When they learned about this little boy from Georgia named Beau Jack, they loved me, because they found out that I would fight every second of every round and never give up.
—Sidney “Beau Jack” Walker
Overflowing with excitement, Beau was ready to test his boxing skills. An olive-brown bundle of muscles, Beau weighed 131 pounds and stood 5' 5½" tall. He was 19 years old and bursting with guts, determination, and perseverance. It was now time for him to learn the art of boxing. So, after the 1940 Masters Tournament concluded and with money from the Syndicate in hand, Jack and his newly proclaimed manager, Bowman Milligan, boarded a northbound train at Union Station in downtown Augusta to begin the venture of a lifetime.
In 1940, black Americans made up 9.8 percent of the national population. Sixty percent of black women employed worked as domestic maids or servants. Black Americans, however, were slowly making strides for equality. The U.S. Post Office sold the first commemorative stamp celebrating the life of a black man. The stamp honored the work of Booker T. Washington, the educational pioneer and founder of the Tuskegee Institute. The first black actor also received an Oscar. Hattie McDaniel won Best Supporting Actress in her role as “Mammy” in Gone with the Wind. Ironically, she had to obtain special permission to enter the “whites-only” hotel to receive her award.
Springfield
Beau Jack and Bowman departed the train at Springfield Union Station in historic Springfield, Massachusetts. Located in western New England, Springfield is situated on a steep bluff overlooking the Connecticut River. Historically noteworthy, Springfield is where Shays’ Rebellion occurred in 1787. With economic depression and heavy taxes placing a grave burden on small farmers, Massachusetts’ farmers rebelled against the government. Led by Revolutionary War officer Daniel Shays, 4,000 rebels marched on the federal arsenal in Springfield to gain arms and overthrow the government. Although they were defeated, Shay’s Rebellion became an impetus for the Constitutional Convention. Springfield is also the birthplace of basketball, which was invented by James Naismith in 1891.
After arriving at the train station, Beau and Bowman caught a car to Longmeadow Country Club just outside of Springfield, where Bowman worked during the summer months thanks to club member Bobby Jones. A prestigious and esteemed golf club, Longmeadow’s woodland golf course was designed by J. Donald Ross (1872–1948) and landscaped by Frederick Law Olmstead.
Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, c. 1940 (Holyoke Public Library).
Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts
During the summer of 1940, Beau worked in the locker room and shined shoes during the day. In the evening, after the day’s work was done, Beau received a primer on boxing. The location was idyllic. Springfield was only ten miles away from Holyoke, Massachusetts, the home of the illustrious Valley Arena (the “Valley”) where numerous boxers tested their skills and launched their professional careers.
Situated on South Bridge Street in Holyoke, Valley Arena was originally an old gas house built by the Gasometer City Works in 1884. In 1926, Homer Rainault, a boxing promoter and a leader of French-Canadian politics in Holyoke, transformed the abandoned gas house into an entertainment venue, featuring a domed roof and seating for 1,800 spectators. The Valley quickly developed into a popular entertainment venue for western Massachusetts, featuring such big bands as Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, Sammy Kaye, and the Dorsey Brothers. The forum was best known, however, for its highly anticipated Monday night boxing matches. Roaring with enthusiasm, stomping their feet, and clapping thunderously, Valley spectators had a resilient reputation.
Valley Arena was revered by the boxing community. Numerous legendary boxers in the early 20th century began their professional careers at the Valley. A partial list of world champions and boxing hall of fame members initiating or improving their professional records at the Valley include Lou Ambers, Fritzie Zivic, Rocky Marciano, Jimmy Carter, and Tony Demarco.
Two-time lightweight champion Lou Ambers (1913–1995), the “Herkimer Hurricane,” fought at Valley Arena five times between 1933 and 1934, winning all five matches. Ambers went on to acquire the lightweight title on September 3, 1936, when he defeated Tony Canzoneri. Ambers held the title until August 17, 1938, when he lost to Henry Armstrong. A year later, on August 22, 1939, Ambers won the title a second time, this time defeating Henry Armstrong. He held his second title until May 10, 1940, when Lew Jenkins defeated him.
On March 4, 1935, the lightning-fast Fritzie Zivic (1913–1984) scored a unanimous decision over “KO” Castillo in the Valley’s main event. Zivic went on to hold the welterweight title from October 4, 1940 until July 29, 1941. He acquired the title in Madison Square Garden when he defeated the great Henry Armstrong, then holder of the featherweight, lightweight, and welterweight titles, knocking Armstrong face down on the canvas in the last second of their 15-round bout.
