Billy Graham (American boxer)


Billy Graham was an American boxer from New York City who had a professional record of 102 wins and 15 losses. Though a leading lightweight contender, Graham was never the recipient of a world title. Graham did however, have the remarkable distinction of never having been knocked off his feet in his long career. He was elected into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987, and is also in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Early life and career

Graham was born on the East side of Manhattan on September 9, 1922. Graham defeated Sugar Ray Robinson as an amateur, when they were both teenagers in NYC. He was undefeated in his first 58 fights, going 52-0-6, until he fought Tony Pellone, where he lost by a split decision.

Boxing career

Graham was known as a welterweight with stylish and subtle moves that made him a difficult target in the ring. He fought the legendary Kid Gavilán four times. In the first fight, held at Madison Square Garden, he beat Gavilan by a split decision. In the second fight, he lost at Madison Square Garden by a medical decision. The third fight was for the National Boxing Association World welterweight title and was again held at Madison Square Garden; this time, Gavilan won by a split decision. The final fight was for the World Welterweight Title in Havana, Cuba at Stadium Ball Park; Gavilan was again the victor, winning in a unanimous decision.
In a 2002 interview with The Observer, Budd Schulberg talked about mob involvement in boxing in the 1950s and how Gavilan both won and lost the welterweight championship due to mob interference.
"...Frankie Carbo, the mob's unofficial commissioner for boxing, controlled a lot of the welters and middles.... Not every fight was fixed, of course, but from time to time Carbo and his lieutenants, like Blinky Palermo in Philadelphia, would put the fix in. When the Kid Gavilan-Johnny Saxton fight was won by Saxton on a decision in Philadelphia in 1954, I was covering it for Sports Illustrated and wrote a piece at that time saying boxing was a dirty business and must be cleaned up now. It was an open secret. All the press knew that one - and other fights - were fixed. Gavilan was a mob-controlled fighter, too, and when he fought Billy Graham it was clear Graham had been robbed of the title. The decision would be bought. If it was close, the judges would shade it the way they had been told."

Billy Graham also fought Carmen Basilio three times in his career. The first fight was held at Chicago Stadium; Graham won by a unanimous decision. Basilio won the second fight, held for the New York State Welterweight Title at Memorial Stadium in Syracuse, by a unanimous decision. The third and final fight was deemed a draw; Basilio kept his New York State Welterweight Title.

