 1928 – January 16, 2002) was an American boxer. He was the World Middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955,[1] the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s. His nickname, Bobo, was based on his younger sister's mispronunciation of "brother".[2]
Early years
Olson was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Portuguese mother and a Swedish father, hence his other nickname "The Hawaiian Swede". Like many boxers, Olson decided to take up the sport after getting into fights on the streets. Olson received training from boxers who were stationed in Hawaii during World War II, it was also during this period that he picked up his two trademark tattoos.
Using a fake identity card Olson obtained a boxing licence at the age of 16. He had won his first three contests, two by knockout, before his true age was discovered. During 1945 Olson ran off to San Francisco in order to continue his boxing career. By the time he was 18 he had amassed a record of 13 successive wins (10 by KO). Even at this stage his power and huge reserves of stamina were clear, as was his rather average skill.
Mature career
The first real test of Olson's career came on March 20, 1950, Olson's record at this point was 40 wins and 2 losses, against the Australian Dave Sands. Olson lost to a close points decision in Sydney. Seven months after this Olson had his first fight against Sugar Ray Robinson, for the lowly regarded Pennsylvania State World Middleweight Title. Olson, who was widely seen as a slow starter, failed to get into the fight, even though Robinson was not having one of his best fights. Olson managed to hold on for 11 rounds before being knocked out. Despite his great record it was clear that Olson was still too inexperienced to be fighting at that level.
A year after his loss to Robinson, Olson managed to get a rematch against Dave Sands. This fight was the first to be televised coast-to-coast in America. However, Sands once again proved too much for Olson, he again won by unanimous decision.
On March 13, 1952 Olson fought Robinson again, this time for the World middleweight title. Robinson, who had lost and regained the title against Randy Turpin in his previous two fights, was looking for an easy fight. However, Olson had improved significantly from their first encounter. Through 10 rounds the fight was neck-and-neck, only a dominant finish by Robinson over the last 5 rounds won him the decision. This would be the only time that Olson lasted the duration against Robinson.
Robinson retired for the first time in December 1952, vacating his middleweight crown. The top four contenders fought a tournament for the title. Olson defeated Paddy Young for the American title to gain the right to fight for the vacant world title, Turpin won the other eliminator against Charley Humez.
The title fight against Turpin took place on October 21, 1953 at Madison Square Garden. Turpin dominated the first four rounds, he almost scored a knockdown in the first round, before Olson got a grip on the fight. As the fight progressed Olson took the initiative, he scored knockdowns in the 10th and 11th rounds on the way to a unanimous decision. Following his success Olson was voted Ring magazine's fighter of the year for 1953.
Olson won all seven of his fights in 1954 including defences of his title against such big names as Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, and Pierre Langlois.
In 1955 Olson, who was finding it increasingly difficult to make weight, stepped up to light heavyweight. His first major fight in this category was against former champion Joey Maxim, Olson won the fight easily on points after scoring knockdowns in both the 2nd and 9th rounds. On June 22 Olson challenged 41-year-old Archie Moore for the light heavyweight title, a fight that many believed Olson would easily win. However, the "Old Mongoose" was too strong for Olson and won by knockout after only a minute had elapsed of the third round. After this fight Olson began his decline.
Following two walkover wins, Olson put his middleweight title on the line against Robinson, who was once again number 1 contender following his brief retirement, on December 9, 1955. Olson, who entered the fight as a massive favourite, was knocked out in the second round. The rematch, fought five months later at Wrigley Field, ended similarly with Olson going down in the fourth. After this second defeat Olson announced his retirement.
Late career
After a year out of the game Olson returned as a heavyweight to fight Maxim again, a fight he won on points. Olson took another year out following a knockout defeat against Pat McMurtry. Whilst initially coming back as a journeyman, despite being only 30, Olson managed to reestablish himself as a contender. On November 27, 1964 he fought José Torres with the winner going on to fight the champion, Willie Pastrano. Olson was knocked out after 2 minutes of the first round. This defeat effectively ended his career, he would only fight again four more times, with his final fight being a defeat to Gene Fullmer's younger brother, Don.
Life after boxing
Olson retired with a record of 97 wins (47 by KO), 16 losses, and 2 draws from his 115 professional fights. He went on to work with disaffected youngsters before working as a PR officer for the Teamsters Union. In 1987 he was a Union Elevator Operator in Lancaster, California, working on new construction at the Antelope Valley Medical Center. He would travel home on the weekends. At this point of his life he was slow, but kept the workers entertained with his boxing stories. In the 1990s he lived in Northern California for a time. In his later years Olson suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.
