Quick Facts
Biography
Denny Moyer (August 8, 1939 – June 30, 2010) was an American boxer who held the world light middleweight title between 1962 and 1963. He finished his career with a 97–38–4 record.
Early life
Born in Portland, Oregon, Moyer attended Central Catholic High School and was the younger brother of Phil Moyer, another of Portland's finest professional boxers. Both Denny and Phil were trained as amateur boxers by their uncle, Tommy Moyer, who had been a national AAU boxing champion.
Early professional career
Moyer fought Don Jordan for the world welterweight title on July 7, 1959, after just 21 professional bouts, in his home town of Portland. Moyer was outpointed, making the world title shot his first defeat. He continued to box in the best company for two years, and then won the vacant World light-middleweight title by gaining a points win over Joey Giambra. After two successful defenses, he lost the title to Ralph Dupas on points.
Sugar Ray Robinson bouts
Perhaps the most distinctive place in the history of boxing the boxing Moyer boys from Portland will hold is that all three boxed the famous Sugar Ray Robinson. Uncle Tommy Moyer lost to Sugar Ray in New York as an amateur. Denny Moyer fought Sugar Ray in New York twice as a pro, losing the first fight on points but winning the second by 7-3 scores on all three cards. Phil Moyer had his chance with the legendary Robinson in a bout in Woodland Hills, California. He too outpointed Sugar Ray, giving the Moyer family a very respectable 2 - 2 record against one of the sports most celebrated champions.
Later career
Moyer became a middleweight and in 1970 won the American middleweight title by out pointing Eddie Pace. He lost and regained this title, then challenged Carlos Monzón for the world crown in Rome, but was stopped in five rounds. Moyer continued to fight for another three years before retiring in 1975.
After boxing
After his boxing career, Moyer worked in real estate and owned a construction company. The website, Eastside Boxing reported in February 2004, that Moyer was in a Portland nursing home. Moyer died of complications from dementia pugilistica on June 30, 2010.
Amateur and professional achievements
- 1956 Runner-up National AAU Welterweight Championships
- 1957 National AAU Welterweight Champion
- 1963 Jr. Middleweight Champion of the World
- 1971 Las Vegas Boxer of the Year
- 1983 Oregon Sports Hall of Fame
- 2001 World Boxing Hall of Fame
External lists
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Emile Griffith | Lineal Light Middleweight Champion 20 October 1962 – 29 April 1963 | Succeeded by Ralph Dupas |
| Preceded by Inaugural | WBA Light Middleweight Champion 20 October 1962 – 29 April 1963 | Succeeded by Ralph Dupas |
| Preceded by Inaugural | WBC Light Middleweight Champion January 1963 – 29 April 1963 | Succeeded by Ralph Dupas |