“The Winner and NEW Middleweight Champion of The World… Joey Archer!”

The anticipation of those glorious words surely ran wildly through the mind of New York’s Middleweight contender Joey Archer as he awaited the judges’ decision after 15 rounds of fighting against champion Emile Griffith.  Surely he had done enough to garner the decision and wrestle the title away from the great champion.

The waiting must have seemed like an eternity to Archer and to his many loyal fans who filled New York’s Madison Square Garden on July 1966 to witness their favorite son’s long awaited challenge for the Middleweight title.   Ring announcer Johnny Addie’s booming voice finally delivered the verdict, and the winner is…???

“Irish” Joey Archer began his career, and his dream of achieving boxing greatness, in 1956 at 18 years of age.  He was a master boxer with excellent speed but lacked any semblance of power in his punches. Fighting mostly in various New York and Texas venues, he was a winner in his first 30 fights, with only 7 victories coming inside the distance.  His most notable win was against the highly ranked Don Fullmer by a decision.  This win earned Archer a date against tough Puerto Rican contender Jose “Monon” Gonzalez, who administered the unbeaten Archer his first defeat in a close, split decision.

Two months after tasting defeat for the first time, Archer avenged the loss by beating Gonzalez in a clear, decisive decision.   The victory propelled  “Irish” Joey on a streak of 15 consecutive wins against some of the Middleweight division’s top fighters, including England’s Mick Leahy,  Denny Moyer,  Argentina’s Farid Salim,  Canada’s Blair Richardson,  tough veteran Holley Mims,  the ever dangerous Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, and his most impressive career win, against the great future Hall-of-Famer  and three time World champion Dick Tiger of Nigeria. 

The final win in the streak was against  “Sugar” Ray Robinson in what would be the last fight of  Robinson’s illustrious, Hall-of-Fame career.    Having reached the top of the Middleweight division,  Archer suffered an unexpected, close split decision loss to the ranked Don Fullmer.  

Nevertheless, “Irish” Joey earned a title challenge against Middleweight champion Griffith based on his impressive recent winning streak.  The title fight against Virgin Islander Griffith in 1966 was a hard fought, close contest, and after 15 rounds of fighting,  ring announcer Johnny Addie’s  booming voice finally rendered the decision. “The winner,  by MAJORITY decision,  and still champion… Emile Griffith!!!

Archer’s dream of winning the prized Middleweight title went unfulfilled, as the referee ruled the contest a draw, with the other two judges voting in favor of the champion.  Six months later, Archer would again fight Griffith for the Middleweight title, and would once again taste defeat in a very narrow, controversial decision. 

“Irish” Joey Archer announced his retirement from boxing after the disappointment of these two bitter, close losses to Emile Griffith.  He ended his brilliant career with a record of  45 victories (with 8 by KO) and only 4 defeats.

Although never having captured a world title, Archer’s brilliant boxing skills earned  him induction into the  “World Boxing Hall of Fame” in 2005.  He is currently on the eligibility list of the  “International Boxing Hall of Fame” making him eligible for induction into that prestigious organization.

Perhaps “Irish” Joey Archer would have traded all the accolades for a chance to hear the referee announce:  “The WINNER and NEW Middleweight Champion of The World… Joey Archer!!!