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Harry Wills
Harry Willis 1916.jpg
Harry Wills in 1916
Statistics
Real name Harry Wills
Nickname(s) The Black Panther
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Nationality American
Born (1889-05-15)May 15, 1889
New Orleans
Died December 21, 1958(1958-12-21) (aged 69)
New York, New York
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 111; with the inclusion of newspaper decisions
Wins 89
Wins by KO 56
Losses 10
Draws 7

Harry Wills (May 15, 1889 – December 21, 1958) was a heavyweight boxer who held the World Colored Heavyweight Championship three times. Many boxing historians consider Wills the most egregious victim of the "color line" drawn by white heavyweight champions. Wills fought for over twenty years (1911–1932), and was ranked as the number one challenger for the throne, but was denied the opportunity to fight for the title. Of all the black contenders between the heavyweight championship reigns of Jack Johnson and Joe Louis, Wills came closest to securing a title shot. BoxRec ranks him among 10 best heavyweights in the world from 1913 to 1924, and as No.1 heavyweight from 1915 to 1917.

His managers included Jim Buckley and Paddy Mullins.

Boxing career

Harry Wills portrait BNF
Wills in France in 1920

Wills fought many of the top heavyweights of his era. He defeated Willie Meehan, who had decisioned Jack Dempsey, Gunboat Smith and Charley Weinart. He also fought Luis Firpo in a match that ended in a no decision. Wills faced future heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey in 1926, and was being decisively beaten when he was disqualified. The next year, Wills was knocked out by heavyweight contender Paolino Uzcudun in a bout that signalled the end of his reign as a serious title contender. His final record was 75 wins (with 47 knockouts), 9 losses and 2 draws. In 2003, he was named to the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

The top black fighters of Wills' era were forced to continuously fight each other, as many white fighters also drew the "color line". As a result, Wills fought the redoubtable Sam Langford 22 times. His record against Langford was 6 wins, 2 losses and 14 no decisions, although the two losses were by knockout. He beat Langford three times for the colored heavyweight title, with Langford winning it back twice. (He was forced to vacate his third title when he fought Jack Sharkey in 1926 and was lost the bout due to a disqualification.) Wills also defeated colored heavyweight champ Sam McVey three times and fought two no-decision bouts with Joe Jeanette.

In May 1922, the New York Daily News polled its readers, asking them to choose Dempsey's next title opponent. Over 45,000 readers responded, and Wills finished first with 12,177 votes. Dempsey initially said he was willing to fight Wills, but the bout was never scheduled.

Aborted 1926 Dempsey-Wills heavyweight title match

Midwestern boxing promoter Floyd Fitzsimmons rendered a check to Wills for his fee, but failed to produce even a downpayment for Dempsey's much larger fee for a bout between the two fighters, who had, in July 1925, signed an agreement for a 1926 title match, which never materialized as a result. Disagreement has existed among boxing historians as to whether Dempsey had avoided Wills—though Dempsey swore he was willing to fight him—as having said he would no longer fight Black boxers after winning the title. Wills twice attempted to sue Dempsey for breach of contract over the canceled bout, which had also been barred in New York State on orders from Governor Alfred E. Smith by Athletic Commissioner James Farley, an early champion of African-American equal rights due to his public threats to resign from the Athletic Commission if Wills was not given the fight against the champion Dempsey, as Farley deemed Wills the number one contender. A deadly race riot in the wake of Jack Johnson vs. James J. Jeffries also created reluctance to promote the match. The stand taken by Commissioner Farley would help enable Farley to add the African American vote to the New Deal coalition as Franklin D. Roosevelt 's campaign manager and subsequently Chairman of the Democratic National Committee from the Republican Party, which had traditionally up until the 1930s controlled the African American voting block as the party of Lincoln.

Retirement

Wills retired from boxing in 1932, and ran a successful real estate business in Harlem, New York. He was known for his yearly fast, in which, once a year, he would subsist on water for a month. Wills admitted that his biggest regret in life was never getting the opportunity to fight Dempsey for the title. Wills was confident that he would have won such a match.

Wills died at Jewish Memorial Hospital in New York City of complications from diabetes on December 21, 1958.

Legacy and honors

In 2020 award-winning author Mark Allen Baker published the first comprehensive account of The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, with McFarland & Company, a leading independent publisher of academic & nonfiction books. This history traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the talented professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring.

