# Joe Brown (boxer)

Joe Brown (May 18, 1926 – December 4, 1997) was an American professional boxer who won the Undisputed World lightweight title in 1956, making 11 successful defenses against 10 contenders before losing his crown to Carlos Ortiz in 1962. Brown was a classic boxer and a knockout puncher. Known as "The Creole Clouter" and "Old Bones", he was managed by Lou Viscusi and named The Ring's 'Fighter of the Year' for 1961. Brown was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1978, the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1987 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996.

## Early life and career

Born into poverty in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA, on May 18, 1926, Brown started work as a grocery assistant, moved into carpentry and then embarked on his professional boxing career at the age of seventeen. He made his professional debut on January 15, 1943, at Victory Arena in New Orleans against Ringer Thompson, winning the four-round bout on points. Brown had another six fights, one of which was winning a four-round decision against Leonard Caesar on September 3, 1943, before he was drafted into the United States Navy during World War II. While in the Navy, Brown captured the All-Service Lightweight Championship before being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1945.
The resumption of Brown's career was initially disappointing and he frequently fought in undercard matches at Coliseum Arena or Pelican Stadium. One fight saw Brown suffering a third-round knock-out by Melvin Bartholomew in July 1945. After this fight, Brown did not fight again until January 1946, when he lost on a decision over five rounds to Leonard Caesar. Some reward came a mere seven days later when Brown out-pointed Johnny Monroe, but his career over the following three years was, at best, checkered.
The impetus for Brown's ultimate success seems to have been provided by a crushing defeat at the hands of the future National Boxing Association Welterweight Champion, Johnny Bratton, late in 1948, immediately followed by a short spell away from the ring. In 1949, Brown actually went unbeaten and, over the next seven years, he steadily climbed the Lightweight rankings, defeating along the way such notable boxers as Virgil Akins, Isaac Logart and Teddy 'Redtop' Davis.
These fruitful times were not, however, without their difficulties. The skilful Brown, standing a lanky 5 feet 7½ inches, with a long reach and solid left hand, came to be viewed as dangerous – too dangerous by some astute managers who frequently appeared to steer their charges away from meeting him. Several times, Brown quit in despair during his thirteen-year wait for a shot at the title.

## World Champion

Brown earned his chance for the Lightweight Championship of the World by out-pointing the reigning champion, Wallace 'Bud' Smith in a non-title bout held in Houston, Texas, in May 1956. Four months later, on August 24 and in front of his home crowd at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans, Brown defeated Smith by way of a split decision over fifteen hard-fought rounds. Confirmation of Brown's superiority came early in the following year when, defending the Championship for the first time, he knocked Smith out in eleven rounds.
Once Champion, Brown hoped that his newly acquired status would confer the riches and popular recognition denied to him for so long. Yet, as George Gainford (manager of the charismatic and handsome Sugar Ray Robinson) noted, the name 'Joe Brown' was hardly inspirational. Realising this, Brown attempted to solve his problems by billing himself as Joe 'Old Bones' Brown. The gimmick worked and he became something of a draw for the remainder of his Championship career.
In all, Brown made eleven successful defences of his title against ten boxers, and remained Champion for almost six years. After demolishing Smith, Brown beat Orlando Zulueta, Joey Lopes, Ralph Dupas, Kenny Lane, Johnny Busso, Paolo Rosi, Cisco Andrade, Bert Somodio and Dave Charnley (twice). Brown's re-match with Charnley, was named The Ring's Fight of the Year for 1961.
Nemesis came in the form of the great Carlos Ortiz from Puerto Rico. Ortiz – intelligent, agile and ten years Brown's junior – stepped down from the Junior Welterweight division where he had been king until out-pointed by Duilio Loi, to focus on the richer pickings to be had amongst the world's top Lightweights. He met Brown in Las Vegas on April 21, 1962, and took the ageing Champion's title after fifteen lackluster rounds to begin his own lengthy domination of the division.

