# Jack Thompson (boxer)

Cecil Lewis "Young Jack" Thompson (August 17, 1904 – April 11, 1946) was an American boxer who twice held the Undisputed World Welterweight Championship. He was the first African American to gain the World Welterweight Championship. Born Cecil Lewis Thompson, his name was changed when he decided to become a professional fighter. His father, who was training him, did not think "Cecil" was a fighter's name, so he chose "Jack." To avoid confusion with another fighter named "Jack Thompson," his father decided to use the ring name Young Jack Thompson.

## Boxing career

Thompson became a professional fighter in 1922. He reeled off a series of wins, but also had a draw and a loss to future welterweight champion Young Corbett III. In 1928 he fought the welterweight champion, Joe Dundee, in a bout over the welterweight limit so that Dundee's title was not at stake. He knocked Dundee out in the second round.
In 1929 he received a shot at the vacant National Boxing Association title stripped from Dundee. However, Jackie Fields beat him in a ten-round decision for the belt. In 1930 Thompson lost to Jimmy McLarnin but, in his next fight, won the welterweight title by beating his old rival Jackie Fields. After four non-title bouts (including a loss to Young Corbett III), Thompson put his title on the line against Tommy Freeman in September 1930 and lost it by a fifteen-round decision.
Freeman gave Thompson a rematch in April 1931 and Thompson regained the title by a twelfth round technical knockout. Thompson again fought a series of non-title bouts. In one of them he lost to Lou Brouillard. That loss prompted a match at the welterweight limit with Thompson's title at stake. Brouillard once again beat Thompson, ending his second reign as champion.
He continued fighting until he announced his retirement on June 2, 1932. He died on April 11, 1946, of a heart attack in Los Angeles.

