George Benton
BornMay 15, 1933
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
DiedSeptember 19, 2011
NationalityAmerican
Other namesThe Mayor of North Philadelphia
Statistics
StanceOrthodox

George Benton (May 15, 1933 – September 19, 2011) was an American boxer and boxing trainer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[1]

Boxing career

Fighting

His first amateur bout was when he was thirteen. He turned professional three years later. He boxed professionally from 1949 to 1970 and defeated future world champions Freddie Little, Jimmy Ellis, and Joey Giardello. In seventy-six professional fights, he was never knocked down and was stopped just twice, on a cut against Luis Manuel Rodriguez and when he didn't come out for the final round of his fight with Bennie Briscoe. Benton had a professional record of 62–13–1 (37 KOs).[2]

Benton became the #1 ranked middleweight in the world in the early 1960s, but he never got a shot at the world title. In 1962, after he beat Giardello, Benton thought that he would get a title shot. However, Giardello's manager, Lou Duva, was well connected and was able to get Giardello a fight with Dick Tiger for the World Middleweight Championship, which Giardello won by decision. "Yeah, I screwed George out of his shot," Duva said. "He didn't even know about it till I told him many years later."[3]

Benton's boxing career ended in 1970 after he was shot. The shooter had tried to pick up Benton's sister in a bar, and Benton's brother beat him up. Vowing to kill someone from the Benton family, the man shot George in the back. He was in and out of the hospital for two years. The bullet remained lodged near Benton's spine for the remainder of his life.

Training

With his boxing career over, he turned to training. He studied under Eddie Futch and was in Joe Frazier's corner for his third fight with Muhammad Ali, the Thrilla in Manila. He was also in the corner of Leon Spinks when he upset Ali to win the World Heavyweight Championship.

For seventeen years, Benton worked with Lou Duva and the Duva family's promotion company, Main Events, as the head trainer for many of their fighters. Among the fighters he trained were Evander Holyfield, Oliver McCall, Mike McCallum, Meldrick Taylor, and Pernell Whitaker. Also he coached Marvis Frazier during his amateur career.

Personal life

Benton died on September 19, 2011, after a battle with pneumonia.[4] A veteran of the United States Army, he was buried at the Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania.[5]

Legacy

In 1989 and 1990, Benton was named "Trainer of the Year" by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

In 2001, he was elected to the International Boxing Hall Of Fame.

