Archie Moore was born Archibald Lee Wright on December 13, 1913 in Benoit, Mississippi. A troubled youth led to a three-year stay at a reform school, but was released for good behavior after twenty-two months. In 1933, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, where he began training to become a boxer.
His early career is kind of a mystery, but in 1943 Archie won the California State Middleweight title by beating Jack Chase. He defeated him again in a rematch, but also lost a decision to a guy named Aaron Wade.
Archie went 7-2 in 1944, and he stepped up the level of his competition. In 1945, he won his first eight bouts, which earned him a fight with Jimmy Bivins at light heavyweight. He knocked Archie out in six rounds, but Moore still fought five more times before the year was out.
The year 1946 saw him go 5-2-1 as a light heavyweight, but lost to future champion Ezzard Charles by a ten round decision. In 1947, his record was 7-1, and Archie started to complain that none of the champions would give him a title shot.
1948 saw Moore fight 14 times, and lost again to Charles by a ninth round knockout. Undeterred, he marched on, and in 1949, he won 12 of 13 bouts. Those wins included a ko of Bob Satterfield in three, and a decision over future world champion Harold Johnson. In 1950, Archie only fought two times, both decision wins.
Incredibly at age 37, he stepped up his pace in 1951, boxing 18 times, losing just once, and drawing once as well. He finished the year 38 years old, and still had never fought for a world title. .
The year 1952 would change his life, and finally see him get a shot at the light heavyweight crown. Archie ‘The Mongoose’ Moore is one of my favorite all-time fighters, for both his longevity and determination. That grit and courage helped him finish his career with a total of 220 bouts when he retired in 1963.
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM ON AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
LISTEN TO MY PODCAST ON SPOTIFY AT kensoldtimeboxingchat
