Boxing
Memorabilia > Boxing
Autographs >
Beau Jack Boxing Autograph
A Matted Vintage Signature from former Lightweight
Champion Jack Sharkey. Sidney Walker, better known as Beau
Jack, (April 1 1921-February 9 2000), was an American lightweight
boxer, he was a world champion twice. One of the most popular
fighters during the war years, he headlined at Madison Square
Garden on 21 occasions, a record that still stands. Beau
Jack was the 1944 Ring Magazine fighter of the year.
Beau Jack
SOLD
Beau Jack signed picture. Matted and ready
to frame. Overall size approx. 9 1/4" x 11 1/4".
Beau Jack turned professional in 1940, he bagan his career
fighting in Massachusetts where he quickly established an
impressive record of 27-4-2. It was also during these early
fights that Jack earned his reputation for being a relentless
and powerful fighter, two traits which endeared him to audiences.
To further his career Jack moved to New York in August
1941, where he continued to impress. By November 1942 Jack
found himself in a fight against Allie Stolz to decide who
would challenge for the New York version of the world title.
Going into the fight Stolz was the clear favourite, he was
3-1 to win, however Jack pulled off a massive shock by knocking
out Stolz in the seventh round. In the title fight, against
Tippy Larkin , jack pulled off a similar surprise by knocking
out the champion in the third round.
Jack only held the title for six months before dropping
it to fellow hall-of-famer Bob Montgomery on an unanimous
points decision. Jack did go on to regain the title from
Montgomery, before losing it to him once again in March
1944.
The most famous fight of Jack's career was his fourth battle
with Montgomery on August 4 1944, the so-called "War
Bonds Fight" for which tickets were only available
to those who purchased war bonds. Although Montgomery's
title was not on the line, the gate was a record $36m with
15,822 war bonds being sold. Many people who purchased bonds
left their tickets at the box office for US servicemen,
indeed Montgomery and Jack, who were both serving as privates
in the US army, refused to take purses for the fight. Jack
took the fight on points after 10 rounds, however the highlight
of the evening was when the lights dimmed and a spotlight
picked out Joe Louis, who was standing in the front row,
to the reception of a standing ovation.
Jack would not challenge for the title again until July
12 1948 when he fought another hall-of-famer: Ike Williams
. This challenge proved to be unsuccessful as Jack was knocked
out in the sixth round. This defeat marked the start of
a rivalry between the pair who would go on to fight on three
more occasions. However, with Jack's skills clearly waning,
Williams managed to take the first match by a split decision,
the second match was drawn, and Williams won the third as
Jack was unable to answer the bell for the ninth round.
This third fight, on August 12 1958, also marked the end
of Jack's career.
Immediately after his career Jack operated a drive-in barbecue
stand, ran a small farm, and refereed wrestling matches. However,
when his earnings ran out he returned to shining shoes at
a hotel in Miami, Florida. Jack also campaigned heavily for
a pension scheme for boxers, he felt that no fighter should
be reduced to the impoverished fate he was. He also trained
fighters at Miami's infamous Fifth Street Gym .
