Ken Overlin boxer

Ken Overlin boxer
bouts
165
won
135
lost
19
draw
9
Status
inactive
Division
middleweight
Debut
1931-01-21
Height
5′ 9″/175cm
Reach
70″/178cm
Age
58
Born
1910-08-15
Death
1969-07-24
Nationality
USA

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Ken Overlin (August 15, 1910 – July 24, 1969), was an American-born middleweight boxer who fought professionally from 1931 to 1944, compiling a record of 131 wins (23 by knockout), 18 losses, and 9 draws. He took the World middleweight championship as recognized by the New York State Athletic Commission in a win against Ceferino Garcia in New York on May 23, 1940, and held it until May 9, 1941. Overlin was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the 2015 class. Overlin was born to Irish parents on August 15, 1910 in Decatur, Illinois. He excelled in basketball and football at Decatur's Central Junior High. While at Decatur Senior High, he worked as a bellhop, then joined the Navy in 1927, and soon began boxing, having many of his early bouts in cities where his ship the U.S.S. Tennessee was stationed. He would do most of his boxing from 1927-31 on the West coast, but his Navy and boxing career would later be based out of Norfolk, and nearby Portsmouth, Virginia. He dropped out of the Navy in 1932, and began his boxing career under the management of Chris Dundee as a fringe middleweight contender, continuing to box around Virginia and the East Coast. In an impressive but close win, he defeated middleweight contender and future champion Fred Apostoli in New York City's Hippodrome in a ten round mixed decision on January 27, 1937. Apostoli began the fight as a 2-1 favorite, but was unable to stop the long thrusting lefts that Overlin sent to his face throughout the bout. The AP score sheet gave Apostoli a slight edge, but two of the judges present at the bout gave Overlin eight of the ten rounds, giving a slight edge to Overlin in three rounds that the referee scored even. In the first five rounds, Overlin took a slight lead showing greater speed and mobility, and displaying greater defensive skills than his older opponent. But he was faulted by many in the crowd for his occasional holds, which he would resort to again when threatened by a highly skilled adversary. A middleweight contender by the mid-to-late 1930s, he received his first title shot on September 11, 1937 when he was knocked out in the 4th round of a match against reigning World middleweight champion Freddie Steele in Seattle. Overlin would learn from the experience, and Steele would become the only boxer to ever defeat him by knockout.Overlin lost to former World Middleweight champion Teddy Yarosz on March 27, 1939 in a ten round points decision in Houston, breaking an eleven match winning streak that included a single loss to Eric Seelig.Overlin would win recognition as a World middleweight champion by the New York State Athletic Commission on May 23, 1940, when he won a unanimous decision over Ceferino Garcia before a light crowd of 7,587 at Madison Square Garden. Overlin's fast, sweeping left hook to the body tied up Garcia's dangerous right. The young challenger to the title took significant punishment in the fifth and sixth rounds, and in the seventh, Ceferino landed a near knockout punch to his right ear. The former Navy boxer persevered, recovering with a left to the body and right to the head of Ceferino. With Overlin dictating the fighting style and avoiding his opponent's deadly right, the judges credited Garcia with no more than six rounds and gave Overlin as many as ten in their scoring.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Result
1944-09-26 RJ Lewis LLWWLL City Auditorium, Denver WIN
Points
1944-09-20 Paul Hartnek WWLLWW Auditorium, Oakland WIN
Points
1944-09-12 Al LaBoa WWWWWD Civic Auditorium, San Jose WIN
Technical knockout
1944-08-31 John Donnelly WLWWWL Ice Arena, Santa Rosa WIN
Points
1942-06-26 Fred Apostoli LWWWWW Foreman Field, Naval Base, Norfolk DRAW
Points