For decades the World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a useful tool to combat racial oppression-the existence of the title a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, “drawing the color line.”

Harry Wills was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1992.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

Official record

Professional record summary
111 fights 70 wins 9 losses
By knockout 56 5
By decision 14 1
By disqualification 0 3
Draws 3
No contests 5
Newspaper decisions/draws 24

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
111 Win 70–9–3 (29) Big John Glover KO 1 (10), 1:05 Oct 19, 1932 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
110 Win 69–9–3 (29) Vinko Jakasa KO 1 (10), 1:20 Aug 4, 1932 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
109 Win 68–9–3 (29) Jack Rose KO 6 (10) Feb 11, 1931 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
108 Win 67–9–3 (29) Andres Castano KO 3 (10), 1:06 Dec 11, 1929 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.
107 Loss 66–9–3 (29) Andres Castano DQ 1 (12) Sep 14, 1929 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico For Mexico heavyweight title;
Wills DQ'd for hitting Castano after the bell
106 Loss 66–8–3 (29) Paulino Uzcudun KO 4 (15), (1:27) Jul 13, 1927 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S.
105 Loss 66–7–3 (29) Jack Sharkey DQ 13 (15), (0:43) Oct 12, 1926 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S. Wills DQ'd for illegal backhand
104 Win 66–6–3 (29) Floyd Johnson TKO 1 (12), (2:02) Oct 26, 1925 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
103 Win 65–6–3 (29) Charley Weinert KO 2 (10) Jul 2, 1925 Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.
102 Win 64–6–3 (29) Luis Ángel Firpo NWS 12 Sep 11, 1924 Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
101 Win 64–6–3 (28) Bartley Madden PTS 15 Jun 9, 1924 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
100 Win 63–6–3 (28) Jack Thompson TKO 4 (12), 2:06 Nov 5, 1923 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
99 Win 62–6–3 (28) Homer Smith KO 2 (10), 2:06 Oct 11, 1923 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
98 Win 61–6–3 (28) Clem Johnson TKO 12 (?), 1:55 Sep 29, 1922 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
97 Win 60–6–3 (28) Tut Jackson KO 3 (15), 2:05 Aug 29, 1922 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
96 Win 59–6–3 (28) Buddy Jackson KO 2 (12), 2:14 Aug 21, 1922 Broad A.C., Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
95 Win 58–6–3 (28) Jeff Clark KO 3 (10) Jul 17, 1922 Amphitheatre Rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Retained world colored heavyweight title
94 Win 57–6–3 (28) Jeff Clark TKO 2 (12) Jun 30, 1922 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
93 Win 56–6–3 (28) Kid Norfolk KO 2 (15) Mar 2, 1922 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
92 Win 55–6–3 (28) Sam Langford PTS 10 Jan 17, 1922 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
91 Draw 54–6–3 (28) Bill Tate PTS 10 Jan 6, 1922 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Both fighter claimed the black heavyweight title
90 Loss 54–6–2 (28) Bill Tate DQ 1 (10), 2:50 Jan 2, 1922 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Tate claimed the black heavyweight title;
Wills DQ'd for knocking down Tate on the referee's break
89 Win 54–5–2 (28) Bill Tate PTS 12 Dec 8, 1921 Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
88 NC 53–5–2 (28) Jack Thompson NC 5 (12) Nov 30, 1921 Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
Referee stopped the fight, but gave no decision
after Thompson fell and claimed a foul
87 Win 53–5–2 (27) Denver Ed Martin KO 1 (10), 2:05 Nov 18, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
86 Win 52–5–2 (27) Clem Johnson TKO 6 (12) Nov 10, 1921 Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, U.S.
85 Win 51–5–2 (27) Edward "Gunboat" Smith KO 1 (20), 1:07 Oct 10, 1921 Stadium, Havana, Cuba
84 Win 50–5–2 (27) Bill Tate TKO 6 (15) Jul 2, 1921 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
83 Win 49–5–2 (27) Ray Bennett KO 1 (15), 2:12 Jun 4, 1921 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
82 Win 48–5–2 (27) Battling Jim McCreary KO 7 (10) Jun 3, 1921 Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
81 Win 47–5–2 (27) Andy Johnson KO 1 (?) May 27, 1921 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
