Bobo Olson

Bobo Olson
Statistics
Real name Carl Olson
Nickname(s) The Hawaiian Swede
Rated at Middleweight
Height 5 ft 10 12 in (1.79 m)
Nationality  American
Born (1928-07-11)July 11, 1928
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Died January 16, 2002(2002-01-16) (aged 73)
Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Stance orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 115
Wins 97
Wins by KO 47
Losses 16
Draws 2
No contests 0

Carl Olson (July 11, 1928 – January 16, 2002) was an American boxer. He was the world middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955, the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s, although he is probably best remembered for his three knockout losses against Sugar Ray Robinson.

His nickname, Bobo, was based on his younger sister's mispronunciation of "brother".[1]

Early years

Olson was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Portuguese mother and a Swedish father, hence his other nickname "The Hawaiian Swede". Like many boxers, Olson decided to take up the sport after getting into fights on the streets. Olson received training from boxers who were stationed in Hawaii during World War II, it was also during this period that he picked up his two trademark tattoos.

Using a fake identity card Olson obtained a boxing licence at the age of 16. He had won his first three contests, two by knockout, before his true age was discovered. During 1945 Olson ran off to San Francisco in order to continue his boxing career. By the time he was 18 he had amassed a record of 13 successive wins (10 by KO). Even at this stage his power and huge reserves of stamina were clear, as was his rather average skill.

Mature career

The first real test of Olson's career came on March 20, 1950, Olson's record at this point was 40 wins and 2 losses, against the Australian Dave Sands. Olson lost to a close points decision in Sydney. Seven months after this Olson had his first fight against Sugar Ray Robinson, for the lowly regarded Pennsylvania State World Middleweight Title. Olson, who was widely seen as a slow starter, failed to get into the fight, even though Robinson was not having one of his best fights. Olson managed to hold on for 11 rounds before being knocked out. Despite his great record it was clear that Olson was still too inexperienced to be fighting at that level.

A year after his loss to Robinson, Olson managed to get a rematch against Dave Sands. This fight was the first to be televised coast-to-coast in America. However, Sands once again proved too much for Olson, he again won by unanimous decision.

On March 13, 1952 Olson fought Robinson again, this time for the World middleweight title. Robinson, who had lost and regained the title against Randy Turpin in his previous two fights, was looking for an easy fight. However, Olson had improved significantly from their first encounter. Through 10 rounds the fight was neck-and-neck, only a dominant finish by Robinson over the last 5 rounds won him the decision. This would be the only time that Olson lasted the duration against Robinson.

Robinson retired for the first time in December 1952, vacating his middleweight crown. The top four contenders fought a tournament for the title. Olson defeated Paddy Young for the American title to gain the right to fight for the vacant world title, Turpin won the other eliminator against Charley Humez.

The title fight against Turpin took place on October 21, 1953 at Madison Square Garden. Turpin dominated the first four rounds, he almost scored a knockdown in the first, before Olson got a grip on the fight. As the fight progressed Olson took the initiative, he scored knockdowns in the 10th and 11th rounds on the way to a unanimous decision. Following his success Olson was voted Ring magazine's fighter of the year for 1953.

Olson won all seven of his fights in 1954 including defences of his title against such big names as Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, and Pierre Langlois.

In 1955 Olson, who was finding it increasingly difficult to make weight, stepped up to light heavyweight. His first major fight in this category was against former champion Joey Maxim, Olson won the fight easily on points after scoring knockdowns in both the 2nd and 9th rounds. On June 22 Olson challenged 41-year-old Archie Moore for the light heavyweight title, a fight that many believed Olson would easily win. However, the "Old Mongoose" was too strong for Olson and won by knockout after only a minute had elapsed of the third round. After this fight Olson began his decline.

Following two walkover wins, Olson put his middleweight title on the line against Robinson, who was once again number 1 contender following his brief retirement, on December 9, 1955. Olson, who entered the fight as a massive favourite, was knocked out in the second round. The rematch, fought five months later at Wrigley Field, ended similarly with Olson going down in the fourth. After this second defeat Olson announced his retirement.

Late career

After a year out of the game Olson returned as a heavyweight to fight Maxim again, a fight he won on points. Olson took another year out following a knockout defeat against Pat McMurtry. Whilst initially coming back as a journeyman, despite being only 30, Olson managed to reestablish himself as a contender. On November 27, 1964 he fought José Torres with the winner going on to fight the champion, Willie Pastrano. Olson was knocked out after 2 minutes of the first round. This defeat effectively ended his career, he would only fight again four more times, with his final fight being a defeat to Gene Fullmer's younger brother, Don.

