Bennie Briscoe

Bennie Briscoe
Briscoe in a 1972 cover of Argentina magazine
Born
Bennie Briscoe

(1943-02-08)February 8, 1943
DiedDecember 28, 2010(2010-12-28) (aged 67)
Other namesBad
Statistics
Weight(s)Super Middleweight
Middleweight
Super Welterweight
Welterweight
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights96
Wins66
Wins by KO53
Losses24
Draws5
No contests1
Medal record
U.S. National Championships
Silver medal – second place 1962 Cincinnati Welterweight

Bennie Briscoe (February 8, 1943 – December 28, 2010) was an American professional boxer. A fan favorite for his punching power, he was known as the "quintessential Philadelphia boxer,"[1] and one of the greatest fighters of his era who due to various reasons did not become a world champion.[2]

"Bad" Bennie fought from 1962 to 1982, and retired with a career record of 66 wins (53 by KO) 24 losses and 5 draws. Briscoe was a top-rated middleweight contender during the 1970s, unsuccessfully challenging twice for the undisputed world middleweight title and once for the WBC version. Notable world champions and contenders Briscoe fought included Marvin Hagler, Carlos Monzon, Rodrigo Valdés, Luis Rodríguez, Vicente Rondon, Tony Mundine, Vito Antuofermo, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Emile Griffith, and Cyclone Hart.

Cus D'Amato regarded Briscoe much higher than most of his highly decorated opponents in many respects, particularly for his determination, intimidating posture, constant forward movement, aggressiveness, iron jaw, and ability to absorb punches no matter how solid he was hit, creating an impression of irresistible force to great many of his opponents.[3] Briscoe's relentless walk-forward style earned him a nickname "Black Robot" while fighting abroad (for that reason, French cartoonist Dero portrayed Briscoe as a robot with hammers instead of arms,[4] forcing even such aggressive fighters as Hagler and Monzon to back-up consistently.[5] He was also sometimes referred to as "the fighting trashman," because he balanced his training early in his career with a day job as a sanitation worker in South Philadelphia.[6]

  1. ^ Bertucci, Frank (29 December 2010). "Legendary Philly fighter Bennie Briscoe dies at 67". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  2. ^ Punching from the Shadows: Memoir of a Minor League Professional Boxer, 2018, p. 38.
  3. ^ Cus D'amato and Mike Tyson commenting on the Hagler vs. Briscoe fight (1:18:20 – 1:24:20).
  4. ^ Briscoe Bout is Postponed, By Tom Cushman, Philadelphia Daily News, May 23, 1977, p. 59.
  5. ^ Marvin Hagler vs Bennie Briscoe.
  6. ^ Ryan, Francis, 1971- (2011). AFSCME's Philadelphia Story : Municipal Workers and Urban Power in the Twentieth Century. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. ISBN 978-1-4399-0280-6. OCLC 876514042.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)