LaMar Freeman Clark
Born(1933-12-01)December 1, 1933
DiedNovember 5, 2006(2006-11-05) (aged 72)
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights51
Wins47
Wins by KO45
Losses3
Draws1

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.

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

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.[10]

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
46Loss43–3United States Cassius ClayKO2 (10), 1:271961-04-19United States Freedom Hall State Fairground, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
45Win43–2United States Chuck WilburnKO2 (10)1961-03-04United States Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
44Loss42–2United States Pete RademacherTKO10 (10), 2:271960-06-29United States Derks Field, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
43Loss42–1Dominican Republic Bartolo SoniTKO9 (10), 2:021960-04-08United States Weber High School Gymnasium, Ogden, Utah, USA
42Win42–0United States Kenneth HaydenKO1 (6), 0:591960-01-11United States Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
41Win41–0United States Kooey GarciaKO1 (8), 1:071960-01-02United States West Jordan, Utah, USA
40Win40–0United States Charley DavisKO1 (8)1959-12-04United States George Nelson Field House, Logan, Utah, USA
39Win39–0United States Tony BorneKO1 (8)1959-05-04United States Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
38Win38–0United States Treach PhillipsKO1 (8)1959-05-04United States Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
37Win37–0United States Tony BurtonKO4 (6)1959-04-04United States Polo Grounds, Palm Springs, California, USA
36Win36–0United States Rod OrellKO1 (8), 1:291959-03-20United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
35Win35–0United States Ferrin BarrKO1 (8)1959-02-07United States Helper, Utah, USA
34Win34–0United States Ferrin BarrKO2 (6)1959-01-26United States Eldred Recreation Center, Provo, Utah, USA
33Win33–0United States Bob HallKO1 (8)1959-01-24United States Helper, Utah, USA
32Win32–0United States Ox AndersonKO2 (8)1959-01-23United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
31Win31–0United States Phil PaxtonKO1 (8), 1:391959-01-16United States Uintah High School Gym, Vernal, Utah, USA
30Win30–0United States Dennis ForslandKO1 (8), 1:311958-12-26United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
29Win29–0United States Ferrin BarrKO2 (8)1958-12-22United States Cedar City, Utah, USA
28Win28–0United States Cornell ButlerKO1 (8), 1:211958-12-15United States Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
27Win27–0United States Allan HedgeKO1 (8), 0:351958-12-15United States Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
26Win26–0United States Del RandallKO1 (8), 0:221958-12-01United States Bingham, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
25Win25–0United States John LowdKO1 (8), 1:191958-12-01United States Bingham, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
24Win24–0United States Dick PierceKO1 (8), 0:441958-12-01United States Bingham, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
23Win23–0United States Jack ReadTKO1 (8), 0:071958-12-01United States Bingham, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
22Win22–0United States Tom KiddKO1 (8)1958-12-01United States Bingham, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
21Win21–0United States Wayne EnnisKO2 (8), 1:371958-12-01United States Bingham, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
20Win20–0United States Sain ThompsonKO1 (8)1958-11-29United States Kanab, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
19Win19–0United States Jimmy KingKO1 (8), 2:121958-11-28United States Kanab, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
18Win18–0United States Hal CrumpKO2 (8), 1:401958-11-28United States Kanab, Utah, USAPart of 'Intermountain Heavyweight Champion' tournament.
17Win17–0United States Ken HowardKO1 (4), 1:351958-11-10United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
16Win16–0United States Dick TannerRTD2 (4), 3:001958-11-10United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
15Win15–0United States Maurice LenieceKO1 (4), 2:111958-11-10United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
14Win14–0United States Ricky SmithKO1 (4), 2:321958-10-13United States West Jordan Elementary School, West Jordan, Utah, USA
13Win13–0United States Oscar TalleyKO1 (4), 0:551958-10-13United States West Jordan Elementary School, West Jordan, Utah, USA
12Win12–0United States Rusty DavisKO1 (6), 2:011958-09-11United States Derks Field, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
11Win11–0United States Joe SullivanKO4 (8)1958-07-26United States Arena, West Jordan, Utah, USA
10Win10–0United States Willie DaltonKO1 (8)1958-07-17United States West Jordan, Utah, USA
9Win9–0United States Dynamite JacksonKO1 (6), 0:371958-07-07United States West Jordan, Utah, USA
8Win8–0United States Buck DixonKO4 (4), 0:391958-06-04United States West Jordan Park, West Jordan, Utah, USA
7Win7–0United States Jerry OlsterKO2 (8)1958-04-05United States Cedar City, Utah, USA
6Win6–0United States Buck DixonKO1 (4), 2:301958-03-03United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
5Win5–0United States Keith JacobsenKO1 (4), 1:021958-01-28United States Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
4Win4–0United States Jack ReadKO2 (8)1958-01-21United States Cedar City, Utah, USA
3Win3–0United States John HicksKO3 (8)1958-01-18United States Cedar City, Utah, USA
2Win2–0United States Willard WhitakerKO2 (10)1958-01-11United States Cedar City, Utah, USA
1Win1–0United States John HicksPTS6 (6)1958-01-04United States Cedar City, Utah, USA

References

  1. "Most consecutive knockouts". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
  2. "Boxer Lamar Clark Ties Knockout Record, 43 in a Row". The Washington Post. 4 January 1960.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 John Grasso (14 November 2013). Historical Dictionary of Boxing. Scarecrow Press. pp. 102–103. ISBN 978-0-8108-7867-9.
  4. "Lamar Clark, Knockout Artist". The York Dispatch. 11 December 1959.
  5. "Clark Shatters Knockout Record By Blasting Hayden In First". Deseret News and Salt Lake Telegram. 12 January 1960.
  6. "Muhammad Ali's ring record". ESPN. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 6 October 2016.
  7. Thomas Hauser (1991). Muhammad Ali: His Life and Times. Simon & Schuster. pp. 38. ISBN 9780671688929.
  8. Felix Dennis & Don Atyeo (2003). Muhammad Ali: The Glory Years. miramax books. p. 58.
  9. 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.
  10. "Utah boxing great Clark dies at age 72". The Salt Lake Tribune. 8 November 2006.
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