Life after boxing

Olson retired with a record of 97 wins (47 by KO), 16 losses, and 2 draws from his 115 professional fights. He went on to work with disaffected youngsters before working as a PR officer for the Teamsters Union. In 1987 he was a Union Elevator Operator in Lancaster, California, working on new construction at the Antelope Valley Medical Center. He would travel home on the weekends. At this point of his life he was slow, but kept the workers entertained with his boxing stories. In the 1990s he lived in Northern California for a time. In his later years Olson suffered from Alzheimer's disease. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.

Professional boxing record

97 Wins (47 knockouts, 50 decisions), 16 Losses (7 knockouts, 9 decisions), 2 Draws[2]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 39-13-3 United States Don Fullmer MD 10 28/11/1966 United States Oakland Arena, Oakland, California 2-5, 4-4, 2-6.
Win 30-2-3 Italy Piero Del Papa SD 10 11/07/1966 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California 4-6, 5-2, 6-3.
Win 24-18-6 United States Fred Roots TKO 3 23/09/1965 United States Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the third round.
Win 16-1-2 United States Andy Kendall UD 10 24/06/1965 United States Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada 49-46, 50-41, 49-45.
Loss 33-1-1 Puerto Rico José Torres KO 1 27/11/1964 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City Bobo knocked out at 2:51 of the first round.
Win 31-6-1 United States Wayne Thornton UD 10 28/08/1964 United States Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California 6-3, 5-4, 6-3.
Loss 11-1 United States Johnny Persol MD 10 19/06/1964 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City 5-5, 4-6, 1-9.
Win 29-5-1 United States Wayne Thornton MD 10 27/03/1964 United States Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California 7-2, 6-3, 5-5.
Draw 29-5-5 United States Hank Casey PTS 10 09/12/1963 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California 4-4, 3-4, 4-2.
Win 13-2-1 Argentina Jose Menno UD 10 21/10/1963 United States Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California 7-2, 6-1, 7-0.
Win 30-13 United States Jesse Bowdry UD 10 14/05/1963 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii 50-42, 50-42, 50-42.
Win 22-16-7 United States Sonny Ray TKO 8 30/04/1963 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 38-31-2 United States Tiger Al Williams TKO 5 25/01/1963 United States Lane County Fair, Eugene, Oregon
Draw 33-6 Italy Giulio Rinaldi PTS 10 14/12/1962 Italy Palazzetto dello Sport, Rome
Win 12-1-3 Sweden Lennart Risberg KO 6 03/06/1962 Sweden Stockholm Olympic Stadium, Stockholm Risberg knocked out at 1:44 of the sixth round.
Loss 14-7-1 United States Pete Rademacher UD 10 03/04/1962 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 14-17-2 United States Artie Dixon PTS 10 19/01/1962 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 37-26-2 United States Tiger Al Williams PTS 10 12/01/1962 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 20-21-6 United States Yancy D. Smith TKO 8 14/11/1961 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 26-6-2 Puerto Rico "Kid" Sixto Rodriguez UD 10 23/10/1961 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Loss 25-6-2 Puerto Rico "Kid" Sixto Rodriguez UD 10 11/09/1961 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California 2-6, 4-6, 3-6.
Win 34-7-1 United States Roque Maravilla UD 10 14/08/1961 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California 7-1, 10-0, 6-2.
Win 7-3-4 United States Floyd Buchanan TKO 3 16/02/1961 Canada Victoria Memorial Arena, Victoria, British Columbia
Win 18-2-4 United States Bobby Daniels UD 10 19/01/1961 United States Spokane Coliseum, Spokane, Washington 97-90, 99-92, 99-93.
Loss 15-0 United States Doug Jones KO 6 31/08/1960 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois Bobo knocked out at 1:30 of the sixth round.
Win 39-8-4 South Africa Mike Holt PTS 10 06/06/1960 South Africa Rand Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng
Win 9-2-1 Canada Al Sparks TKO 5 05/05/1960 Canada Pacific National Exhibition, Vancouver, British Columbia
Win 32-6-1 United States Roque Maravilla TKO 7 07/04/1960 United States Auditorium, Portland, Oregon Referee stopped the bout after the seventh round.
Win 20-8-2 United States George Kartalian TKO 5 25/08/1959 United States Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California
Win 39-6-1 United States Herman "Rory" Calhoun UD 10 30/03/1959 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California 95-93, 98-93, 96-93.
Win 10-9-2 United States Tommy Villa TKO 5 16/12/1958 United States Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California Referee stopped the bout at 1:28 of the fifth round.
Win 49-12-4 United States Paddy Young TKO 6 25/11/1958 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 17-5 United States Don Grant TKO 7 28/10/1958 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California Referee stopped the bout at 2:32 of the seventh round.
Loss 25-1-1 United States Pat McMurtry KO 2 17/08/1957 United States Meadows Race Track, Portland, Oregon Bobo knocked out at 2:34 of the second round.
Win 82-25-4 United States Joey Maxim SD 10 18/06/1957 United States Auditorium, Portland, Oregon 54-56, 57.5-52.5, 56-54.
