Archie returned to ring after the loss to Marciano on February 20, 1956 with a first round knockout of Howard King in San Francisco. In just one week. Moore knocked out Bob Dunlap at the San Diego Arena. In less than three weeks, he was in Hollywood, California, and won a ten round decision over Frankie Daniels. Just ten days later, he notched another ten round win over Howard King in Sacramento. Amazingly, just two weeks later Moore knocked out Willie Bean in five rounds in Richmond, Virginia.
At 42 years old, Archie was fighting more often than 22 years did. Incredibly, he fought again in just six days, and knocked out George Parmentier in three rounds in Seattle, Washington. Just tens days passed before Moore fought again, this time in Edmonton, Canada, against Sonny Andrews. Archie stopped him in four, which left the last feat the most mind-blowing of all to me. After just FOUR days rest, Moore climbed through the ropes again, and knocked out Gene Thompson in three rounds. A total of eight separate bouts, and eight wins in just SIXTY-TWO DAYS!!!!!
In doing research for this blog, I noticed this. To me, as a boxing fan for 40 plus years, this is one of the most unbelievable things I’ve ever read! And Archie Moore did this at 42 years of age! I’m shaking my head as I type this, in both shock and amazement. Only one words comes to my mind right now. WOW!
The ‘Old Mongoose’ finally took the month of May off, before traveling to England to stop Yolande Pompey in ten. Toronto was next, and on July 25, Archie stopped James J. Parker at Maple Leaf Stadium in nine rounds. I have so much respect for the older fighters, who never made the money they deserved, and are worthy of any praise they get. Archie Moore has moved up my list of the all-time greatest fighters that ever lived, and I would have loved to have met the guy in person.
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