## Professional boxing record

| 122 fights | 79 wins | 31 losses |
| By knockout | 49 | 3 |
| By decision | 30 | 27 |
| By disqualification | 0 | 1 |
| Draws | 12 | 12 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
| 122 | Win | 79–31–12 | Leonard Bennett | PTS | 6 | May 25, 1932 | Civic Ice Arena, Seattle, Washington, U.S. | |
| 121 | Loss | 78–31–12 | Charlie Cobb | PTS | 10 | Mar 25, 1932 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 120 | Win | 78–30–12 | Al Trulmans | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1932 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 119 | Win | 77–30–12 | Bermondsey Billy Wells | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 4, 1932 | Stockton, California, U.S. | |
| 118 | Loss | 76–30–12 | Jimmy Evans | PTS | 10 | Jan 27, 1932 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 117 | Loss | 76–29–12 | Lou Brouillard | UD | 15 | Oct 23, 1931 | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 116 | Win | 76–28–12 | Tommy Jones | KO | 3 (10) | Oct 6, 1931 | Flint, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 115 | Win | 75–28–12 | Tommy Jones | KO | 5 (?) | Sep 5, 1931 | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 114 | Loss | 74–28–12 | Lou Brouillard | UD | 10 | Jul 23, 1931 | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 113 | Win | 74–27–12 | Speedball Turner | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 19, 1931 | Gordon Gale Arena, North Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 73–27–12 | Pete August | PTS | 10 | May 27, 1931 | Newark, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 111 | Loss | 72–27–12 | Bucky Lawless | MD | 10 | May 8, 1931 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 110 | Win | 72–26–12 | Tommy Freeman | TKO | 12 (15) | Apr 14, 1931 | Public Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 109 | Win | 71–26–12 | Larry Kaufman | KO | 3 (10) | Mar 19, 1931 | Moline, Illinois, U.S. Field House, Moline, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 108 | Win | 70–26–12 | Babe Anderson | KO | 9 (10) | Mar 4, 1931 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 107 | Loss | 69–26–12 | Tommy Freeman | PTS | 15 | Sep 5, 1930 | League Park, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 106 | Loss | 69–25–12 | Young Corbett III | PTS | 10 | Jun 4, 1930 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 105 | Win | 69–24–12 | Joe Cardoza | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 17, 1930 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 104 | Win | 68–24–12 | Jimmy Dolan | KO | 3 (10) | Jun 9, 1930 | Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |
| 103 | Win | 67–24–12 | Bermondsey Billy Wells | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 6, 1930 | City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. | |
| 102 | Win | 66–24–12 | Jackie Fields | PTS | 15 | May 9, 1930 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles |
| 101 | Loss | 65–24–12 | Jimmy McLarnin | UD | 10 | Mar 28, 1930 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 100 | Win | 65–23–12 | Freddie Fitzgerald | MD | 10 | Mar 1, 1930 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 64–23–12 | Thomas "Bucky" Lawless | MD | 10 | Feb 3, 1930 | Convention Hall, Rochester, New York, U.S. | |
| 98 | Loss | 64–22–12 | Tommy Freeman | PTS | 10 | Jan 10, 1930 | Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 97 | Win | 64–21–12 | Bermondsey Billy Wells | PTS | 10 | Dec 10, 1929 | Auditorium, Minnesapolis, Minnesota, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 63–21–12 | Billy White | KO | 8 (10) | Nov 18, 1929 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 95 | Loss | 62–21–12 | Freddie Fitzgerald | PTS | 10 | Oct 9, 1929 | Arcadia Pavilion, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 94 | Win | 62–20–12 | Oakland Jimmy Duffy | TKO | 10 (10) | Oct 2, 1929 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 61–20–12 | Oakland Jimmy Duffy | PTS | 10 | Aug 7, 1929 | Arcadia Pavilion, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 60–20–12 | Jimmy Evans | TKO | 9 (10) | Jun 24, 1929 | State Armory, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 91 | Loss | 59–20–12 | Jackie Fields | UD | 10 | Mar 25, 1929 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | For vacant NBA welterweight title |
