Jimmy Young (boxer)
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:25:36 PM Wikipedia source
Jimmy Young (November 14, 1948 – February 20, 2005) was an American heavyweight professional boxer. Young was known for his awkward, defensive style and counterpunching. He was one of the top contenders of the 1970s, losing a controversial unanimous decision against Muhammad Ali in 1976 and earning a victory over George Foreman in 1977. Young fought many other significant fighters of his era, including twice outpointing Ron Lyle and losing only by a split decision to then-number one contender Ken Norton in a title eliminator in late 1977. Fellow boxer Bobby Watts was his cousin.
Infobox
Born
James Young(1948-11-14)November 14, 1948Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died
February 20, 2005(2005-02-20) (aged 56)Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height
6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight
Heavyweight
Reach
74 in (188 cm)
Stance
Orthodox
Total fights
57
Wins
35
Win by KO
11
Losses
18
Draws
3
No contests
1
Tables
· Professional boxing record
By knockout
By knockout
57 fights
By knockout
35 wins
11
18 losses
2
By decision
By decision
57 fights
By decision
35 wins
24
18 losses
16
Draws
Draws
57 fights
Draws
35 wins
3
No contests
No contests
57 fights
No contests
35 wins
1
| 57 fights | 35 wins | 18 losses |
| By knockout | 11 | 2 |
| By decision | 24 | 16 |
| Draws | 3 | |
| No contests | 1 | |
· Professional boxing record
57
57
No.
57
Result
Win
Record
35–18–3 (1)
Opponent
Carl Porter
Type
TKO
Round, time
2 (6)
Date
Sep 22, 1990
Location
Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S.
56
56
No.
56
Result
Win
Record
34–18–3 (1)
Opponent
Frank Lux
Type
UD
Round, time
10 (10)
Date
Aug 13, 1988
Location
St. Joseph Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri
55
55
No.
55
Result
Loss
Record
33–18–3 (1)
Opponent
Tim Anderson
Type
SD
Round, time
10
Date
Jun 4, 1988
Location
Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.
54
54
No.
54
Result
Win
Record
33–17–3 (1)
Opponent
Rick Kellar
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Apr 9, 1988
Location
Joplin, Missouri, U.S.
53
53
No.
53
Result
NC
Record
32–17–3 (1)
Opponent
Mike Jameson
Type
NC
Round, time
2 (10)
Date
Aug 9, 1987
Location
Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, Brazil
Notes
Referee decreed both fighters "faking"
52
52
No.
52
Result
Loss
Record
32–17–3
Opponent
Eddie Richardson
Type
SD
Round, time
10
Date
Jan 7, 1987
Location
Community Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
51
51
No.
51
Result
Loss
Record
32–16–3
Opponent
Chuck Gardner
Type
UD
Round, time
8
Date
Oct 15, 1986
Location
Medina Ballroom, Hamel, Minnesota, U.S.
50
50
No.
50
Result
Win
Record
32–15–3
Opponent
Rocky Sekorski
Type
MD
Round, time
10
Date
Mar 12, 1986
Location
Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S.
49
49
No.
49
Result
Win
Record
31–15–3
Opponent
Rocky Sekorski
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Jan 20, 1986
Location
Marshall, Minnesota, U.S.
48
48
No.
48
Result
Draw
Record
30–15–3
Opponent
Tony Fulilangi
Type
MD
Round, time
10
Date
Nov 1, 1985
Location
Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
47
47
No.
47
Result
Loss
Record
30–15–2
Opponent
Tony Tucker
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Sep 22, 1984
Location
Ford Fieldhouse, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
46
46
No.
46
Result
Loss
Record
30–14–2
Opponent
Tony Tubbs
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Apr 10, 1983
Location
Hilton Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
45
45
No.
45
Result
Loss
Record
30–13–2
Opponent
Philipp Brown
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Aug 29, 1982
Location
Civic Center, Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S.
44
44
No.
44
Result
Loss
Record
30–12–2
Opponent
Pat Cuillo
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Jul 13, 1982
Location
Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
43
43
No.
43
Result
Loss
Record
30–11–2
Opponent
Greg Page
Type
UD
Round, time
12
Date
May 2, 1982
Location
Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Notes
For USBA heavyweight title
42
42
No.
42
Result
Win
Record
30–10–2
Opponent
Tommy Thomas
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Nov 6, 1981
Location
Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41
41
No.
41
Result
Win
Record
29–10–2
Opponent
Tom Fischer
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Sep 26, 1981
Location
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
40
40
No.
