Cecil Lewis "Young Jack" Thompson (August 17, 1904 – April 11, 1946) was an American boxer who twice held the World Welterweight Championship.[1] 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.[2]

Young Jack Thompson
Born
Cecil Lewis Thompson

(1904-08-17)August 17, 1904
DiedApril 11, 1946(1946-04-11) (aged 41)
Other namesYoung Jack
Statistics
Weight(s)Welterweight
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights122
Wins79
Wins by KO44
Losses31
Draws12

Boxing career

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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.[3]

Professional boxing record

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122 fights 79 wins 31 losses
By knockout 49 3
By decision 30 27
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 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.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. ^ Fleischer, Nat (August 1994), "Young Jack Thompson", World Boxing: 52
  3. ^ Fleischer, Nat (August 1994), "Young Jack Thompson", World Boxing: 57
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Achievements
Preceded by Welterweight boxing champion
May 9, 1930–Sept 5, 1930
Succeeded by
Preceded by Welterweight boxing champion
April 14, 1931–Oct 23, 1931
Succeeded by