Quick Facts
Biography
Joseph Hadley is an American retired boxer from Jackson, Tennessee, who competed in middleweight division in the 1970s, one of a few trained by Cus D'Amato himself, and also one of the first documented U.S. mixed martial artists. He was selected a member of the All-American AAU boxing team for 1973, and was named the top middleweight amateur boxer in the nation in 1973 by the National AAU Boxing Committee. Hadley drew attention of the press and public by carrying a Bible into the ring, hence his nickname "Preacher," which reflects he actually was a minister. For that reason Hadley refused to pose for a picture with Muhammad Ali, "because Mr. Ali does not live tip to my principles according to the Bible."
Amateur career
Joey Hadley was one of the lesser known boxers D'Amato trained, who fought both in amateur and professional bouts in the 1970s. Hadley was living and training in D'Amato's mansion in Catskill, New York. Hadley took up boxing in 1966 while still living in Tennessee. Hadley won various awards as an amateur boxer, being a six-time Golden Gloves of the Memphis and Mid-South, Three-time Southeastern AAU champion, and United States and North American champion. Fighting for the middleweight at the 1971 National Championships, he won seven fights in nine days, all against regional champions, five by knockouts, knocking down every fighter he faced. Hadley also knocked out future world champ Leon Spinks as an amateur in 1973. He also gained fame in 1976 for having fought one of the earliest mixed martial arts bouts in history against Arkansas Karate champion David Valovich. He used D'Amato's style prominently in these fights.
Highlights
Professional career
Hadley was a protege of Cus D'Amato, he turned pro under D'Amato's tutelage, D'Amato was in Hadley's corner and was introduced at his pro debut in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Hadley fought at an undercard of The Rumble in the Jungle. at the same card with other D'Amato's fighter, light heavyweight Bobby Stewart of Amsterdam, New York (who is to be known later as the first trainer of Mike Tyson.)
Professional boxing record
| 4 fights | 4 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 4 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Opp Record | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | John McClendon | 0–4–0 | KO | ? (4) | 26 Apr 1977 | Holiday Inn, Rivermont Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Phil Wade | 0–1–0 | TKO | ? (4) | 29 Mar 1977 | Holiday Inn, Rivermont Hotel, Memphis, Tennessee | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Pepe Ortiz | 0–1–0 | TKO | ? (4) | 25 Nov 1974 | Felt Forum, New York City | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Gene Orten | 0–3–0 | TKO | 1 (4), 1:05 | 29 Oct 1974 | Boys' Club gymnasium, Pittsfield, Massachusetts | Gene Orten took up the bout on a short notice, as Hadley's scheduled opponent Ray Rich of Lowell, Mass., failed to appear. |
| Canc. | Cove Green | — | NR | 0 (4) | 24 Sep 1974 | Boys' Club gymnasium, Pittsfield, Massachusetts | The card was cancelled for the main event was rescheduled due to George Foreman was cut during a sparring session. | ||
| — | Carl Harden | — | — | ? (4) | 13 Aug 1974 | Sargent Field, New Bedford, Massachusetts |
Mixed martial arts record
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | David Valovich | TKO (punches) | Mid-South Pro Boxing | June 22, 1976 | 1 (4) | 1:38 | Memphis Blues Baseball Park—Fairgrounds, Memphis, Tennessee, United States | Special feature |
Retirement and later life
Hadley's career ended after an eye infection while working in New York.
As a former student of D'Amato, Haldey is one of the only boxing coaches to train people in the authentic peek-a-boo style of boxing.