1942-03-11 Paulie Mahoney WLLLDW Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo WIN
Unanimous decision
1942-03-02 Ezzard Charles WLWWWW Music Hall Arena, Cincinnati DRAW
Majority decision
1942-02-23 Bill McDowell WLWWWW Laurel Garden, Newark DRAW
Points
1941-12-15 Mose Brown LLWWWW Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1941-11-21 Al Hostak LLWWWL Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Unanimous decision
1941-11-03 Al Gilbert DWLLLW Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
Points
1941-09-30 Bill McDowell LWWLLW Grotto Auditorium, Jersey City WIN
Points
1941-09-08 Young Crawford LWLWLL Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem WIN
Technical knockout
1941-08-27 Jimmy Young WLDWDL Newfield Park, Bridgeport WIN
KO
1941-08-18 Jimmy Marmon debut Municipal Auditorium, Augusta WIN
KO
1941-06-09 Ezzard Charles WWWWWW Crosley Field, Cincinnati WIN
Unanimous decision
1941-05-09 Billy Soose WWWWWW Madison Square Garden, New York LOST
Unanimous decision
1941-03-31 Harvey Massey LLLLLW Lancaster WIN
Points
1941-03-27 Larry Kellum LDLWLD Memorial Auditorium, Barre WIN
Technical knockout
1941-03-10 Mose Brown DWWWWW Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1941-02-10 Paulie Walker WLLWWW Arena, Trenton DRAW
Points
1941-02-03 Jack Munley WWDWLL Lyric Theatre, Allentown WIN
Unanimous decision
1941-01-21 Tony Cisco DLLWLL Turner's Arena, Washington WIN
Unanimous decision
1940-12-13 Steve Belloise WWWWWL Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Split-decision
1940-11-01 Steve Belloise WWWWWW Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Majority decision
1940-09-30 Larry Lane WWWWW Arena, Trenton WIN
Points
1940-09-18 Eddie Peirce LWLWDL Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
Points
1940-08-08 Ben Brown DWWLWL Ponce de Leon Ballpark, Atlanta WIN
Points
1940-07-24 Billy Soose WLWWWW Scranton Stadium, Scranton LOST
Split-decision
1940-07-09 Harry Balsamo WWWDDW Queensboro Arena, Long Island City, Queens WIN
Technical knockout
1940-06-28 Ben Brown LDWWLW City Stadium, Richmond WIN
Points
1940-06-13 Ralph DeJohn DWDDWW State Fair Coliseum, Syracuse WIN
Points
1940-05-23 Ceferino Garcia WWWWDW Madison Square Garden, New York WIN
Unanimous decision
1940-04-25 Steve Wilkerson LDWLWW Auditorium, Memphis WIN
KO
1940-04-15 Frankie Nelson WWWLLL Exposition Building, Portland WIN
Points
1940-03-28 Jerry Maloni DWWLWW Polish National Home, Chicopee WIN
Unanimous decision
1940-03-15 Butch Lynch LLLWWW State Armory, Cumberland WIN
KO
1940-02-21 Enzo Iannozzi LLLLLL Auditorium, Raleigh WIN
Points
1939-12-11 Ben Brown WWDWWL City Auditorium, Atlanta DRAW
Points
1939-12-04 Babe Orgovan LLLLLL Turner's Arena, Washington WIN
Points
1939-11-27 Ben Brown WWWDWW Miami Field, Miami WIN
Points
1939-11-21 Honeyboy Jones LWWWDL Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis WIN
Unanimous decision
1939-10-23 Ben Brown DWWWWW Warren Arena, Atlanta DRAW
Points
1939-10-18 Allen Matthews WLLWWW Municipal Auditorium, Saint Louis WIN
Unanimous decision
1939-08-28 Al Wardlow WWWWDW Forbes Field, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1939-07-07 Eddie Peirce WDDWWW Atlantic Stadium, Long Branch DRAW
Points
1939-06-26 Honeyboy Jones WLWWWD Hickey Park, Millvale WIN
Points
1939-06-08 Erich Seelig LWDWDL Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
Points
1939-05-18 Harvey Massey WWDWDW Coliseum, Baltimore WIN
Points
1939-05-02 Jimmy Webb WWWLWW Olympiad Arena, Houston WIN
Points
1939-04-17 Jack Riley LLL Open-Air Arena, Houston WIN
KO
1939-03-27 Teddy Yarosz WWLWWD Olympiad Arena, Houston LOST
Points
1939-02-14 Al Bernard WWWWWW Olympiad Arena, Houston WIN
Unanimous decision
1939-02-06 Al Quaill LDLDWL Marigold Gardens, Chicago WIN
Points
1939-01-16 Billy Celebron WDWLWW Marigold Gardens, Chicago WIN
Points
1938-12-20 Erich Seelig WWLLWD New York Coliseum, Bronx LOST
Unanimous decision
1938-12-17 Jack Moran LDLLLL Armory, Akron WIN
Points
1938-12-02 Nate Bolden LLWWWL White City Arena, Chicago WIN
