Quick Facts
Biography
Elmer "Kid Violent" Ray (March 3, 1911 – May 20, 1987) was an American heavyweight boxer who fought from 1926 to 1949. He was born in Federal Point, Florida. Ray was known as a hard puncher and had a career record of 86 (with 70 knockouts)-13-1. Ray never fought for the title, but did fight future heavyweight champions Ezzard Charles and Jersey Joe Walcott. In three fights with Walcott, Ray suffered a three round knockout on September 25, 1937, rebounded to outpoint Walcott on November 15, 1946, and lost the third fight by decision (April 3, 1947). He defeated Charles on a split decision on July 25, 1947, but was knocked out in the 9th round of their rematch on May 7, 1948. He also boxed light heavyweight champion John Henry Lewis, but was stopped in the 12th round on May 19, 1938. In 2003, Ray made the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all-time at number 44.
Notable bouts
| Result | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss |  Ezzard Charles | KO | 9 (10) | 1948-05-07 | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois | |
| Win | Ezzard Charles | SD | 10 | 1947-07-25 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | |
| Loss | Jersey Joe Walcott | MD | 10 | 1947-03-04 | Miami Orange Bowl, Miami, Florida | |
| Win | Jersey Joe Walcott | SD | 10 | 1946-11-15 | Madison Square Garden, New York, New York | |
| Win | Lee Savold | KO | 2 (10) | 1946-08-28 | Ebbets Field, Brooklyn, New York | |
| Win | Obie Walker | UD | 10 | 1941-06-24 | City Auditorium, Galveston, Texas | |
| Win | Obie Walker | PTS | 12 | 1940-03-07 | Dorsey Park, Miami, Florida | |
| Win | Obie Walker | PTS | 10 | 1939-04-13 | Birmingham, Alabama | |
| Loss | Obie Walker | TKO | 6 (10) | 1938-10-03 | Warren Arena, Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Loss | John Henry Lewis | KO | 12 (15) | 1938-05-19 | Ponce de Leon Park, Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Win | Obie Walker | PTS | 10 | 1938-04-27 | City Park Arena, Miami, Florida | |
| Loss | Jersey Joe Walcott | KO | 3 (6) | 1937-09-25 | Rockland Palace, New York, New York | |
| Loss | Obie Walker | TKO | 6 (10) | 1937-03-25 | Lincoln Park Arena, West Palm Beach, Florida | |
| Draw | Obie Walker | PTS | 10 | 1937-03-18 | Johnson Street Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida | |
| Loss | Obie Walker | PTS | 10 | 1937-01-26 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida | |
| Draw | Obie Walker | PTS | 10 | 1937-01-19 | N.W. Second Avenue Arena, Miami, Florida |