Bennie Briscoe (February 8, 1943 – December 28, 2010) was an American professional boxer. A fan favorite for his punching power, he was known as the "quintessential Philadelphia boxer,"[1] and one of the greatest fighters of his era who due to various reasons did not become a world champion.[2]

Bennie Briscoe
Briscoe in a 1972 cover of Argentina magazine
Born
Bennie Briscoe

(1943-02-08)February 8, 1943
DiedDecember 28, 2010(2010-12-28) (aged 67)
Other namesBad
Statistics
Weight(s)Super Middleweight
Middleweight
Super Welterweight
Welterweight
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights96
Wins66
Wins by KO53
Losses24
Draws5
No contests1
Medal record
U.S. National Championships
Silver medal – second place 1962 Cincinnati Welterweight

"Bad" Bennie fought from 1962 to 1982, and retired with a career record of 66 wins (53 by KO) 24 losses and 5 draws. Briscoe was a top-rated middleweight contender during the 1970s, unsuccessfully challenging twice for the undisputed world middleweight title and once for the WBC version. Notable world champions and contenders Briscoe fought included Marvin Hagler, Carlos Monzon, Rodrigo Valdés, Luis Rodríguez, Vicente Rondon, Tony Mundine, Vito Antuofermo, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, Emile Griffith, and Cyclone Hart.

Cus D'Amato regarded Briscoe much higher than most of his highly decorated opponents in many respects, particularly for his determination, intimidating posture, constant forward movement, aggressiveness, iron jaw, and ability to absorb punches no matter how solid he was hit, creating an impression of irresistible force to great many of his opponents.[3] Briscoe's relentless walk-forward style earned him a nickname "Black Robot" while fighting abroad (for that reason, French cartoonist Dero portrayed Briscoe as a robot with hammers instead of arms,[4] forcing even such aggressive fighters as Hagler and Monzon to back-up consistently.[5] He was also sometimes referred to as "the fighting trashman," because he balanced his training early in his career with a day job as a sanitation worker in South Philadelphia.[6]

Early life

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Briscoe was born in Augusta, Georgia, to a poor family, one of fourteen children. Usually bold Briscoe said that the reason his hair is cut very short is that "When you're one of fourteen children they can't waste too much money on haircuts," and when he used to go to the barbershop, his father would say "Take it all off."[7] Motivated by his family's poverty, at the age of 16, he moved from Augusta, where he was a star athlete in football and track and field, to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to live with an aunt and uncle and attended Simon Gratz High School. There, he eventually began training alongside Joe Frazier, hence is his familiar bobbing-and-weaving style.[8]

Briscoe supported his family, and his mother in particular, sending home a bit of each payday.[9] He worked a series of municipal jobs, including as a sewer inlet cleaner and rat control officer. He eventually took a job with the sanitation department, working on a trash route in South Philadelphia as he continued to train as a boxer. A union worker, he was a member of AFSCME District Council 33.[6]

Amateur career

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Briscoe had a standout career as an amateur, compiling a record of 70–3.[10] He won the Middle Atlantic AAU title three times, the last in 1962 at Convention Hall in Philadelphia. Though he did not make it to win the United States National Boxing Championships in Pocatello, April 7, 1961, and in Cincinnati, March 31, 1962, losing to H.C. Massey and to Wade Smith respectively. He turned pro shortly thereafter, being coached by Quinzel McCall.

Despite going pro, Briscoe knew that the life of a boxer could be financially unstable and risky—and wanted to retain his union pension plan—so he continued his work on the trash route his entire career.

Professional career

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Bennie was known for his toughness, strong punch and body punching. He fought future middleweight champion Monzon to a draw in Buenos Aires on May 6, 1967, but dropped a 15-round decision to the champion in a 1972 title match.[7]

By the end of 1972, having 56 professional fights under his belt, Briscoe has been floored only three times in his career, twice in the same fight in the 1st round against Rafael Gutierrez, which he ended with a knockout victory in the 2nd round. Among his first-round victories was also a one-punch-knockout over former No. 1 welterweight contender Charlie Scott, a further proof of his outstanding punching power.[7]

Briscoe was outpointed by former welterweight and middleweight king Emile Griffith in their first match, but fought Griffith to a draw in a rematch. He was outpointed by future middleweight champions Marvin Hagler and Vito Antuofermo on the downside of his career.

