# Billy Graham (American boxer)

Billy Graham (September 9, 1922 – January 22, 1992) was an American boxer from New York City who had a professional record of 102 wins and 15 losses. Though a leading lightweight contender, Graham was never the recipient of a world title. Graham did however, have the remarkable distinction of never having been knocked off his feet in his long career. He was elected into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987, and is also in the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

## Early life and career

Graham was born on the East side of Manhattan on September 9, 1922. Graham defeated Sugar Ray Robinson as an amateur, when they were both teenagers in NYC. He was undefeated in his first 58 fights, going 52-0-6, until he fought Tony Pellone, where he lost by a split decision.

## Boxing career

Graham was known as a welterweight with stylish and subtle moves that made him a difficult target in the ring. He fought the legendary Kid Gavilán (commonly spelled Kid Gavilan) four times. In the first fight, held at Madison Square Garden, he beat Gavilan by a split decision. In the second fight, he lost at Madison Square Garden by a medical decision. The third fight was for the National Boxing Association World welterweight title and was again held at Madison Square Garden; this time, Gavilan won by a split decision. The final fight was for the World Welterweight Title in Havana, Cuba at Stadium Ball Park; Gavilan was again the victor, winning in a unanimous decision.
In a 2002 interview with The Observer, Budd Schulberg talked about mob involvement in boxing in the 1950s and how Gavilan both won and lost the welterweight championship due to mob interference.
   "...Frankie Carbo, the mob's unofficial commissioner for boxing, controlled a lot of the welters and middles.... Not every fight was fixed, of course, but from time to time Carbo and his lieutenants, like Blinky Palermo in Philadelphia, would put the fix in. When the Kid Gavilan-Johnny Saxton fight was won by Saxton on a decision in Philadelphia in 1954, I was covering it for Sports Illustrated and wrote a piece at that time saying boxing was a dirty business and must be cleaned up now. It was an open secret. All the press knew that one - and other fights - were fixed. Gavilan was a mob-controlled fighter, too, and when he fought Billy Graham it was clear Graham had been robbed of the title. The decision would be bought. If it was close, the judges would shade it the way they had been told."
Billy Graham also fought Carmen Basilio three times in his career. The first fight was held at Chicago Stadium; Graham won by a unanimous decision. Basilio won the second fight, held for the New York State Welterweight Title at Memorial Stadium in Syracuse, by a unanimous decision. The third and final fight was deemed a draw; Basilio kept his New York State Welterweight Title.

## Life after boxing

After his boxing career, Graham worked for 35 years as a representative for liquor companies, 25 years for Seagram's. While employed by National Distillers, Graham made a guest appearance as an imposter for a police officer on the August 18, 1960 episode of the CBS game show To Tell the Truth. He fooled the panel into thinking he was the officer, garnering two of the four possible votes from Kitty Carlisle and Jim Fleming. After all the votes were cast, Tom Poston recognized Graham's true identity.
Graham also worked as a boxing judge and referee.
Graham died of cancer at his home in West Islip, Long Island, New York, on January 22, 1992.

