I first saw Beau Jack in a fight
against Gil Turner in Philadelphia when I was a very little
guy. i first met him about 4 years ago, when I was introduced
by his friend and companion, Hank Kaplan. I was doing an article
on the four fights with Philadelphian Bob Montgomery.
It was my most pleasurable interview. Beau's wit, warmth and
love of a good tall story came out loud and clear. (In my
first meeting with Beau told me he had been raised by his
grandmother and grandfather. She lived to 112 years old and
grandpa was 7 foot 2. Four years later grandma had aged to
117 and grandpa grew to 7 foot 7 inches!) What also came out
was Beau's generosity and love of America.
On each of my subsequent trips to Florida I never missed the
opportunity to meet Hank Kaplan, pick up Beau and his friend
Kid Gavilan and "hang out" at a cuban or pizza restaurant.
Beau loved every minute of it, as did I.
But what is Beau's legacy? Kings have legacies, Presidents
have legacies. And so too should Champions - those amazing
few who have been best in the world at something at one time.
His legacy isn't that by force of will he bootstrapped himself
from caddy/shoes shiner to World Champion in just 3 years.
It wasn't just that his enthusiasm and energy encouraged Golf
great Bobby Jones and the membership of the Augusta National
Golf Club to sponsor his entry into boxing in 1940.
It wasn't that his wit and personality made admiring friends
from all walks of life, before, during and after his boxing
career. Bobby Jones, Joe Louis, Ray Robinson, Frank Sinatra,
George Raft, Jackie Gleason and a platoon of celebrities from
the Fountanbleau hotel. They all loved Beau.
It wasn't just his illustrious boxing career:
World Lightweight Champion at age 21.
Conqueror of seven other champions: Hank Armstrong, Fritzie
Zivic, Sammy Angott, Juan Zerita, Montgomery, Johnny Bratton,
Tippy Larkin. Four of the victories at age 22.
In more headline matches (21) at Madison Square Garden than
any other fighter in history.
Drew the largest live gate in Boxing History. $35 million
for the 1944 "War Bond Fight" with Montgomery.
Inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 1982.
Inducted into the International Boxing Hall Of fame in 1991.
It wasn't even that he and Bob Montgomery, already serving
in the Armed Forces, contributed the entire $35 million gate
of the "War Bond Fight" directly to the US Defense
fund without a dime for themselves.
No, in my opinion Beau's true legacy lie in the answer he
gave me to a question i asked during our interview.
I asked if he would do it again, considering some of the leaner
times he has seen. Would he still have given away the WHOLE
$35 Million from the "War Bond Fight".
He answered without hesitation: "I'd do it again tomorrow. It was for our country.
The country we live in."
Beau's true legacy is Love and Patriotism.
And to Beau
You told me several times when you got "up there"
you would have that 5th rubber match with Bob Montgomery.
Because "God would want it." Can you do me a favor,
Beau? Hold the match off 'till I get "up there"?
Rest in peace, Champ.
Harry Zambelli 2/11/00
