Archie Moore

Archie Moore
Archie Moore in 1955
Born
Archibald Lee Wright

(1913-12-13)December 13, 1913
DiedDecember 9, 1998(1998-12-09) (aged 84)
Other namesThe (Old) Mongoose
Ancient Archie
Statistics
Weight(s)Middleweight
Light heavyweight
Heavyweight
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Reach75 in (191 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights220
Wins186
Wins by KO132
Losses23
Draws10
No contests1
2nd President of the Cauliflower Alley Club
In office
1991–1992
Preceded byMike Mazurki
Succeeded byLou Thesz

Archie Moore (born Archibald Lee Wright; December 13, 1913 – December 9, 1998)[1] was an American professional boxer and the longest reigning World Light Heavyweight Champion of all time (1952 – 1962). He had one of the longest professional careers in the history of the sport, competing from 1935 to 1963. Nicknamed "The Mongoose", and then "The Old Mongoose" in the latter half of his career, Moore was a highly strategic and defensive boxer. As of December 2020, BoxRec ranks Moore as the third greatest pound-for-pound boxer of all time.[2] He also ranks fourth on The Ring's list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". Moore was also a trainer for a short time after retirement, training Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Bob Foster, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Earnie Shavers and James Tillis.

Born in Benoit, Mississippi, Moore was raised in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in poverty. Moore was denied a shot at the world title for 15 years, and spent many of those years fighting on the road with little to show for it. An important figure in the American Black community, he became involved in African American causes once his days as a fighter were over. He also established himself as a successful character actor in television and film. Moore died in his adopted home of San Diego, California; he was 84 years old.

  1. ^ Mee, Bob (December 11, 1998). "Obituary: Archie Moore". The Independent. London. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  2. ^ "BoxRec ratings: world, pound-for-pound, active and inactive". BoxRec. Retrieved July 22, 2020.