LaMar Clark
LaMar Freeman Clark (December 1, 1933 – November 5, 2006) was an American professional boxer who fought in the heavyweight division. He was active from 1958 to 1961 and fought a recorded 46 times in his 3 year-career, mostly in his home state of Utah. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Clark as the boxer with the most consecutive knockouts (42), and also the most knockouts in one night (six).[1] Clark's knockout streak garnered him nationwide press attention,[2] though some commentators have derided the poor quality of his opposition.
LaMar Freeman Clark | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 1, 1933 |
| Died | November 5, 2006 (aged 72) |
| Nationality | American |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 51 |
| Wins | 47 |
| Wins by KO | 45 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
Amateur career
Clark claimed an amateur record of 25–2, winning a regional Golden Gloves championship in the process.[3]
Professional career
Clark was managed by Merv Jensen, who also managed middleweight champion Gene Fullmer.[3] He made his professional debut on January 4, 1958, winning a six-round decision over John Hicks. Subsequently, Clark won his next 44 bouts by knockout. The Historical Dictionary of Boxing describes the quality of his opposition in these bouts as "poor".[3] None was a rated contender and most had little or no professional experience. In a December 1959 column reflecting on Clark's long KO streak, Red Smith wrote: "Up to now Clark has been whipping sheep herders and streetcar conductors", and thus reserved judgement on his ability.[4]
To build publicity for Clark, Jensen arranged for him to fight twice in one night; Clark won both bouts by KO. Clark followed up by knocking out three opponents on 10 November 1958 and six opponents on 1 December 1958 (including five in the first round and one within 7 seconds).[3] Another of Clark's wins was against Tony Burton, who later appeared in the Rocky movies, in a bout refereed by Jack Dempsey. On 11 January 1960, Clark knocked out Kenneth Hayden, his 44th consecutive knockout, surpassing the previous record held by Billy Fox.[5]
In April 1960, Clark was matched with Bartolo Soni, described as a "tough journeyman" who had never been knocked out.[3] Clark was unable to KO Soni and was himself stopped in the ninth round. Clark then fought Pete Rademacher, the 1956 Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight title contender; Rademacher won by a tenth-round knockout. His last fight was on April 19, 1961, against Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali). Clay broke Clark's nose and knocked him out in the second round. Clark retired after this fight.[6][7][8]
Other sources state that Clark had 42 or 45 knockouts.[9][3]
Personal life
After retiring from boxing, Clark worked as a track foreman for the railroad operations at Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Mine until retiring in 1984.[10]
Clark died on November 5, 2006, aged 72. Clark was survived by his wife of 46 years, Brenda and his daughters Nicole Clark-Romano, Cherese Jones and Theresa Clark. As well as son-in-laws Tony Romano and Brent Jones and Theresa's son, Dillen LaMar Clark.[11]
Professional boxing record
| 46 fights | 43 wins | 3 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 42 | 3 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 46 | Loss | 43–3 | Cassius Clay | KO | 2 (10), 1:27 | 1961-04-19 | Freedom Hall State Fairground, Louisville, Kentucky, USA | |
| 45 | Win | 43–2 | Chuck Wilburn | KO | 2 (10) | 1961-03-04 | Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 44 | Loss | 42–2 | Pete Rademacher | TKO | 10 (10), 2:27 | 1960-06-29 | Derks Field, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 43 | Loss | 42–1 | Bartolo Soni | TKO | 9 (10), 2:02 | 1960-04-08 | Weber High School Gymnasium, Ogden, Utah, USA | |
| 42 | Win | 42–0 | Kenneth Hayden | KO | 1 (6), 0:59 | 1960-01-11 | Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | |
| 41 | Win | 41–0 | Kooey Garcia | KO | 1 (8), 1:07 | 1960-01-02 | West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| 40 | Win | 40–0 | Charley Davis | KO | 1 (8) | 1959-12-04 | George Nelson Field House, Logan, Utah, USA | |
| 39 | Win | 39–0 | Tony Borne | KO | 1 (8) | 1959-05-04 | Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 38 | Win | 38–0 | Treach Phillips | KO | 1 (8) | 1959-05-04 | Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 37 | Win | 37–0 | Tony Burton | KO | 4 (6) | 1959-04-04 | Polo Grounds, Palm Springs, California, USA | |
| 36 | Win | 36–0 | Rod Orell | KO | 1 (8), 1:29 | 1959-03-20 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 35 | Win | 35–0 | Ferrin Barr | KO | 1 (8) | 1959-02-07 | Helper, Utah, USA | |
| 34 | Win | 34–0 | Ferrin Barr | KO | 2 (6) | 1959-01-26 | Eldred Recreation Center, Provo, Utah, USA | |