## Professional boxing record

| 126 fights | 102 wins | 15 losses |
| By knockout | 27 | 0 |
| By decision | 75 | 15 |
| Draws | 9 | 9 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 126 | Loss | 102–15–9 | Chico Vejar | UD | 10 | Apr 1, 1955 | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US | |
| 125 | Loss | 102–14–9 | Chico Vejar | SD | 10 | Mar 4, 1955 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 124 | Loss | 102–13–9 | Ramon Fuentes | UD | 10 | Oct 21, 1954 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 123 | Loss | 102–12–9 | Christian Christensen | SD | 10 | Jul 19, 1954 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 122 | Win | 102–11–9 | Charlie Simmons | TKO | 6 (8) | Jun 10, 1954 | Candlewood Arena, Danbury, Connecticut, US | |
| 121 | Win | 101–11–9 | Paddy Young | UD | 10 | Dec 18, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 120 | Draw | 100–11–9 | Carmen Basilio | SD | 12 | Jul 25, 1953 | War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US | For USA New York State welterweight title |
| 119 | Loss | 100–11–8 | Carmen Basilio | UD | 12 | Jun 6, 1953 | Memorial Stadium, Syracuse, New York, US | For inaugural USA New York State welterweight title |
| 118 | Win | 100–10–8 | Joey Giardello | UD | 12 | Mar 6, 1953 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 117 | Win | 99–10–8 | Art Aragon | UD | 10 | Jan 29, 1953 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 116 | Loss | 98–10–8 | Joey Giardello | SD | 10 | Dec 19, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 115 | Loss | 98–9–8 | Kid Gavilán | UD | 15 | Oct 5, 1952 | Gran Estadio de La Habana, Havana, Cuba | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 114 | Win | 98–8–8 | Carmen Basilio | UD | 10 | Aug 20, 1952 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US | |
| 113 | Loss | 97–8–8 | Joey Giardello | SD | 10 | Aug 4, 1952 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 112 | Draw | 97–7–8 | Rocky Castellani | SD | 10 | May 16, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 111 | Win | 97–7–7 | Art Soto | UD | 10 | Apr 14, 1952 | Winterland Arena, San Francisco, California, US | |
| 110 | Win | 96–7–7 | Mike Gillo | UD | 10 | Mar 24, 1952 | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US | |
| 109 | Win | 95–7–7 | Jimmy Herring | UD | 10 | Feb 15, 1952 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 108 | Win | 94–7–7 | Danny Stepanovich | UD | 10 | Nov 27, 1951 | Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, US | |
| 107 | Win | 93–7–7 | Johnny Cesario | SD | 10 | Nov 1, 1951 | Memorial Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, US | |
| 106 | Win | 92–7–7 | Jimmy Brown | KO | 4 (10), 1:16 | Oct 22, 1951 | Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US | |
| 105 | Draw | 91–7–7 | Mario Trigo | SD | 10 | Oct 8, 1951 | Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US | |
| 104 | Loss | 91–7–6 | Kid Gavilán | SD | 15 | Aug 29, 1951 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | For NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 103 | Win | 91–6–6 | Billy Jenkins | UD | 8 | Aug 2, 1951 | Meadowbrook Arena, North Adams, Massachusetts, US | |
| 102 | Win | 90–6–6 | Tommy Ciarlo | UD | 8 | Dec 19, 1950 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 101 | Loss | 89–6–6 | Kid Gavilán | MD | 10 | Nov 17, 1950 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 100 | Win | 89–5–6 | Auguste 'Kid' Dussart | UD | 10 | Oct 24, 1950 | Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, US | |
| 99 | Win | 88–5–6 | Sammy Mastrean | TKO | 7 (10), 1:59 | Aug 14, 1950 | Coney Island Velodrome, New York City, New York, US | |
| 98 | Win | 87–5–6 | Tommy Bazzano | PTS | 10 | Jul 14, 1950 | Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US | |
| 97 | Win | 86–5–6 | Jimmy Sanders | UD | 10 | Apr 18, 1950 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US | |
| 96 | Win | 85–5–6 | Phil Burton | SD | 10 | Apr 14, 1950 | South Main Street Armory, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 95 | Win | 84–5–6 | Kid Gavilán | SD | 10 | Feb 10, 1950 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 94 | Win | 83–5–6 | Tony Pellone | SD | 10 | Jan 18, 1950 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 93 | Win | 82–5–6 | Tony LaBua | UD | 10 | Nov 23, 1949 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 92 | Win | 81–5–6 | Jean Walzack | UD | 10 | Oct 19, 1949 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 91 | Win | 80–5–6 | Jimmy Cox | TKO | 3 (10), 1:59 | Sep 19, 1949 | Coliseum, Coral Gables, Florida, US | |
| 90 | Win | 79–5–6 | Jimmy Sanders | UD | 10 | Jul 8, 1949 | Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US | |