Bennie also fought Rodrigo Valdes three times. He was outpointed twice, but Valdez scored a rare KO over Briscoe in an elimination match to determine the WBC middleweight champion on May 25, 1974 - it was the only time in 96 fights that Briscoe was ever stopped. The WBC had decided to "strip" Monzon of its version of the middleweight crown, although the rest of the world continued to recognize Monzon as champion.

In March 1981, neurosurgeon Dr. Fred Sonstein sought to use CAT scans in an attempt to track the degeneration of boxers' cognitive functions after seeing the decline of Briscoe's speech abilities.[11]

Briscoe was one of the most feared middleweights of his era. In 2003, he was named in The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.[12] His final record was 66-24-5 with 53 knockouts and one no contest.

Briscoe fought with the Star of David on his boxing trunks in tribute to his managers, first Jimmy Iselin, whose father Phil owned the New York Jets, and Arnold M. Weiss.

Death

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Bennie Briscoe died on December 28, 2010 due to a short illness affecting his declining health. His funeral services were held on January 10, 2011 at Deliverance Evangelistic Church. he was survived by his mother, wife and his five children.[13]

Professional boxing record

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66 Wins (53 knockouts, 13 decisions), 24 Losses (1 knockout, 23 decisions), 5 Draws, 1 No Contest [14]
Result Opp.
Record
Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 66–24–5 (1)   Jimmie Sykes UD 10 15/12/1982   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 66–23–5 (1)   Ralph Hollett SD 10 01/06/1982   Halifax Forum, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Win 66–22–5 (1)   Norberto Sabater TKO 5 23/03/1982   Tropicana Hotel & Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Win 65–22–5 (1)   Rick Noggle KO 6 23/12/1981   Canton Memorial Civic Center, Canton, Ohio, U.S.
Loss 64–22–5 (1)   Nick Ortiz SD 10 30/01/1981   Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
Loss 64–21–5 (1)   Vinnie Curto PTS 10 15/12/1980   Hynes Convention Center, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Win 64–20–5 (1)   Richie Bennett PTS 10 25/08/1980   Martin Luther King Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 63–20–5 (1)   Richie Bennett UD 10 24/01/1980   Upper Darby Forum, Upper Darby Township, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 63–19–5 (1)   Clement Tshinza PTS 10 20/10/1979   Country Hall du Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium
Win 63–18–5 (1)   Teddy Mann UD 10 11/09/1979   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 62–18–5 (1)   Joe Barrientes TKO 6 14/08/1979   Steel Pier Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Win 61–18–5 (1)   Nick Ortiz PTS 10 23/05/1979   DC Armory, Washington, D.C., U.S.
Loss 60–18–5 (1)   David Love UD 10 05/02/1979   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 60–17–5 (1)   Marvin Hagler UD 10 24/08/1978   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 60–16–5 (1)   Bob Patterson KO 5 24/05/1978   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Patterson knocked out at 0:31 of the fifth round.
Win 59–16–5 (1)   Tony Chiaverini TKO 8 31/03/1978   Kansas City Municipal Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:05 of the eighth round.
Loss 58–16–5 (1)   Vito Antuofermo UD 10 04/02/1978   Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Loss 58–15–5 (1)   Rodrigo Valdez UD 15 05/11/1977   Campione d'Italia, Italy WBA/WBC Middleweight Title.
Win 58–14–5 (1)   Sammy Barr TKO 8 26/07/1977   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 57–14–5 (1)   Jean Mateo KO 10 31/03/1977   Pavillon de Paris, Paris, France
Win 56–14–5 (1)   Karl Vinson UD 10 17/01/1977   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Draw 55–14–5 (1)   Willie Warren PTS 10 20/12/1976   Salle Leyrit, Nice, France
Win 55–14–4 (1)   Emeterio Villanueva TKO 4 16/08/1976   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Draw 54–14–4 (1)   Emile Griffith PTS 10 26/06/1976   Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco
Win 54–14–3 (1)   Eugene Hart KO 1 06/04/1976   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Hart knocked out at 1:49 of the first round.
Win 53–14–3 (1)   Jose Martin Flores KO 7 25/02/1976   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Flores knocked out at 2:45 of the seventh round.
Draw 52–14–3 (1)   Eugene Hart PTS 10 18/11/1975   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 52–14–2 (1)   Eddie Mustafa Muhammad SD 10 18/08/1975   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 51–14–2 (1)   Stanley Hayward UD 10 16/06/1975   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Draw 50–14–2 (1)   Vinnie Curto PTS 10 07/04/1975   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 50–14–1 (1)   Lenny Harden KO 10 14/01/1975   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Harden knocked out at 1:36 of the tenth round.
Loss 49–14–1 (1)   Emile Griffith MD 10 09/10/1974   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 49–13–1 (1)   Rodrigo Valdez TKO 7 25/05/1974   Stade Louis II, Monte Carlo, Monaco WBC Middleweight Title.
Win 49–12–1 (1)   Tony Mundine KO 5 25/02/1974   Palais des Sports, Paris, France
Win 48–12–1 (1)   Willie Warren TKO 7 08/12/1973   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:52 of the seventh round.
Win 47–12–1 (1)   Ruben Arocha KO 3 22/10/1973   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Arocha knocked out at 1:24 of the third round.
Loss 46–12–1 (1)   Rodrigo Valdez PTS 12 01/09/1973   Noumea, New Caledonia NABF Middleweight Title.
Win 46–11–1 (1)   Billy Douglas TKO 8 25/06/1973   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. NABF Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 2:42 of the eighth round.
Win 45–11–1 (1)   Art Hernandez TKO 3 26/03/1973   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. NABF Middleweight Title. Referee stopped the bout at 1:19 of the third round.
Win 44–11–1 (1)   Carlos Alberto Salinas KO 5 29/01/1973   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Salinas knocked out at 2:22 of the fifth round.
