BEAU JACK; A TRUE ALL TIME GREAT

By Jim Amato



The name Sidney Walker would not be very familiar to most fight fans. Mention the name Beau Jack and you would get a much different reaction. They are one and the same. Beau Jack was one of the most exciting fighters of the 1940’s and early 50’s.

Sidney Walker was born on April 1, 1921 in Augusta, Georgia. He began his professional career in 1939 fighting out of South Carolina. Later Beau Jack boxed often out of the New England area. By the time he invaded New York in 1941 he sported a 27-4-2 record. He scored a knockout win in a fight at Ebbets Field and his next bout was at Madison Square Garden. It would be the first of twenty-seven appearances Beau Jack would make at that famous venue a testimony to his popularity over the years.

Late in 1941 Beau lost two fights to tough Freddie Archer. He would bounce back to win twelve straight including victories over Terry Young and Allie Stolz. This set the stage for a 1942 match between Jack and Tippy Larkin for the vacant New York State Athletic Commission lightweight title. Beau took out Larkin in three rounds to win the title. Beau would then defeat Fritzie Zivic twice and Henry Armstrong in over weight matches.

In 1943 Beau lost his NYSAC title to the talented Bob Montgomery. Three fights later Bobby Ruffin upset him. In his next fight Beau would regain his title by beating Montgomery. In 1944 Beau beat Lulu Costantino, drew with Sammy Angott and beat Maxie Berger at The Public Hall in Cleveland, Ohio. He would again lose to Montgomery and his title was gone.

Jack came right back with wins over Al ” Bummy ” Davis, Juan Zurita and Montgomery with no title at stake. He then beat Willie Joyce, drew with rugged Johnny Greco and stopped Angott. In 1946 Buster Tyler upset him. In 1947 Youngstown great Tony Janiro stopped him for the first time in his career. Beau suffered a knee injury in the fight.

Back on the comeback trail Beau put together five wins but then lost to Terry Young. He then defeated Johnny Greco and Janiro in rematches. In 1948 the sensational Ike Williams halted him. Beau came right back to stop England’s highly touted Eric Boon. In eight fights after beating Boon he only lost to Greco. This led to a bout with the legendary Kid Gavilan. The ” Keed ” dominated Beau and won a lopsided decision. Jack then lost to Tuzo Portuguez and another Youngstown battler Joey Carkido.

He did stop Lew Jenkins but in his last twelve fights he went 4-7-1. He lost to Fritzie Pruden, Del Flanagan and Ike Williams. Gil Turner stopped him inside the distance and in his last bout Ike Williams kayoed him. In his remarkable career Beau Jack had 117 fights. His final ledger was 88-24-5. He scored 43 KO’s and was stopped only four times in his storied career. He was a thrilling, action fighter who met the best of his time. He truly was an all time great.