Aaron "Little Tiger" Wade (March 17, 1916 – February 15, 1985) was an American Middleweight boxer[1] who fought from 1935 to 1950. Wade was a member of the famed Black Murderer's Row.

Early life

Born in Trenton Tennessee Wade became the first African American golden gloves champion in Peoria, Illinois and reportedly had 600 or more amateur fights. Aarons older brother Bruce "Big Tiger" Wade was also a professional boxer, albeit a less successful one than his younger brother. Aaron stood a hair above 5 feet 5 inches and began his career at 140 lbs before moving up and competing at welterweight, middleweight, and light heavyweight.

Career

Aaron Wade's fights with other members of black murderer's row are 3 losses to Charley Burley, 1 win over Herbert Lewis "Cocoa Kid" Hardwick, 2 losses and 1 draw to Jack Chase, and a win over Bert Lytell. Other notable fights of Wade's career include a win over Archie Moore, a win against Sam Baroudi, 3 wins against Oakland Billy Smith, a loss to Ceferino Garcia, and a loss in his final career fight after a 2-year layoff against the great Sugar Ray Robinson.[2] Like all the black murderer's row fighters, Wade never got a shot at the world title. Aaron Wade finished his career with a record of 64(32KOs)-16-6.

Wade was a sparring partner of Sugar Ray Robinson's in 1948. According to a Boston Post article Wade got into a fight with Sugar Ray over Wade's payment. Wade left Sugar Ray with separation of his ribs and swelling described as "the size of a pullet egg" around his heart. Robinson had to cancel his scheduled fight and was out for the next two months.

Authur Springs Toledo uncovered evidence that Wade took a dive in the bout against Sugar Ray Robinson. According to Wade's son Robinson was unaware of the fix with the promoters being the culprits, paying Wade a few hundred dollars to lose the fight. According to the Savannah Evening Press Wade "Began hitting the canvas for apparently no reason at all."[3]

Later years

After his career ended, Wade descended into alcoholism but later overcame it and devoted his life to helping the less fortunate in the Fillmore section of San Francisco as a Christian minister. Wade died of a heart attack on February 15 of 1985. He was 68 years old.[4]