40
Result
Win
Record
28–10–2
Opponent
Jeff Sims
Type
SD
Round, time
10
Date
Jul 10, 1981
Location
Auditorium, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.
39
39
No.
39
Result
Win
Record
27–10–2
Opponent
Marvin Stinson
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Jun 30, 1981
Location
Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
38
38
No.
38
Result
Win
Record
26–10–2
Opponent
Gordon Racette
Type
TKO
Round, time
10 (10)
Date
Apr 10, 1981
Location
Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
37
37
No.
37
Result
Loss
Record
25–10–2
Opponent
Gerry Cooney
Type
RTD
Round, time
4 (10)
Date
May 25, 1980
Location
Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Notes
A cut over Young's right eye, led to a stoppage at the end of the 4th round.
36
36
No.
36
Result
Win
Record
25-9-2
Opponent
Don Halpin
Type
TKO
Round, time
2 (10)
Date
Mar 8, 1980
Location
Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S.
35
35
No.
35
Result
Win
Record
24–9–2
Opponent
John L. Gardner
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Dec 4, 1979
Location
Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England
34
34
No.
34
Result
Loss
Record
23–9–2
Opponent
Michael Dokes
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Sep 28, 1979
Location
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
33
33
No.
33
Result
Win
Record
23–8–2
Opponent
Wendell Bailey
Type
TKO
Round, time
3 (10)
Date
Jun 22, 1979
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
32
32
No.
32
Result
Loss
Record
22–8–2
Opponent
Ossie Ocasio
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Jan 27, 1979
Location
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
31
31
No.
31
Result
Loss
Record
22–7–2
Opponent
Ossie Ocasio
Type
SD
Round, time
10
Date
Jun 9, 1978
Location
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
30
30
No.
30
Result
Loss
Record
22–6–2
Opponent
Ken Norton
Type
SD
Round, time
15
Date
Nov 5, 1977
Location
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S
29
29
No.
29
Result
Win
Record
22–5–2
Opponent
Jody Ballard
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Sep 14, 1977
Location
Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
28
28
No.
28
Result
Win
Record
21–5–2
Opponent
George Foreman
Type
UD
Round, time
12
Date
Mar 17, 1977
Location
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico
27
27
No.
27
Result
Win
Record
20–5–2
Opponent
Ron Lyle
Type
UD
Round, time
12
Date
Nov 16, 1976
Location
Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
26
26
No.
26
Result
Win
Record
19–5–2
Opponent
Mike Boswell
Type
TKO
Round, time
4 (10)
Date
Sep 12, 1976
Location
Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, U.S.
25
25
No.
25
Result
Win
Record
18–5–2
Opponent
Lou Rogan
Type
TKO
Round, time
2 (10)
Date
Sep 2, 1976
Location
Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
24
24
No.
24
Result
Loss
Record
17–5–2
Opponent
Muhammad Ali
Type
UD
Round, time
15
Date
Apr 30, 1976
Location
Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, U.S.
Notes
For WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
23
23
No.
23
Result
Win
Record
17–4–2
Opponent
Jose Roman
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Feb 20, 1976
Location
Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico
22
22
No.
22
Result
Win
Record
16–4–2
Opponent
Al Jones
Type
TKO
Round, time
2 (10)
Date
Nov 12, 1975
Location
Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
21
21
No.
21
Result
Win
Record
15–4–2
Opponent
Bobby Lloyd
Type
KO
Round, time
5 (10)
Date
Aug 26, 1975
Location
Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20
20
No.
20
Result
Win
Record
14–4–2
Opponent
Ron Lyle
Type
UD
Round, time
10
Date
Feb 11, 1975
Location
International Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
19
19
No.
19
Result
Draw
Record
13–4–2
Opponent
Earnie Shavers
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Nov 26, 1974
Location
Capital Center, Landover, Maryland, U.S.
18
18
No.
18
Result
Win
Record
13–4–1
Opponent
Jose Luis Garcia
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Jul 6, 1974
Location
Caracas, Venezuela
17
17
No.
17
Result
Win
Record
12–4–1
Opponent
Les Stevens
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Apr 22, 1974
Location
World SC, Grosvenor House, Mayfair, London, England
16
16
No.
16
Result
Win
Record
11–4–1
Opponent
John Jordan
Type
UD
Round, time
6
Date
Mar 4, 1974
Location
Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, U.S.
15
15
No.
15
Result
Win
Record
10–4–1
Opponent
Richard Dunn
Type
TKO
Round, time
8 (10)
Date
Feb 18, 1974
Location
World Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, England
14
14
No.
14
Result
Draw
Record
9–4–1
Opponent
Billy Aird
Type
PTS
Round, time
8
Date
Oct 23, 1973
Location
World Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, England
13
13
No.
