Virgil Akins

Virgil Akins (March 10, 1928 – January 22, 2011) was an American boxer who won the Welterweight Championship of the World in 1958.[1] Nicknamed ‘Honeybear’, Akins was the first World Champion boxer from St. Louis.

Virgil Akins
Statistics
Nickname(s)Honeybear
Born(1928-03-10)March 10, 1928
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
DiedJanuary 22, 2011(2011-01-22) (aged 82)
St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
Boxing record
Total fights93
Wins60
Wins by KO34
Losses31
Draws2

Career

Akins was born and died in St. Louis, Missouri.

Akins was considered lanky, but proved nevertheless to be a powerful hitter with either hand. He began his career as a Lightweight in 1948, continuing to fight in that division for 6 years before finally growing into the Welterweight class. He was long considered to be an effective operator and boasted wins over future World Champions Joe Brown and Wallace ‘Bud’ Smith, as well as ending the incredible forty-seven fight winning streak of Ronnie Delaney, by way of knock-out in 1955.

Akins had powered his way up the rankings in both divisions and finally got his chance of a World title once Carmen Basilio relinquished the Welterweight Championship to concentrate on defending his new Middleweight crown. An elimination tournament including six of the World's top-rated Welterweights was swiftly established in an effort to find Basilio's successor. Akins emerged the victor and new World Champion on June 6, 1958, by pounding favourite Vince Martinez to a fourth round destruction. All told, Martinez went down nine times, having never seriously recovered from a shattering right delivered early in the First.

Akins's reign would not last long however. Six months later, he lost his title to Don Jordan by way of unanimous decision and in only his first defense. Akins disputed the result but fared no better in the return, held the following Spring. From that moment on, it was downhill all the way for the former champion, who would win just ten of his last twenty-three fights before hanging up his gloves in 1962.

Akins's contract was "owned" under the table by the notorious Frank "Blinky" Palermo, a member of the Philadelphia crime family. Palermo was imprisoned in 1961 for conspiracy and extortion for the covert ownership of prizefighters.[2]

Akins died at the age of 82 on January 22, 2011.[3]

