# Willie Joyce

Willie Joyce (September 2, 1917 – December 5, 1996) was an American boxer from Chicago. He was the 1936 National AAU Bantamweight champion, and the 1937 (126 lb) Chicago & Intercity Golden Gloves Champion.
Joyce was 24-1-4 in 1937 to 1939 only losing to Frankie Covelli. He fought Lew Jenkins at the White City Arena in Chicago three times in 1939, battling to a draw in their first bout and winning the next two by split decision.
He fought Henry Armstrong four times in 1943 and 1944. In the first match he beat Armstrong at the Olympic Auditoriumin Los Angeles. The second fight he lost to Armstrong at the Gilmore Stadium, also in Los Angeles. The third fight he beat Armstrong at Chicago Stadium. In their final meeting Armstrong was the victor beating Joyce at the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.
Joyce also fought Willie Pep. Pep beat Joyce at Comiskey Park in Chicago in 1944. In 1944 and 1945, Joyce went 3–1 against Ike Williams and in 1945, split two bouts with Chalky Wright.
Joyce would go on to face Tippy Larkin in three fights, losing all three by decision. In their second fight, Larkin beat Joyce for the vacant World Jr. Welterweight Title at the Boston Garden. In their third fight, Joyce lost to Larkin for the World Jr. Welterweight Title at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Joyce also fought Johnny Bratton at the Chicago Stadium in 1946, losing in both fights.

## Professional boxing record

| 103 fights | 71 wins | 21 losses |
| By knockout | 16 | 0 |
| By decision | 55 | 21 |
| Draws | 10 | 10 |
| No contests | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 103 | Loss | 71–21–10 (1) | Johnny Cesario | SD | 10 | Mar 24, 1947 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 102 | Draw | 71–20–10 (1) | Ernie Petrone | PTS | 10 | Jan 13, 1947 | Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 101 | Loss | 71–20–9 (1) | Johnny Bratton | UD | 10 | Dec 20, 1946 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 100 | Win | 71–19–9 (1) | Nick Castiglione | UD | 10 | Nov 15, 1946 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 70–19–9 (1) | Johnny Bratton | SD | 10 | Oct 31, 1946 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 98 | Loss | 70–18–9 (1) | Tippy Larkin | UD | 12 | Sep 13, 1946 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | For NYSAC and NBA light-welterweight titles |
| 97 | Win | 70–17–9 (1) | Danny Kapilow | UD | 10 | Aug 2, 1946 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 69–17–9 (1) | Maxie Starr | UD | 10 | Jul 24, 1946 | Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 95 | Loss | 68–17–9 (1) | Tippy Larkin | UD | 12 | Apr 29, 1946 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | For vacant NYSAC and NBA light-welterweight titles |
| 94 | NC | 68–16–9 (1) | Jimmy Hatcher | NC | 6 (10) | Apr 16, 1946 | Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 93 | Win | 68–16–9 | Ruby Garcia | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 9, 1946 | Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 67–16–9 | Bobby Zollo | UD | 10 | Mar 25, 1946 | Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 91 | Draw | 66–16–9 | Danny Kapilow | PTS | 10 | Mar 15, 1946 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 90 | Win | 66–16–8 | Jackie Wilson | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 11, 1946 | Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 89 | Win | 65–16–8 | Allie Stolz | SD | 10 | Feb 15, 1946 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 88 | Loss | 64–16–8 | Beau Jack | UD | 10 | Dec 14, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 87 | Win | 64–15–8 | Joey Barnum | UD | 10 | Nov 23, 1945 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 86 | Loss | 63–15–8 | Allie Stolz | UD | 10 | Nov 12, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 85 | Draw | 63–14–8 | Joey Barnum | PTS | 10 | Oct 19, 1945 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 63–14–7 | Danny Bartfield | RTD | 6 (10) | Sep 14, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 62–14–7 | Morris Reif | UD | 10 | Aug 20, 1945 | Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 82 | Loss | 61–14–7 | Tippy Larkin | UD | 10 | Aug 3, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 81 | Win | 61–13–7 | Bobby Ruffin | SD | 12 | Jul 13, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 