Unanimous decision
1938-11-16 Milton Shivers LWWWWW Park Casino, Chicago WIN
Unanimous decision
1938-11-04 Nate Bolden WLLWWW White City Arena, Chicago WIN
Unanimous decision
1938-10-17 Jack Moran LLDLLL Peoria WIN
KO
1938-10-07 Jimmy Clark LWLLLL White City Arena, Chicago WIN
Technical knockout
1938-09-19 Billy Celebron WLWWDW Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago WIN
Points
1938-09-01 Lloyd Marshall DLWWWW Civic Auditorium, San Francisco LOST
Points
1938-07-15 Atilio Sabatino LWLWDD West Melbourne Stadium, Melbourne NC
No Contest
1938-06-23 Atilio Sabatino WLWLWD Sydney Stadium, Sydney DRAW
Points
1938-05-30 Fred Henneberry WWWWLD Sydney Stadium, Sydney LOST
Points
1938-03-16 Dick Foster WWDWLW Civic Auditorium, San Francisco WIN
Points
1938-01-26 Walter Woods LWWWWL Hippodrome, New York LOST
Unanimous decision
1937-12-06 Jack Moran LWWDWW Arena, Cleveland WIN
Points
1937-11-15 Bobby Birch WWDLW Odd Fellows' Hall, Albany WIN
Points
1937-10-25 Butch Lynch WLLLLD Odd Fellows' Hall, Albany WIN
KO
1937-10-18 Tiger Roy Williams LLLLLL Westchester County Center, White Plains WIN
Technical knockout
1937-09-11 Freddie Steele WWWWWW Civic Auditorium, Seattle LOST
KO
1937-07-30 Young Stuhley LLLLLL Legion Stadium, Hollywood WIN
Points
1937-02-15 John Zawackie WLLWLL Armory, Newport News WIN
KO
1937-01-27 Fred Apostoli WWWWWW Hippodrome, New York WIN
Majority decision
1936-12-21 Kid Tunero WWWWWW Palais des Sports, Paris LOST
Points
1936-11-23 Ben Brown WWWWWW City Auditorium, Richmond WIN
Points
1936-11-04 Teddy Yarosz WWLWWW Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh LOST
Unanimous decision
1936-10-12 Ralph Chong LLLLWL Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
Points
1936-08-31 Oscar Rankins LWWWWL Hickey Park, Millvale WIN
Majority decision
1936-08-20 Al Quaill LLWWWW Johnstown WIN
Points
1936-07-20 Billy Hood WLLLLW Carolina Arena, Asheville WIN
KO
1936-07-01 George Black LWWWWW Auditorium, Milwaukee WIN
Points
1936-06-22 Jackie Aldare LLLLLL Mayo Island, Richmond WIN
Points
1936-06-17 Jimmy Jones WWWLWW Oriole Park, Baltimore WIN
Points
1936-04-27 Ralph Chong WWLWLL Turner's Arena, Washington WIN
Unanimous decision
1936-04-20 Jack Ennis LLWLLL City Auditorium, Richmond WIN
Points
1936-03-30 Ralph Chong LWWLWL Carlin's Park, Baltimore WIN
Points
1936-03-20 Johnny Rossi WWWLWW Boston Garden, Boston WIN
Points
1936-03-02 Tony Fisher WWWLLL Northside Arena, Pittsburgh WIN
Points
1936-02-21 Roxie Allen WLDLDW Palace Theater, Baltimore WIN
KO
1936-02-10 Mickey Bottone LDLLDD City Auditorium, Richmond WIN
KO
1935-12-19 Tony Brescia LWWWWW City Auditorium, Richmond WIN
Unanimous decision
1935-12-09 Al Quaill WWWLWW Northside Arena, Pittsburgh WIN
Majority decision
1935-11-25 Carmen Barth WWWWWW City Auditorium, Richmond WIN
Points
1935-11-18 Mookie Goldman LDWLLL Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
Points
1935-10-14 Al Quaill WWWWWW Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh WIN
Majority decision
1935-10-04 George Black WWDWLL Chicago Stadium, Chicago WIN
Points
1935-09-19 Anson Green WLLLLW Forbes Field, Pittsburgh WIN
Unanimous decision
1935-08-26 Tommy Romano WWLLLL Virginia Sports Corp., Richmond WIN
Points
1935-08-19 Joe Smallwood LWWWWD Griffith Stadium, Washington WIN
Points
1935-08-09 Henry Firpo LLLLLL Convention Hall, Atlantic City WIN
Points
1935-07-29 Johnny Duca LLLWWW Virginia Sports Corp., Richmond WIN
Technical knockout
1935-02-06 Charley Weise WLLLLL Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
Points
1934-10-15 Danny Hassett WWLLDW Arena, Philadelphia WIN
Points
1934-10-05 Al Diamond LWWLLL Cambria A.C., Philadelphia WIN
Points
1934-09-21 Pat Flaherty DLWLLL Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
KO
1934-09-08 Frankie Remus LDWLLW Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
KO
1934-08-22 Henry Irving LWLWWL Virginia Sports Corp., Richmond WIN
Technical knockout
1934-06-20 Jimmy Smith WDWWLW Cambria Stadium, Philadelphia LOST