## Beyond glory

Brown fought on for another eight years, before retiring in 1970, at the age of 44 with a record of 121 wins, 47 losses and 14 draws with 56 KOs. In reflecting on the close of Brown's career, Henry Cooper has written that there came to be "little pride left in his performances" as he tried to compensate "for all the hungry years when he had been forced to fight for peanuts" (Cooper, 1990). Joe Brown later became a trainer in New Orleans, Louisiana, and led some fighters to become professionals, such as Gregory E. Haines, of Slidell, Louisiana.
Joe Brown died in New Orleans, USA, on December 4, 1997.

## Professional boxing record

| 185 fights | 122 wins | 47 losses |
| By knockout | 56 | 11 |
| By decision | 65 | 34 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 2 |
| Draws | 14 | 14 |
| No contests | 2 | 2 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 185 | Loss | 122–47–14 (2) | Dave Oropeza | UD | 10 | Aug 24, 1970 | 44 years, 98 days | Riverside Ballroom Arena, Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 184 | Win | 122–46–14 (2) | Ramon Flores | UD | 10 | Apr 24, 1970 | 43 years, 341 days | Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona, U.S. | |
| 183 | Draw | 121–46–14 (2) | Steve Freeman | PTS | 10 | Aug 12, 1969 | 43 years, 86 days | Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 182 | Loss | 121–46–13 (2) | Chucho Garcia | TKO | 9 (10) | Nov 6, 1968 | 42 years, 172 days | Sam's Sports Palace, Beaumont, Texas, U.S. | |
| 181 | Loss | 121–45–13 (2) | Ricardo Medrano | UD | 10 | Sep 10, 1968 | 42 years, 115 days | Sam's Sports Palace, Beaumont, Texas, U.S. | |
| 180 | Loss | 121–44–13 (2) | Chango Carmona | TKO | 4 (10) | Jun 8, 1968 | 42 years, 21 days | Arena Mexico, Mexico City, Distrito Federal, Mexico | |
| 179 | Win | 121–43–13 (2) | Vic Graffio | TKO | 8 (10) | Apr 23, 1968 | 41 years, 341 days | Sam's Sports Palace, Beaumont, Texas, U.S. | |
| 178 | Win | 120–43–13 (2) | Nat Jackson | TKO | 6 (10) | Dec 13, 1967 | 41 years, 209 days | National Guard Armory, Pensacola, Florida, U.S. | |
| 177 | Win | 119–43–13 (2) | Benito Juarez | UD | 10 | Sep 11, 1967 | 41 years, 116 days | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 176 | Loss | 118–43–13 (2) | Percy Pugh | UD | 10 | Aug 1, 1967 | 41 years, 75 days | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 175 | Win | 118–42–13 (2) | Joe Barrientes | MD | 10 | Jun 26, 1967 | 41 years, 39 days | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 174 | Win | 117–42–13 (2) | Blackie Zamora | TKO | 8 (10) | Jun 16, 1967 | 41 years, 29 days | Teamsters Hall, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 173 | Win | 116–42–13 (2) | Rodwell LeKay | PTS | 10 | Aug 27, 1966 | 40 years, 101 days | Praça de Touros Monumental, Maputo, Mozambique | |
| 172 | Loss | 115–42–13 (2) | Joe N'Gidi | PTS | 10 | Jul 30, 1966 | 40 years, 73 days | Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Union of South Africa | |
| 171 | Loss | 115–41–13 (2) | Joe N'Gidi | PTS | 10 | Jun 25, 1966 | 40 years, 38 days | Curries Fountain, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, Union of South Africa | |
| 170 | Win | 115–40–13 (2) | Enoch Nhlapo | PTS | 10 | Jun 4, 1966 | 40 years, 17 days | Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Union of South Africa | |
| 169 | Win | 114–40–13 (2) | Josiah Nakedi | KO | 9 (10) | May 14, 1966 | 39 years, 361 days | Bochabela Arena, Bloemfontein, Free State, Union of South Africa | |
| 168 | Draw | 113–40–13 (2) | Jarmo Berglöf | MD | 10 | Apr 15, 1966 | 39 years, 332 days | Helsinki, Finland | |
| 167 | Loss | 113–40–12 (2) | Bruno Arcari | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1966 | 39 years, 297 days | Roma, Lazio, Italy | |
| 166 | Loss | 113–39–12 (2) | Frankie Narvaez | UD | 10 | Nov 13, 1965 | 39 years, 179 days | Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico | |
| 165 | Loss | 113–38–12 (2) | Mario Rossito | PTS | 10 | Oct 2, 1965 | 39 years, 137 days | Coliseo Humberto Perea, Barranquilla, Colombia | |
| 164 | Loss | 113–37–12 (2) | Antonio Herrera | UD | 10 | Aug 26, 1965 | 39 years, 100 days | Cali, Colombia | |
| 163 | Win | 113–36–12 (2) | Blackie Zamora | UD | 10 | Jun 30, 1965 | 39 years, 43 days | Memorial Coliseum, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S. | |
| 162 | Loss | 112–36–12 (2) | Joey Olguin | UD | 10 | May 18, 1965 | 39 years, 0 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
| 161 | Loss | 112–35–12 (2) | Vic Andreetti | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 9, 1965 | 38 years, 295 days | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England | |
| 160 | Loss | 112–34–12 (2) | Joe N'Gidi | PTS | 10 | Feb 27, 1965 | 38 years, 285 days | Wembley Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Union of South Africa | |
| 159 | Win | 112–33–12 (2) | Levi Madi | PTS | 10 | Feb 9, 1965 | 38 years, 267 days | Green Point Track, Cape Town, Western Cape, Union of South Africa | |
| 158 | Win | 111–33–12 (2) | Joas Kangaroo Maoto | KO | 6 (10) | Dec 19, 1964 | 38 years, 215 days | Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Union of South Africa | |
| 157 | Win | 110–33–12 (2) | Levi Madi | PTS | 10 | Nov 21, 1964 | 38 years, 64 days | Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Union of South Africa | |
| 156 | Loss | 109–33–12 (2) | Percy Hayles | PTS | 10 | Oct 3, 1964 | 38 years, 138 days | National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica | |
| 155 | Win | 109–32–12 (2) | Hector Diaz | KO | 8 (10) | Sep 14, 1964 | 38 years, 119 days | City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | |
| 154 | Loss | 108–32–12 (2) | Ricardo Medrano | DQ | 10 (10) | Aug 25, 1964 | 38 years, 99 days | City Coliseum, Austin, Texas, U.S. | |
| 153 | Win | 108–31–12 (2) | Esteban Santamaria | SD | 10 | Jun 21, 1964 | 38 years, 34 days | Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama | |
| 152 | Loss | 107–31–12 (2) | Paul Armstead | UD | 10 | May 25, 1964 | 38 years, 7 days | Kezar Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 151 | Win | 107–30–12 (2) | Tony Perez | PTS | 10 | May 5, 1964 | 37 years, 353 days | San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 150 | Loss | 106–30–12 (2) | Paul Armstead | SD | 10 | Apr 28, 1964 | 37 years, 346 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
| 149 | Loss | 106–29–12 (2) | Manuel Gonzalez | UD | 10 | Apr 2, 1964 | 37 years, 320 days | Ector County Coliseum, Odessa, Texas, U.S. | |
| 148 | Loss | 106–28–12 (2) | Carlos Morocho Hernández | KO | 3 (10) | Nov 11, 1963 | 37 years, 177 days | Maracaibo, Venezuela | |
| 147 | Win | 106–27–12 (2) | Pedro Galasso | TKO | 5 (10) | Sep 14, 1963 | 37 years, 119 days | Auditório da TV-Excelsior, Río de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| 146 | Loss | 105–27–12 (2) | Nicolino Locche | UD | 10 | Aug 10, 1963 | 37 years, 84 days | Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina | |
| 145 | Loss | 105–26–12 (2) | Alfredo Urbina | UD | 10 | Jun 22, 1963 | 37 years, 35 days | Arena Coliseo, Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico | |
| 144 | Win | 105–25–12 (2) | Joey Lopes | RTD | 7 (10) | May 21, 1963 | 37 years, 3 days | Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
| 143 | Win | 104–25–12 (2) | Manuel Alvarez | KO | 8 (10) | Apr 20, 1963 | 36 years, 337 days | Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico | |
| 142 | Loss | 103–25–12 (2) | Dave Charnley | KO | 6 (10) | Feb 25, 1963 | 36 years, 283 days | King's Hall, Belle Vue, Manchester, Lancashire, England | |