80 | Win | 60–13–7 | Dave Freeman | UD | 10 | Jun 20, 1945 | Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 59–13–7 | Ike Williams | SD | 10 | Jun 8, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 58–13–7 | Genaro Rojo | UD | 10 | May 1, 1945 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 77 | Loss | 57–13–7 | Chalky Wright | UD | 10 | Apr 17, 1945 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 57–12–7 | Ike Williams | UD | 12 | Mar 2, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 56–12–7 | Chalky Wright | UD | 10 | Feb 5, 1945 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 74 | Loss | 55–12–7 | Ike Williams | UD | 12 | Jan 8, 1945 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 73 | Win | 55–11–7 | Ike Williams | SD | 10 | Nov 13, 1944 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 54–11–7 | Chester Slider | PTS | 10 | Sep 27, 1944 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 53–11–7 | Chester Slider | PTS | 10 | Sep 6, 1944 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 70 | Loss | 52–11–7 | Henry Armstrong | PTS | 10 | Aug 21, 1944 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 69 | Loss | 52–10–7 | Willie Pep | UD | 10 | Jul 7, 1944 | Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 52–9–7 | Henry Armstrong | UD | 10 | Jun 2, 1944 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 67 | Win | 51–9–7 | Pete Lello | RTD | 7 (10) | May 22, 1944 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 66 | Win | 50–9–7 | Ray Lunny | KO | 8 (12) | May 2, 1944 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Won USA California State lightweight title |
| 65 | Loss | 49–9–7 | John Thomas | UD | 10 | Mar 21, 1944 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 64 | Loss | 49–8–7 | Leo Rodak | UD | 10 | Mar 3, 1944 | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 49–7–7 | Jerry Moore | PTS | 10 | Feb 11, 1944 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 48–7–7 | Vic Grupico | TKO | 5 (10) | Jan 17, 1944 | Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 61 | Loss | 47–7–7 | Henry Armstrong | UD | 10 | Jul 24, 1943 | Gilmore Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 47–6–7 | Henry Armstrong | MD | 10 | Mar 2, 1943 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 46–6–7 | John Thomas | MD | 12 | Feb 9, 1943 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 58 | Loss | 45–6–7 | Slugger White | UD | 15 | Jan 4, 1943 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | For vacant Maryland world lightweight title |
| 57 | Win | 45–5–7 | Leo Rodak | TKO | 4 (10) | Dec 14, 1942 | Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 44–5–7 | Carmen Notch | MD | 10 | Oct 26, 1942 | Arena Gardens, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 43–5–7 | Slugger White | PTS | 12 | Sep 25, 1942 | Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | Won vacant 'Negro' lightweight title |
| 54 | Win | 42–5–7 | Joey Peralta | PTS | 10 | Aug 27, 1942 | Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 41–5–7 | Harvey Dubs | UD | 12 | Jul 27, 1942 | Northside Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 40–5–7 | Harvey Dubs | UD | 10 | Jul 6, 1942 | Northside Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 39–5–7 | Carmelo Fenoy | PTS | 10 | Jun 12, 1942 | Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 38–5–7 | Matt Dougherty | PTS | 8 | Jun 8, 1942 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 37–5–7 | Mike Evans | PTS | 10 | May 18, 1942 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 36–5–7 | Tony Ferrara | PTS | 10 | Apr 27, 1942 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 35–5–7 | Sammy Secreet | PTS | 10 | Apr 13, 1942 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 34–5–7 | Jimmy Maddox | TKO | 1 (8) | Mar 23, 1942 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 33–5–7 | Tony Motisi | UD | 10 | Feb 9, 1942 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 33–4–7 | Billy Davis | PTS | 10 | Jan 19, 1942 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 43 | Loss | 32–4–7 | Sammy Secreet | SD | 10 | Dec 15, 1941 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 42 | Draw | 32–3–7 | Aldo Spoldi | PTS | 10 | Nov 24, 1941 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 32–3–6 | Ted Christie | KO | 2 (10) | Nov 10, 1941 