The legendary Rocky Marciano (1923–1969) debuted his undefeated heavyweight career at Valley Arena, knocking Lee Epperson out in the third round on March 17, 1947. It was the first of 43 consecutive knockouts on Rocky’s way to an undefeated professional career record of 49–0. Marciano ruled as the world’s heavyweight champion from 1952–1956.
On December 6, 1948, Jimmy Carter (1923–1994) from Aiken, South Carolina, conquered Louis Joyce by unanimous decision at the Valley Arena. Carter subsequently won the world lightweight championship three times. His first title came on May 25, 1951, when he defeated Ike Williams. A year later, he lost the title to Lauro Salas before recovering it from Salas five months later. Carter then lost the title to Paddy DeMarco on February 6, 1954, only to regain it from him on November 17, 1954. Carter’s third reign as lightweight champion ended on June 29, 1955, when he was defeated by Wallace “Bud” Smith.
Finally, the “Boston Bomber,” Tony Demarco (1932–) started his career and path to the welterweight world title at the Valley, knocking out Bobby Weaver and earning a unanimous decision over Dee Shanley in the fall of 1950. Demarco won the welterweight title on April 1, 1955, defeating Johnny Saxton. He lost it in his next fight on June 10, 1955, against Carmen Basilio.
Within a month after his arrival in Springfield, Beau Jack was prepared to make his first professional appearance at Valley Arena. It was time to resolve whether the Valley would be a launching pad for Jack, as it had been for other legendary boxers. Although Beau had won all of his previous contests, the competition at the Valley was going to be much tougher.
First things first, Beau had to decide in which weight class to compete. Exploring his best fighting weight, Beau fought in both the lightweight (130–135 lbs.) and featherweight divisions (125–130 lbs.) during his first eight months, before settling down in the lightweight division. At the time, the lightweight division was one of boxing’s deepest and most competitive divisions. Legendary boxers such as Henry Armstrong, Lou Ambers, Allie Stolz, Sugar Ray Robinson, Ike Williams, Kid Gavilan, Fritzie Zivic, Bob Montgomery and Lew Jenkins all fought in the lightweight division during the forties.
Jack Debuts
Beau debuted on the Valley’s Monday night fight card on May 20, 1940, the same day the U.S. Navy launched the destroyer Niblack, a 1,600-ton Warcraft costing $5 million. He faced Frankie Allen, a local Holyoke fighter with two years of experience and an impressive record of 18–4. The contest was a four-round bout in the featherweight division. Beau scaled 131 pounds to Allen’s 127¾ pounds. Anxiously, the former Georgia bootblack entered the ring and awaited the sounding of the opening bell. In his first significant test, Beau performed well. He held the impressive veteran in check. After four competitive rounds, Referee Jack Dekkers and the two judges declared the contest a draw.
A week later, Beau faced an equally young lightweight boxer, Billy Bannick of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in a four-round lightweight bout. Debuting a week earlier on the same card as Beau, Bannick belted out a victory over Eddie Micatka. Beau weighed 132¾ pounds to Bannick’s 134½ pounds. At the opening bell, the “Georgia Wildcat” swarmed Bannick with flurries of punches. Billy hardly had time to catch his breath. By the third round, Beau had Bannick where he wanted him. Jack connected with a barrage of hard punches and down went Bannick. Unable to continue, Bannick suffered his first defeat. Beau, on the other hand, notched not only his first victory but a technical knockout (“TKO”). Bannick subsequently proved to be a talented fighter. After losing to Jack, he went on to have a career of 41–1 while fighting in the African and European campaigns during World War II.
Beau quickly became familiar fixture on the Valley’s Monday night fight card, fighting 25 of his first 28 bouts at the Valley. With his relentless punching, swarming style, and never-dying energy, the press soon began referring to him as a miniature Henry Armstrong. That was quite the compliment, as Armstrong had already won world championships in three different weight divisions.
Still green, Beau had a lot to learn as a boxer. He had an all-out offensive attack but needed to gain experience to refine his boxing skills and improve his defense, such as how to utilize an effective counter-attack. Almost all of Beau’s early training came through self-experience in the ring. As a result, Beau lost three of his next four contests before going on an encouraging 10-bout win streak.
In his third bout, Beau met Jackie Parker, a southpaw from Worcester, Massachusetts. Jackie’s brother also boxed, but under the name Al Scully to avoid confusion. Parker came into the June 17 match with five victories and two defeats. He left with six wins, earning a split decision over Beau in their four-round lightweight battle. Beau, on the other hand, suffered his first defeat.