Professional boxing record

75 fights 61 wins 13 losses
By knockout 36 2
By decision 25 11
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date, Age Location Notes
75 Loss 61–13–1 Juarez de Lima UD 10 Apr 3, 1970 36 years, 323 days Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
74 Win 61–12–1 Eddie Owens UD 10 Mar 25, 1970 36 years, 314 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
73 Win 60–12–1 David Beckles KO 1 (10) Jan 13, 1970 36 years, 243 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
72 Win 59–12–1 Juarez de Lima SD 10 May 1, 1969 35 years, 351 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
71 Win 58–12–1 Bobby Warthen TKO 1 (10) Sep 24, 1968 35 years, 132 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
70 Win 57–12–1 Danny Garcia TKO 2 (10) Apr 15, 1968 34 years, 336 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
69 Win 56–12–1 Oscar Freeman KO 2 (10) Mar 11, 1968 34 years, 301 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
68 Win 55–12–1 Hilton Whitaker KO 8 (10) Nov 9, 1966 33 years, 178 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
67 Win 54–12–1 Dick Young KO 4 (10) Oct 2, 1966 33 years, 140 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
66 Loss 53–12–1 Bennie Briscoe RTD 9 (10) Dec 5, 1966 33 years, 204 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
65 Loss 53–11–1 Milo Calhoun UD 10 Aug 25, 1966 33 years, 102 days Exposition Building, Portland, Maine, U.S.
64 Loss 53–10–1 Luis Manuel Rodriguez TKO 9 (10) Mar 7, 1966 32 years, 296 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
63 Win 53–9–1 Larry Barrett TKO 6 (10) Apr 12, 1965 31 years, 332 days Philadelphia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
62 Win 52–9–1 Jimmy Ellis MD 10 Nov 30, 1964 31 years, 199 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
61 Win 51–9–1 Johnny Morris SD 12 May 18, 1964 31 years, 3 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. Won USA Pennsylvania State middleweight title
60 Win 50–9–1 Ernest Burford KO 4 (10) Mar 16, 1964 30 years, 306 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
59 Loss 49–9–1 Johnny Morris UD 10 Nov 19, 1963 30 years, 188 days Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. For USA Pennsylvania State middleweight title
58 Win 49–8–1 John Henry Smith KO 2 (10) Aug 31, 1963 30 years, 108 days Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
57 Win 48–8–1 Allen Thomas UD 10 Jul 20, 1963 30 years, 66 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
56 Loss 47–8–1 Rubin Carter SD 10 May 25, 1963 30 years, 10 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
55 Win 47–7–1 Clarence Riley TKO 6 (10) Apr 4, 1963 29 years, 324 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
54 Win 46–7–1 Clarence Alford TKO 3 (10) Mar 7, 1963 30 years, 188 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
53 Win 45–7–1 Allan Harmon TKO 8 (10) Nov 19, 1962 29 years, 188 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
52 Win 44–7–1 Joey Giardello UD 10 Aug 6, 1962 29 years, 83 days Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
51 Win 43–7–1 Jesse Smith UD 10 May 28, 1962 29 years, 13 days Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
50 Win 42–7–1 Rudolph Bent KO 2 (10) Apr 12, 1962 28 years, 332 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
49 Win 41–7–1 Eddie Thompson TKO 8 (10) Mar 8, 1962 28 years, 297 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
48 Win 40–7–1 Joe Louis Adair KO 4 (10) Feb 8, 1962 28 years, 269 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
47 Win 39–7–1 Chico Corsey TKO 3 (8) Nov 3, 1961 28 years, 172 days Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
46 Loss 38–7–1 John McCormack PTS 10 Nov 2, 1960 27 years, 171 days Ice Rink, Paisley, Scotland, U.K.
45 Win 38–6–1 Freddie Little MD 10 Oct 18, 1960 27 years, 156 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
44 Win 37–6–1 Gene Washington TKO 9 (10) Dec 10, 1959 26 years, 209 days Alhambra A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
43 Loss 36–6–1 Henry Hank UD 10 Oct 26, 1959 26 years, 164 days Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Florida, U.S.
42 Loss 36–5–1 Holly Mims UD 10 Jul 15, 1959 26 years, 61 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
41 Win 36–4–1 Bobby Boyd UD 10 May 18, 1959 26 years, 3 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
40 Win 35–4–1 Young Beau Jack KO 1 (10) Feb 16, 1959 25 years, 277 days Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
39 Loss 34–4–1 Charley Joseph UD 10 Nov 17, 1958 25 years, 186 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
38 Win 34–3–1 Charley Joseph UD 10 Aug 26, 1958 25 years, 103 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
37 Loss 33–3–1 Willie Dockery SD 10 Jul 7, 1958 25 years, 53 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
36 Win 33–2–1 Jim Robinson KO 4 (8) Jun 12, 1958 25 years, 28 days Connie Mack Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
35 Win 32–2–1 Archie Whitfield TKO 6 (6) Apr 16, 1958 24 years, 336 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
34 Win 31–2–1 Clarence Hinnant MD 8 Oct 21, 1954 21 years, 159 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
33 Win 30–2–1 Clarence Hinnant SD 8 Sep 30, 1954 21 years, 138 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
32 Win 29–2–1 Joe Dorsey TKO 7 (10) May 2, 1954 20 years, 352 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
31 Draw 28–2–1 Leroy Coleman PTS 8 May 14, 1954 20 years, 364 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
30 Win 28–2 Charolito Spirituano UD 10 Apr 27, 1954 20 years, 347 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
29 Win 27–2 Bobby Jones SD 10 Dec 28, 1953 20 years, 227 days Eastern Parkway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Win 26–2 Jimmy Franklin TKO 6 (8) Aug 13, 1953 20 years, 90 days Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
27 Win 25–2 Chuck Goldsby UD 8 Jul 23, 1953 20 years, 69 days Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26 Loss 24–2 Joe Blackwood MD 10 Mar 24, 1953 19 years, 313 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
25 Win 24–1 Lester Felton PTS 8 Jan 27, 1953 19 years, 257 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
24 Win 23–1 Bobby Lee TKO 6 (10) Jan 20, 1953 19 years, 250 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
23 Win 22–1 Charley Joseph UD 10 Dec 23, 1952 19 years, 222 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
22 Win 21–1 Leroy Coleman TKO 3 (6) Dec 8, 1952 19 years, 207 days Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Win 20–1 Jackie Burke TKO 6 (6) Jun 5, 1952 19 years, 21 days Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
20 Win 19–1 Moses Ward TKO 5 (8) Mar 26, 1952 18 years, 316 days Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19 Win 18–1 Bobby Rosado KO 4 (6) Mar 21, 1952 18 years, 311 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
18 Win 17–1 Holly Mims UD 8 Jan 10, 1952 18 years, 240 days Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 Chuck Goldsby KO 3 (8) Nov 29, 1951 18 years, 198 days Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 Georgie Johnson KO 5 (?) Oct 11, 1951 18 years, 149 days City Auditorium, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 Buddy Newby TKO 2 (6) Aug 24, 1951 18 years, 101 days Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
14 Win 13–1 Emmett Norris TKO 6 (8) Jul 2, 1951 18 years, 48 days Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
13 Win 12–1 Van Butler PTS 6 Jun 11, 1951 18 years, 27 days Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
12 Win 11–1 Jimmy Moore KO 1 (6) Apr 19, 1951 17 years, 339 days Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
11 Win 10–1 Jetson Arnold PTS 8 Apr 16, 1951 17 years, 336 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
10 Win 9–1 Billy Whye PTS 6 Mar 5, 1951 17 years, 355 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
9 Win 8–1 Al Niang RTD 1 (6) Feb 6, 1951 17 years, 267 days Arena, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Loss 7–1 Al Mobley PTS 6 Jun 5, 1950 17 years, 21 days Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Frank Gubas TKO 2 (6) May 15, 1950 17 years, 0 days Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Bucky Slocum UD 6 Feb 2, 1950 16 years, 263 days Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Gene Landers PTS 6 Jan 5, 1950 16 years, 235 days Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Dave Peters UD 6 Nov 21, 1949 16 years, 190 days Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Dave Peters TKO 5 (6) Nov 3, 1949 16 years, 172 days Metropolitan Opera House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Whitman Dorsch PTS 4 Aug 8, 1949 16 years, 85 days Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Chico Wade KO 1 (4) Jul 18, 1949 16 years, 64 days Toppi Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.

References

  1. ↑ "George A. Benton (1933-2011) - Find A Grave...", Findagrave.com, retrieved May 13, 2020
  2. ↑ "George Benton Obituary". Sport & Note. Retrieved July 10, 2012.
  3. ↑ "George Benton has a lifetime's worth of boxing wisdom - 11.02.92 - SI…", archive.vn, January 19, 2013, archived from the original on January 19, 2013, retrieved May 13, 2020
  4. ↑ "George Benton dies; was legendary Philadelphia boxer and trainer – ESPN". Espn.go.com. September 22, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2011.
  5. ↑ Spiritnews.org
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