# Julian Jackson (boxer)

Julian Jackson (born September 12, 1960) is a former professional boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands who competed from 1981 to 1998. He is a three-time world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight title from 1987 to 1990, and the World Boxing Council (WBC) middleweight title twice between 1990 and 1995. Possessing formidable punching power, with a knockout-to-win rate of 89%, Jackson is regarded by many as one of the hardest punchers in boxing history, pound for pound, and was ranked number 25 by The Ring magazine in a 2003 list of the "100 Greatest Punchers". Jackson was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2019.

## Amateur career

Jackson represented the United States Virgin Islands at the 1979 Pan American Games, losing his first fight to Jose Baret of the Dominican Republic.
Jackson reportedly completed his amateur career with a record of 15 wins, 2 losses.

## Professional career

Jackson turned professional in February 1981 and had many of his early fights in Puerto Rico, where he lived for a short time, and gained a shot at WBA super welterweight champion Mike McCallum in August 1986. Jackson hurt the champion on a couple occasions in the first round, but McCallum came storming back with a barrage that forced the referee to stop matters in the second round.

### Light middleweight Champion

After McCallum moved up to middleweight, Jackson got his second shot at the now-vacant WBA title in November 1987 against Korean Baek In-chul, winning in three rounds. Baek would go on to win the WBA super-middleweight title a year later. Jackson made three defenses of his crown, against former IBF title-holder Buster Drayton (TKO 3), Francisco DeJesus (KO 8), and future three-time champion Terry Norris (TKO 2). All these defenses were won with a single knockout punch.

### First middleweight title reign

Jackson then vacated his crown, moved up to 160 lb (73 kg), and was matched against Herol 'Bomber' Graham for the vacant WBC middleweight title. Due to Jackson's recent retina damage which had required surgery, the British Boxing Board of Control felt that Jackson was returning to boxing too soon and didn't allow him to box in the UK, so the bout was held at Torrequebrada Hotel & Casino, Benalmádena, Andalucía, Spain on 24 November 1990.
Graham was putting on his typical savvy performance against Jackson: countering, slipping, and dancing out of the way, targeting Jackson's vulnerable eye which started to swell. After being consistently beaten to the punch for three and a half rounds, Jackson then unleashed one of the great right hands in boxing history. After Jackson connected with the punch, Graham was unconscious before he hit the canvas, and was revived only after five alarming minutes.
Defenses against Dennis Milton (KO 1), Ismael Negron (KO 1), and Ron Collins (TKO 5) ended quickly, but Thomas Tate would make Jackson work longer and harder in their August 1992 encounter – Julian had to go to the scorecards for the first time in a title bout in winning a 12-round unanimous decision, scoring a knockdown along the way. At this point Jackson was in the middle of the pound-for-pound rankings.
This would lead to his showdown in May 1993 with another big hitter, Gerald McClellan. This time the challenger prevailed, as Jackson failed to find the knockout blow when hitting McClellan with hard punches and controlling Rounds 2 and 3, with McClellan turning the fight around and knocking Jackson down twice in the fifth round. The second knockdown prompted the referee to stop the fight, after Jackson made it to his feet yet remained unsteady.
After winning his next three fights, Jackson had another shot at the title in May 1994 in a rematch with McClellan. In a very brief fight, Jackson hit McClellan with some hard punches, but Jackson was then hurt himself and put under heavy pressure by McClellan, with McClellan flooring Jackson with a left hook to the body after 65 seconds. The referee counted Jackson out as he rose to his feet.

### Second middleweight title reign

After McClellan vacated the title to move up to super-middleweight, Jackson would have a second but brief reign as WBC middleweight champion, beating the previously undefeated European champion Agostino Cardamone in March 1995. Jackson had a shaky end to the first round, during which he was hurt and put under pressure until the bell by Cardamone, who wasn't considered a hard puncher. In round two however, Jackson again showed his punching power by suddenly dropping Cardamone heavily with a short right hand. Cardamone managed to make it to his feet but remained badly shaken, forcing the referee to stop the fight.
Jackson lost the title in his first defense against Quincy Taylor in August 1995, by a sixth round stoppage. During the fight with Taylor, Jackson tore his rotator cuff and looked a shadow of his former self.