Life after boxing

After his boxing career, Graham worked for 35 years as a representative for liquor companies, 25 years for Seagram's. While employed by National Distillers, Graham made a guest appearance as an imposter for a police officer on the August 18, 1960 episode of the CBS game show To Tell the Truth. He fooled the panel into thinking he was the officer, garnering two of the four possible votes from Kitty Carlisle and Jim Fleming. After all the votes were cast, Tom Poston recognized Graham's true identity.
Graham also worked as a boxing judge and referee.
Graham died of cancer at his home in West Islip, Long Island, New York, on January 22, 1992.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
126LossChico VejarUD10Apr 1, 1955War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
125Loss102–14–9Chico VejarSD10Mar 4, 1955Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
124Loss102–13–9Ramon FuentesUD10Oct 21, 1954Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
123Loss102–12–9Christian ChristensenSD10Jul 19, 1954Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US
122Win102–11–9Charlie SimmonsTKO6 Jun 10, 1954Candlewood Arena, Danbury, Connecticut, US
121Win101–11–9Paddy YoungUD10Dec 18, 1953Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
120Draw100–11–9Carmen BasilioSD12Jul 25, 1953War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, USFor USA New York State welterweight title
119Loss100–11–8Carmen BasilioUD12Jun 6, 1953Memorial Stadium, Syracuse, New York, USFor inaugural USA New York State welterweight title
118Win100–10–8Joey GiardelloUD12Mar 6, 1953Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
117Win99–10–8Art AragonUD10Jan 29, 1953Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
116Loss98–10–8Joey GiardelloSD10Dec 19, 1952Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
115Loss98–9–8Kid GavilánUD15Oct 5, 1952Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana, CubaFor NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
114Win98–8–8Carmen BasilioUD10Aug 20, 1952Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
113Loss97–8–8Joey GiardelloSD10Aug 4, 1952Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US
112Draw97–7–8Rocky CastellaniSD10May 16, 1952Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
111Win97–7–7Art SotoUD10Apr 14, 1952Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, US
110Win96–7–7Mike GilloUD10Mar 24, 1952Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
109Win95–7–7Jimmy HerringUD10Feb 15, 1952Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
108Win94–7–7Danny StepanovichUD10Nov 27, 1951Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, US
107Win93–7–7Johnny CesarioSD10Nov 1, 1951Memorial Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, US
106Win92–7–7Jimmy BrownKO4, 1:16Oct 22, 1951Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
105Draw91–7–7Mario TrigoSD10Oct 8, 1951Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
104Loss91–7–6Kid GavilánSD15Aug 29, 1951Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
103Win91–6–6Billy JenkinsUD8Aug 2, 1951Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, US
102Win90–6–6Tommy CiarloUD8Dec 19, 1950Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
101Loss89–6–6Kid GavilánMD10Nov 17, 1950Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
100Win89–5–6Auguste 'Kid' DussartUD10Oct 24, 1950Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, US
99Win88–5–6Sammy MastreanTKO7, 1:59Aug 14, 1950Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, US
98Win87–5–6Tommy BazzanoPTS10Jul 14, 1950Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US
97Win86–5–6Jimmy SandersUD10Apr 18, 1950Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US
96Win85–5–6Phil BurtonSD10Apr 14, 1950South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US
95Win84–5–6Kid GavilánSD10Feb 10, 1950Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
94Win83–5–6Tony PelloneSD10Jan 18, 1950St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
93Win82–5–6Tony LaBuaUD10Nov 23, 1949St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
92Win81–5–6Jean WalzackUD10Oct 19, 1949St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
91Win80–5–6Jimmy CoxTKO3, 1:59Sep 19, 1949Coliseum, Coral Gables, Florida, US
90Win79–5–6Jimmy SandersUD10Jul 8, 1949Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US
89Win78–5–6Sonny Jim HamptonUD10Jun 23, 1949Artillery Park, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US
88Win77–5–6Mike KoballaUD8Apr 9, 1949Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
87Loss76–5–6Paddy DeMarcoUD10Mar 4, 1949Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
86Loss76–4–6Eddie ThomasPTS10Feb 7, 1949Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England
85Win76–3–6Fitzie PrudenUD10Jan 26, 1949Manhattan Center, New York City, New York, US
84Win75–3–6Billy LeePTS8Dec 13, 1948Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US
83Win74–3–6Joe LucignanoUD8Dec 2, 1948Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, US
82Win73–3–6Terry YoungUD10Aug 26, 1948Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
81Win72–3–6Maxie StarrPTS8Jul 16, 1948Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US
80Win71–3–6Patsy BrandinoPTS8Jun 21, 1948Croke Park, New York City, New York, US
79Win70–3–6Patsy BrandinoUD10Feb 2, 1948Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US
78Win69–3–6Jimmy JoyceTKO5 Jan 20, 1948Park Arena, New York City, New York, US
77Win68–3–6Rocco RossanoSD10Nov 21, 1947St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
76Win67–3–6Willie BeltramUD10Oct 24, 1947St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
75Win66–3–6Patsy GiordanoPTS10Oct 13, 1947Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York, US
74Win65–3–6Billy SeepKO2 Sep 12, 1947Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
73Win64–3–6Aldo MinelliPTS10Jun 2, 1947Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
72Win63–3–6Ernie PetroneUD8May 27, 1947Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, US
71Loss62–3–6Tippy LarkinUD10Mar 21, 1947Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
70Win62–2–6Ruby KesslerUD10Jan 17, 1947Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
69Win61–2–6Doll RaffertyUD10Oct 25, 1946St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
