Billy Arnold (boxer) facts for kids
Billy Arnold (born William Marshall Arnold) was a very promising boxer in the 1940s. He was known for his speed and powerful punches. Billy Arnold was born on September 21, 1926, in Slab Fork, West Virginia, and he passed away on May 18, 1995.
A Young Boxing Star
Billy Arnold started his professional boxing career on November 1, 1943. He was still in high school at the time! He quickly became famous because he won his first 16 fights by knockout. This means he won by hitting his opponent so hard they couldn't continue.
Billy's Boxing Style
Billy Arnold's boxing style was very exciting to watch. He was a "slick boxer," which means he was good at moving around and avoiding punches. He also had "lightning-fast combinations," meaning he could throw many punches very quickly. Plus, he had a strong "knockout punch" that could end a fight. People often compared his style to famous boxers like Sugar Ray Robinson.
The Big Fight Against Rocky Graziano
Many people, including sports magazines like The Ring Magazine, believed Billy Arnold would become a world champion. They thought he might be the next big star, like Joe Louis or Sugar Ray Robinson.
Billy Arnold was expected to win easily against another tough boxer named Rocky Graziano. Their big fight happened in March 1945. Billy Arnold started the fight very strong, hitting Rocky Graziano many times in the first few rounds. It looked like the fight would end quickly with Billy winning.
However, Rocky Graziano was incredibly tough. He managed to keep fighting even after taking many punches. Then, in a surprising turn, Rocky Graziano fought back and knocked out Billy Arnold. This was a huge upset in boxing, meaning the boxer who was expected to lose actually won!
