Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson facts for kids

Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson (1931-1982) was a famous American heavyweight boxer. He was known for his powerful punches and exciting fights. Tommy fought professionally from 1951 to 1961, which is a long time in boxing! He had a total of 44 matches during his career.

Who Was Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson?

Tommy Jackson was born in 1931 and passed away in 1982. He earned the nickname "Hurricane" because of his strong and fast fighting style. As a heavyweight boxer, he competed against some of the best fighters of his time.

Tommy's Boxing Record

Tommy Jackson had an impressive record in the ring. Out of his 44 fights, he won 34 of them! A big part of his wins, 16 to be exact, came from knockouts. This means he hit his opponents so hard they couldn't continue the fight. He also had 9 losses and 1 match that ended in a draw, meaning neither boxer won.

Rising Through the Ranks

By February 1956, Tommy "Hurricane" Jackson was considered one of the top heavyweight boxers in the world. He was ranked very high, right behind another strong boxer named Bob Baker, for the chance to fight for the heavyweight championship title. This showed how skilled and powerful he was in the boxing world.

Big Fights Against Floyd Patterson

Tommy Jackson is especially remembered for his two important fights against another boxing legend, Floyd Patterson. These matches were a big deal in the heavyweight division.

First Fight: A Close Call

In June 1956, Tommy Jackson faced Floyd Patterson in a very important match. The winner of this fight would get a chance to become the new heavyweight champion. The previous champion, Rocky Marciano, had retired and given up his title. Tommy and Floyd fought for 12 intense rounds. It was a very close fight, and the judges had to make a "split decision," which means they didn't all agree on who won. In the end, Tommy Jackson lost this close match. Many people thought it was a controversial decision because it was so tight.

Second Fight: The Champion's Challenge

Tommy Jackson got another chance to fight Floyd Patterson in July 1957. This time, Patterson was already the heavyweight champion. It was a tough fight, and Patterson showed why he was the champion. The referee decided to stop the match after 10 rounds, giving the win to Floyd Patterson. Even though Tommy lost, these fights showed his bravery and skill against one of the best boxers of his era.