| 33 | Win | 33–0 | Bob Hall | KO | 1 (8) | 1959-01-24 | Helper, Utah, USA | |
| 32 | Win | 32–0 | Ox Anderson | KO | 2 (8) | 1959-01-23 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 31 | Win | 31–0 | Phil Paxton | KO | 1 (8), 1:39 | 1959-01-16 | Uintah High School Gym, Vernal, Utah, USA | |
| 30 | Win | 30–0 | Dennis Forsland | KO | 1 (8), 1:31 | 1958-12-26 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 29 | Win | 29–0 | Ferrin Barr | KO | 2 (8) | 1958-12-22 | Cedar City, Utah, USA | |
| 28 | Win | 28–0 | Cornell Butler | KO | 1 (8), 1:21 | 1958-12-15 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, USA | |
| 27 | Win | 27–0 | Allan Hedge | KO | 1 (8), 0:35 | 1958-12-15 | Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, USA | |
| 26 | Win | 26–0 | Del Randall | KO | 1 (8), 0:22 | 1958-12-01 | Bingham, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 25 | Win | 25–0 | John Lowd | KO | 1 (8), 1:19 | 1958-12-01 | Bingham, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 24 | Win | 24–0 | Dick Pierce | KO | 1 (8), 0:44 | 1958-12-01 | Bingham, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Jack Read | TKO | 1 (8), 0:07 | 1958-12-01 | Bingham, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Tom Kidd | KO | 1 (8) | 1958-12-01 | Bingham, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Wayne Ennis | KO | 2 (8), 1:37 | 1958-12-01 | Bingham, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Sain Thompson | KO | 1 (8) | 1958-11-29 | Kanab, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Jimmy King | KO | 1 (8), 2:12 | 1958-11-28 | Kanab, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Hal Crump | KO | 2 (8), 1:40 | 1958-11-28 | Kanab, Utah, USA | Part of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament. |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Ken Howard | KO | 1 (4), 1:35 | 1958-11-10 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Dick Tanner | RTD | 2 (4), 3:00 | 1958-11-10 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Maurice Leniece | KO | 1 (4), 2:11 | 1958-11-10 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Ricky Smith | KO | 1 (4), 2:32 | 1958-10-13 | West Jordan Elementary School, West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Oscar Talley | KO | 1 (4), 0:55 | 1958-10-13 | West Jordan Elementary School, West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Rusty Davis | KO | 1 (6), 2:01 | 1958-09-11 | Derks Field, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Joe Sullivan | KO | 4 (8) | 1958-07-26 | Arena, West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Willie Dalton | KO | 1 (8) | 1958-07-17 | West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Dynamite Jackson | KO | 1 (6), 0:37 | 1958-07-07 | West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Buck Dixon | KO | 4 (4), 0:39 | 1958-06-04 | West Jordan Park, West Jordan, Utah, USA | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Jerry Olster | KO | 2 (8) | 1958-04-05 | Cedar City, Utah, USA | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Buck Dixon | KO | 1 (4), 2:30 | 1958-03-03 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Keith Jacobsen | KO | 1 (4), 1:02 | 1958-01-28 | Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Jack Read | KO | 2 (8) | 1958-01-21 | Cedar City, Utah, USA | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | John Hicks | KO | 3 (8) | 1958-01-18 | Cedar City, Utah, USA | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Willard Whitaker | KO | 2 (10) | 1958-01-11 | Cedar City, Utah, USA | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | John Hicks | PTS | 6 (6) | 1958-01-04 | Cedar City, Utah, USA |
References
- "Most consecutive knockouts". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
- "Boxer Lamar Clark Ties Knockout Record, 43 in a Row". The Washington Post. 4 January 1960.
- John Grasso (14 November 2013). Historical Dictionary of Boxing. Scarecrow Press. pp. 102–103. ISBN 978-0-8108-7867-9.
- "Lamar Clark, Knockout Artist". The York Dispatch. 11 December 1959.
- "Clark Shatters Knockout Record By Blasting Hayden In First". Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram. 12 January 1960.
- "Muhammad Ali's ring record". ESPN. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
- Thomas Hauser (1991). Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times. Simon & Schuster. pp. 38. ISBN 9780671688929.
- Felix Dennis & Don Atyeo (2003). Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years. miramax books. p. 58.
- David L. Hudson Jr. (13 May 2009). Combat Sports: An Encyclopedia of Wrestling, Fighting, and Mixed Martial Arts. ABC-CLIO. pp. 63–. ISBN 978-0-313-34384-1.
- "Clark". kennecott-groundbreakers.com. RioTinto. 20 April 2023. Retrieved 26 February 2024.
- "Utah boxing great Clark dies at age 72". The Salt Lake Tribune. 8 November 2006.
External links
- Boxing record for LaMar Clark from BoxRec (registration required) (history)