Joe Bygraves | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 25 May 1931 |
| Died | 16 January 2012 (aged 80) |
| Nationality |  British |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 72 |
| Wins | 42 |
| Wins by KO | 22 |
| Losses | 28 |
| Draws | 2 |
| No contests | 0 |
Joe Bygraves (26 May 1931 – 16 January 2012) was a British heavyweight boxer. Bygraves turned professional in 1953, and after an impressive early career he successfully challenged Kitione Lave for the vacant Commonwealth Heavyweight belt in 1956. Bygraves defended the title on three occasions, knocking-out Henry Cooper and holding Dick Richardson to a draw before losing the championship to Joe Erskine. Bygraves immigrated to Britain as a youth but did not take British citizenship until the end of his fighting career in 1967.