| 89 | Win | 78–5–6 | Sonny Jim Hampton | UD | 10 | Jun 23, 1949 | Artillery Park, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 88 | Win | 77–5–6 | Mike Koballa | UD | 8 | Apr 9, 1949 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 87 | Loss | 76–5–6 | Paddy DeMarco | UD | 10 | Mar 4, 1949 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 86 | Loss | 76–4–6 | Eddie Thomas | PTS | 10 | Feb 7, 1949 | Harringay Arena, Harringay, London, England | |
| 85 | Win | 76–3–6 | Fitzie Pruden | UD | 10 | Jan 26, 1949 | Manhattan Center, New York City, New York, US | |
| 84 | Win | 75–3–6 | Billy Lee | PTS | 8 | Dec 13, 1948 | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, US | |
| 83 | Win | 74–3–6 | Joe Lucignano | UD | 8 | Dec 2, 1948 | Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 82 | Win | 73–3–6 | Terry Young | UD | 10 | Aug 26, 1948 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 81 | Win | 72–3–6 | Maxie Starr | PTS | 8 | Jul 16, 1948 | Long Beach Stadium, Long Beach, New York, US | |
| 80 | Win | 71–3–6 | Patsy Brandino | PTS | 8 | Jun 21, 1948 | Croke Park, New York City, New York, US | |
| 79 | Win | 70–3–6 | Patsy Brandino | UD | 10 | Feb 2, 1948 | Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 78 | Win | 69–3–6 | Jimmy Joyce | TKO | 5 (10) | Jan 20, 1948 | Park Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 77 | Win | 68–3–6 | Rocco Rossano | SD | 10 | Nov 21, 1947 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 76 | Win | 67–3–6 | Willie Beltram | UD | 10 | Oct 24, 1947 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 75 | Win | 66–3–6 | Patsy Giordano | PTS | 10 | Oct 13, 1947 | Edgerton Park Arena, Rochester, New York, US | |
| 74 | Win | 65–3–6 | Billy Seep | KO | 2 (10) | Sep 12, 1947 | Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US | |
| 73 | Win | 64–3–6 | Aldo Minelli | PTS | 10 | Jun 2, 1947 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 72 | Win | 63–3–6 | Ernie Petrone | UD | 8 | May 27, 1947 | Sunnyside Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 71 | Loss | 62–3–6 | Tippy Larkin | UD | 10 | Mar 21, 1947 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 70 | Win | 62–2–6 | Ruby Kessler | UD | 10 | Jan 17, 1947 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 69 | Win | 61–2–6 | Doll Rafferty | UD | 10 | Oct 25, 1946 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 68 | Win | 60–2–6 | Cleo Shans | SD | 10 | Oct 15, 1946 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 67 | Loss | 59–2–6 | Tony Pellone | SD | 10 | Aug 30, 1946 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 66 | Win | 59–1–6 | Vic Costa | PTS | 8 | Aug 20, 1946 | MacArthur Stadium, New York City, New York, US | |
| 65 | Win | 58–1–6 | Jimmy Joyce | UD | 10 | May 20, 1946 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US | |
| 64 | Win | 57–1–6 | Frankie Carto | KO | 9 (10), 0:58 | May 13, 1946 | Jamaica Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 63 | Win | 56–1–6 | Pedro Biesca | UD | 8 | May 8, 1946 | Jamaica Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 62 | Win | 55–1–6 | Pat Scanlon | TKO | 5 (10), 3:00 | Apr 15, 1946 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 61 | Win | 54–1–6 | Charley Milan | SD | 10 | Mar 25, 1946 | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US | |
| 60 | Win | 53–1–6 | Charley Cabey Lewis | UD | 10 | Oct 8, 1945 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 59 | Loss | 52–1–6 | Tony Pellone | SD | 10 | Sep 11, 1945 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 58 | Win | 52–0–6 | Donnie Maes | TKO | 1 (8), 2:19 | Aug 27, 1945 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 57 | Win | 51–0–6 | Johnny Rinaldi | TKO | 4 (8), 1:15 | Aug 13, 1945 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 56 | Win | 50–0–6 | Joey Manfro | PTS | 6 | May 25, 1945 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 55 | Win | 49–0–6 | Johnny Williams | PTS | 8 | Apr 21, 1945 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 54 | Win | 48–0–6 | Jeff Holloway | PTS | 8 | Mar 31, 1945 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 53 | Win | 47–0–6 | Herbert Solomon | PTS | 6 | Mar 17, 1945 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 52 | Win | 46–0–6 | Tommy Mills | PTS | 6 | Mar 5, 1945 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 51 | Win | 45–0–6 | Jackie Connors | TKO | 6 (8), 2:42 | Jul 21, 1944 | Municipal Stadium, Long Branch, New Jersey, US | |
| 50 | Win | 44–0–6 | Julian Malavez | PTS | 6 | Jul 17, 1944 | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, US | |
| 49 | Win | 43–0–6 | Jimmy Pierce | PTS | 6 | Jul 10, 1944 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 48 | Win | 42–0–6 | Johnny Williams | KO | 4 (6), 0:29 | Jun 28, 1944 | Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 47 | Win | 41–0–6 | George Johnson | TKO | 5 (6) | Jun 26, 1944 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 46 | Win | 40–0–6 | Doug Carter | PTS | 6 | May 31, 1944 | Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 45 | Win | 39–0–6 | Sammy Mammone | PTS | 6 | May 10, 1944 | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 44 | Win | 38–0–6 | Sammy Mammone | PTS | 6 | May 4, 1944 | Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, US | |