80 Win 46–5–2 (27) Jack Thompson NWS 8 Apr 8, 1921 Odeon Theater, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
79 Win 46–5–2 (26) Jeff Clark TKO 2 (12) Feb 11, 1921 Bob Wright's Coliseum, Highlandtown, Maryland, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
78 Win 45–5–2 (26) Bill Tate KO 2 (15), 1:18 Jan 17, 1921 Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
77 Win 44–5–2 (26) Jeff Clark TKO 4 (10) Sep 15, 1920 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
76 NC 43–5–2 (26) Sam McVea NC 6 (8) Sep 8, 1920 Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
Fight stopped for "stalling"
75 Win 43–5–2 (25) Fred Fulton KO 3 (12), 2:35 Jul 26, 1920 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
74 Win 42–5–2 (25) Ray Bennett TKO 1 (4) Jun 1, 1920 Armory A.A. Hall, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
73 Win 41–5–2 (25) Sam Langford PTS 15 Apr 23, 1920 Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
72 Win 40–5–2 (25) Andy Johnson KO 1 (10) Mar 17, 1920 Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
71 Win 39–5–2 (25) Jack Thompson PTS 15 Jan 12, 1920 Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
70 NC 38–5–2 (25) Jack Thompson NC 3 (4) Jan 1, 1920 Coliseum, San Francisco, California, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake
69 Win 38–5–2 (24) Ole Anderson TKO 3 (4) Dec 4, 1919 Coliseum, San Francisco, California, U.S.
68 Win 37–5–2 (24) Edward K.O. Kruvosky TKO 1 (4) Nov 20, 1919 Coliseum, San Francisco, California, U.S.
67 Win 36–5–2 (24) Sam Langford PTS 15 Nov 5, 1919 Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
66 Win 35–5–2 (24) Joe Jennette NWS 8 Oct 20, 1919 4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
65 Win 35–5–2 (23) Sam Langford NWS 10 Sep 30, 1919 Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
64 Win 35–5–2 (22) Jeff Clark TKO 4 (10) Aug 18, 1919 Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
63 Win 34–5–2 (22) Sam Langford NWS 8 Jul 4, 1919 Sportsman's Park, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
62 Win 34–5–2 (21) John Lester Johnson NWS 8 Jun 10, 1919 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
61 Draw 34–5–2 (20) Jack Thompson NWS 8 Nov 15, 1918 Atlantic City S.C., Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
60 Win 34–5–2 (19) Jack Thompson NWS 6 Sep 14, 1918 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
59 Win 34–5–2 (18) Jeff Clark TKO 5 (8) Aug 19, 1918 Atlantic City S.C., Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
58 Win 33–5–2 (18) Sam McVea PTS 20 Jun 16, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Retained world colored heavyweight title
57 Win 32–5–2 (18) Sam Langford TKO 8 (20) May 19, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Retained world colored heavyweight title
56 Win 31–5–2 (18) Sam Langford KO 6 (20) Apr 14, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Won world colored heavyweight title
55 Win 30–5–2 (18) Sam McVea KO 5 (20) Feb 17, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
54 Win 29–5–2 (18) Jeff Clark TKO 5 (15) Dec 16, 1917 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
53 Draw 28–5–2 (18) Sam Langford NWS 12 Nov 12, 1917 Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
52 Win 28–5–2 (17) Sam Langford NWS 10 Sep 20, 1917 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
51 Win 28–5–2 (16) Battling Jim Johnson NWS 10 Jun 1, 1917 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
50 Win 28–5–2 (15) Sam Langford NWS 6 May 11, 1917 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49 Win 28–5–2 (14) Jack Thompson NWS 10 Apr 30, 1917 Vanderbilt A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
48 Loss 28–5–2 (13) Battling Jim Johnson TKO 2 (12) Feb 7, 1917 Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
47 Win 28–4–2 (13) Jack Thompson NWS 10 Nov 28, 1916 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S.
46 Win 28–4–2 (12) Jack Thompson KO 8 (10) Nov 18, 1916 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
45 Win 27–4–2 (12) Bill Tate NWS 10 Nov 11, 1916 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S.
44 Win 27–4–2 (11) George Kid Cotton TKO 4 (10) Oct 13, 1916 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
43 Win 26–4–2 (11) George Kid Cotton TKO 4 (10) Jun 3, 1916 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S.
42 Win 25–4–2 (11) Jeff Clark PTS 20 May 19, 1916 Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