Loss 43–11–1 (1)   Carlos Monzón UD 15 11/11/1972   Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina WBA/WBC Middleweight Titles.
Win 43–10–1 (1)   Luis Vinales TKO 7 11/10/1972   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:41 of the seventh round.
Loss 42–10–1 (1)   Luis Vinales SD 10 19/04/1972   Catholic Youth Center, Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 2:41 of the seventh round.
Win 42–9–1 (1)   Jorge Rosales KO 1 21/03/1972   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Rosales knocked out at 2:28 of the first round.
Win 41–9–1 (1)   Al Quinney TKO 2 18/01/1972   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:35 of the second round.
Win 40–9–1 (1)   Rafael Gutierrez KO 2 15/11/1971   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Gutierrez knocked out at 2:17 of the second round.
Win 39–9–1 (1)   Charley Austin TKO 1 14/10/1971   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:46 of the first round.
Win 38–9–1 (1)   Juarez de Lima TKO 2 10/08/1971   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 37–9–1 (1)   Carlos Marks KO 5 03/05/1971   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Marks knocked out at 0:31 of the fifth round.
Win 36–9–1 (1)   Tom Bethea TKO 6 22/03/1971   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 35–9–1 (1)   Ned Edwards KO 2 12/01/1971   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Edwards knocked out at 2:25 of the second round.
Win 34–9–1 (1)   Harold Richardson TKO 6 02/11/1970   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 33–9–1 (1)   Eddie Owens KO 6 23/09/1970   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Owens knocked out at 1:22 of the sixth round.
Win 32–9–1 (1)   Joe Shaw TKO 7 16/03/1970   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 31–9–1 (1)   Joe Shaw MD 10 18/11/1969   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 31–8–1 (1)   Tito Marshall KO 1 30/09/1969   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Marshall knocked out at 0:52 of the first round.
Win 30–8–1 (1)   Percy Manning KO 4 19/05/1969   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Manning knocked out at 2:06 of the fourth round.
Win 29–8–1 (1)   José González TKO 5 10/03/1969   Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Loss 28–8–1 (1)   Juarez de Lima SD 10 14/02/1969   Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
Win 28–7–1 (1)   Vicente Rondón TKO 8 26/01/1969   San Juan, Puerto Rico
Win 27–7–1 (1)   Charley Austin SD 10 18/11/1968   Philadelphia Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 26–7–1 (1)   Pedro Miranda KO 7 02/11/1968   San Juan, Puerto Rico
Loss 25–7–1 (1)   Vicente Rondón UD 10 23/09/1968   Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Win 25–6–1 (1)   José González UD 10 20/08/1968   Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Win 24–6–1 (1)   Gene Bryant TKO 8 07/08/1968   Silver Slipper, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
Loss 23–6–1 (1)   Yoland Levèque DQ 4 25/03/1968   Palais des Sports, Paris, France
Loss 23–5–1 (1)   Luis Manuel Rodríguez UD 10 15/12/1967   Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
Win 23–4–1 (1)   Jimmy Lester TKO 6 20/11/1967   Philadelphia Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:53 of the sixth round.
Win 22–4–1 (1)   Ike White TKO 3 30/10/1967   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 21–4–1 (1)   Georgie Johnson TKO 4 09/10/1967   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:51 of the fourth round.
Win 20–4–1 (1)   Bobby Warthen TKO 7 29/05/1967   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Referee stopped the bout at 1:46 of the seventh round.
Draw 19–4–1 (1)   Carlos Monzón PTS 10 06/05/1967   Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Loss 19–4 (1)   Luis Manuel Rodríguez UD 10 20/03/1967   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 19–3 (1)   George Benton RTD 9 05/12/1966   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 18–3 (1)   C.L. Lewis TKO 6 10/10/1966   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
NC 17–3 (1)   C.L. Lewis NC 4 25/07/1966   Philadelphia Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 17–3   Stanley Hayward SD 10 06/12/1965   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 17–2   Tito Marshall UD 10 20/09/1965   Philadelphia Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 17–1   Doug McLeod KO 1 10/05/1965   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 16–1   Jimmy McMillan KO 1 19/04/1965   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Loss 15–1   Percy Manning PTS 10 29/03/1965   Philadelphia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 15–0   Dave Wyatt KO 7 22/02/1965   Philadelphia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 14–0   Walter Daniels PTS 8 30/11/1964   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 13–0   Percy Manning TKO 8 15/06/1964   Philadelphia Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 12–0   Charley Scott KO 1 09/03/1964   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Pennsylvania Welterweight Title.
Win 11–0   Johnny Clyde PTS 6 20/01/1964   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 10–0   Bobby Bell KO 1 02/12/1963   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 9–0   Roosevelt Ware TKO 4 11/10/1963   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 8–0   Joe Clark PTS 4 22/07/1963   Las Vegas Convention Center, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
Win 7–0   Cash White TKO 2 25/04/1963   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 6–0   Chuck McCreary PTS 6 25/03/1963   Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 5–0   Joe Smith KO 6 28/02/1963   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Smith knocked out at 1:47 of the sixth round.
Win 4–0   Brad Silas KO 4 11/02/1963   Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 3–0   Charley Little KO 1 14/01/1963   Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 2–0   Dave Wyatt KO 3 13/12/1962   The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Win 1–0   Sam Samuels PTS 4 10/09/1962   Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