Points
1934-06-04 Paul Pirrone WWLLWW Bain Field, Norfolk WIN
Points
1934-04-30 Paul Pirrone LWWLLW Convention Hall, Philadelphia LOST
Unanimous decision
1934-04-20 Tommy Rios WWLWWL Cambria A.C., Philadelphia WIN
Points
1934-04-06 Billy Ketchell LWLWLW Cambria A.C., Philadelphia WIN
Points
1934-03-16 Danny Hassett WWWWWL Cambria A.C., Philadelphia WIN
Split-decision
1934-03-06 Roxie Allen LDWWWW Portner's Arena, Alexandria WIN
Points
1934-03-02 Joe Kaminski LLWDLD Cambria A.C., Philadelphia WIN
Unanimous decision
1934-02-02 Andy DiVodi WLLWLL Virginia Athletic Club, Norfolk WIN
Points
1934-01-26 Weiner Wilch LDLWWW Cambria A.C., Philadelphia WIN
Points
1934-01-02 Red Burman WWWWWW Portner's Arena, Alexandria WIN
Points
1933-12-29 Tommy Rios WLLLLL Virginia Athletic Club, Norfolk WIN
Points
1933-12-08 Rudy Marshall WLDWLW 106th Infantry Regiment Armory, Brooklyn WIN
Points
1933-11-15 Tommy Rios WLWLLL Virginia Athletic Club, Norfolk WIN
Points
1933-11-10 Johnny Bates WWWWWD 106th Infantry Regiment Armory, Brooklyn WIN
Points
1933-09-06 Art Sykes debut Virginia Athletic Club, Norfolk WIN
KO
1933-08-14 Roy Bailey WWLLWW Sullivan's Bowl, Charleston WIN
Points
1933-08-07 Billy Strickler WWWWWW Rosecroft Raceway, Fort Washington WIN
Points
1933-07-19 Joe Lipps WDWDDD Arena, Virginia Beach WIN
Points
1933-06-19 Billy Shell LWWWLW Sullivan's Bowl, Charleston WIN
Points
1933-05-23 Henry Irving LDDLDW Portner's Arena, Alexandria WIN
Unanimous decision
1933-05-17 Johnny Vermillion L Virginia Athletic Club, Norfolk WIN
Points
1933-05-16 Walter Kirkwood LDLWLW Portner's Arena, Alexandria WIN
Points
1933-05-03 Johnny Mays LLWWWL Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
Points
1933-04-25 Joe Finazzo DLWDWD Portner's Arena, Alexandria WIN
KO
1933-04-12 Walter Kirkwood DLLDLW Municipal Auditorium, Norfolk WIN
Points
1933-01-24 Billy Brennan WWWLWW Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1932-12-09 Red Journee DDDLDW Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1932-12-02 Red Journee WDDDLD Oasis, Portsmouth LOST
Points
1932-08-10 Vince Dundee WWWWWW Arena, Virginia Beach LOST
Points
1932-07-21 Walter Kirkwood WLWLLW Arena, Virginia Beach WIN
Points
1932-06-08 Spike Webb WDLLDD Arena, Virginia Beach WIN
Points
1932-06-06 Sylvan Bass WWWWLD Portner's Arena, Alexandria LOST
Points
1932-05-09 Joe Smallwood WDWLWW Portner's Arena, Alexandria WIN
Points
1932-04-12 Tony D'Alessandro WWWWDL Portner's Arena, Alexandria WIN
Points
1932-03-25 Joey Raymond DWLLLW Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1932-03-11 Eric Lawson WWWDWW Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1932-01-15 Al Trainor WLLWDW Oasis, Portsmouth LOST
Points
1932-01-01 Bob Turner WWDWLW First Street Arena, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1931-12-11 Eric Lawson LWLWWW Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1931-11-27 Red Journee WDLWDW Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1931-11-18 Sailor Jack Potter LWW Twin City Arena, Portsmouth NC
No Contest
1931-11-09 Red Hickman debut Twin City Arena, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1931-10-30 Johnny Skrinan LWWDLD Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1931-10-16 Billy Brennan WDW Oasis, Portsmouth WIN
Points
1931-07-23 Ted Beales WWDWW Port Angeles WIN
Points
1931-06-30 Mickey Balabon WLLLDW Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles WIN
Points
1931-06-10 Jack McKnight LWLWL Wilmington Bowl, Wilmington WIN
Points
1931-03-13 Tolly Dolan LLD Charleston Legion Hall, West Bremerton WIN
Points
1931-03-12 Neil Kilbane DWLWLW Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma LOST
Points
1931-02-26 Neil Kilbane LLDWLW Greenwich Coliseum, Tacoma WIN
Points
1931-02-12 Jack Hanley DWWWLW Arena, White Center LOST
KO
1931-01-28 Paul Delaney WWDWDD Crystal Pool, Seattle LOST
Points
1931-01-21 Paul Delaney DDWWDW Crystal Pool, Seattle DRAW
Points

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