### Post title

Jackson would have four more low-key victories, before ending his career with losses to Verno Phillips and Anthony Jones, both in nine rounds, in 1998.
He was inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame in 2025.

## Life after boxing

After retiring from the sport, Jackson joined the ministry and still lives in his birthplace of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. He has continued his involvement in the local boxing field as a trainer and coach, and his three sons, Julius Jackson, Julian Jackson Jr. and John Jackson, have all competed professionally since 2009.
Jackson was once hired by Coral World Ocean Park in St. Thomas as a way to attract visitors to the park.

## Professional boxing record

| 61 fights | 55 wins | 6 losses |
| By knockout | 49 | 6 |
| By decision | 6 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 61 | Loss | 55–6 | Anthony Jones | TKO | 9 (10), 1:31 | May 24, 1998 | The Palace, Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 60 | Loss | 55–5 | Verno Phillips | KO | 9 (12), 2:01 | Jan 23, 1998 | Grand Casino Tunica, Robinsonville, Mississippi, U.S. | For WBU super welterweight title |
| 59 | Win | 55–4 | Eduardo Gutiérrez | TKO | 3 (10), 0:36 | Oct 31, 1997 | Packard Music Hall, Warren, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 54–4 | Terry Ford | TKO | 2 (10), 1:01 | Jul 25, 1997 | Tropicana Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 53–4 | Augustine Renteria | UD | 10 | Dec 7, 1996 | Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 52–4 | Leonardo Aguilar | UD | 10 | Sep 9, 1996 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 55 | Loss | 51–4 | Quincy Taylor | TKO | 6 (12), 2:33 | Aug 19, 1995 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC middleweight title |
| 54 | Win | 51–3 | Agostino Cardamone | TKO | 2 (12), 1:50 | Mar 17, 1995 | Memorial Auditorium, Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S. | Won vacant WBC middleweight title |
| 53 | Win | 50–3 | Luis Buitron | TKO | 3 (10) | Dec 17, 1994 | Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador | |
| 52 | Loss | 49–3 | Gerald McClellan | KO | 1 (12), 1:23 | May 7, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | For WBC middleweight title |
| 51 | Win | 49–2 | Eduardo Ayala | UD | 10 | Mar 4, 1994 | MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 48–2 | Jaime Montano | TKO | 1 (10), 1:50 | Dec 15, 1993 | The Aladdin, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 47–2 | Carlton Haywood | TKO | 1 (10), 2:16 | Aug 6, 1993 | Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamón, Puerto Rico | |
| 48 | Loss | 46–2 | Gerald McClellan | TKO | 5 (12), 2:09 | May 8, 1993 | Thomas & Mack Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Lost WBC middleweight title |
| 47 | Win | 46–1 | Eddie Hall | TKO | 4 (10) | Dec 13, 1992 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 45–1 | Thomas Tate | UD | 12 | Aug 1, 1992 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC middleweight title |
| 45 | Win | 44–1 | Ron Collins | TKO | 5 (12), 1:27 | Apr 10, 1992 | Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico | Retained WBC middleweight title |
| 44 | Win | 43–1 | Ismael Negron | TKO | 1 (12), 0:50 | Feb 15, 1992 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC middleweight title |
| 43 | Win | 42–1 | Dennis Milton | KO | 1 (12), 2:10 | Sep 14, 1991 | The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC middleweight title |
| 42 | Win | 41–1 | Herol Graham | KO | 4 (12), 1:13 | Nov 24, 1990 | Torrequebrada Hotel & Casino, Benalmádena, Spain | Won vacant WBC middleweight title |
| 41 | Win | 40–1 | Wayne Powell | TKO | 4 (10), 1:36 | Jun 16, 1990 | Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 39–1 | John McClendon | KO | 2 (10) | May 18, 1990 | Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| 39 | Win | 38–1 | Terry Norris | TKO | 2 (12), 1:33 | Jul 30, 1989 | Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained WBA super welterweight title |
| 38 | Win | 37–1 | Derwin Richards | TKO | 6 (10), 1:33 | May 13, 1989 | Great Western Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 36–1 | Francisco de Jesus | KO | 8 (12), 2:19 | Feb 25, 1989 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBA super welterweight title |
