25 Facts About Bobo Olson

Bobo Olson was the World Middleweight champion between October 1953 and December 1955, the longest reign of any champion in that division during the 1950s.

Bobo Olson's nickname was based on his younger sister's mispronunciation of "brother".

Bobo Olson received training from boxers who were stationed in Hawaii during World War II, and it was during this period that he picked up his two trademark tattoos.

Bobo Olson had won his first three contests, two by knockout, before his true age was discovered.

The first real test of Bobo Olson's career came on March 20,1950, Bobo Olson's record at this point was 40 wins and 2 losses, against the Australian Dave Sands.

Seven months after this Bobo Olson had his first fight against Sugar Ray Robinson, for the lowly regarded Pennsylvania State World Middleweight Title.

Bobo Olson, who was widely seen as a slow starter, failed to get into the fight, even though Robinson was not having one of his best fights.

Bobo Olson managed to hold on for 11 rounds before being knocked out.

On March 13,1952, Bobo Olson fought Robinson again, this time for the world middleweight title.

The Los Angeles Times wrote that Robinson won the first six rounds easily, slowly stacking up points, but that Bobo Olson reduced the points margin in the seventh through tenth.

Bobo Olson defeated Paddy Young for the American title to gain the right to fight for the vacant world title, Turpin won the other eliminator against Charley Humez.

Turpin dominated the first four rounds, he almost scored a knockdown in the first round, before Bobo Olson got a grip on the fight.

Bobo Olson won all seven of his fights in 1954 including defenses of his title against such big names as Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, and Pierre Langlois.

In 1955 Bobo Olson, who was finding it increasingly difficult to make weight, stepped up to light heavyweight.

Bobo Olson won the fight easily on points after scoring knockdowns in both the 2nd and 9th rounds.

However, Moore was too strong for Bobo Olson and won by knockout after only a minute had elapsed of the third round.

The rematch, fought five months later at Wrigley Field, on May 18,1956, ended similarly with Bobo Olson going down in the fourth.

Bobo Olson had made the mistake of dropping his right hand after Robinson's hard left, dropping his only defense in an instant.

Bobo Olson took another year out following a knockout defeat against Pat McMurtry.

Whilst initially coming back as a journeyman, despite being only 30, Bobo Olson managed to reestablish himself as a contender.

Bobo Olson was knocked out after 2 minutes of the first round.

Bobo Olson retired with a record of 97 wins, 16 losses, and 2 draws from his 115 professional fights.

Bobo Olson went on to work with disaffected youngsters before working as a PR officer for the Elevator Operating Engineers Local Union in San Francisco.

Bobo Olson died on January 16,2002, in Honolulu at Queens Medical Center at the age of 73.

Bobo Olson was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1958, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2000.