Loss 137-4-2 United States Sugar Ray Robinson KO 4 18/05/1956 United States Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California World Middleweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 2:51 of the fourth round.
Loss 136-4-2 United States Sugar Ray Robinson KO 2 09/12/1955 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois World Middleweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 2:51 of the second round.
Win 41-3-1 United States Joey Giambra UD 10 26/08/1955 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California 58-52, 56.5-53.5, 57.5-52.5.
Win 67-19-7 United States Jimmy Martinez UD 10 13/08/1955 United States Multnomah Stadium, Portland, Oregon 62-48, 61-49, 66-44.
Loss 147-19-8 United States Archie Moore KO 3 22/06/1955 United States Polo Grounds, New York City World Light Heavyweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 1:00 of the third round.
Win 81-21-4 United States Joey Maxim UD 10 13/04/1955 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California 59.5-50.5, 60-50, 62-48.
Win 27-10-8 United States Willie Vaughn UD 10 12/03/1955 United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California 60-50, 59.5-50.5, 59-51.
Win 33-12-3 United States Ralph Tiger Jones UD 10 16/02/1955 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois 100-86, 100-78, 99-87.
Win 65-16-5 France Pierre Langlois TKO 11 15/12/1954 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California World Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 0:58 of the 11th round.
Win 55-17-3 United States Garth Panter TKO 8 03/11/1954 United States Auditorium, Richmond, California Joe Louis refereed the bout. Referee stopped the bout at 0:41 of the eighth round.
Win 58-7-4 United States Rocky Castellani UD 15 20/08/1954 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California World Middleweight Title. 89-76, 87.5-77.5, 85-80.
Win 12-7 United States Pedro Gonzales KO 4 07/07/1954 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California Max Baer refereed the bout.
Win 36-15-5 United States Jesse Turner TKO 8 15/06/1954 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Referee stopped the bout at 1:09 of the eighth round.
Win 98-13-4 Cuba Kid Gavilan MD 15 02/04/1954 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois World Middleweight Title. 147-141, 147-139, 144-144.
Win 36-10-3 United States Joe Rindone KO 5 23/01/1954 United States Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California Rindone knocked out at 2:04 of the fifth round.
Win 49-3-1 United Kingdom Randy Turpin UD 15 21/10/1953 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City World Middleweight Title. 9-4, 11-4, 8-7.
Win 44-8-3 United States Paddy Young UD 15 19/06/1953 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City American Middleweight Title. 9-4, 12-3, 11-3.
Win 46-9-3 United States Garth Panter UD 10 16/03/1953 United States Butte, Montana 58-42, 52-48, 53-47.
Win 24-13-1 United States Norman Hayes UD 10 07/02/1953 United States Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts 99-93, 99-93, 97-95.
Win 24-12-1 United States Norman Hayes UD 10 18/12/1952 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California 60-50, 59.5-50.5, 57-53.
Win 74-4 United States Lee Sala KO 2 20/11/1952 United States Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California Sala knocked out at 2:12 of the second round.
Win 45-11-5 United States Gene Hairston TKO 6 27/08/1952 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 52-6-4 France Robert Villemain SD 10 12/07/1952 United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California 57-53, 56-54, 54-56.
Win 29-9 United States Jimmy Beau UD 10 06/06/1952 United States Madison Square Garden, New York City 8-2, 7-2, 9-0.
Win 39-6 United States Walter Cartier TKO 5 19/05/1952 United States Boxing From Eastern Parkway, Brooklyn, New York Referee stopped the bout at 1:01 of the fifth round.
Win 6-12-5 United States Woody Harper TKO 7 06/05/1952 United States Auditorium, Richmond, California
Loss 129-2-2 United States Sugar Ray Robinson UD 15 13/03/1952 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California World Middleweight Title. 78.5-86.5, 79.5-85.5, 80.5-84.5.
Win 13-4 United States Tommy Harrison UD 10 15/02/1952 United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California 59.5-50.5, 60.5-49.5, 59.5-50.5.
Win 5-11-5 United States Woody Harper UD 10 12/02/1952 United States Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California
Loss 91-9-1 Australia Dave Sands UD 10 03/10/1951 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois 45-55, 45-55, 42-58.
Win 23-13-7 United States Bobby Jones MD 10 27/08/1951 United States Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 30-25-8 United States Charley Cato TKO 3 27/07/1951 United States Auditorium, Richmond, California
Win 43-20-1 United States Chuck Hunter UD 10 09/07/1951 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 70-23-4 United States Lloyd Marshall KO 5 07/05/1951 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii Marshall knocked out at 1:03 of the fifth round.
Win 33-6-3 United States Art Soto PTS 10 20/03/1951 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Loss 113-1-2 United States Sugar Ray Robinson KO 12 26/10/1950 United States Philadelphia Convention Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Middleweight Title. Bobo knocked out at 1:19 of the 12th round.