| 43 | Win | 37–0–6 | Jackie Smallwood | KO | 1 (6), 2:11 | Apr 19, 1944 | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 42 | Win | 36–0–6 | Prudencio Pacheco | PTS | 6 | Apr 13, 1944 | Masonic Hall, Highland Park, New Jersey, US | |
| 41 | Draw | 35–0–6 | Joey Varoff | PTS | 6 | Nov 13, 1942 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 40 | Win | 35–0–5 | Lew Maxwell | PTS | 6 | Nov 5, 1942 | Grotto Auditorium, Jersey City, New Jersey, US | |
| 39 | Win | 34–0–5 | Mickey LaRosa | TKO | 5 (6) | Oct 27, 1942 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 38 | Win | 33–0–5 | Thaddeus Caby | KO | 3 (6), 2:58 | Oct 15, 1942 | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 37 | Win | 32–0–5 | Johnny Rudd | TKO | 2 (6) | Oct 12, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 36 | Win | 31–0–5 | Julian Malavez | PTS | 6 | Sep 19, 1942 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 35 | Win | 30–0–5 | Gus Coen Levine | PTS | 8 | Sep 14, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 34 | Win | 29–0–5 | Cedric Flournoy | KO | 3 (6) | Aug 1, 1942 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 33 | Win | 28–0–5 | Ted Christie | TKO | 2 (6), 2:58 | Jul 23, 1942 | Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 32 | Win | 27–0–5 | Jeff Holloway | TKO | 5 (6), 2:00 | Jul 9, 1942 | Fort Hamilton Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 31 | Win | 26–0–5 | Bobby Henderson | PTS | 6 | Jul 3, 1942 | Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 30 | Draw | 25–0–5 | Wallace Brown | PTS | 6 | Jun 9, 1942 | Queensboro Arena, New Jersey, US | |
| 29 | Win | 25–0–4 | Jimmy Anest | PTS | 6 | Jun 5, 1942 | Twin City Bowl, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 28 | Win | 24–0–4 | Bobby Root | PTS | 6 | Jun 1, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 27 | Win | 23–0–4 | Moe Weiss | PTS | 4 | May 15, 1942 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 26 | Win | 22–0–4 | Lew Maxwell | PTS | 6 | Apr 30, 1942 | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 25 | Win | 21–0–4 | Al Simmons | KO | 1 (6), 2:00 | Apr 27, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York, New York, US | |
| 24 | Win | 20–0–4 | Russell Sawyer | KO | 1 (6), 1:24 | Apr 16, 1942 | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 23 | Win | 19–0–4 | Davey Crawford | PTS | 6 | Apr 7, 1942 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 22 | Win | 18–0–4 | Lew Maxwell | PTS | 6 | Apr 1, 1942 | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 21 | Win | 17–0–4 | Al Guido | PTS | 6 | Mar 23, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 20 | Win | 16–0–4 | Al Guido | PTS | 6 | Mar 3, 1942 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 19 | Win | 15–0–4 | Harry Diduck | PTS | 6 | Feb 24, 1942 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 18 | Win | 14–0–4 | Terry Amico | KO | 2 (6), 2:23 | Feb 19, 1942 | Scott Hall, Elizabeth, New Jersey, US | |
| 17 | Win | 13–0–4 | Harry Diduck | PTS | 6 | Feb 17, 1942 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 16 | Win | 12–0–4 | Bob Henry | KO | 2 (4), 2:20 | Feb 2, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 15 | Win | 11–0–4 | Julian Malavez | KO | 3 (4), 1:40 | Jan 26, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 14 | Win | 10–0–4 | Joe Maldonado | PTS | 4 | Jan 19, 1942 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 13 | Win | 9–0–4 | Al Guido | PTS | 4 | Dec 19, 1941 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 12 | Draw | 8–0–4 | Louis La Salle | PTS | 4 | Dec 9, 1941 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 11 | Win | 8–0–3 | Mike Martinez | TKO | 3 (4), 0:50 | Nov 24, 1941 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 10 | Win | 7–0–3 | Bobby Henderson | PTS | 4 | Nov 18, 1941 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 9 | Win | 6–0–3 | Bobby Henderson | PTS | 4 | Nov 10, 1941 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 8 | Win | 5–0–3 | Bobby Henderson | PTS | 4 | Oct 13, 1941 | Ridgewood Grove, New York City, New York, US | |
| 7 | Win | 4–0–3 | Bob Henry | PTS | 4 | Sep 30, 1941 | Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, US | |
| 6 | Draw | 3–0–3 | Joey Agro | PTS | 4 | Jul 30, 1941 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 5 | Win | 3–0–2 | Bob Henry | PTS | 4 | Jun 24, 1941 | Queensboro Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 4 | Draw | 2–0–2 | Joey Manfro | PTS | 4 | Jun 9, 1941 | Starlight Park, New York City, New York, US | |
| 3 | Draw | 2–0–1 | Jimmy Kemp | PTS | 4 | May 19, 1941 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Frankie Van | PTS | 4 | May 5, 1941 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Connie Savoie | TKO | 4 (4), 2:20 | Apr 14, 1941 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | |