Davey Moore (1960s)

Infobox Boxer
name=Davey Moore


realname=David S. Moore
nickname=Springfield Rifle
weight=Featherweight
nationality=United States
birth_date=birth date|1933|11|1|mf=y
birth_place=Lexington, Kentucky
death_date=Mar. 23, 1963
death_place=
style=
total=68
wins=59
losses=7
draws=1
no contests=1
KO=30|

David S. "Davey" Moore (1 Nov 1933-1963) was an American world-champion boxer who fought professionally 1953-1963. A resident of Springfield, Ohio, Moore was one of two men to box professionally under the name "Davey Moore." The second boxed during the 1980s.

Moore died March 25, 1963, as a result of injuries sustained in a match against Sugar Ramos.

Career highlights

Moore made his professional debut on May 11, 1953, at the age of 20, beating Willie Reece by a decision in six rounds. He boxed 8 times in 1953, with a total record that year of 6 wins, 1 loss and 1 no contest.

From the beginning of his career through 1956 Moore fought a total of 29 bouts, with a total record of 22-5-1, and 1 no contest. Beginning with his April 10, 1957 fight against Gil Cadilli, Moore had an 18-bout winning streak, ending when he lost to Carlos Hernandez on March 17, 1960 with a TKO. March 14 1960, won match against Bob Gassey in first round, as a result of the knockout, Gassey lost all but 2 teeth. It was during this period, on March 18, 1959 that Moore won the World Featherweight Title from Hogan "Kid" Bassey. Moore retained the title through the remainder of his career, defending it successfully 5 times, and losing it to Sugar Ramos on March 21, 1963.

Boxing Record

Moore had a lifetime professional record of 59 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest, with 30 wins by knockout.

1960

In 1960, he had a two-fight tour in Venezuela, winning one by knockout, and then having his winning streak interrupted with a seven round knockout loss at the hands of Carlos Hernandez. He fought three times in Mexico that year, and retained his title in Tokyo, beating Kazuo Takayama by a decision in 15.

1961

In 1961, he toured Europe for three fights, visiting Paris, Madrid and Rome. He retained his title with a knockout in one round against Danny Valdez and won three more fights in Mexico before returning to Tokyo to beat Takayama, once again by a 15 round decision, to retain the title in their rematch.

1962

In 1962, he won four bouts, returning to Europe to defend his title versus Olli Mäki, beaten in two rounds in Finland.

1963

Moore had a record of 1-1 in 1963. Following his defeat, in the second bout, Moore died of brain injuries received during the fight (see below).

Death

Moore was scheduled to face Sugar Ramos in July, 1962 at Dodger stadium but a torrential typhoon-like rainstorm hit Los Angeles on the night of the fight and the fight was postponed until March 21, 1963. It was shown on national television. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric with anticipation, the sound of conga drums filling the air. Both fighters were devastating punchers and rocked each other frequently. In the tenth round Ramos landed a powerful right hook to Moore's head sending him falling backward into the bottom rope where he struck the base of his neck injuring his brain stem. He lost the fight by a knockout but was able to give a clear-headed interview before he left the ring. In the dressing room he began to fall into a coma from which he never emerged, dying several hours later. There was existing public controversy due to the death of Benny "Kid" Paret one year before, and Moore's death prompted debate about the dangers of boxing and the possibility of the sport being banned in the United States.

Pop culture legacy

Three songs have been written in the years following Moore's death, including: Phil Ochs' "Davey Moore", The Association's "Requiem For The Masses" and Bob Dylan's "Who Killed Davey Moore?". Several books and articles have also been published about the tragic fight between Moore and Ramos.
A tribute to Davey Moore is also made by the New Zealander and French writer and singer Graeme Allwright [http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graeme_Allwright wikipedia] via his song Qui a tué Davy Moore (see [http://www.mga.asso.fr/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 Graeme_Allwright] site)

External links

* [http://www.remarkableohio.org/index.cfm?action=search_markers.marker_details&marker_id=71 Davey Moore Ohio Historical Marker]
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