Knockout King Archie Moore Succumbs At 84

Jet, Dec 28, 1998

Ex-light heavyweight boxing champion Archie Moore, who set the record for the most knockouts during his 27-year career, recently died at age 84.

Moore underwent heart surgery a few years ago. His health deteriorated in the past two weeks, his son, Billy, said. Moore was taken to a San Diego Hospice last week and several of his children kept vigil at his bedside.

"My dad lived a good life, and we're not sad," Billy Moore said. "We know he's gone home to be with the Lord, and we rejoice in that.

"His nickname is ageless Archie. They named him that because he wouldn't tell people how old he was when he started boxing. Now, I guess it means something else--that he will live forever."

His trademarks were a ready smile and knee-length boxing trunks. Moore also held the nickname of "The Mongoose" for his lashing boxing style in which he had the ability to hit with one hand while his other dangled at his side, and then backpedal.

Moore won his first light heavyweight title at the age of 39, although he said he was only 36, in 1952. He held the title for 11 years. He knocked out 141 opponents in 228 bouts in his career, according to the Boxing Record Book. He tried to win the heavyweight title but lost to champions Rocky Marciano and Floyd Patterson. At the age of 48, he also fought future champion Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay.

Moore ended his fabulous career on a high note in 1963 when he, at the age of 49, knocked out Mike Di Biase in the third round. Three years later in 1966, he was elected to the Boxing Hall of Fame.

An always mysterious personality, Moore, born Archibald Lee Wright, claimed he was born in Dec. 13, 1916, in Collinsville, IL. He somewhat conceded this notion when his mother and record books said he was born on Dec. 13, 1913 in Benoit, MS. "I guess my mother should know, since she was there," he conceded. "But I have given it a lot of thought and have decided that I must have been 3 when I was born."

Outside the ring, Moore traveled extensively as an ambassador for boxing and spent much of his retirement telling young boys to stay away from drugs. He also made it to the big screen, playing the role of Jim in the 1960 film version of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

The New York Times reported that Moore, who was married five times, is survived by his wife, Joan Hardy of San Diego; three daughters, Rena and JMarie of San Diego and Elizabeth Stump of City Heights, CA; four sons, Archie Jr., Billy, Anthony and D'Angelo of San Diego; and two grandchildren.