Real name William Landon Jones Nationality American Height 1.75 m Draws 13 Reach 75 in (191 cm) Role Boxer Total fights 144 | Name Gorilla Jones Nickname(s) Gorilla Stance Orthodox Martial art Boxing | |
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Born May 12, 1906Memphis, Tennessee ( 1906-05-12 ) Died January 4, 1982, Los Angeles, California, United States | ||
Gorilla jones mixing day 1
William Landon Jones (1906–1982) known as "Gorilla" Jones, was an American boxer who held the NBA Middleweight Boxing Championship of the World. Although he was nicknamed "Gorilla" for his exceptional reach, Jones is to be distinguished from the original "Gorilla Jones", who campaigned from 1913 to 1924 and held the World Colored Welterweight title. Jones was never knocked out although he himself won by 52 knockouts out of 101 wins over 141 total fights. He was posthumously inducted into World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1994 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009.
Contents
- Gorilla jones mixing day 1
- GORILLA JONES CAREER
- Biography
- World middleweight champion
- Later life
- Death
- References
GORILLA JONES CAREER
Biography
Jones was an African American man born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 12, 1906. He dropped out of school and eventually started boxing at age 18.
World middleweight champion
Jones turned professional in 1923 with Stephen "Suey" Welch as manager and trained with Joe Stanley. He won the vacant National Boxing Association World Middleweight Title with a win over Oddone Piazza in 1925. He lost the belt later that year to Frenchman Marcel Thil through disqualification.
In 1937 he took on Freddie Steele, the National Boxing Association World Middleweight and NYSAC World Middleweight Title holder, but lost to a decision. His last win was two years later in 1939, and he lost his last fight in 1940, when he retired from boxing.
Later life
Jones was a trainer on the Pacific Coast from the mid-to-late 1940s until the 1970s, working with Milo Savage, Johnny Wells, Irish Bob Murphy, and later with Suey Welch's boxer Gil King during the early 1970s. He also worked for Mae West whom he had known since he was 22, becoming her boyfriend, chauffeur and bodyguard. West was his employer, friend and supporter until her death in 1980.
Death
Jones died from arteriosclerosis on January 4, 1982 in Los Angeles, California, aged 75.