Professional boxing record
93 fights 60 wins 31 losses
By knockout 34 2
By decision 26 29
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
93 Loss 60–31–2 Rip Randall UD 10 Mar 20, 1962 Houston, Texas, U.S.
92 Loss 60–30–2 Ralph Dupas UD 10 Dec 27, 1961 Bayfront Park Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
91 Win 60–29–2 Vince Bonomo TKO 4 (10) Dec 13, 1961 Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
90 Draw 59–29–2 Stefan Redl TKO 10 (?) Nov 17, 1961 Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, U.S.
89 Win 59–29–1 Jose Antonio Burgos TKO 10 (?) Oct 16, 1961 Caracas, Venezuela
88 Loss 58–29–1 Kenny Lane UD 10 Sep 22, 1961 Navy-Marine Corps Mem. Stadium, Annapolis, Maryland, U.S.
87 Loss 58–28–1 Henry White MD 10 Sep 5, 1961 Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
86 Win 58–27–1 Cecil Shorts TKO 8 (10) Jul 10, 1961 Vogue Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
85 Win 57–27–1 Billy Collins UD 10 May 15, 1961 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
84 Win 56–27–1 Gerald Gray MD 10 Mar 4, 1961 Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica
83 Win 55–27–1 TJ Jones TKO 9 (10) Jan 16, 1961 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
82 Loss 54–27–1 Candy McFarland SD 10 Dec 6, 1960 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
81 Win 54–26–1 Carl Hubbard KO 5 (10) Nov 21, 1960 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
80 Loss 53–26–1 Luis Manuel Rodriguez UD 10 Jul 6, 1960 Freedom Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
79 Win 53–25–1 Charley Scott UD 10 May 20, 1960 Chase Hotel, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
78 Win 52–25–1 Fernando Barreto PTS 10 Apr 1, 1960 Ginásio Estadual do Ibirapuera, Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
77 Loss 51–25–1 Wally Swift PTS 10 Mar 8, 1960 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
76 Loss 51–24–1 Don Fullmer UD 10 Jan 28, 1960 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
75 Loss 51–23–1 Denny Moyer SD 10 Dec 10, 1959 Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
74 Loss 51–22–1 Kenny Lane MD 10 Oct 28, 1959 Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
73 Win 51–21–1 Stan Harrington MD 10 Aug 14, 1959 Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
72 Loss 50–21–1 Luis Manuel Rodriguez UD 10 Jun 17, 1959 Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
71 Loss 50–20–1 Don Jordan UD 15 Apr 24, 1959 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
70 Loss 50–19–1 Don Jordan UD 15 Dec 5, 1958 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
69 Loss 50–18–1 Del Flanagan UD 10 Sep 18, 1958 Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
68 Win 50–17–1 Charley Tombstone Smith TKO 10 (10) Aug 20, 1958 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
67 Win 49–17–1 Vince Martinez TKO 4 (15) Jun 6, 1958 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. Won vacant NYSAC, NBA and The Ring welterweight titles
66 Win 48–17–1 Issac Logart TKO 6 (12) Mar 21, 1958 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
65 Win 47–17–1 Tony DeMarco TKO 12 (15) Jan 21, 1958 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Retained Massachusetts world welterweight title
64 Win 46–17–1 Tony DeMarco KO 14 (15) Oct 29, 1957 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. Won vacant Massachusetts world welterweight title
63 Loss 45–17–1 Gil Turner PTS 10 Sep 18, 1957 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
62 Win 45–16–1 Garnet Hart TKO 8 (10) Aug 9, 1957 Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
61 Loss 44–16–1 Franz Szuzina UD 10 Jul 8, 1957 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
60 Win 44–15–1 Walter Byars UD 10 Jun 12, 1957 Arena, Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
59 Win 43–15–1 Jimmy Beecham TKO 3 (10) May 24, 1957 Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S.
58 Win 42–15–1 Franz Szuzina UD 10 Mar 4, 1957 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
57 Win 41–15–1 Al Andrews TKO 6 (10) Jan 31, 1957 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
56 Win 40–15–1 Sammy Walker UD 10 Jan 8, 1957 Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
55 Win 39–15–1 Pat Lowry KO 2 (10) Oct 22, 1956 Biscayne Arena, Miami, Florida, U.S.
54 Loss 38–15–1 Charlie Sawyer UD 10 Sep 15, 1956 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
53 Win 38–14–1 Don Jose TKO 4 (10) Jun 21, 1956 Kallio's Arena, Monroe, Louisiana, U.S.
52 Win 37–14–1 Hector Constance UD 10 Mar 21, 1956 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
51 Win 36–14–1 Andy Watkins TKO 2 (10) Mar 8, 1956 Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
50 Win 35–14–1 Mel Barker TKO 8 (10) Jan 26, 1956 Alnad Temple, East Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
49 Win 34–14–1 Clarence Cook KO 4 (10) Jan 19, 1956 Sportatorium, Sportatorium, Dallas, Texas, U.S.
48 Win 33–14–1 Rudolph Bent TKO 5 (10) Jan 3, 1956 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
