Joey Archer (February 10, 1938 – April 25, 2025) was an American boxer. He defeated Sugar Ray Robinson in Robinson's final fight in 1965 (by unanimous decision) and fought Hall of Fame boxers such as Emile Griffith and Dick Tiger.
Professional boxing career “Irish” Joey Archer began his career in 1956 at 18 years of age. He was a master boxer with excellent speed but lacked any semblance of power in his punches. Fighting mostly in various New York and Texas venues, he was a winner in his first 30 fights, with only 7 victories coming inside the distance. His most notable win was against the highly ranked Don Fullmer by a decision. This win earned Archer a date against tough Puerto Rican contender Jose “Monon” Gonzalez, who gave Archer his first defeat in a split decision.
Two months later Archer avenged the loss by beating Gonzalez in a decisive decision. The victory propelled Archer on a streak of 15 consecutive wins against some of the Middleweight division's top fighters, including England's Mick Leahy, Denny Moyer, Argentina's Farid Salim, Canada's Blair Richardson, Holley Mims, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, and his most impressive career win, against future Hall-of-Famer and three time World champion Dick Tiger.
The final win in the streak was against “Sugar” Ray Robinson in what would be the last fight of Robinson's illustrious, Hall-of-Fame career. Having reached the top of the Middleweight division, Archer suffered an unexpected split decision loss to the ranked Don Fullmer.
Nevertheless, Archer earned a title challenge against Middleweight champion Griffith based on his recent winning streak. The title fight against Virgin Islander Griffith in 1966 was a hard-fought, close contest, and after 15 rounds of fighting, Griffith won by a majority decision.
Archer's dream of winning the prized Middleweight title went unfulfilled, as the referee ruled the contest a draw, with the other two judges voting in favor of the champion. Six months later, Archer would again fight Griffith for the Middleweight title, and would once again taste defeat in a very narrow, controversial decision.
Retirement and death “Irish” Joey Archer announced his retirement from boxing after the disappointment of these two bitter, close losses to Emile Griffith. He ended his career with a record of 45 victories (with 8 by KO) and only 4 defeats.
Although he never captured a world title, Archer's boxing skills earned him induction into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 2005. He is on the eligibility list of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Archer died at a nursing home on April 25, 2025, at the age of 87.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes49Loss45–4 Emile GriffithUD15Jan 23, 196748Loss45–3 Emile GriffithMD15Jul 13, 196647Loss45–2 Don FullmerSD12Dec 13, 196546Win45–1 Sugar Ray RobinsonUD10Nov 10, 196545Win44–1 Johnny TorresPTS10Feb 20, 196544Win43–1 Dick TigerSD10Oct 16, 196443Win42–1 Gaylord BarnesUD10Jul 30, 196442Win41–1 Willie JamesTKO9 (10), Jun 24, 196441Win40–1 Gaylord BarnesUD10May 27, 196440Win39–1 Johnny TorresUD10May 9, 196439Win38–1 Holley MimsSD10Feb 7, 196438Win37–1 Rubin CarterSD10Oct 25, 196337Win36–1 Farid SalimUD10Jul 13, 196336Win35–1 Víctor ZalazarUD10May 18, 196335Win34–1 Blair RichardsonUD10Feb 16, 196334Win33–1 Denny MoyerUD10Jan 5, 196333Win32–1 Mick LeahyUD10Nov 10, 196132Win31–1 Jose GonzalezUD10Aug 25, 196131Loss30–1 Jose GonzalezSD10Jun 23, 196130Win30–0 Don FullmerMD10Feb 4, 196129Win29–0 Joe RubinoUD8Oct 24, 196028Win28–0 Cheffy ReynaKO2 (6)Jun 16, 196027Win27–0 Babe VanceUD8Jan 19, 196026Win26–0 Aman PeckUD8Nov 24, 195925Win25–0 Henry BurtonUD10Nov 9, 195924Win24–0 Ralph LucasTKO4 (8)Jul 4, 195923Win23–0 Tony DupasUD10May 12, 195922Win22–0 Tony DupasTD7 (10)Mar 10, 195921Win21–0 Ken BiggsRTD4 (6)Feb 11, 195920Win20–0 Ruben FloresPTS4Dec 9, 195819Win19–0 Willie EstesKO1 (4)Dec 1, 195818Win18–0 Willie EstesPTS4Nov 25, 195817Win17–0 Ray SheppardPTS8Nov 5, 195816Win16–0 Bernie RainesPTS6Jul 28, 195815Win15–0 Julie JamisonUD6Jun 2, 195814Win14–0 Joe LissyUD6Mar 17, 195813Win13–0 Eddie PrinceUD6Feb 14, 195812Win12–0 Joe LissyUD6Dec 20, 195711Win11–0 Paul GriffinUD6Nov 11, 195710Win10–0 Jimmy LandronTKO4 (4)Sep 30, 19579Win9–0 Danny JonesTKO4 (4)Sep 9, 19578Win8–0 Johnny LissyPTS4Aug 2, 19577Win7–0 Bernie RainesUD4Jul 8, 19576Win6–0 Hiram ValeUD4May 13, 19575Win5–0 Silby FordPTS4Apr 29, 19574Win4–0 Silby FordPTS4Mar 8, 19573Win3–0 Whitey PorrTKO4 (4), Mar 8, 19572Win2–0 Danny JonesPTS4Dec 21, 19561Win1–0 Danny JonesPTS4Nov 8, 1956
References
External links
Brief Lives: Joey Archer