| 141 | Win | 103–24–12 (2) | Tony Noriega | KO | 6 (10) | Jan 22, 1963 | 36 years, 249 days | City Auditorium, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 140 | Loss | 102–24–12 (2) | Luis Molina | UD | 10 | Aug 24, 1962 | 36 years, 98 days | Municipal Stadium, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 139 | Loss | 102–23–12 (2) | Carlos Ortiz | UD | 15 | Apr 21, 1962 | 35 years, 338 days | Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 138 | Win | 102–22–12 (2) | Bert Somodio | UD | 15 | Oct 28, 1961 | 35 years, 163 days | Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 137 | Win | 101–22–12 (2) | Dave Charnley | PTS | 15 | Apr 18, 1961 | 34 years, 335 days | Earls Court Arena, Kensington, London, England | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 136 | Win | 100–22–12 (2) | Joey Parks | UD | 10 | Mar 7, 1961 | 34 years, 293 days | Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 135 | Loss | 99–22–12 (2) | Giordano Campari | PTS | 10 | Dec 7, 1960 | 34 years, 203 days | Palazzo dello Sport (Pad. 3 Fiera), Milan, Lombardia, Italy | |
| 134 | Win | 99–21–12 (2) | Cisco Andrade | UD | 15 | Oct 28, 1960 | 34 years, 163 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 133 | Win | 98–21–12 (2) | Raymundo Torres | KO | 4 (10) | Oct 4, 1960 | 34 years, 139 days | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 132 | Win | 97–21–12 (2) | Harlow Irwin | TKO | 5 (10) | Aug 25, 1960 | 34 years, 99 days | Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 131 | Loss | 96–21–12 (2) | Ray Portilla | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 21, 1960 | 33 years, 308 days | Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 130 | Win | 96–20–12 (2) | Joey Parks | UD | 10 | Dec 14, 1959 | 33 years, 210 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 129 | Win | 95–20–12 (2) | Dave Charnley | TKO | 6 (15) | Dec 2, 1959 | 33 years, 198 days | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 128 | Draw | 94–20–12 (2) | Joey Parks | PTS | 10 | Sep 25, 1959 | 33 years, 130 days | State Fair Coliseum, Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S | |
| 127 | Win | 94–20–11 (2) | Gale Kerwin | TKO | 4 (10) | Sep 9, 1959 | 33 years, 114 days | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 126 | Win | 93–20–11 (2) | Santiago Ramirez | KO | 8 (10) | Aug 27, 1959 | 33 years, 101 days | Memorial Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 125 | Win | 92–20–11 (2) | Paolo Rosi | TKO | 9 (15) | Jun 3, 1959 | 33 years, 16 days | Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 124 | Win | 91–20–11 (2) | Johnny Busso | UD | 15 | Feb 11, 1959 | 32 years, 269 days | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 123 | Loss | 90–20–11 (2) | Johnny Busso | UD | 10 | Nov 5, 1958 | 32 years, 171 days | Exhibition Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 122 | Win | 90–19–11 (2) | Kenny Lane | UD | 15 | Jul 23, 1958 | 32 years, 66 days | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 121 | Win | 89–19–11 (2) | Ralph Dupas | TKO | 8 (15) | May 7, 1958 | 31 years, 354 days | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 120 | Win | 88–19–11 (2) | Orlando Echevarria | KO | 1 (10) | Feb 26, 1958 | 31 years, 284 days | Palacio de Deportes, Havana, Cuba | |
| 119 | Win | 87–19–11 (2) | Ernie Williams | TKO | 5 (10) | Jan 24, 1958 | 31 years, 251 days | Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C., U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 86–19–11 (2) | Joey Lopes | TKO | 11 (15) | Dec 4, 1957 | 31 years, 200 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 117 | Win | 85–19–11 (2) | Kid Centella | UD | 10 | Nov 12, 1957 | 31 years, 178 days | Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 116 | Draw | 84–19–11 (2) | Joey Lopes | MD | 10 | Aug 21, 1957 | 31 years, 95 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 115 | Win | 84–19–10 (2) | Gilberto Holguin | UD | 10 | Jul 30, 1957 | 31 years, 73 days | Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 114 | Win | 83–19–10 (2) | Orlando Zulueta | TKO | 15 (15) | Jun 19, 1957 | 31 years, 32 days | Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 113 | Win | 82–19–10 (2) | Armand Savoie | SD | 10 | Mar 12, 1957 | 30 years, 298 days | Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 81–19–10 (2) | Wallace "Bud" Smith | TKO | 11 (15) | Feb 13, 1957 | 30 years, 271 days | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 111 | Win | 80–19–10 (2) | Wallace "Bud" Smith | SD | 15 | Aug 24, 1956 | 30 years, 98 days | Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring lightweight titles |