41 Win 24–4–2 (11) Sam Langford NWS 8 Apr 25, 1916 Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
40 Win 24–4–2 (10) John Lester Johnson NWS 10 Apr 7, 1916 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
39 Win 24–4–2 (9) Sam Langford NWS 10 Mar 7, 1916 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title claim at stake;
(via KO only)
38 Loss 24–4–2 (8) Sam Langford KO 19 (20) Feb 11, 1916 Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Lost world colored heavyweight title claim
37 Win 24–3–2 (8) Sam Langford PTS 20 Jan 3, 1916 Tulane A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title claim
36 Win 23–3–2 (8) Sam Langford NWS 10 Dec 3, 1915 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title claim at stake;
(via KO only)
35 Win 23–3–2 (7) Sam McVea PTS 12 Sep 7, 1915 Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Won world colored heavyweight title claim
34 Win 22–3–2 (7) Battling Jim Johnson NWS 10 Jul 5, 1915 Sacandaga Park, Gloversville, New York, U.S.
33 Loss 22–3–2 (6) Sam McVea NWS 10 May 19, 1915 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 22–3–2 (5) John Lester Johnson PTS 20 Mar 12, 1915 Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
31 Loss 21–3–2 (5) Sam McVea PTS 20 Dec 20, 1914 McDonoghville Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
30 Loss 21–2–2 (5) Sam Langford KO 14 (20) Nov 26, 1914 Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. For world colored heavyweight title
29 Win 21–1–2 (5) Jim Cameron PTS 4 Oct 30, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
28 Win 20–1–2 (5) Charles Horn KO 1 (4) Oct 16, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
27 Win 19–1–2 (5) Charles "Sailor" Grande PTS 4 Oct 9, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
26 Win 18–1–2 (5) Charlie Miller KO 1 (4) Sep 18, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
25 Win 17–1–2 (5) Willie Meehan PTS 4 Sep 4, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
24 Win 16–1–2 (5) Battling Brandt TKO 4 (4) Aug 21, 1914 Pavilion Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
23 Win 15–1–2 (5) Mexican Pete Everett KO 2 (?) Aug 2, 1914 Sonora, Sonora, Mexico
22 Win 14–1–2 (5) Soldier Elder KO 1 (?) Jul 4, 1914 El Paso, Texas, U.S.
21 Draw 13–1–2 (5) Joe Jennette NWS 10 Jun 9, 1914 National Baseball Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
20 Draw 13–1–2 (4) Sam Langford NWS 10 May 1, 1914 National Baseball Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via (KO) only)
19 Win 13–1–2 (3) Rough House Ware KO 10 (20) Feb 7, 1914 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
18 Win 12–1–2 (3) George Kid Cotton KO 4 (10) Jan 8, 1914 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
17 Win 11–1–2 (3) Jimmy Sullivan KO 1 (10) Dec 9, 1913 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
16 Win 10–1–2 (3) George Kid Cotton KO 3 (10) Oct 3, 1913 Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Draw 9–1–2 (3) Joe Jennette PTS 10 Jul 1, 1913 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
14 Draw 9–1–1 (3) Jeff Clark PTS 10 Jun 18, 1913 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
13 Win 9–1 (3) Kid Brown KO 2 (?) Feb 2, 1913 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
12 ND 8–1 (3) Jack Graves ND 10 Jan 1, 1913 United States of America Date and location of this fight unknown
11 Win 8–1 (2) Jack Tholmer KO 5 (10) Nov 20, 1912 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
10 ND 7–1 (2) Dave Mills ND 10 Aug 13, 1912 Elks Club, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
9 Win 7–1 (1) Kid Brown KO 6 (?) May 5, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
8 Win 6–1 (1) Ben Peden KO 3 (?) Apr 4, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
7 Loss 5–1 (1) George Kid Cotton KO 2 (10) Feb 14, 1912 Louisiana A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
6 Win 5–0 (1) Sam Collier KO 7 (?) Feb 2, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
5 Win 4–0 (1) Harry Brown KO 2 (?) Jan 1, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
4 Win 3–0 (1) Nat Dewey NWS 10 Oct 25, 1911 Louisiana A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Kid Navarro KO 1 (?) Mar 1, 1911 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
2 Win 2–0 Battling Taylor KO 4 (?) Feb 2, 1911 Rock Island, Illinois, U.S. Exact date unknown
1 Win 1–0 Casey White KO 4 (?) Jan 2, 1911 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Professional debut;
Exact date unknown