Professional boxing record

86 fights 64 wins 16 losses
By knockout 32 5
By decision 32 11
Draws 6
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location
86 Loss 64–16–6 Sugar Ray Robinson KO 3 (10) Feb 22, 1950 Municipal Auditorium, Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
85 Loss 64–15–6 Wylie Burns UD 10 Dec 22, 1947 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
84 Loss 64–14–6 Ted Lowry UD 10 Oct 27, 1947 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
83 Win 64–13–6 Sam Baroudi SD 10 Oct 13, 1947 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, U.S.
82 Loss 63–13–6 Holman Williams KO 4 (10) Feb 4, 1946 St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
81 Win 63–12–6 Joe Hyman TKO 2 (10) Oct 15, 1945 St. Nicholas Arena, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
80 Win 62–12–6 Bert Lytell SD 10 Oct 1, 1945 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
79 Loss 61–12–6 Charley Burley UD 10 Aug 20, 1945 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
78 Win 61–11–6 Mario Raul Ochoa TKO 2 (6) Aug 10, 1945 Madison Square Garden, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
77 Loss 60–11–6 Joe Carter PTS 10 Dec 11, 1944 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
76 Win 60–10–6 Herbert Lewis Hardwick PTS 10 Nov 13, 1944 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
75 Loss 59–10–6 Holman Williams PTS 10 Oct 11, 1944 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
74 Win 59–9–6 Jimmy Hayden KO 1 (10) Sep 29, 1944 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
73 Draw 58–9–6 Jack Chase PTS 10 Aug 9, 1944 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
72 Loss 58–9–5 Jack Chase TKO 10 (10) Jun 28, 1944 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
71 Loss 58–8–5 Charley Burley PTS 10 Mar 24, 1944 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
70 Win 58–7–5 Alonzo Williams TKO 2 (6) Feb 21, 1944 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
69 Win 57–7–5 Eddie Guerra TKO 1 (10) Nov 15, 1943 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
68 Win 56–7–5 Harvey Massey TKO 7 (10) Oct 25, 1943 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
67 Win 55–7–5 Harvey Massey TKO 4 (10) Oct 4, 1943 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
66 Win 54–7–5 Archie Moore PTS 10 Aug 16, 1943 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
65 Win 53–7–5 RJ Lewis TKO 4 (10) Aug 2, 1943 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
64 Win 52–7–5 RJ Lewis TKO 1 (10) Jul 19, 1943 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
63 Loss 51–7–5 Jack Chase PTS 10 Jun 21, 1943 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
62 Win 51–6–5 Al Couture TKO 2 (8) Jun 7, 1943 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
61 Loss 50–6–5 Charley Burley PTS 10 Mar 3, 1943 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
60 Win 50–5–5 Watson Jones PTS 10 Dec 18, 1942 Coliseum, San Diego, California, U.S.
59 Win 49–5–5 Rand Jackson KO 3 (8) Dec 3, 1942 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
58 Win 48–5–5 Oakland Billy Smith PTS 10 Nov 10, 1942 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
57 Win 47–5–5 Buddy Green TKO 4 (8) Oct 16, 1942 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
56 Win 46–5–5 Bobby Birch PTS 8 Sep 18, 1942 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
55 Win 45–5–5 Tabby Romero PTS 8 Sep 4, 1942 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
54 Win 44–5–5 Oakland Billy Smith KO 4 (8) Aug 28, 1942 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
53 Win 43–5–5 Tabby Romero PTS 6 Aug 26, 1942 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
52 Win 42–5–5 Oakland Billy Smith PTS 8 Aug 21, 1942 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
51 Win 41–5–5 Rudy Campa KO 1 (8) Aug 7, 1942 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
50 Loss 40–5–5 Johnny Jackson PTS 10 Aug 11, 1941 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
49 Win 40–4–5 Johnny Jackson PTS 10 Jul 17, 1941 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
48 Win 39–4–5 Urban Hernandez TKO 6 (10) Jun 16, 1941 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
47 Loss 38–4–5 Johnny Jackson KO 5 (10) Apr 25, 1941 Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California, U.S.
46 Win 38–3–5 Big Boy Hogue RTD 8 (10) Dec 20, 1940 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
45 Win 37–3–5 Bobby Pacho TKO 6 (10) Sep 30, 1940 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
44 Win 36–3–5 Billy Bengal KO 1 (10) Jun 28, 1940 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
43 Win 35–3–5 Lloyd Delucchi PTS 10 Jun 7, 1940 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
42 Win 34–3–5 Billy Azevedo PTS 4 May 13, 1940 Coliseum Bowl, San Francisco, California, U.S.
41 Loss 33–3–5 Billy Azevedo PTS 6 Mar 29, 1940 L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
40 Loss 33–2–5 Jackie Cooper PTS 5 Nov 17, 1939 White City Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
39 Win 33–1–5 Chuck Vickers KO 3 (?) Aug 31, 1939 Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
38 Win 32–1–5 Henry Woods PTS 10 Feb 10, 1939 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
37 Win 31–1–5 Billy Pascal KO 10 (10) Feb 1, 1939 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
36 Win 30–1–5 Herman Graves PTS 6 Nov 8, 1938 San Jose, California, U.S.
35 Win 29–1–5 Jack Rainwater TKO 2 (6) Oct 10, 1938 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
34 Win 28–1–5 Ace of Spades TKO 3 (6) Oct 3, 1938 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
33 Win 27–1–5 Frankie Santos KO 4 (6) Aug 22, 1938 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
32 Draw 26–1–5 Frankie Santos PTS 4 Aug 12, 1938 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
31 Win 26–1–4 Jimmy McCready PTS 6 Jun 1, 1938 National Hall, San Francisco, California, U.S.
30 Win 25–1–4 Jack Rainwater PTS 10 Apr 26, 1938 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
29 Win 24–1–4 Jimmy Berres PTS 6 Mar 16, 1938 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
28 Win 23–1–4 Johnny Bassanelli PTS 10 Feb 4, 1938 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
27 Win 22–1–4 Jimmy Wakefield TKO 2 (6) Jan 19, 1938 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
26 Win 21–1–4 Billy Azevedo PTS 6 Nov 10, 1937 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
25 Win 20–1–4 Young Lew Massey TKO 3 (6) Oct 13, 1937 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
24 Win 19–1–4 George Romero TKO 2 (6) Sep 24, 1937 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
23 Draw 18–1–4 Mickey Duris PTS 6 Sep 17, 1937 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
22 Draw 18–1–3 Clarence Enos PTS 4 Aug 25, 1937 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
21 Win 18–1–2 Mario Duccini PTS 6 May 28, 1937 L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
20 Win 17–1–2 Lee Medina PTS 6 Apr 26, 1937 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
19 Win 16–1–2 Teddy Movan KO 1 (6) Apr 16, 1937 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
18 Loss 15–1–2 Ceferino Garcia TKO 1 (10) Mar 23, 1937 Civic Auditorium, San Jose, California, U.S.
17 Win 15–0–2 Johnny Fasano TKO 3 (6) Nov 20, 1936 L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
16 Draw 14–0–2 Billy Azevedo PTS 6 Nov 4, 1936 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
15 Win 14–0–1 Billy Azevedo PTS 6 Oct 21, 1936 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
14 Win 13–0–1 Mike Barto PTS 6 Sep 16, 1936 Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
13 Win 12–0–1 Frankie Santos PTS 6 Aug 12, 1936 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
12 Draw 11–0–1 Jimmy McLeod PTS 6 Jul 31, 1936 Dreamland Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Jimmy McLeod PTS 4 Jul 22, 1936 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Lloyd Smith TKO 3 (6) Jun 10, 1936 Sports Palace, San Francisco, California, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Johnny Bassanelli TKO 3 (6) May 21, 1936 L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Frankie Nocella TKO 5 (6) May 15, 1936 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Bert Sommers PTS 4 Apr 17, 1936 L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Walter Adams PTS 4 Mar 27, 1936 L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Bobby White KO 2 (4) Mar 13, 1936 L Street Arena, Sacramento, California, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Jimmy Duffy PTS 4 Nov 22, 1935 Chestnut St. Arena, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Carl Martin UD 8 Oct 14, 1935 Quincy, Illinois, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Murray Allen PTS 6 Sep 27, 1935 Peoria, Illinois, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Murray Allen PTS 8 Aug 15, 1935 Quincy, Illinois, U.S.

References

  1. ^ "Wade to Make Boxing Debut". The Baltimore Sun. September 30, 1945. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
  2. ^ "BoxRec: Aaron Wade". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2020-03-12.
  3. ^ "The Myth Of Sugar Ray". May 24, 2018. Retrieved 2020-03-13 – via PressReader.
  4. ^ "Aaron Wade - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2020-03-12.

External links


Categories