47 Loss 32–14–1 Issac Logart UD 10 Dec 2, 1955 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
46 Win 32–13–1 Harold Jones UD 10 Sep 13, 1955 Victory Field, Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
45 Win 31–13–1 Issac Logart SD 10 Aug 8, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
44 Win 30–13–1 Bill Sudduth TKO 8 (10) Jun 21, 1955 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
43 Win 29–13–1 Joe Miceli TKO 1 (10) May 23, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
42 Win 28–13–1 Ronnie Delaney KO 8 (10) May 2, 1955 St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
41 Draw 27–13–1 Johnny Brown PTS 8 Apr 8, 1955 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
40 Win 27–13 Tommy Maddox TKO 4 (10) Mar 15, 1955 Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
39 Win 26–13 Johnny Brown TKO 10 (10) Mar 2, 1955 Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S.
38 Win 25–13 Henry Hank UD 8 Oct 26, 1954 Motor City Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
37 Loss 24–13 Andrew Brown SD 10 Oct 16, 1954 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
36 Win 24–12 Joey Greenwood TKO 8 (10) Jun 2, 1954 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
35 Loss 23–12 Philip Kim TKO 10 (10) Aug 29, 1953 Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
34 Loss 23–11 Johnny Gonsalves MD 10 Apr 4, 1953 Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
33 Loss 23–10 Joe Miceli UD 10 Sep 30, 1952 Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
32 Loss 23–9 Johnny Saxton UD 10 Jul 30, 1952 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
31 Win 23–8 Jay Watkins TKO 2 (10) May 8, 1952 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
30 Win 22–8 Henry Davis TKO 9 (10) Feb 29, 1952 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
29 Win 21–8 Joe Gilmer TKO 9 (10) Feb 19, 1952 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
28 Win 20–8 Baby LeRoy TKO 4 (10) Feb 8, 1952 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
27 Loss 19–8 Luther Rawlings PTS 8 Dec 24, 1951 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Win 19–7 Joe Brown UD 10 Dec 6, 1951 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
25 Win 18–7 Luther Rawlings SD 10 Oct 17, 1951 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
24 Win 17–7 Freddie Dawson SD 10 Sep 26, 1951 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
23 Loss 16–7 Joe Brown PTS 10 Jul 6, 1951 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
22 Win 16–6 Tommy Campbell PTS 10 Jun 8, 1951 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
21 Loss 15–6 Joe Brown PTS 10 May 25, 1951 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
20 Win 15–5 Wallace Bud Smith PTS 10 Apr 17, 1951 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
19 Win 14–5 Wallace Bud Smith PTS 10 Apr 4, 1951 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
18 Win 13–5 Gene Parker TKO 6 (6) Mar 9, 1951 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Loss 12–5 Gene Parker UD 6 Jan 18, 1951 Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
16 Win 12–4 Joe Sgro UD 10 Dec 6, 1950 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
15 Win 11–4 Rudy Zadell TKO 3 (8) Nov 1, 1950 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
14 Win 10–4 Nelson Levering KO 2 (8) Oct 24, 1950 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
13 Win 9–4 Art Edmundson PTS 8 Oct 5, 1950 Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
12 Loss 8–4 Joe Fisher PTS 8 Jul 15, 1950 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
11 Loss 8–3 Nelson Levering PTS 6 Jul 6, 1950 Warren Bowl, Cheyenne, Wyoming, U.S.
10 Loss 8–2 Arthur Persley PTS 6 Sep 29, 1949 Sunnyside Garden, Sunnyside, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 Clem Custer PTS 8 Mar 30, 1949 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
8 Win 7–1 Willie Cheatum PTS 8 Mar 8, 1949 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
7 Win 6–1 Russ Moore KO 2 (6) Feb 15, 1949 Forum, Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
6 Win 5–1 Joe Henderson KO 3 (6) Jan 17, 1949 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Danny Robinson PTS 6 Nov 23, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Ollie Cobbins PTS 6 Jul 12, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 Charlie Baxter PTS 6 Apr 21, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
2 Loss 1–1 Charlie Baxter TKO 3 (6) Apr 5, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Albert Adams PTS 6 Mar 10, 1948 Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.

Honors

See also

References
  1. "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. "BLINKY PALERMO, MOBSTER WHO RAN BOXING DIES!". Ring Talk. Archived from the original on February 25, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2011.
  3. "St. Louis' first homegrown world boxing champion Virgil Akins dies at 82". January 27, 2011.
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