Unofficial record

Professional record summary
111 fights 89 wins 10 losses
By knockout 56 6
By decision 33 1
By disqualification 0 3
Draws 7
No contests 5

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
111 Win 89–10–7 (5) Big John Glover KO 1 (10), 1:05 Oct 19, 1932 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
110 Win 88–10–7 (5) Vinko Jakasa KO 1 (10), 1:20 Aug 4, 1932 Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
109 Win 87–10–7 (5) Jack Rose KO 6 (10) Feb 11, 1931 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
108 Win 86–10–7 (5) Andres Castano KO 3 (10), 1:06 Dec 11, 1929 New York Coliseum, New York City, New York, U.S.
107 Loss 85–10–7 (5) Andres Castano DQ 1 (12) Sep 14, 1929 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico For Mexico heavyweight title;
Wills DQ'd for hitting Castano after the bell
106 Loss 85–9–7 (5) Paulino Uzcudun KO 4 (15), (1:27) Jul 13, 1927 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S.
105 Loss 85–8–7 (5) Jack Sharkey DQ 13 (15), (0:43) Oct 12, 1926 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S. Wills DQ'd for illegal backhand
104 Win 85–7–7 (5) Floyd Johnson TKO 1 (12), (2:02) Oct 26, 1925 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
103 Win 84–7–7 (5) Charley Weinert KO 2 (10) Jul 2, 1925 Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.
102 Win 83–7–7 (5) Luis Ángel Firpo NWS 12 Sep 11, 1924 Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
101 Win 82–7–7 (5) Bartley Madden PTS 15 Jun 9, 1924 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
100 Win 81–7–7 (5) Jack Thompson TKO 4 (12), 2:06 Nov 5, 1923 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
99 Win 80–7–7 (5) Homer Smith KO 2 (10), 2:06 Oct 11, 1923 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
98 Win 79–7–7 (5) Clem Johnson TKO 12 (?), 1:55 Sep 29, 1922 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
97 Win 78–7–7 (5) Tut Jackson KO 3 (15), 2:05 Aug 29, 1922 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
96 Win 77–7–7 (5) Buddy Jackson KO 2 (12), 2:14 Aug 21, 1922 Broad A.C., Newark, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
95 Win 76–7–7 (5) Jeff Clark KO 3 (10) Jul 17, 1922 Amphitheatre Rink, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Retained world colored heavyweight title
94 Win 75–7–7 (5) Jeff Clark TKO 2 (12) Jun 30, 1922 Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
93 Win 74–7–7 (5) Kid Norfolk KO 2 (15) Mar 2, 1922 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
92 Win 73–7–7 (5) Sam Langford PTS 10 Jan 17, 1922 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
91 Draw 72–7–7 (5) Bill Tate PTS 10 Jan 6, 1922 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Both fighter claimed the black heavyweight title
90 Loss 72–7–6 (5) Bill Tate DQ 1 (10), 2:50 Jan 2, 1922 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Tate claimed the black heavyweight title;
Wills DQ'd for knocking down Tate on the referee's break
89 Win 72–6–6 (5) Bill Tate PTS 12 Dec 8, 1921 Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
88 NC 71–6–6 (5) Jack Thompson NC 5 (12) Nov 30, 1921 Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
Referee stopped the fight, but gave no decision
after Thompson fell and claimed a foul
87 Win 71–6–6 (4) Denver Ed Martin KO 1 (10), 2:05 Nov 18, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
86 Win 70–6–6 (4) Clem Johnson TKO 6 (12) Nov 10, 1921 Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, U.S.
85 Win 69–6–6 (4) Edward "Gunboat" Smith KO 1 (20), 1:07 Oct 10, 1921 Stadium, Havana, Cuba
84 Win 68–6–6 (4) Bill Tate TKO 6 (15) Jul 2, 1921 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
83 Win 67–6–6 (4) Ray Bennett KO 1 (15), 2:12 Jun 4, 1921 Queensboro Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
82 Win 66–6–6 (4) Battling Jim McCreary KO 7 (10) Jun 3, 1921 Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
81 Win 65–6–6 (4) Andy Johnson KO 1 (?) May 27, 1921 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
80 Win 64–6–6 (4) Jack Thompson NWS 8 Apr 8, 1921 Odeon Theater, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
79 Win 63–6–6 (4) Jeff Clark TKO 2 (12) Feb 11, 1921 Bob Wright's Coliseum, Highlandtown, Maryland, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
78 Win 62–6–6 (4) Bill Tate KO 2 (15), 1:18 Jan 17, 1921 Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