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 31–3–6 | Quentin Breese | PTS | 10 | Sep 24, 1941 | Chicago Stadium Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 30–3–6 | Leonard Bennett | PTS | 10 | Aug 13, 1941 | Chicago Stadium Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 29–3–6 | Harvey Dubs | PTS | 10 | Jul 14, 1941 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 28–3–6 | Nick Castiglione | PTS | 8 | Jun 16, 1941 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 36 | Loss | 27–3–6 | Joe Ghnouly | MD | 10 | Dec 9, 1940 | Civic Center, Hammond, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 35 | Draw | 27–2–6 | Jorge Morelia | PTS | 8 | Jul 19, 1940 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 27–2–5 | Jorge Morelia | KO | 1 (8) | Jul 12, 1940 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 26–2–5 | Joey Silva | TKO | 8 (10) | Jun 5, 1940 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 32 | Loss | 25–2–5 | Jorge Morelia | MD | 10 | May 17, 1940 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 25–1–5 | Nick Castiglione | PTS | 8 | Apr 5, 1940 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 30 | Draw | 24–1–5 | Young Kid McCoy | SD | 8 | Jan 22, 1940 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 24–1–4 | Félix Garcia | PTS | 8 | Dec 23, 1939 | Rockland Palace, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Draw | 23–1–4 | Willie Cheatum | PTS | 8 | Dec 2, 1939 | Rockland Palace, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 23–1–3 | Herbie Gilmore | KO | 2 (8) | Nov 18, 1939 | Rockland Palace, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 22–1–3 | Frankie Terranova | PTS | 8 | Sep 28, 1939 | Fort Hamilton Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 21–1–3 | Joe De Jesus | PTS | 8 | Sep 14, 1939 | Fort Hamilton Arena, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 20–1–3 | Maxie Fisher | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 2, 1939 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 19–1–3 | Earl Gibbs | PTS | 8 | Jul 17, 1939 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 18–1–3 | Lew Jenkins | SD | 8 | Feb 24, 1939 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 17–1–3 | Lew Jenkins | SD | 8 | Feb 17, 1939 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 20 | Draw | 16–1–3 | Lew Jenkins | SD | 10 | Jan 20, 1939 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 16–1–2 | Bobby McIntire | PTS | 10 | Jan 6, 1939 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 18 | Draw | 15–1–2 | Bobby McIntire | PTS | 10 | Dec 21, 1938 | Park Casino, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 15–1–1 | Sammy Scully | PTS | 8 | Nov 28, 1938 | Gary, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 14–1–1 | Armando Sicilia | PTS | 10 | Nov 23, 1938 | Park Casino, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 15 | Loss | 13–1–1 | Frankie Covelli | SD | 10 | Oct 28, 1938 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 13–0–1 | Frankie Covelli | UD | 10 | Sep 23, 1938 | White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 12–0–1 | Billy Miller | TKO | 5 (8) | Jul 25, 1938 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 11–0–1 | George van der Heyden | PTS | 8 | Jun 20, 1938 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 10–0–1 | George van der Heyden | PTS | 5 | May 31, 1938 | Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 9–0–1 | Frankie Agnes | PTS | 5 | May 2, 1938 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 8–0–1 | Frankie Agnes | PTS | 5 | Apr 4, 1938 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–0–1 | Billy Sparks | TKO | 4 (5) | Mar 14, 1938 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 6–0–1 | Gene Spencer | TKO | 3 (5) | Feb 11, 1938 | Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Sammy Scully | PTS | 5 | Jan 31, 1938 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Gene Spencer | PTS | 4 | Jan 3, 1938 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 3–0–1 | Sammy Scully | PTS | 5 | Dec 20, 1937 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 3 | Draw | 2–0–1 | Sammy Scully | PTS | 4 | Dec 13, 1937 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Ray Harris | PTS | 4 | Nov 22, 1937 | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Battling Raymond | PTS | 4 | Nov 10, 1937 | Memorial Auditorium, Gary, Indiana, U.S. | |