Archie Moore
December 13, 1916 is the birthday of the Greatest Boxing Champion ever!
On December 13, 1916 the greatest champion boxer in the world was born. His name was Archie Moore and he was my father, so you see I am a little biased. My bias does not make it any less true.
Archie was born in Benoit Mississippi in a time where prejudice and racism was rampant. It was a time where it would have been easy for him to make a living by less than honorable means. Archie from a young age wanted to be a champion boxer. After his uncle died and he was the man of the house he knew it was his job to provide for his aunt Willie Pearl Moore. Archie worked hard and mastered the art of boxing. Archie became light heavy weight champion and held the record for KO’s. These are all astonishing feats but what truly made him great was his love for people.
My dad could be found most days after his retirement teaching kids whom others had written off. Kids who had fallen through the cracks. He could be found teaching them the art of boxing. You see boxing is an art and in order to master it one must master themselves. My dad knew that better than anyone and worked hard everyday to teach that to his students. The beautiful thing about it is he would take any kid who came to him and wanted to learn. He would not only teach them to parry and jab but he would teach them to think for themselves and imagine a life outside and away from the tough streets they lived in. Archie Moore taught a concept that is carried on to this very day by me, his son, Billy Moore.
What he taught then is just as important today. I saw in the news the other day that another boy had been killed in the streets. Shot by a rival gang. Over what, I do not know. I can imagine it was a dispute over ego, pride or block of land neither one of them owned. I can imagine it was the expression of penned up frustration at living a life nothing like what they wanted or saw on television and YouTube. I can imagine it was anger at feeling as though they are being targeted and hunted by systems and institutions that were put in place long before they were born. Systems that had beat the soul out of them a generation ago. I don’t know, but I can imagine.
My dad never got his full due! He predicted this many years ago. We are seeing the manifestation of what happens when society ignores the children that falls through the cracks. This is what happens when we deem titles as more important than character. When we think money is more prized then integrity. My dad taught the kids he worked with to fight. He taught me to fight and to teach what he taught me.
I guess I said all of that to say this. I am never going to give up and I will always fight. I will always fight for the ones that fell through the cracks. ABC is a safety net and we will continue to fight just like my dad taught me.
I ask that you join me in saying Happy Birthday to the greatest Champion ever! Happy birthday Archie Moore!