77 Win 61–6–6 (4) Jeff Clark TKO 4 (10) Sep 15, 1920 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
76 NC 60–6–6 (4) Sam McVea NC 6 (8) Sep 8, 1920 Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
Fight stopped for "stalling"
75 Win 60–6–6 (3) Fred Fulton KO 3 (12), 2:35 Jul 26, 1920 1st Regiment Armory, Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
74 Win 59–6–6 (3) Ray Bennett TKO 1 (4) Jun 1, 1920 Armory A.A. Hall, Bridgeport, Connecticut, U.S.
73 Win 58–6–6 (3) Sam Langford PTS 15 Apr 23, 1920 Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
72 Win 57–6–6 (3) Andy Johnson KO 1 (10) Mar 17, 1920 Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
71 Win 56–6–6 (3) Jack Thompson PTS 15 Jan 12, 1920 Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
70 NC 55–6–6 (3) Jack Thompson NC 3 (4) Jan 1, 1920 Coliseum, San Francisco, California, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake
69 Win 55–6–6 (2) Ole Anderson TKO 3 (4) Dec 4, 1919 Coliseum, San Francisco, California, U.S.
68 Win 54–6–6 (2) Edward K.O. Kruvosky TKO 1 (4) Nov 20, 1919 Coliseum, San Francisco, California, U.S.
67 Win 53–6–6 (2) Sam Langford PTS 15 Nov 5, 1919 Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
66 Win 52–6–6 (2) Joe Jennette NWS 8 Oct 20, 1919 4th Regiment Armory, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
65 Win 51–6–6 (2) Sam Langford NWS 10 Sep 30, 1919 Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
64 Win 50–6–6 (2) Jeff Clark TKO 4 (10) Aug 18, 1919 Arena, Syracuse, New York, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
63 Win 49–6–6 (2) Sam Langford NWS 8 Jul 4, 1919 Sportsman's Park, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
62 Win 48–6–6 (2) John Lester Johnson NWS 8 Jun 10, 1919 Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
61 Draw 47–6–6 (2) Jack Thompson NWS 8 Nov 15, 1918 Atlantic City S.C., Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
60 Win 47–6–5 (2) Jack Thompson NWS 6 Sep 14, 1918 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
59 Win 46–6–5 (2) Jeff Clark TKO 5 (8) Aug 19, 1918 Atlantic City S.C., Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title
58 Win 45–6–5 (2) Sam McVea PTS 20 Jun 16, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Retained world colored heavyweight title
57 Win 44–6–5 (2) Sam Langford TKO 8 (20) May 19, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Retained world colored heavyweight title
56 Win 43–6–5 (2) Sam Langford KO 6 (20) Apr 14, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama Won world colored heavyweight title
55 Win 42–6–5 (2) Sam McVea KO 5 (20) Feb 17, 1918 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
54 Win 41–6–5 (2) Jeff Clark TKO 5 (15) Dec 16, 1917 Plaza de Toros Vista Alegre, Panama City, Panama
53 Draw 40–6–5 (2) Sam Langford NWS 12 Nov 12, 1917 Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
52 Win 40–6–4 (2) Sam Langford NWS 10 Sep 20, 1917 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
51 Win 39–6–4 (2) Battling Jim Johnson NWS 10 Jun 1, 1917 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
50 Win 38–6–4 (2) Sam Langford NWS 6 May 11, 1917 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49 Win 37–6–4 (2) Jack Thompson NWS 10 Apr 30, 1917 Vanderbilt A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
48 Loss 36–6–4 (2) Battling Jim Johnson TKO 2 (12) Feb 7, 1917 Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
47 Win 36–5–4 (2) Jack Thompson NWS 10 Nov 28, 1916 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S.
46 Win 35–5–4 (2) Jack Thompson KO 8 (10) Nov 18, 1916 Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
45 Win 34–5–4 (2) Bill Tate NWS 10 Nov 11, 1916 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S.
44 Win 33–5–4 (2) George Kid Cotton TKO 4 (10) Oct 13, 1916 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
43 Win 32–5–4 (2) George Kid Cotton TKO 4 (10) Jun 3, 1916 Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S.
42 Win 31–5–4 (2) Jeff Clark PTS 20 May 19, 1916 Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
41 Win 30–5–4 (2) Sam Langford NWS 8 Apr 25, 1916 Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
40 Win 29–5–4 (2) John Lester Johnson NWS 10 Apr 7, 1916 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
39 Win 28–5–4 (2) Sam Langford NWS 10 Mar 7, 1916 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title claim at stake;