Win 25-14-4 United States Henry Brimm UD 10 05/09/1950 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 33-15-5 United States Otis Graham PTS 10 22/05/1950 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 39-15-5 United States Roy Miller RTD 5 25/04/1950 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii Miller retired due to a broken jaw.
Loss 80-9-1 Australia Dave Sands PTS 12 20/03/1950 Australia Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales
Win 50-19-9 United States Don Lee PTS 10 22/02/1950 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 47-19-9 United States Earl "of Richmond" Turner PTS 10 13/12/1949 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 23-3-1 United States Johnny Duke UD 10 22/11/1949 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 23-23-5 United States Art Hardy KO 3 23/08/1949 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 22-14-7 United States Milo Savage UD 10 26/07/1949 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 76-5 United States Tommy Yarosz PTS 10 03/06/1949 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 30-10 Estonia Anton Raadik TKO 7 15/03/1949 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 15-9-2 United States Paul Perkins TKO 2 11/01/1949 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 3-3-1 United States Johnny Boski KO 1 14/12/1948 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 41-11-4 United States Kenny Watkins UD 10 26/10/1948 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 4-2-1 Philippines Boy Brooks TKO 3 12/10/1948 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 24-15-5 United States Charley Cato PTS 8 20/07/1948 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 31-39-8 Mexico Bobby Castro PTS 10 11/05/1948 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 24-17-2 Philippines Flashy Sebastian KO 7 07/04/1948 Philippines Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila
Win 3-1 Philippines Boy Brooks PTS 12 17/01/1948 Philippines Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Win 25-12-3 Thailand Nai Som Pong KO 3 17/12/1947 Philippines Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila, Metro Manila
Loss 2-1 Philippines Boy Brooks PTS 10 22/11/1947 United States Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Win 38-13-13 United States Georgie Duke PTS 10 19/08/1947 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Loss 37-13-13 United States Georgie Duke PTS 10 04/07/1947 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii Hawaii Middleweight Title.
Win 40-18-7 United States Paulie Lewis PTS 10 20/06/1947 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 40-52-16 United States Leroy Wade TKO 4 02/05/1947 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 10-5 United States Candy McDaniels PTS 10 21/03/1947 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 16-7-2 Mexico Gil Mojica PTS 10 28/01/1947 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 6-16-1 United States Wayne Powell TKO 4 02/12/1946 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 6-15-1 United States Wayne Powell TKO 4 07/10/1946 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 28-9-15 United States Jackie Ryan TKO 6 09/09/1946 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 2-1 United States Johnny Boski KO 3 19/08/1946 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 2-0 United States Johnny Boski KO 4 26/07/1946 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 7-5-1 United States Ernie Horne TKO 2 18/07/1946 United States Honolulu Stadium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win 0-2-1 United States Delaware Bradby KO 3 25/02/1946 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 5-2-3 United States Chuck Ross PTS 6 04/02/1946 United States Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 13-26-12 United States Pedro Jimenez KO 4 28/01/1946 United States Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 6-6-1 United States Vepe Watson TKO 1 14/01/1946 United States Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California
Win 1-8 United States Obie Wooten TKO 1 07/01/1946 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 1-0-1 United States LaVelle Perkins TKO 2 21/12/1945 United States Sacramento, California
Win 1-2-1 United States Bobby Jones KO 2 10/12/1945 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 17-15-1 United States Art "Honey" Robinson TKO 4 23/11/1945 United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 3-5 United States Young Pancho PTS 4 10/09/1944 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win -- Ben Ramos TKO 4 27/08/1944 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii
Win -- Bob Correa KO 2 19/08/1944 United States Honolulu Civic Auditorium, Honolulu, Hawaii

References

  1. Exshaw, John (January 21, 2002). "Obituary - Carl Olson". The Independent - London: 6.
  2. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=024927&cat=boxer&pageID=1

External links

Achievements
Preceded by
Sugar Ray Robinson
Retired
World Middleweight Champion
21 October 1953 – 9 December 1955
Succeeded by
Sugar Ray Robinson
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