Jackie Beard facts for kids
Jackie Beard was an American boxer born on September 10, 1961. He was a professional boxer from 1981 to 1995. Jackie even fought for a big title, the WBA super featherweight title, twice! Before turning professional, he was an amazing amateur boxer. He won gold medals at the 1979 Pan American Games and the 1979 Boxing World Cup. Jackie was also the first boxer to win three straight US amateur championships in the same weight class.
Jackie's Amateur Boxing Journey
Jackie Beard grew up in Jackson, Tennessee. He started boxing when he was just eight years old. He followed his brother into the sport. In the late 1970s, Jackie became a top amateur boxer.
He won the National AAU bantamweight championship three times. He won in 1978, 1979, and 1980. This made him the first boxer to win three Senior titles in a row in the same weight class. He also won the bantamweight championship at the 1978 National Golden Gloves Tournament. He beat the champion, Wayne Lynumn, early in that tournament. Because of his great achievements, Jackie was named the 1978 Tennessee Co-Amateur Athlete of the Year.
In 1979, when he was 17, Jackie won a gold medal. This was at the Pan American Games in Puerto Rico. He won the bantamweight gold medal. He beat Luis Pizarro in the final match. Jackie also won a gold medal at the Boxing World Cup that same year.
Jackie Beard was chosen for the 1980 U.S. Olympic boxing team. However, the United States decided not to send athletes to the Moscow Summer Games. This was called a boycott. Because of this, Jackie could not compete in the Olympics. Years later, in 2007, Jackie received a special Congressional Gold Medal. This medal was given to the athletes who could not compete in those Olympic Games.
Jackie's Professional Boxing Career
Jackie Beard became a professional boxer in 1981. When you are a professional boxer, you get paid to fight. He started his professional career very well. He was undefeated in his first 12 fights. His first loss was a close decision to Jose Caba.
After that loss, Jackie won many more fights. But then he lost another close fight to Johnny De La Rosa. Jackie kept working hard to get to the top. He earned a chance to fight for a title in 1989. He fought Brian Mitchell for the WBA super featherweight title. Jackie lost that fight.
They fought again the next year, in 1990. Jackie lost that rematch too. After these title fights, Jackie's career slowed down. He lost most of his remaining professional fights. Jackie Beard retired from boxing in 1995. His final record was 36 wins, 14 losses, and 22 knockouts. He still lives in Jackson, Tennessee.