References

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  1. ^ Bertucci, Frank (29 December 2010). "Legendary Philly fighter Bennie Briscoe dies at 67". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  2. ^ Punching from the Shadows: Memoir of a Minor League Professional Boxer, 2018, p. 38.
  3. ^ Cus D'amato and Mike Tyson commenting on the Hagler vs. Briscoe fight (1:18:20 – 1:24:20).
  4. ^ Briscoe Bout is Postponed, By Tom Cushman, Philadelphia Daily News, May 23, 1977, p. 59.
  5. ^ Marvin Hagler vs Bennie Briscoe.
  6. ^ a b Ryan, Francis, 1971- (2011). AFSCME's Philadelphia Story : Municipal Workers and Urban Power in the Twentieth Century. Philadelphia: Temple University Press. ISBN 978-1-4399-0280-6. OCLC 876514042.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ a b c Carlos Monzon vs Bennie Briscoe II
  8. ^ "Throwback Thursday: Carlos Monzon Outpoints Bennie Briscoe, Defends Title". 25 September 2014.
  9. ^ The Boxer Who Won't Quit. The New York Times
  10. ^ The Ring Magazine, September 1963.
  11. ^ "Sports People: Inside boxer's head". Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. March 24, 1981. p. 2D.
  12. ^ "Ring Magazine's 100 Greatest Punchers". Ring Magazine. Archived from the original on 7 July 2011. Retrieved 31 December 2010.
  13. ^ "Obituary: Bennie Briscoe, welterweight/Middleweight champ, Boxing Hall of Fame recipient".
  14. ^ "Bennie Briscoe : Boxer". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2012-11-09.
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