Joey Archer


Joey Archer was an American boxer. He defeated Sugar Ray Robinson in Robinson's final fight in 1965 and fought Hall of Fame boxers such as Emile Griffith and Dick Tiger.

Professional boxing career

“Irish” Joey Archer began his career in 1956 at 18 years of age. He was a master boxer with excellent speed but lacked any semblance of power in his punches. Fighting mostly in various New York and Texas venues, he was a winner in his first 30 fights, with only 7 victories coming inside the distance. His most notable win was against the highly ranked Don Fullmer by a decision. This win earned Archer a date against tough Puerto Rican contender Jose “Monon” Gonzalez, who gave Archer his first defeat in a split decision.
Two months later Archer avenged the loss by beating Gonzalez in a decisive decision. The victory propelled Archer on a streak of 15 consecutive wins against some of the Middleweight division's top fighters, including England's Mick Leahy, Denny Moyer, Argentina's Farid Salim, Canada's Blair Richardson, Holley Mims, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, and his most impressive career win, against future Hall-of-Famer and three time World champion Dick Tiger.
The final win in the streak was against “Sugar” Ray Robinson in what would be the last fight of Robinson's illustrious, Hall-of-Fame career. Having reached the top of the Middleweight division, Archer suffered an unexpected split decision loss to the ranked Don Fullmer.
Nevertheless, Archer earned a title challenge against Middleweight champion Griffith based on his recent winning streak. The title fight against Virgin Islander Griffith in 1966 was a hard-fought, close contest, and after 15 rounds of fighting, Griffith won by a majority decision.
Archer's dream of winning the prized Middleweight title went unfulfilled, as the referee ruled the contest a draw, with the other two judges voting in favor of the champion. Six months later, Archer would again fight Griffith for the Middleweight title, and would once again taste defeat in a very narrow, controversial decision.

Retirement and death

“Irish” Joey Archer announced his retirement from boxing after the disappointment of these two bitter, close losses to Emile Griffith. He ended his career with a record of 45 victories and only 4 defeats.
Although he never captured a world title, Archer's boxing skills earned him induction into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. He is on the eligibility list of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Archer died at a nursing home on April 25, 2025, at the age of 87.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
49Loss45–4Emile GriffithUD15Jan 23, 1967Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
48Loss45–3Emile GriffithMD15Jul 13, 1966Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USFor WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
47Loss45–2Don FullmerSD12Dec 13, 1965Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USFor WBA American middleweight title
46Win45–1Sugar Ray RobinsonUD10Nov 10, 1965Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
45Win44–1Johnny TorresPTS10Feb 20, 1965Market Street Armory, Paterson, New Jersey, US
44Win43–1Dick TigerSD10Oct 16, 1964Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
43Win42–1Gaylord BarnesUD10Jul 30, 1964Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, US
42Win41–1Willie JamesTKO9, 1:51Jun 24, 1964Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, US
41Win40–1Gaylord BarnesUD10May 27, 1964City Arena, Richmond, Virginia, US
40Win39–1Johnny TorresUD10May 9, 1964Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, US
39Win38–1Holley MimsSD10Feb 7, 1964Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
38Win37–1Rubin CarterSD10Oct 25, 1963Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
37Win36–1Farid SalimUD10Jul 13, 1963Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
36Win35–1Víctor ZalazarUD10May 18, 1963Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
35Win34–1Blair RichardsonUD10Feb 16, 1963Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
34Win33–1Denny MoyerUD10Jan 5, 1963Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
33Win32–1Mick LeahyUD10Nov 10, 1961Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
32Win31–1Jose GonzalezUD10Aug 25, 1961Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
31Loss30–1Jose GonzalezSD10Jun 23, 1961Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
30Win30–0Don FullmerMD10Feb 4, 1961Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
29Win29–0Joe RubinoUD8Oct 24, 1960St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
28Win28–0Cheffy ReynaKO2 Jun 16, 1960Municipal Auditorium, Pensacola, Florida, US
27Win27–0Babe VanceUD8Jan 19, 1960Sports Arena, Amarillo, Texas, US
26Win26–0Aman PeckUD8Nov 24, 1959Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, US
25Win25–0Henry BurtonUD10Nov 9, 1959Mayfair Arena, Tyler, Texas, US
24Win24–0Ralph LucasTKO4 Jul 4, 1959Bandera, Texas, US
23Win23–0Tony DupasUD10May 12, 1959City Auditorium, Houston, Texas, US
22Win22–0Tony DupasTD7 Mar 10, 1959Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USArcher suffered a bad cut from a head-butt, and was unable to continue
21Win21–0Ken BiggsRTD4 Feb 11, 1959Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
20Win20–0Ruben FloresPTS4Dec 9, 1958Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
19Win19–0Willie EstesKO1 Dec 1, 1958Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, US
18Win18–0Willie EstesPTS4Nov 25, 1958City Auditorium, Houston, Texas, US
17Win17–0Ray SheppardPTS8Nov 5, 1958Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, US
16Win16–0Bernie RainesPTS6Jul 28, 1958St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
15Win15–0Julie JamisonUD6Jun 2, 1958St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
14Win14–0Joe LissyUD6Mar 17, 1958St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
13Win13–0Eddie PrinceUD6Feb 14, 1958Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
12Win12–0Joe LissyUD6Dec 20, 1957Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
11Win11–0Paul GriffinUD6Nov 11, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
10Win10–0Jimmy LandronTKO4 Sep 30, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
9Win9–0Danny JonesTKO4 Sep 9, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
8Win8–0Johnny LissyPTS4Aug 2, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
7Win7–0Bernie RainesUD4Jul 8, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
6Win6–0Hiram ValeUD4May 13, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
5Win5–0Silby FordPTS4Apr 29, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
4Win4–0Silby FordPTS4Mar 8, 1957St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US
3Win3–0Whitey PorrTKO4, 0:56Mar 8, 1957Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
2Win2–0Danny JonesPTS4Dec 21, 1956Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
1Win1–0Danny JonesPTS4Nov 8, 1956Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, US