Professional boxing record
97 Wins (47 knockouts, 50 decisions), 16 Losses (7 knockouts, 9 decisions), 2 Draws[3] | |||||||
Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
Loss | 39-13-3 | Don Fullmer | MD | 10 | 28/11/1966 | Oakland Arena, Oakland, California | 2-5, 4-4, 2-6. |
Win | 30-2-3 | Piero Del Papa | SD | 10 | 11/07/1966 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | 4-6, 5-2, 6-3. |
Win | 24-18-6 | Fred Roots | TKO | 3 | 23/09/1965 | Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada | Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the third round. |
Win | 16-1-2 | Andy Kendall | UD | 10 | 24/06/1965 | Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada | 49-46, 50-41, 49-45. |
Loss | 33-1-1 | José Torres | KO | 1 | 27/11/1964 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | Bobo knocked out at 2:51 of the first round. |
Win | 31-6-1 | Wayne Thornton | UD | 10 | 28/08/1964 | Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California | 6-3, 5-4, 6-3. |
Loss | 11-1 | Johnny Persol | MD | 10 | 19/06/1964 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | 5-5, 4-6, 1-9. |
Win | 29-5-1 | Wayne Thornton | MD | 10 | 27/03/1964 | Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California | 7-2, 6-3, 5-5. |
Draw | 29-5-5 | Hank Casey | PTS | 10 | 09/12/1963 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | 4-4, 3-4, 4-2. |
Win | 13-2-1 | Jose Menno | UD | 10 | 21/10/1963 | Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California | 7-2, 6-1, 7-0. |
Win | 30-13 | Jesse Bowdry | UD | 10 | 14/05/1963 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | 50-42, 50-42, 50-42. |
Win | 22-16-7 | Sonny Ray | TKO | 8 | 30/04/1963 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 38-31-2 | Tiger Al Williams | TKO | 5 | 25/01/1963 | Lane County Fair, Eugene, Oregon | |
Draw | 33-6 | Giulio Rinaldi | PTS | 10 | 14/12/1962 | Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome | |
Win | 12-1-3 | Lennart Risberg | KO | 6 | 03/06/1962 | Stockholm Olympic Stadium, Stockholm | Risberg knocked out at 1:44 of the sixth round. |
Loss | 14-7-1 | Pete Rademacher | UD | 10 | 03/04/1962 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 14-17-2 | Artie Dixon | PTS | 10 | 19/01/1962 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 37-26-2 | Tiger Al Williams | PTS | 10 | 12/01/1962 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 20-21-6 | Yancy D. Smith | TKO | 8 | 14/11/1961 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 26-6-2 | "Kid" Sixto Rodriguez | UD | 10 | 23/10/1961 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Loss | 25-6-2 | "Kid" Sixto Rodriguez | UD | 10 | 11/09/1961 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | 2-6, 4-6, 3-6. |
Win | 34-7-1 | Roque Maravilla | UD | 10 | 14/08/1961 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | 7-1, 10-0, 6-2. |
Win | 7-3-4 | Floyd Buchanan | TKO | 3 | 16/02/1961 | Victoria Memorial Arena, Victoria, British Columbia | |
Win | 18-2-4 | Bobby Daniels | UD | 10 | 19/01/1961 | Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, Washington | 97-90, 99-92, 99-93. |
Loss | 15-0 | Doug Jones | KO | 6 | 31/08/1960 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | Bobo knocked out at 1:30 of the sixth round. |
Win | 39-8-4 | Mike Holt | PTS | 10 | 06/06/1960 | Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng | |
Win | 9-2-1 | Al Sparks | TKO | 5 | 05/05/1960 | Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, British Columbia | |
Win | 32-6-1 | Roque Maravilla | TKO | 7 | 07/04/1960 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | Referee stopped the bout after the seventh round. |
Win | 20-8-2 | George Kartalian | TKO | 5 | 25/08/1959 | Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California | |
Win | 39-6-1 | Herman "Rory" Calhoun | UD | 10 | 30/03/1959 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | 95-93, 98-93, 96-93. |
Win | 10-9-2 | Tommy Villa | TKO | 5 | 16/12/1958 | Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California | Referee stopped the bout at 1:28 of the fifth round. |
Win | 49-12-4 | Paddy Young | TKO | 6 | 25/11/1958 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | |
Win | 17-5 | Don Grant | TKO | 7 | 28/10/1958 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | Referee stopped the bout at 2:32 of the seventh round. |
Loss | 25-1-1 | Pat McMurtry | KO | 2 | 17/08/1957 | Meadows Race Track, Portland, Oregon | Bobo knocked out at 2:34 of the second round. |
Win | 82-25-4 | Joey Maxim | SD | 10 | 18/06/1957 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon | 54-56, 57.5-52.5, 56-54. |
Loss | 137-4-2 | Sugar Ray Robinson | KO | 4 | 18/05/1956 | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles | World Middleweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 2:51 of the fourth round. |