| 110 | Win | 79–19–10 (2) | Eddie Brant | TKO | 3 (10) | Jun 6, 1956 | 30 years, 19 days | Sportatorium, Beaumont, Texas, U.S. | |
| 109 | Win | 78–19–10 (2) | Wallace "Bud" Smith | UD | 10 | May 2, 1956 | 29 years, 350 days | Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 108 | Win | 77–19–10 (2) | Arthur Persley | KO | 9 (10) | Feb 6, 1956 | 29 years, 264 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 107 | Win | 76–19–10 (2) | Ray Portilla | TKO | 5 (?) | Dec 13, 1955 | 29 years, 209 days | Auditorium, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 106 | Win | 75–19–10 (2) | Ray Riojas | RTD | 7 (10) | Nov 8, 1955 | 29 years, 174 days | City Auditorium, Houston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 105 | Win | 74–19–10 (2) | Jimmy Hackney | UD | 10 | Oct 1, 1955 | 29 years, 136 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 104 | Loss | 73–19–10 (2) | Arthur Persley | UD | 12 | Aug 1, 1955 | 29 years, 75 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 103 | Win | 73–18–10 (2) | Junius West | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 16, 1955 | 29 years, 29 days | Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama | |
| 102 | Win | 72–18–10 (2) | Tony Armenteros | PTS | 10 | Mar 20, 1955 | 28 years, 306 days | Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama | |
| 101 | Win | 71–18–10 (2) | Bobby Rosado | UD | 10 | Mar 6, 1955 | 28 years, 292 days | Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama | |
| 100 | Win | 70–18–10 (2) | Tito Despaigne | KO | 4 (10) | Jan 30, 1955 | 28 years, 257 days | Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama | |
| 99 | Win | 69–18–10 (2) | Tony Armenteros | TKO | 8 (10) | Jan 18, 1955 | 28 years, 245 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 98 | Loss | 68–18–10 (2) | Tony Armenteros | PTS | 6 | Dec 29, 1954 | 28 years, 225 days | Dinner Key Auditorium, Coconut Grove, Florida, U.S. | |
| 97 | Loss | 68–17–10 (2) | Carl Coates | SD | 10 | Sep 28, 1954 | 28 years, 133 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 68–16–10 (2) | Nat Jackson | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 31, 1954 | 28 years, 105 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 95 | Win | 67–16–10 (2) | Wilfrdo Brown | KO | 4 (10) | Jul 25, 1954 | 28 years, 68 days | Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama | |
| 94 | Win | 66–16–10 (2) | Federico Plummer | TKO | 9 (10) | Jun 20, 1954 | 27 years, 247 days | Arena de Colon, Colon City, Panama | |
| 93 | Win | 65–16–10 (2) | Elvis Matthews | TKO | 7 (10) | May 18, 1954 | 28 years, 0 days | Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 64–16–10 (2) | Little David | TKO | 9 (10) | Apr 13, 1954 | 27 years, 330 days | Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 91 | Win | 63–16–10 (2) | Jimmy Louis | UD | 6 | Apr 5, 1954 | 27 years, 322 days | Front Street Arena, Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 90 | Win | 62–16–10 (2) | Isaac Logart | UD | 10 | Mar 24, 1954 | 27 years, 310 days | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 89 | Loss | 61–16–10 (2) | Charlie Smith | DQ | 6 (10) | Feb 8, 1954 | 27 years, 266 days | Arcadia Ballroom, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | Brown was disqualified for "not trying" |