| 36 | Win | 35–1 | Buster Drayton | TKO | 3 (12), 2:57 | Jul 30, 1988 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | Retained WBA super welterweight title |
| 35 | Win | 34–1 | Efren Olivo | TKO | 1 (10) | Jun 25, 1988 | Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 33–1 | Reggie Barnes | TKO | 1 (10) | Apr 16, 1988 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 32–1 | Baek In-chul | TKO | 3 (12), 1:17 | Nov 21, 1987 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Won vacant WBA super welterweight title |
| 32 | Win | 31–1 | Milton Leaks | TKO | 10 (12), 0:38 | Apr 24, 1987 | Civic Center, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. | Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title |
| 31 | Win | 30–1 | Khalif Shabazz | KO | 1 (10) | Dec 19, 1986 | Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| 30 | Loss | 29–1 | Mike McCallum | TKO | 2 (15), 2:03 | Aug 23, 1986 | Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | For WBA super welterweight title |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Derrick Drane | TKO | 2 (10), 2:16 | May 20, 1986 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Francisco Del Toro | KO | 2 (10), 2:05 | Apr 19, 1986 | Las Vegas Hilton, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Mark Allman | TKO | 1 (10) | Mar 22, 1986 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Lopez McGee | KO | 4 (12) | Feb 28, 1986 | Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | Raúl Hernandez | TKO | 1 (10) | Nov 15, 1985 | Tamiami Fairgrounds Auditorium, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | José Padilla | TKO | 3 (10), 1:22 | Aug 10, 1985 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Rafael Corona | KO | 3 (12) | Jul 12, 1985 | Marriott Hotel, Santa Clara, California, U.S. | Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Tim Harris | TKO | 8 (12), 0:18 | Nov 21, 1984 | Riviera Hotel & Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Santos Solis | TKO | 2 (10), 2:14 | Nov 3, 1984 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Curtis Ramsey | TKO | 12 (12), 0:43 | Aug 15, 1984 | Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S. | Retained WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Ron Lee Warrior | TKO | 3 (12), 2:35 | Jan 20, 1984 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | Won WBC Continental Americas super welterweight title |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | JJ Cottrell | TKO | 5 (10), 2:57 | May 16, 1984 | Showboat Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Eddie Gazo | KO | 2 (10), 0:36 | Mar 17, 1984 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Carlton Brown | TKO | 1 (10) | Jan 20, 1984 | Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Jeff Nelson | TKO | 3 (10), 2:31 | Oct 15, 1983 | Knight International Center, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | David Plowden | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 25, 1983 | Roberto Clemente Coliseum, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Reinaldo Roque | TKO | 1 (10), 2:46 | May 18, 1983 | Dunes, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Jake Torrance | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 6, 1983 | Broadway by the Bay Theater, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Dominic Fox | KO | 2 (10), 2:19 | Feb 19, 1983 | Hato Rey, Puerto Rico | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Mack Heimbaugh | TKO | 4 (8) | Nov 17, 1982 | Civic Arena, St. Joseph, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Miguel Sepulveda | TKO | 3 (8), 0:24 | Aug 18, 1982 | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Al Cook | KO | 2 (8), 2:15 | Jun 8, 1982 | Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | William Page | UD | 6 | Mar 20, 1982 | Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Dario De Asa | KO | 3 (8) | Sep 26, 1981 | Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Edwin Rodriguez | KO | 1 (6) | Aug 15, 1981 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Reyes Escalera | TKO | 3 (6) | May 15, 1981 | Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Marcelino Flores | KO | 2 (4) | May 9, 1981 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Rafael Ayala | KO | 1 (4) | Mar 5, 1981 | Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Inocencio Carmona | PTS | 4 | Feb 2, 1981 | San Juan, Puerto Rico | |