Loss | 136-4-2 | Sugar Ray Robinson | KO | 2 | 09/12/1955 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | World Middleweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 2:51 of the second round. |
Win | 41-3-1 | Joey Giambra | UD | 10 | 26/08/1955 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | 58-52, 56.5-53.5, 57.5-52.5. |
Win | 67-19-7 | Jimmy Martinez | UD | 10 | 13/08/1955 | Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon | 62-48, 61-49, 66-44. |
Loss | 147-19-8 | Archie Moore | KO | 3 | 22/06/1955 | Polo Grounds, New York City | World Light Heavyweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 1:00 of the third round. |
Win | 81-21-4 | Joey Maxim | UD | 10 | 13/04/1955 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | 59.5-50.5, 60-50, 62-48. |
Win | 27-10-8 | Willie Vaughn | UD | 10 | 12/03/1955 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California | 60-50, 59.5-50.5, 59-51. |
Win | 33-12-3 | Ralph Tiger Jones | UD | 10 | 16/02/1955 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | 100-86, 100-78, 99-87. |
Win | 65-16-5 | Pierre Langlois | TKO | 11 | 15/12/1954 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | World Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:58 of the 11th round. |
Win | 55-17-3 | Garth Panter | TKO | 8 | 03/11/1954 | Auditorium, Richmond, California | Joe Louis refereed the bout. Referee stopped the bout at 0:41 of the eighth round. |
Win | 58-7-4 | Rocky Castellani | UD | 15 | 20/08/1954 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | World Middleweight Title. 89-76, 87.5-77.5, 85-80. |
Win | 12-7 | Pedro Gonzales | KO | 4 | 07/07/1954 | Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California | Max Baer refereed the bout. |
Win | 36-15-5 | Jesse Turner | TKO | 8 | 15/06/1954 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | Referee stopped the bout at 1:09 of the eighth round. |
Win | 98-13-4 | Kid Gavilan | MD | 15 | 02/04/1954 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | World Middleweight Title. 147-141, 147-139, 144-144. |
Win | 36-10-3 | Joe Rindone | KO | 5 | 23/01/1954 | Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California | Rindone knocked out at 2:04 of the fifth round. |
Win | 49-3-1 | Randy Turpin | UD | 15 | 21/10/1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | World Middleweight Title. 9-4, 11-4, 8-7. |
Win | 44-8-3 | Paddy Young | UD | 15 | 19/06/1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | American Middleweight Title. 9-4, 12-3, 11-3. |
Win | 46-9-3 | Garth Panter | UD | 10 | 16/03/1953 | Butte, Montana | 58-42, 52-48, 53-47. |
Win | 24-13-1 | Norman Hayes | UD | 10 | 07/02/1953 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts | 99-93, 99-93, 97-95. |
Win | 24-12-1 | Norman Hayes | UD | 10 | 18/12/1952 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | 60-50, 59.5-50.5, 57-53. |
Win | 74-4 | Lee Sala | KO | 2 | 20/11/1952 | Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California | Sala knocked out at 2:12 of the second round. |
Win | 45-11-5 | Gene Hairston | TKO | 6 | 27/08/1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | |
Win | 52-6-4 | Robert Villemain | SD | 10 | 12/07/1952 | Cow Palace, Daly City, California | 57-53, 56-54, 54-56. |
Win | 29-9 | Jimmy Beau | UD | 10 | 06/06/1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City | 8-2, 7-2, 9-0. |
Win | 39-6 | Walter Cartier | TKO | 5 | 19/05/1952 | Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York | Referee stopped the bout at 1:01 of the fifth round. |
Win | 6-12-5 | Woody Harper | TKO | 7 | 06/05/1952 | Auditorium, Richmond, California | |
Loss | 129-2-2 | Sugar Ray Robinson | UD | 15 | 13/03/1952 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | World Middleweight Title. 78.5-86.5, 79.5-85.5, 80.5-84.5. |
Win | 13-4 | Tommy Harrison | UD | 10 | 15/02/1952 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California | 59.5-50.5, 60.5-49.5, 59.5-50.5. |
Win | 5-11-5 | Woody Harper | UD | 10 | 12/02/1952 | Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California | |
Loss | 91-9-1 | Dave Sands | UD | 10 | 03/10/1951 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago | 45-55, 45-55, 42-58. |
Win | 23-13-7 | Bobby Jones | MD | 10 | 27/08/1951 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 30-25-8 | Charley Cato | TKO | 3 | 27/07/1951 | Auditorium, Richmond, California | |
Win | 43-20-1 | Chuck Hunter | UD | 10 | 09/07/1951 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 70-23-4 | Lloyd Marshall | KO | 5 | 07/05/1951 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | Marshall knocked out at 1:03 of the fifth round. |
Win | 33-6-3 | Art Soto | PTS | 10 | 20/03/1951 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Loss | 113-1-2 | Sugar Ray Robinson | KO | 12 | 26/10/1950 | Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia | Pennsylvania Middleweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 1:19 of the 12th round. |
Win | 25-14-4 | Henry Brimm | UD | 10 | 05/09/1950 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 33-15-5 | Otis Graham | PTS | 10 | 22/05/1950 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 39-15-5 | Roy Miller | RTD | 5 | 25/04/1950 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | Miller retired due to a broken jaw. |
Loss | 80-9-1 | Dave Sands | PTS | 12 | 20/03/1950 | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales | |
Win | 50-19-9 | Don Lee | PTS | 10 | 22/02/1950 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 47-19-9 | Earl "of Richmond" Turner | PTS | 10 | 13/12/1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 23-3-1 | Johnny Duke | UD | 10 | 22/11/1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 23-23-5 | Art Hardy | KO | 3 | 23/08/1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 22-14-7 | Milo Savage | UD | 10 | 26/07/1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 76-5 | Tommy Yarosz | PTS | 10 | 03/06/1949 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 30-10 | Anton Raadik | TKO | 7 | 15/03/1949 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 15-9-2 | Paul Perkins | TKO | 2 | 11/01/1949 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 3-3-1 | Johnny Boski | KO | 1 | 14/12/1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 41-11-4 | Kenny Watkins | UD | 10 | 26/10/1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 4-2-1 | Boy Brooks | TKO | 3 | 12/10/1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 24-15-5 | Charley Cato | PTS | 8 | 20/07/1948 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 31-39-8 | Bobby Castro | PTS | 10 | 11/05/1948 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 24-17-2 | Flashy Sebastian | KO | 7 | 07/04/1948 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila | |
Win | 3-1 | Boy Brooks | PTS | 12 | 17/01/1948 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Win | 25-12-3 | Nai Som Pong | KO | 3 | 17/12/1947 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila | |
Loss | 2-1 | Boy Brooks | PTS | 10 | 22/11/1947 | Honolulu, Hawaii | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Win | 38-13-13 | Georgie Duke | PTS | 10 | 19/08/1947 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Loss | 37-13-13 | Georgie Duke | PTS | 10 | 04/07/1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | Hawaii Middleweight Title. |
Win | 40-18-7 | Paulie Lewis | PTS | 10 | 20/06/1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 40-52-16 | Leroy Wade | TKO | 4 | 02/05/1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 10-5 | Candy McDaniels | PTS | 10 | 21/03/1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 16-7-2 | Gil Mojica | PTS | 10 | 28/01/1947 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 6-16-1 | Wayne Powell | TKO | 4 | 02/12/1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 6-15-1 | Wayne Powell | TKO | 4 | 07/10/1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 28-9-15 | Jackie Ryan | TKO | 6 | 09/09/1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 2-1 | Johnny Boski | KO | 3 | 19/08/1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 2-0 | Johnny Boski | KO | 4 | 26/07/1946 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 7-5-1 | Ernie Horne | TKO | 2 | 18/07/1946 | Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | 0-2-1 | Delaware Bradby | KO | 3 | 25/02/1946 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 5-2-3 | Chuck Ross | PTS | 6 | 04/02/1946 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 13-26-12 | Pedro Jimenez | KO | 4 | 28/01/1946 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 6-6-1 | Vepe Watson | TKO | 1 | 14/01/1946 | Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 1-8 | Obie Wooten | TKO | 1 | 07/01/1946 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 1-0-1 | LaVelle Perkins | TKO | 2 | 21/12/1945 | Sacramento, California | |
Win | 1-2-1 | Bobby Jones | KO | 2 | 10/12/1945 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 17-15-1 | Art "Honey" Robinson | TKO | 4 | 23/11/1945 | San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California | |
Win | 3-5 | Young Pancho | PTS | 4 | 10/09/1944 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | -- | Ben Ramos | TKO | 4 | 27/08/1944 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii | |
Win | -- | Bob Correa | KO | 2 | 19/08/1944 | Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii |
See also
References
- ↑ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ↑ Exshaw, John (January 21, 2002). "Obituary – Carl Olson". The Independent. London: 6.
- ↑ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=024927&cat=boxer&pageID=1
Achievements | ||
---|---|---|
Preceded by Sugar Ray Robinson Retired |
World Middleweight Champion 21 October 1953 – 9 December 1955 |
Succeeded by Sugar Ray Robinson |