Back in the day, the world of boxing was an even rougher and more unforgiving realm than it is now, peppered with corruption and hardship. Fighters were exactly that—fighters—seeking to earn their keep and deliver the kind of thrill that only live skirmishes can. Sure, the system wasn’t fair, with money flowing just about everywhere except to the boxers themselves. But, perhaps at the risk of idealizing those bygone days, it’s worth noting that boxing wasn’t merely about the cash. Pride, respect, and the honor of the sport were on the line, as was the sheer adrenaline rush of competing against the elite and seeing your name in bright lights on a big marquee.
Beau Jack, or as he was known to his friends and family, Sidney Walker, might have cherished these intangible rewards of boxing more than the financial ones—which, to be frank, he rarely tasted. Before stepping into the ring, Beau Jack earned his keep polishing shoes. And, unfortunately, he was so thoroughly cheated out of his winnings over the years that he eventually returned to his former trade, making shoes shine like new.
Nonetheless, let us reminisce about his golden days. Young, vigorous, and possessing a relentless style, Beau Jack brought the crowds in droves to arenas in Chicago, Philadelphia, and New York. Few fighters have ever topped as many marquee events as this popular bruiser from Augusta, Georgia. He still holds the record for the most headlining fights at New York’s Madison Square Garden, which was once revered as the “Mecca of Boxing.” Within just one month there, he faced off twice against the legendary champion Fritzie Zivic, earning victory both times by decision.
Nearly 19,000 fans packed the Garden to watch the lightweight champ take on the welterweight veteran Zivic once more. This turnout was slightly lower than the sellout crowd for their original ten-round slugfest. The promoters tried to capitalize on the buzz from their first clash by adding two extra rounds and, naturally, increasing ticket prices for the sequel, which explain the dip in attendance.
Despite the smaller crowd, it was still a monumental evening at the Garden, albeit a disappointing one for Zivic, as he faced a more decisive defeat than the tight match that initiated the rematch. Back then, Zivic’s late surge and a point penalty against Jack for a low blow had left the audience booing the decision. This time, though, Beau Jack’s dominance was clear. With the exception of round six, he took control, relentlessly outmaneuvering Zivic and leaving him no room to counter. Jack’s short right to the body and his punishing right uppercut were his most lethal moves, particularly in the seventh round when Zivic was left reeling.
As the fight wore on, particularly in round nine, Jack began to tire, missing opportunities and losing some of his earlier steam. And just like before, as Jack faltered, Zivic made his move, landing heavy punches and pushing Jack back. These were impactful blows, but Jack never hit the mat. Despite his vulnerabilities in those concluding rounds, Zivic had felt even greater jeopardy earlier, especially when reeling from Jack’s uppercut and the taste of his own blood in round seven.
“Give me three more rounds and I’d have finished him,” Zivic claimed after the result was announced, though it was less bravado and more a plea for another shot, this time over a full championship distance.
However, there was no room on Beau Jack’s calendar. Less than a month later, he squared off against the great, but aging, Henry Armstrong, securing another victory over ten rounds. Six weeks on, he defended his world title against Bob Montgomery, facing his first defeat in their series of four match-ups. Both fights drew large crowds at Madison Square, and Jack would fight four more times before that year ended. Beau Jack, unquestionably one of the greatest lightweights in history, loved the sport, and those managing him loved the profits his popularity generated. It all seemed to work out well—until time moved on, and Beau Jack, once a shining star in boxing, was found shining shoes in Miami Beach. — Michael Carbert
