Billy Graham

Induction Year: 1991

Category: Boxing

Location: West Islip

Billy Graham was a welterweight boxer with a professional career record of 102 wins, 15 losses, and 9 draws from 1941-55.

As a teenager in NYC, Graham defeated Sugar Ray Robinson as an amateur. He was undefeated in his first 58 fights, going 52-0-6, until he fought Tony Pellone, where he lost in a split decision.

Graham fought the legendary Kid Gavilan four times, with three of those fights being held at Madison Square Garden.

The feud between the two was controversial for many years after both fighters had retired after reports of mob interference in boxing was connected to Gavilan winning and losing the welterweight title in the 1950s.

After retirement, he served as a boxing judge and referee.

He was elected into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Los Angeles in 1987, the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame, and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.

He passed away due to cancer in January of 1992 in West Islip.