Ten days later, Beau traveled to West Haven, Connecticut, 75 miles south of Holyoke, for his next two contests, both against lightweight Joe Polowitzer, a hard-punching southpaw from East Hartford, Connecticut. It was Jack’s first bout in the passionate boxing state of Connecticut and an excellent opportunity to gain exposure. Connecticut produced numerous world-class boxers during boxing’s golden years, including Boxing Hall of Famers Jack Delaney (1900–1948), Gene Tunney (1897–1978), Louis “Kid” Kaplan (1901–1970), Lou Brouillard (1911–1984), and Willie Pep (1922–2006). Jack Delaney (77–12–2) won the world light heavyweight title in 1926. Gene Tunney (80–1–3) won the American light heavyweight title twice in the early 20s, before acquiring the world heavyweight title in 1926. Louis “Kid” Kaplan (108–23–13) held the world featherweight title from 1925–26. Winning the world welterweight title in 1931, Lou Brouillard (100–31–2) also won the middleweight title in 1933. Finally, Willie Pep (229–11–1) won the world featherweight title twice in the late 40s.
West Haven’s White City Stadium was the venue for Beau’s upcoming bouts. Incorporated within the Savin Rock amusement park, the multipurpose stadium was located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Originally a popular seaside resort, Savin Rock ran along the west side of New Haven Harbor. Over the years, it developed into a full-scale entertainment venue, featuring amusement rides, baseball games, stock car races, theaters, restaurants, and hotels. Within Savin Rock, White City Stadium was in its 13th year promoting open-air boxing cards.
Postcard of the Sky Blazer roller coaster at White City, Savin Rock, c. 1930–1945 (Boston Public Library, Tichnor Brothers Collection).
It was steamy hot when Beau arrived. A heat wave had blasted the northeast for two weeks with the mercury rising into the 90s and 100s. On Tuesday, July 30, the date of the first bout, temporary relief was provided when a dangerous summer storm blew through producing massive lightning, wind, and hail, forcing a three-day postponement.
Contrary to the hot weather earlier in the week, it was remarkably mild and cloudy on August 2. Jack squared off in a preliminary six-round bout against Joe Polowitzer before the main event featuring two New Haven lightweight rivals, Julie Kogon and Willie Andrews. Polowitzer came into the ring with a professional record of 3–2 but had enjoyed an outstanding amateur career culminating with the Connecticut lightweight title. Even though Jack had suffered defeat in his last battle against a southpaw, he still came in as the favorite with a record of 1–1–1. Unfortunately, the oddsmakers were wrong. Beau lost his second fight in a row to a southpaw, dropping the contest on points.
An enthusiastic crowd of 3,300 spectators gathered at White City Stadium ten days later for the evenings’ boxing card featuring a rematch between Beau and Polowitzer and the main event between promising Connecticut heavyweight prospects George “Dick” Fuller and Henry Morez. The large crowd multiplied due to the celebrity referee on hand. The fans wanted to catch a glimpse of Joe Louis (1914–1981), the world’s heavyweight champion and referee for the main event.
Joe Louis training for his fight with Lou Nova at Greenwood Lake, New York, c. 1941 (Library of Congress).
Joe Louis
Joe Louis (1914–1981) reigned as the world’s heavyweight champion for twelve years, from 1937 until 1949. After debuting on July 4, 1934, the “Brown Bomber” went on a tear, winning his first 24 bouts. He wasn’t only winning, he was knocking his opponents out. He knocked out 20 of his first 24 foes. His first loss came against former heavyweight champion Max Schmeling of Brandenburg, Germany on June 19, 1936. Schmeling used an effective jab and right cross, knocking Louis down in the fourth and finally knocking him out in the 12th round.
Louis became an American hero two years later, however, when he attained a chance for revenge in a rematch with Schmeling on June 22, 1938. As Adolf Hitler upheld Schmeling as a specimen of Aryan supremacy, the bout was shrouded with patriotic and racial implications. Louis inflicted immediate vengeance, knocking Schmeling out in the first round. Overnight, Louis became a hero to black and white Americans.
Louis ended his career after suffering an eighth-round knockout by Rocky Marciano in 1951 and retired at age 37 with a record of 66–3 (52 knockouts). He was inducted into The Ring Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Following his death, he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal and was the first boxer, black or white, to appear on a commemorative postage stamp.