(via KO only)
38 Loss 27–5–4 (2) Sam Langford KO 19 (20) Feb 11, 1916 Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Lost world colored heavyweight title claim
37 Win 27–4–4 (2) Sam Langford PTS 20 Jan 3, 1916 Tulane A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Retained world colored heavyweight title claim
36 Win 26–4–4 (2) Sam Langford NWS 10 Dec 3, 1915 Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. World colored heavyweight title claim at stake;
(via KO only)
35 Win 25–4–4 (2) Sam McVea PTS 12 Sep 7, 1915 Atlas A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Won world colored heavyweight title claim
34 Win 24–4–4 (2) Battling Jim Johnson NWS 10 Jul 5, 1915 Sacandaga Park, Gloversville, New York, U.S.
33 Loss 23–4–4 (2) Sam McVea NWS 10 May 19, 1915 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 23–3–4 (2) John Lester Johnson PTS 20 Mar 12, 1915 Tommy Burns Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
31 Loss 22–3–4 (2) Sam McVea PTS 20 Dec 20, 1914 McDonoghville Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
30 Loss 22–2–4 (2) Sam Langford KO 14 (20) Nov 26, 1914 Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. For world colored heavyweight title
29 Win 22–1–4 (2) Jim Cameron PTS 4 Oct 30, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
28 Win 21–1–4 (2) Charles Horn KO 1 (4) Oct 16, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
27 Win 20–1–4 (2) Charles "Sailor" Grande PTS 4 Oct 9, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
26 Win 19–1–4 (2) Charlie Miller KO 1 (4) Sep 18, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
25 Win 18–1–4 (2) Willie Meehan PTS 4 Sep 4, 1914 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
24 Win 17–1–4 (2) Battling Brandt TKO 4 (4) Aug 21, 1914 Pavilion Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S.
23 Win 16–1–4 (2) Mexican Pete Everett KO 2 (?) Aug 2, 1914 Sonora, Sonora, Mexico
22 Win 15–1–4 (2) Soldier Elder KO 1 (?) Jul 4, 1914 El Paso, Texas, U.S.
21 Draw 14–1–4 (2) Joe Jennette NWS 10 Jun 9, 1914 National Baseball Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
20 Draw 14–1–3 (2) Sam Langford NWS 10 May 1, 1914 National Baseball Park, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. World colored heavyweight title at stake;
(via (KO) only)
19 Win 14–1–2 (2) Rough House Ware KO 10 (20) Feb 7, 1914 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
18 Win 13–1–2 (2) George Kid Cotton KO 4 (10) Jan 8, 1914 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
17 Win 12–1–2 (2) Jimmy Sullivan KO 1 (10) Dec 9, 1913 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
16 Win 11–1–2 (2) George Kid Cotton KO 3 (10) Oct 3, 1913 Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
15 Draw 10–1–2 (2) Joe Jennette PTS 10 Jul 1, 1913 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
14 Draw 10–1–1 (2) Jeff Clark PTS 10 Jun 18, 1913 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
13 Win 10–1 (2) Kid Brown KO 2 (?) Feb 2, 1913 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
12 ND 9–1 (2) Jack Graves ND 10 Jan 1, 1913 United States of America Date and location of this fight unknown
11 Win 9–1 (1) Jack Tholmer KO 5 (10) Nov 20, 1912 Northside A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
10 ND 8–1 (1) Dave Mills ND 10 Aug 13, 1912 Elks Club, El Paso, Texas, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 Kid Brown KO 6 (?) May 5, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
8 Win 7–1 Ben Peden KO 3 (?) Apr 4, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
7 Loss 6–1 George Kid Cotton KO 2 (10) Feb 14, 1912 Louisiana A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Sam Collier KO 7 (?) Feb 2, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Harry Brown KO 2 (?) Jan 1, 1912 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
4 Win 4–0 Nat Dewey NWS 10 Oct 25, 1911 Louisiana A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Kid Navarro KO 1 (?) Mar 1, 1911 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. Exact date unknown
2 Win 2–0 Battling Taylor KO 4 (?) Feb 2, 1911 Rock Island, Illinois, U.S. Exact date unknown
1 Win 1–0 Casey White KO 4 (?) Jan 2, 1911 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Professional debut;
Exact date unknown

See also

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