| 88 | Win | 61–15–10 (2) | Cliff Dyes | TKO | 9 (10) | Dec 29, 1953 | 27 years, 225 days | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 87 | Win | 60–15–10 (2) | Ernie Hall | TKO | 3 (10) | Nov 10, 1953 | 27 years, 176 days | Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 86 | Draw | 59–15–10 (2) | Luther Rawlings | PTS | 10 | Jun 9, 1953 | 27 years, 22 days | Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
| 85 | Draw | 59–15–9 (2) | Orlando Zulueta | PTS | 10 | Apr 22, 1953 | 26 years, 339 days | Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 59–15–8 (2) | Joey Greenwood | UD | 10 | Jan 7, 1953 | 26 years, 234 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 58–15–8 (2) | Don Bowman | KO | 1 (10) | Dec 10, 1952 | 26 years, 206 days | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 82 | Loss | 57–15–8 (2) | George Araujo | KO | 7 (10) | Oct 10, 1952 | 26 years, 145 days | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 81 | Win | 57–14–8 (2) | Jimmy Taylor | SD | 10 | Aug 22, 1952 | 26 years, 96 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 80 | Win | 56–14–8 (2) | Marshall Clayton | RTD | 8 (10) | Jul 18, 1952 | 26 years, 61 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 55–14–8 (2) | Melvin Bartholomew | PTS | 10 | Jul 11, 1952 | 26 years, 54 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 54–14–8 (2) | Jerry Turner | TKO | 5 (10) | Jun 10, 1952 | 26 years, 23 days | Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 53–14–8 (2) | Calvin Smith | TKO | 7 (10) | Mar 28, 1952 | 25 years, 315 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 52–14–8 (2) | Walter Haines | SD | 10 | Mar 14, 1952 | 25 years, 301 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 75 | Draw | 51–14–8 (2) | Walter Haines | PTS | 10 | Feb 15, 1952 | 25 years, 273 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 74 | Draw | 51–14–7 (2) | Walter Haines | PTS | 6 | Feb 4, 1952 | 25 years, 262 days | Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, U.S. | |
| 73 | Loss | 51–14–6 (2) | Virgil Akins | UD | 10 | Dec 6, 1951 | 25 years, 202 days | Kiel Auditorium, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 51–13–6 (2) | Stonewall Jackson | TKO | 5 (10) | Sep 28, 1951 | 25 years, 133 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 50–13–6 (2) | Tommy Campbell | KO | 1 (10) | Aug 31, 1951 | 25 years, 105 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 70 | Win | 49–13–6 (2) | Virgil Akins | PTS | 10 | Jul 6, 1951 | 25 years, 49 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 48–13–6 (2) | Virgil Akins | UD | 10 | May 25, 1951 | 25 years, 7 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 47–13–6 (2) | Honeychile Johnson | UD | 10 | May 11, 1951 | 24 years, 358 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 67 | Win | 46–13–6 (2) | Lester Felton | SD | 10 | Apr 27, 1951 | 24 years, 344 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 66 | Win | 45–13–6 (2) | Teddy Davis | UD | 10 | Apr 13, 1951 | 24 years, 330 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 44–13–6 (2) | Baby Neff Ortiz | KO | 2 (10) | Mar 19, 1951 | 24 years, 305 days | Ocean Park Arena, Santa Monica, California, U.S. | |
| 64 | Loss | 43–13–6 (2) | Tommy Campbell | MD | 10 | Feb 20, 1951 | 24 years, 278 days | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 43–12–6 (2) | Bernie Hall | KO | 11 (12) | Dec 14, 1950 | 24 years, 210 days | Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia | |
| 62 | NC | 42–12–6 (2) | Irvin Steen | ND | 10 (12) | Nov 27, 1950 | 24 years, 193 days | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
| 61 | Win | 42–12–6 (1) | Charley Williams | KO | 1 (12) | Oct 30, 1950 | 24 years, 165 days | Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
| 60 | Win | 41–12–6 (1) | Jack Hassen | KO | 8 (12) | Sep 22, 1950 | 24 years, 127 days | West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | |
| 59 | Loss | 40–12–6 (1) | John L. Davis | UD | 10 | Jun 16, 1950 | 24 years, 29 days | Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 40–11–6 (1) | Dave Marsh | PTS | 4 | Feb 22, 1950 | 23 years, 280 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 39–11–6 (1) | Danny Womber | UD | 8 | Feb 6, 1950 | 23 years, 264 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 38–11–6 (1) | Milton Scott | TKO | 2 (4) | Jan 20, 1950 | 23 years, 247 days | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 37–11–6 (1) | Isaac Jenkins | PTS | 6 | Dec 5, 1949 | 23 years, 201 days | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 36–11–6 (1) | Charley Milan | UD | 10 | Jul 1, 1949 | 23 years, 44 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 35–11–6 (1) | Willie Russell | UD | 10 | Jun 6, 1949 | 23 years, 19 days | Parkway Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 34–11–6 (1) | Leroy Willis | PTS | 10 | May 27, 1949 | 23 years, 9 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 51 | Draw | 33–11–6 (1) | John L.aBroi | PTS | 10 | May 23, 1949 | 23 years, 5 days | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 33–11–5 (1) | Hugh Sublett | UD | 8 | May 10, 1949 | 22 years, 357 days | Palais Royale, South Bend, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 32–11–5 (1) | Joe Sgro | PTS | 8 | Apr 25, 1949 | 22 years, 342 days | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 31–11–5 (1) | Luther Rawlings | PTS | 10 | Mar 28, 1949 | 22 years, 286 days | Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 30–11–5 (1) | Booker T Ellis | PTS | 6 | Mar 22, 1949 | 22 years, 308 days | Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 29–11–5 (1) | Loisel Isadore | KO | 2 (10) | Jan 21, 1949 | 22 years, 248 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 28–11–5 (1) | Johnny Bratton | KO | 4 (10) | Dec 3, 1948 | 22 years, 199 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 28–10–5 (1) | Arthur Persley | PTS | 8 | Oct 31, 1948 | 22 years, 166 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 27–10–5 (1) | Frankie Cockrell | KO | 5 (10) | Oct 26, 1948 | 22 years, 161 days | Municipal Auditorium, San Antonio, Texas, U.S. | |
| 42 | Loss | 26–10–5 (1) | Freddie Dawson | UD | 10 | Oct 1, 1948 | 22 years, 136 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 41 | Draw | 26–9–5 (1) | Luther Burgess | PTS | 10 | Jul 25, 1948 | 22 years, 68 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 40 | Loss | 26–9–4 (1) | Bobby McQuillar | PTS | 10 | May 7, 1948 | 21 years, 355 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 39 | Draw | 26–8–4 (1) | Bobby McQuillar | PTS | 10 | Feb 28, 1948 | 21 years, 286 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 38 | Win | 26–8–3 (1) | Joey Bagnato | KO | 1 (8) | Dec 15, 1947 | 21 years, 211 days | Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 37 | Loss | 25–8–3 (1) | Arthur King | SD | 8 | Nov 10, 1947 | 21 years, 176 days | Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 36 | Win | 25–7–3 (1) | Arthur King | UD | 8 | Oct 21, 1947 | 21 years, 156 days | Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 35 | Win | 24–7–3 (1) | Ernie Butler | KO | 5 (10) | Oct 6, 1947 | 21 years, 141 days | Laurel Garden, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 23–7–3 (1) | Danny Robinson | PTS | 10 | Sep 24, 1947 | 21 years, 129 days | Jersey City Gardens, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 22–7–3 (1) | Danny Webb | PTS | 10 | Aug 6, 1947 | 21 years, 80 days | Exchange Stadium, Montreal, Quebec, Canada | |