| 90 | Win | 59–19–12 | Heavy Andrews | PTS | 10 | Mar 8, 1929 | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 89 | Win | 58–19–12 | Ham Jenkins | PTS | 10 | Feb 18, 1929 | Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 57–19–12 | Harry Dudley | TKO | 6 (10) | Jan 31, 1929 | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 87 | Win | 56–19–12 | James Red Herring | TKO | 7 (10) | Jan 25, 1929 | Crescent A.C., Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 86 | Win | 55–19–12 | Tommy Red Bragan | KO | 4 (10) | Dec 7, 1928 | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 54–19–12 | Sam Bruce | KO | 10 (10) | Nov 29, 1928 | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 53–19–12 | Danny Gordon | TKO | 2 (10) | Oct 31, 1928 | Hippodrome, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 83 | Loss | 52–19–12 | Jackie Fields | PTS | 10 | Oct 1, 1928 | State Armory, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 52–18–12 | Joe Dundee | TKO | 2 (10) | Aug 30, 1928 | Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 81 | Win | 51–18–12 | Gene Cardi | TKO | 6 (10) | Aug 22, 1928 | Taylor Bowl, Newburgh Heights, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 80 | Win | 50–18–12 | Eddie Dempsey | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 10, 1928 | Shewbridge Field, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 49–18–12 | Russie LeRoy | TKO | 5 (10) | Jul 11, 1928 | American Giants Baseball Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 48–18–12 | Billy Light | PTS | 8 | Jun 8, 1928 | Mills Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 77 | Loss | 47–18–12 | Oakland Jimmy Duffy | DQ | 9 (10) | Apr 11, 1928 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 47–17–12 | Johnny O'Donnell | TKO | 8 (10) | Mar 16, 1928 | Golden Gate Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 75 | Loss | 46–17–12 | Young Corbett III | PTS | 10 | Feb 13, 1928 | State Armory, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 74 | Win | 46–16–12 | Don Fraser | KO | 3 (10) | Jan 27, 1928 | Golden Gate Arena, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 73 | Win | 45–16–12 | Johnny Adams | TKO | 4 (10) | Jan 17, 1928 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 44–16–12 | Charlie Feraci | KO | 5 (10) | Jul 22, 1927 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 71 | Draw | 43–16–12 | Young Corbett III | PTS | 10 | Jun 24, 1927 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 70 | Win | 43–16–11 | Irineo Flores | TKO | 2 (10) | Apr 8, 1927 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 42–16–11 | Harry Brown | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1927 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 41–16–11 | King Tut | PTS | 10 | Mar 4, 1927 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 67 | Win | 40–16–11 | Harry Brown | TKO | 5 (10) | Feb 18, 1927 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 66 | Draw | 39–16–11 | Tommy Cello | PTS | 10 | Feb 11, 1927 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 39–16–10 | Danny McCoy | PTS | 6 | Jan 27, 1927 | Culver City, California, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 38–16–10 | Sanford Risdon | PTS | 4 | Jan 8, 1927 | Main Street Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 63 | Loss | 37–16–10 | Russell Whalen | PTS | 10 | Nov 23, 1926 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 62 | Draw | 37–15–10 | Sailor Teddy Makegon | PTS | 10 | Nov 12, 1926 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 37–15–9 | Billy Alger | PTS | 10 | Nov 5, 1926 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 60 | Win | 36–15–9 | Billy Adams | TKO | 5 (10) | Oct 15, 1926 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 35–15–9 | Jack Silver | TKO | 8 (10) | Sep 28, 1926 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 58 | Win | 34–15–9 | Charley Pitts | TKO | 8 (10) | Sep 14, 1926 | Culver City, California, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 33–15–9 | Frankie Tierney | KO | 7 (8) | Aug 24, 1926 | Civic Auditorium, Fresno, California, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 32–15–9 | Wild Bill Farrell | PTS | 6 | Aug 20, 1926 | Lawton Springs Arena, Reno, Nevada, U.S. | |
| 55 | Win | 31–15–9 | Frankie Tierney | PTS | 8 | Jul 28, 1926 | El Rio, California, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 30–15–9 | Harry Whybrow | KO | 2 (6) | Jul 24, 1926 | Ascot Park, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 29–15–9 | Joe Allesio | KO | 3 (6) | Jun 29, 1926 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 52 | Win | 28–15–9 | Billy McCann | TKO | 8 (10) | Jun 18, 1926 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 27–15–9 | Bus Bairie | PTS | 6 | May 28, 1926 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 50 | Win | 26–15–9 | Pete Druid | KO | 1 (?) | May 25, 1926 | Culver City, California, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 25–15–9 | Ad Ruiz | PTS | 6 | May 21, 1926 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 48 | Loss | 24–15–9 | Young Corbett III | PTS | 6 | May 18, 1926 | Civic Auditorium, Fresno, California, U.S. | |
| 47 | Loss | 24–14–9 | Young Sam Langford | PTS | 6 | Mar 31, 1926 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 46 | Draw | 24–13–9 | Joe Layman | PTS | 6 | Mar 9, 1926 | Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 24–13–8 | Boby Ertle | TKO | 1 (?) | Feb 10, 1926 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 23–13–8 | Baby Pete | PTS | 6 | Jan 22, 1926 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 22–13–8 | Tarzan Joe Lopez | KO | 3 (?) | Jan 14, 1926 | Armory, Pasadena, California, U.S. | |