The ten days between bouts seemed like an eternity to Beau as he eagerly awaited his rematch with Joe Polowitzer. Jack intended to beat the southpaw curse that painfully bested him in his last two bouts and he certainly didn’t want to lose twice to the same opponent. Relentlessly, Beau reversed the tide in his second contest against Joe, exacting vengeance, this time defeating Polowitzer on points.
The main event had a whimsical conclusion. After refereeing the Fuller–Morez bout, Joe Louis, amidst the enthusiasm of the crowd, stepped out of the ring without announcing the decision. Louis began walking through the throng of fans before someone reminded him that he forgot to declare the winner. So, Louis animatedly climbed back into the ring and raised both fighters’ hands declaring the fight a draw.
Conquest over the southpaw curse did not last long. On August 19, Beau was back at the Valley to face his fourth consecutive southpaw. He was once again paired with Jackie Parker in a four-round rematch. Just two months earlier, Parker had defeated Beau by split decision. As in their first match, Parker entered the ring with a three-and-a-half-pound weight advantage, tipping the scale at 137½ pounds, while Beau came in at 134 pounds. The southpaw curse rose its ugly head once again. Somewhat muddled, Beau did not fare well. Parker defeated Beau, this time receiving a unanimous decision over the Georgia bootblack.
Having lost three of his last four bouts, Beau’s record was 2–3–1. Downhearted, Jack knew he had to get on track. Fortunately, his fate was about to improve. Between August 26 and December 30, 1940, Beau won ten fights in a row. Impressively, seven of those victories came by way of knockout and three by unanimous decision. Beau was learning the ropes.
The winning streak began on the mild Monday night of August 26, 1940, at the Valley. Beau faced Carlo DaPonde, a Springfield welterweight, in the third preliminary match of the evening. Even though Beau’s opponent had a dismal record of 10–23–3, DaPonde was a seven-year ring veteran, easily the most seasoned opponent Beau had yet faced. Youth got the better of experience. Throwing non-stop flurries of punches from all angles, Beau overwhelmed Carlo. Carlo was brutalized as Beau swarmed him like a Tasmanian devil. At the end of four rounds, Beau was awarded a clear-cut unanimous decision. The press took note. The next day the Hartford Courant reported, “Beau Jack, who pours on the leather faster than any boxer in these parts, handed Carlo DaPonde of Springfield, one of the fiercest defeats ever handed out in the glorified gas-house.”1
With his easy victory, Jack continued to gain prominence among young boxers, fight fans and the media. He didn’t possess dominant power and his boxing skills were mediocre, but Beau electrified the fans with the sheer volume of his punches, aggressiveness and astonishing energy. In just five bouts at the Valley, Beau had already become a fan favorite. Fans began flocking to see Beau box and his fierce reputation continued to gain momentum.
Seven days after his victory over Carlo DaPonde, Jack returned to the Valley to battle Boston boxer Jackie Small in a four-round lightweight bout. After losing his first four matches, Jackie had won his last two, defeating Charley Gilman and Oliver Barbour. Beau was not impressed. Not wasting any time, he dispensed of Jackie halfway through the second round, landing a fatal blow that sent Small to the canvas, earning Jack another TKO victory. For the first time, Beau had won two consecutive bouts, improving his record to 4–3–1. It was a good feeling.
Burke-Wadsworth Act
On the same day Beau knocked out Jackie Small, September 2, 1940, Congress passed the Burke-Wadsworth Act imposing the first peacetime draft in the history of the United States. The registration of men between the ages of 21 and 36 began one month later. The draft age would be expanded in November 1942, a little less than a year after the U.S. entered World War II.
With renewed confidence, Beau entered the ring against lightweight Oliver Barbour (7–7–5) of Warwick, Rhode Island on Monday, September 16. Barbour had a victory and a loss over Beau’s last opponent, Jackie Small, but had lost his last four contests. Jack smothered Barbour, winning a TKO victory two minutes into the third round.
Next, Beau entered the ring for the second time as a featherweight to face another ring veteran. Although he had lost his last six fights, 25-year-old Tony DuPre of Manchester, New Hampshire came into the September 30 fight with six years of experience and a 33–15–9 record. He was also a former contender for the world featherweight title and a former New England featherweight champion. DuPre had a three-pound weight advantage, weighing in at 129 pounds to Jack’s 126 pounds and stood a half-inch shorter than Jack. A formidable overhand left highlighted his arsenal of punches. Beau wasn’t fazed by DuPre’s experience or resume. Jack knocked DuPre down five times before polishing him off in the second round, collecting his third consecutive TKO and fourth victory in a row.
1. “Beau Jack Matched with Jackie Small,” Hartford Courant, August 30, 1940, 14.