| 32 | Win | 21–7–3 (1) | Freddie Latson | PTS | 6 | Jul 23, 1947 | 21 years, 66 days | Crystal Arena, Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 20–7–3 (1) | Walter Stevens | PTS | 6 | Jul 14, 1947 | 21 years, 57 days | Meadowbrook Bowl, Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 19–7–3 (1) | Melvin Bartholomew | UD | 10 | Jul 4, 1947 | 21 years, 47 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 18–7–3 (1) | Leonard Caesar | DQ | 10 (10) | May 18, 1947 | 21 years, 0 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 28 | Loss | 17–7–3 (1) | Sandy Saddler | RTD | 2 (10) | May 2, 1947 | 20 years, 349 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 17–6–3 (1) | Jimmy Carter | PTS | 10 | Apr 18, 1947 | 20 years, 335 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 26 | Loss | 16–6–3 (1) | Melvin Bartholomew | UD | 10 | Mar 28, 1947 | 20 years, 314 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 25 | Draw | 16–5–3 (1) | Buster Tyler | PTS | 10 | Mar 7, 1947 | 20 years, 293 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 16–5–2 (1) | Janius West | PTS | 10 | Dec 20, 1946 | 20 years, 216 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 15–5–2 (1) | Bob Weatherly | PTS | 8 | Oct 18, 1946 | 20 years, 153 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 22 | Loss | 14–5–2 (1) | Buster Tyler | PTS | 10 | Jul 26, 1946 | 20 years, 69 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 14–4–2 (1) | Midget Jones | PTS | 8 | Jun 28, 1946 | 20 years, 41 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 13–4–2 (1) | Arthur Ross | KO | 2 (6) | May 3, 1946 | 19 years, 350 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 12–4–2 (1) | Francis Adams | PTS | 6 | Apr 5, 1946 | 19 years, 322 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 11–4–2 (1) | Leonard Caesar | PTS | 8 | Mar 29, 1946 | 19 years, 315 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 17 | Draw | 10–4–2 (1) | Leonard Caesar | PTS | 6 | Mar 22, 1946 | 19 years, 308 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 16 | Win | 10–4–1 (1) | Johnny Monroe | PTS | 6 | Jan 20, 1946 | 19 years, 247 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 15 | Loss | 9–4–1 (1) | Leonard Caesar | PTS | 5 | Jan 13, 1946 | 19 years, 240 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 14 | Loss | 9–3–1 (1) | Melvin Bartholomew | KO | 3 (6) | Jul 9, 1945 | 19 years, 52 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 9–2–1 (1) | Leonard Caesar | PTS | 4 | Sep 3, 1943 | 17 years, 108 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 8–2–1 (1) | Leonard Caesar | PTS | 4 | Aug 1, 1943 | 17 years, 75 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 7–2–1 (1) | Charles Wright | KO | 3 (4) | Apr 19, 1943 | 16 years, 336 days | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 6–2–1 (1) | Richard Germaine | TKO | 4 (4) | Apr 2, 1943 | 16 years, 319 days | Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 9 | Loss | 5–2–1 (1) | Midget Jones | PTS | 6 | Mar 26, 1943 | 16 years, 312 days | Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 5–1–1 (1) | Kenneth Hurst | PTS | 6 | Feb 19, 1943 | 16 years, 277 days | Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 4–1–1 (1) | Richard Germaine | KO | 3 (4) | Jan 24, 1943 | 16 years, 251 days | Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 3–1–1 (1) | Ringer Thompson | PTS | 4 | Jan 15, 1943 | 16 years, 242 days | Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 2–1–1 (1) | Ringer Thompson | PTS | 6 | Dec 13, 1942 | 16 years, 209 days | Victory Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 1–1–1 (1) | Kid Alphonse | KO | 3 (6) | Jul 27, 1942 | 16 years, 70 days | Legion Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 3 | Loss | 0–1–1 (1) | John L. Robertson | KO | 1 (4) | Dec 5, 1941 | 15 years, 201 days | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 2 | Draw | 0–0–1 (1) | George Bradford | PTS | 4 | Oct 6, 1941 | 15 years, 141 days | Athletic Club, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | |
| 1 | ND | 0–0 (1) | Ringer Thompson | ND | ? (6) | Sep 12, 1941 | 15 years, 117 days | Catholic High School Gym, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | |

## Titles in boxing
### Major world titles

* NYSAC lightweight champion (135 lbs)
* NBA (WBA) lightweight champion (135 lbs)

### The Ring magazine titles

* The Ring lightweight champion (135 lbs)

### Undisputed titles

* Undisputed lightweight champion