| 42 | Draw | 21–13–8 | Billy Springfield | PTS | 6 | Dec 22, 1925 | Civic Auditorium, Fresno, California, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 21–13–7 | Billy Springfield | PTS | 10 | Oct 30, 1925 | River Street Arena, Santa Cruz, California, U.S. | |
| 40 | Loss | 20–13–7 | Harry Scott | PTS | 6 | Oct 7, 1925 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S. | |
| 39 | Draw | 20–12–7 | Young Harry Willis | PTS | 10 | Jul 24, 1925 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 38 | Loss | 20–12–6 | Charlie Feraci | PTS | 10 | May 1, 1925 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 37 | Win | 20–11–6 | John Battling Ward | KO | 6 (10) | Apr 13, 1925 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 19–11–6 | John Battling Ward | PTS | 6 | Apr 3, 1925 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 35 | Draw | 18–11–6 | Kid Bello | PTS | 6 | Mar 20, 1925 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 18–11–5 | Sailor Joe Carter | KO | 1 (6) | Mar 13, 1925 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 17–11–5 | Joe Burns | PTS | 10 | Mar 11, 1925 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 16–11–5 | Eddie Sylvester | KO | 3 (10) | Feb 18, 1925 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 31 | Win | 15–11–5 | Joe Martinez | TKO | 7 (10) | Feb 4, 1925 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 14–11–5 | Eddie Eagleton | KO | 3 (6) | Jan 28, 1925 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 13–11–5 | Eddie Cortez | KO | 1 (6) | Jan 21, 1925 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 12–11–5 | Jimmy Brown | KO | 2 (4) | Dec 17, 1924 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 11–11–5 | Harry Young Cumpston | PTS | 4 | Dec 10, 1924 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 10–11–5 | Garcia | KO | 1 (4) | Dec 3, 1924 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 9–11–5 | Garcia | PTS | 4 | Nov 26, 1924 | Assembly Athletic Club, Los Angeles, California, U.S. | |
| 24 | Loss | 8–11–5 | Dick Hoppe | KO | 2 (4) | Nov 20, 1924 | Pasadena, California, U.S. | |
| 23 | Loss | 8–10–5 | Tommy O'Leary | PTS | 4 | Oct 21, 1924 | L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 8–9–5 | Young Riley | PTS | 4 | Sep 12, 1924 | L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
| 21 | Loss | 7–9–5 | Min Minnich | PTS | 4 | Aug 19, 1924 | East Side Arena, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 20 | Draw | 7–8–5 | Henry Falegano | PTS | 4 | Aug 7, 1924 | West Side Arena, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 19 | Loss | 7–8–4 | Jack Davis | PTS | 4 | Jun 29, 1924 | Livermore, California, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 7–7–4 | Pete Francis | PTS | 4 | Jun 15, 1924 | Livermore, California, U.S. | |
| 17 | Draw | 6–7–4 | Pete Francis | PTS | 4 | May 29, 1924 | San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 16 | Loss | 6–7–3 | George Spencer | PTS | 4 | Apr 24, 1924 | Floral A.C., San Mateo, California, U.S. | |
| 15 | Loss | 6–6–3 | Young Terry | PTS | 4 | Apr 22, 1924 | Floral A.C., San Mateo, California, U.S. | |
| 14 | Loss | 6–5–3 | George Spencer | PTS | 4 | Apr 10, 1924 | Floral A.C., San Mateo, California, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 6–4–3 | Sailor George Brandon | PTS | 4 | Mar 27, 1924 | Floral A.C., San Mateo, California, U.S. | |
| 12 | Draw | 5–4–3 | Young Stanley Ketchell | PTS | 4 | Jan 30, 1924 | Venice, California, U.S. | |
| 11 | Draw | 5–4–2 | Hank Gatton | PTS | 4 | Jan 17, 1924 | Chief Petty Officers Club, San Pedro, California, U.S. | |
| 10 | Loss | 5–4–1 | George Spencer | PTS | 4 | Jan 10, 1924 | East Side Arena, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 5–3–1 | Filipino Kid Martin | KO | 2 (4) | Jan 4, 1924 | Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 4–3–1 | Manuel Kid Robinson | PTS | 4 | Dec 20, 1923 | East Side Arena, San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 7 | Win | 3–3–1 | Joe Powell | KO | 2 (4) | Dec 6, 1923 | San Jose, California, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 2–3–1 | Paul Duarte | PTS | 4 | Oct 23, 1923 | Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. | |
| 5 | Loss | 1–3–1 | Hank Gatton | PTS | 4 | Oct 2, 1923 | Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. | |
| 4 | Draw | 1–2–1 | Alfred Ells | PTS | 4 | Sep 18, 1923 | Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. | |
| 3 | Loss | 1–2 | Eddie Morris | KO | 2 (4) | Feb 23, 1923 | L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S. | |
| 2 | Loss | 1–1 | Billy Springfield | KO | 2 (4) | Feb 13, 1923 | Arcadia Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Bud Kelly | KO | 2 (4) | Nov 29, 1922 | Association Club, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |

## Titles in boxing
### Major world titles

* NYSAC welterweight champion (147 lbs) (2×)
* NBA (WBA) welterweight champion (147 lbs) (2×)

### The Ring magazine titles

* The Ring welterweight champion (147 lbs) (2×)

### Undisputed titles

* Undisputed welterweight champion (2×)