13
Result
Win
Record
9–4
Opponent
Mike Boswell
Type
PTS
Round, time
6
Date
Aug 14, 1973
Location
Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12
12
No.
12
Result
Win
Record
8–4
Opponent
Obie English
Type
PTS
Round, time
6
Date
Apr 23, 1973
Location
Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11
11
No.
11
Result
Loss
Record
7–4
Opponent
Earnie Shavers
Type
TKO
Round, time
3 (10)
Date
Feb 19, 1973
Location
Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10
10
No.
10
Result
Loss
Record
7–3
Opponent
Randy Neumann
Type
PTS
Round, time
10
Date
Mar 10, 1972
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
9
9
No.
9
Result
Win
Record
7–2
Opponent
Jasper Evans
Type
PTS
Round, time
6
Date
Feb 12, 1972
Location
Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
8
8
No.
8
Result
Win
Record
6–2
Opponent
Lou Hicks
Type
PTS
Round, time
8
Date
Oct 26, 1971
Location
Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7
7
No.
7
Result
Win
Record
5–2
Opponent
Andy Geiger
Type
KO
Round, time
1 (6)
Date
Sep 27, 1971
Location
Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
6
6
No.
6
Result
Loss
Record
4–2
Opponent
Roy Williams
Type
PTS
Round, time
4
Date
Feb 22, 1971
Location
Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
5
5
No.
5
Result
Win
Record
4–1
Opponent
Howard Darlington
Type
PTS
Round, time
6
Date
Nov 24, 1970
Location
Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S
4
4
No.
4
Result
Win
Record
3–1
Opponent
Jimmy Gilmore
Type
PTS
Round, time
4
Date
Jun 22, 1970
Location
Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
3
3
No.
3
Result
Loss
Record
2–1
Opponent
Clay Hodges
Type
UD
Round, time
6
Date
Apr 3, 1970
Location
Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
2
2
No.
2
Result
Win
Record
2–0
Opponent
Johnny Gause
Type
PTS
Round, time
6
Date
Dec 9, 1969
Location
Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1
1
No.
1
Result
Win
Record
1–0
Opponent
Jim Jones
Type
TKO
Round, time
1 (4)
Date
Oct 28, 1969
Location
Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 57 | Win | 35–18–3 (1) | Carl Porter | TKO | 2 (6) | Sep 22, 1990 | Mississippi Coast Coliseum, Biloxi, Mississippi, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 34–18–3 (1) | Frank Lux | UD | 10 (10) | Aug 13, 1988 | St. Joseph Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri | |
| 55 | Loss | 33–18–3 (1) | Tim Anderson | SD | 10 | Jun 4, 1988 | Lee County Civic Center, Fort Myers, Florida, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 33–17–3 (1) | Rick Kellar | UD | 10 | Apr 9, 1988 | Joplin, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 53 | NC | 32–17–3 (1) | Mike Jameson | NC | 2 (10) | Aug 9, 1987 | Ginásio do Ibirapuera, São Paulo, Brazil | Referee decreed both fighters "faking" |
| 52 | Loss | 32–17–3 | Eddie Richardson | SD | 10 | Jan 7, 1987 | Community Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 51 | Loss | 32–16–3 | Chuck Gardner | UD | 8 | Oct 15, 1986 | Medina Ballroom, Hamel, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 32–15–3 | Rocky Sekorski | MD | 10 | Mar 12, 1986 | Metropolitan Sports Center, Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 31–15–3 | Rocky Sekorski | UD | 10 | Jan 20, 1986 | Marshall, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 48 | Draw | 30–15–3 | Tony Fulilangi | MD | 10 | Nov 1, 1985 | Veteran’s Memorial Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 47 | Loss | 30–15–2 | Tony Tucker | UD | 10 | Sep 22, 1984 | Ford Fieldhouse, Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 46 | Loss | 30–14–2 | Tony Tubbs | UD | 10 | Apr 10, 1983 | Hilton Hotel, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 30–13–2 | Philipp Brown | PTS | 10 | Aug 29, 1982 | Civic Center, Lake Charles, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 44 | Loss | 30–12–2 | Pat Cuillo | PTS | 10 | Jul 13, 1982 | Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 43 | Loss | 30–11–2 | Greg Page | UD | 12 | May 2, 1982 | Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | For USBA heavyweight title |
| 42 | Win | 30–10–2 | Tommy Thomas | UD | 10 | Nov 6, 1981 | Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 29–10–2 | Tom Fischer | PTS | 10 | Sep 26, 1981 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 28–10–2 | Jeff Sims | SD | 10 | Jul 10, 1981 | Auditorium, West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 27–10–2 | Marvin Stinson | UD | 10 | Jun 30, 1981 | Sands Casino Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 26–10–2 | Gordon Racette | TKO | 10 (10) | Apr 10, 1981 | Frank Crane Arena, Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada | |
| 37 | Loss | 25–10–2 | Gerry Cooney | RTD | 4 (10) | May 25, 1980 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | A cut over Young's right eye, led to a stoppage at the end of the 4th round. |
| 36 | Win | 25-9-2 | Don Halpin | TKO | 2 (10) | Mar 8, 1980 | Great Gorge Resort, McAfee, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 24–9–2 | John L. Gardner | PTS | 10 | Dec 4, 1979 | Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England | |
| 34 | Loss | 23–9–2 | Michael Dokes | UD | 10 | Sep 28, 1979 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 23–8–2 | Wendell Bailey | TKO | 3 (10) | Jun 22, 1979 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | Loss | 22–8–2 | Ossie Ocasio | UD | 10 | Jan 27, 1979 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 31 | Loss | 22–7–2 | Ossie Ocasio | SD | 10 | Jun 9, 1978 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 30 | Loss | 22–6–2 | Ken Norton | SD | 15 | Nov 5, 1977 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S | |
| 29 | Win | 22–5–2 | Jody Ballard | UD | 10 | Sep 14, 1977 | Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 21–5–2 | George Foreman | UD | 12 | Mar 17, 1977 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 27 | Win | 20–5–2 | Ron Lyle | UD | 12 | Nov 16, 1976 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 19–5–2 | Mike Boswell | TKO | 4 (10) | Sep 12, 1976 | Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 18–5–2 | Lou Rogan | TKO | 2 (10) | Sep 2, 1976 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 24 | Loss | 17–5–2 | Muhammad Ali | UD | 15 | Apr 30, 1976 | Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, U.S. | For WBA, WBC, and The Ring heavyweight titles |
| 23 | Win | 17–4–2 | Jose Roman | PTS | 10 | Feb 20, 1976 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | |
| 22 | Win | 16–4–2 | Al Jones | TKO | 2 (10) | Nov 12, 1975 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 15–4–2 | Bobby Lloyd | KO | 5 (10) | Aug 26, 1975 | Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 14–4–2 | Ron Lyle | UD | 10 | Feb 11, 1975 | International Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S. | |
| 19 | Draw | 13–4–2 | Earnie Shavers | PTS | 10 | Nov 26, 1974 | Capital Center, Landover, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 13–4–1 | Jose Luis Garcia | PTS | 10 | Jul 6, 1974 | Caracas, Venezuela | |
| 17 | Win | 12–4–1 | Les Stevens | PTS | 10 | Apr 22, 1974 | World SC, Grosvenor House, Mayfair, London, England | |
| 16 | Win | 11–4–1 | John Jordan | UD | 6 | Mar 4, 1974 | Capital Centre, Landover, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 10–4–1 | Richard Dunn | TKO | 8 (10) | Feb 18, 1974 | World Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, England | |
| 14 | Draw | 9–4–1 | Billy Aird | PTS | 8 | Oct 23, 1973 | World Sporting Club, Mayfair, London, England | |
| 13 | Win | 9–4 | Mike Boswell | PTS | 6 | Aug 14, 1973 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 8–4 | Obie English | PTS | 6 | Apr 23, 1973 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 11 | Loss | 7–4 | Earnie Shavers | TKO | 3 (10) | Feb 19, 1973 | Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 10 | Loss | 7–3 | Randy Neumann | PTS | 10 | Mar 10, 1972 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 7–2 | Jasper Evans | PTS | 6 | Feb 12, 1972 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. |
References
- Biography of Jimmy Young (findagrave.com)https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10516353
- His biography, as detailed in article itself below
- "Archived copy"https://web.archive.org/web/20120312155338/http://www.thesweetscience.com/boxing-article/1752/jimmy-young-career-worth-remembering/
- www.boxrec.comhttps://web.archive.org/web/20020515123557/http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=000276
- "Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Google News Archive Search"https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=A7-hzOuI2KQC&dat=19760501&printsec=frontpage
- Video on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PZuIeO-OcE
- Howard Cosell 1977 commentary on YouTube
- YouTube Young fight commentary
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2005/02/24/sports/othersports/24Young.html
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2005-feb-24-me-passings24.2-story.html
- Real Combat Mediahttps://realcombatmedia.com/2013/04/happened-jimmy-young/
- Pub. Doubleday ISBN 0-385-14097-5