68Win60–2–6Cleo ShansSD10Oct 15, 1946Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
67Loss59–2–6Tony PelloneSD10Aug 30, 1946Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
66Win59–1–6Vic CostaPTS8Aug 20, 1946MacArthur Stadium, New York City, New York, US
65Win58–1–6Jimmy JoyceUD10May 20, 1946Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
64Win57–1–6Frankie CartoKO9, 0:58May 13, 1946Jamaica Arena, New York City, New York, US
63Win56–1–6Pedro BiescaUD8May 8, 1946Jamaica Arena, New York City, New York, US
62Win55–1–6Pat ScanlonTKO5, 3:00Apr 15, 1946St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
61Win54–1–6Charley MilanSD10Mar 25, 1946Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
60Win53–1–6Charley Cabey LewisUD10Oct 8, 1945St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
59Loss52–1–6Tony PelloneSD10Sep 11, 1945Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
58Win52–0–6Donnie MaesTKO1, 2:19Aug 27, 1945Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
57Win51–0–6Johnny RinaldiTKO4, 1:15Aug 13, 1945Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
56Win50–0–6Joey ManfroPTS6May 25, 1945Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
55Win49–0–6Johnny WilliamsPTS8Apr 21, 1945Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
54Win48–0–6Jeff HollowayPTS8Mar 31, 1945Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
53Win47–0–6Herbert SolomonPTS6Mar 17, 1945Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
52Win46–0–6Tommy MillsPTS6Mar 5, 1945St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
51Win45–0–6Jackie ConnorsTKO6, 2:42Jul 21, 1944Municipal Stadium, Long Branch, New Jersey, US
50Win44–0–6Julian MalavezPTS6Jul 17, 1944Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, US
49Win43–0–6Jimmy PiercePTS6Jul 10, 1944Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
48Win42–0–6Johnny WilliamsKO4, 0:29Jun 28, 1944Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
47Win41–0–6George JohnsonTKO5 Jun 26, 1944Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
46Win40–0–6Doug CarterPTS6May 31, 1944Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
45Win39–0–6Sammy MammonePTS6May 10, 1944Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
44Win38–0–6Sammy MammonePTS6May 4, 1944Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, US
43Win37–0–6Jackie SmallwoodKO1, 2:11Apr 19, 1944Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
42Win36–0–6Prudencio PachecoPTS6Apr 13, 1944Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, US
41Draw35–0–6Joey VaroffPTS6Nov 13, 1942Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
40Win35–0–5Lew MaxwellPTS6Nov 5, 1942Grotto Auditorium, Jersey City, New Jersey, US
39Win34–0–5Mickey LaRosaTKO5 Oct 27, 1942Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
38Win33–0–5Thaddeus CabyKO3, 2:58Oct 15, 1942Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
37Win32–0–5Johnny RuddTKO2 Oct 12, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
36Win31–0–5Julian MalavezPTS6Sep 19, 1942Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
35Win30–0–5Gus Coen LevinePTS8Sep 14, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
34Win29–0–5Cedric FlournoyKO3 Aug 1, 1942Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
33Win28–0–5Ted ChristieTKO2, 2:58Jul 23, 1942Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
32Win27–0–5Jeff HollowayTKO5, 2:00Jul 9, 1942Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US
31Win26–0–5Bobby HendersonPTS6Jul 3, 1942Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
30Draw25–0–5Wallace BrownPTS6Jun 9, 1942Queensboro Arena, New Jersey, US
29Win25–0–4Jimmy AnestPTS6Jun 5, 1942Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
28Win24–0–4Bobby RootPTS6Jun 1, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
27Win23–0–4Moe WeissPTS4May 15, 1942Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
26Win22–0–4Lew MaxwellPTS6Apr 30, 1942Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
25Win21–0–4Al SimmonsKO1, 2:00Apr 27, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York, New York, US
24Win20–0–4Russell SawyerKO1, 1:24Apr 16, 1942Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
23Win19–0–4Davey CrawfordPTS6Apr 7, 1942Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
22Win18–0–4Lew MaxwellPTS6Apr 1, 1942Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
21Win17–0–4Al GuidoPTS6Mar 23, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
20Win16–0–4Al GuidoPTS6Mar 3, 1942Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
19Win15–0–4Harry DiduckPTS6Feb 24, 1942Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
18Win14–0–4Terry AmicoKO2, 2:23Feb 19, 1942Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US
17Win13–0–4Harry DiduckPTS6Feb 17, 1942Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
16Win12–0–4Bob HenryKO2, 2:20Feb 2, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
15Win11–0–4Julian MalavezKO3, 1:40Jan 26, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
14Win10–0–4Joe MaldonadoPTS4Jan 19, 1942St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
13Win9–0–4Al GuidoPTS4Dec 19, 1941Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
12Draw8–0–4Louis La SallePTS4Dec 9, 1941Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
11Win8–0–3Mike MartinezTKO3, 0:50Nov 24, 1941St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
10Win7–0–3Bobby HendersonPTS4Nov 18, 1941Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
9Win6–0–3Bobby HendersonPTS4Nov 10, 1941St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
8Win5–0–3Bobby HendersonPTS4Oct 13, 1941Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US
7Win4–0–3Bob HenryPTS4Sep 30, 1941Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US
6Draw3–0–3Joey AgroPTS4Jul 30, 1941Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
5Win3–0–2Bob HenryPTS4Jun 24, 1941Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US
4Draw2–0–2Joey ManfroPTS4Jun 9, 1941Starlight Park, New York City, New York, US
3Draw2–0–1Jimmy KempPTS4May 19, 1941St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
2Win2–0Frankie VanPTS4May 5, 1941St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
1Win1–0Connie SavoieTKO4, 2:20Apr 14, 1941St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US