LaMar F. Clark (December 1, 1933 – November 5, 2006) was an American professional boxer who fought in the heavyweight division. He was active from 1958 to 1961 and fought a recorded 46 times in his 3 year-career, mostly in his home state of

Utah Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...

. The '' Guinness Book of World Records'' lists Clark as the boxer with the most consecutive knockouts (44), and also the most knockouts in one night (six). Clark's knockout streak garnered him nationwide press attention, though some commentators have derided the poor quality of his opposition.

Amateur career

Clark claimed an amateur record of 25–2, winning a regional

Golden Gloves The Golden Gloves is the name given to annual competitions for amateur boxing in the United States, where they are awarded a belt and a ring. And the title of nations champion is awarded. The Golden Gloves is a term used to refer to the Nation ...

championship in the process.

Professional career

Clark was managed by Merv Jensen, who also managed middleweight champion

Gene Fullmer Lawrence Gene Fullmer (July 21, 1931 – April 27, 2015) was an American professional boxer and World Middleweight champion. Professional career Fullmer began his professional career in 1951 and won his first 29 fights, 19 by knockout. His mana ...

. He made his professional debut on January 4, 1958, winning a six round decision over John Hicks. Subsequently, Clark won his next 44 bouts by knockout. The ''Historical Dictionary of Boxing'' describes the quality of his opposition in these bouts as "poor". None was a rated contender and most had little or no professional experience. In a December 1959 column reflecting on Clark's long KO streak, Red Smith wrote: "Up to now Clark has been whipping sheep herders and streetcar conductors", and thus reserved judgement on his ability. To build publicity for Clark, Jensen arranged for him to fight twice in one night; Clark won both bouts by KO. Clark followed up by knocking out three opponents on 10 November 1958 and six opponents on 1 December 1958 (including five in the first round and one within 7 seconds). Another of Clark's wins was against

Tony Burton Anthony Mabron Burton (March 23, 1937 – February 25, 2016) was an American actor and boxer. He was known for his role as Tony "Duke" Evers in the Rocky (film series), ''Rocky'' films. Early life Burton was born in Flint, Michigan. He had a y ...

, who later appeared in the ''

Rocky ''Rocky'' is a 1976 American sports drama film directed by John G. Avildsen and written by and starring Sylvester Stallone. It is the first installment in the ''Rocky'' franchise and stars Talia Shire, Burt Young, Carl Weathers, and Burge ...

'' movies, in a bout refereed by

Jack Dempsey William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), nicknamed Kid Blackie and The Manassa Mauler, was an American professional boxer who competed from 1914 to 1927, and reigned as the world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926 ...

. On 11 January 1960, Clark knocked out Kenneth Hayden, his 44th consecutive knockout, surpassing the previous record held by Billy Fox. In April 1960, Clark was matched with Bartolo Soni, described as a "tough journeyman" who had never been knocked out. Clark was unable to KO Soni and was himself stopped in the ninth round. Clark then fought

Pete Rademacher Thomas Peter Rademacher (November 20, 1928 – June 4, 2020) was an American heavyweight boxer. A gold medalist at the 1956 Olympics, he became the only person to challenge for the world heavyweight championship in his first professional bo ...

, the 1956 Olympic gold medalist and former heavyweight title contender; Rademacher won by a tenth round knockout. His last fight was on April 19, 1961 against

Cassius Clay Muhammad Ali (; born Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr.; January 17, 1942 – June 3, 2016) was an American professional boxer and activist. Nicknamed "The Greatest", he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century, a ...

(later Muhammad Ali). Clay broke Clark's nose and knocked him out in the second round. Clark retired after this fight. Other sources state that Clark had 42 or 45 knockouts.

Personal life

Clark died on November 5, 2006 aged 72. Clark was survived by his wife of 46 years, Brenda and his daughters Nicole Clark-Romano, Cherese Jones and Theresa Clark. As well as son-in-laws Tony Romano and Brent Jones and Theresa’s son, Dillen LaMar Clark.

Professional boxing record

References

External links

(history)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, LaMar 1934 births 2006 deaths People from Cedar City, Utah Boxers from Utah Heavyweight boxers American male boxers