Following his loss to Mike McCallum, Julian Jackson got back on his streak. Just four months later in December 1986, he knocked out Khaliff Shabazz in the first round and would defend the WBC Continental Americas Super Welterweight title against in April 1987 against Milton Leaks.
Match 33: Hunter vs. Hunter
Jackson got his shot at the world championship when McCallum advanced to the middleweight division. This left a vacancy with the title and two contenders: Jackson and South Korean boxer and future world champion In-Chul Baek.
Debuting in 1980, most of his career would be spent in boxing in South Korea. By the time he collided with Jackson, Baek was 41-1 with 37 knockouts to his name. His last loss was in 1983 in the U.S. Well, in this bout following three rounds of action, Julian Jackson would hand Baek his second loss by TKO and would claim the World Super Welterweight title.
Advancing to Middleweight
The Hawk would defend the title three times between 1988 and 1989. His final defense was in July 1989 against future multiple time Light Middleweight champion “Terrible” Terry Norris. Afterward, Julian Jackson would move up to the middleweight division. His first match in the division was a knockout victory over John McClendon in May 1990.
Following another victory, he would end 1990 with a shot at the vacant WBC Middleweight title. Originally the fight was to take place in the UK, but because of an eye injury, Jackson wasn’t allowed to compete in the match. Instead, the bout would be moved to the U.S.
Herol “Bomber” Graham proved to a challenge for Jackson since he was very quick on his feet and evaded The Hawk’s blows. Eventually, Jackson would catch Herol Graham in four rounds with a punch so vicious, “Bomber” took five minutes to recover his bearings.
Between 1991 and 1993, he would engage in five defenses of the championship with the final defense being his second career loss. Here, he would run into “The G-Man” Gerald McClellan, another fighter known for his powerful punching ability and tough jaw.
This May 1993 fight would be similar to his McCallum bout in 1986. As a result, The Hawk would lose in the fifth round by stoppage. He would rebound with a short string of victories but wasn’t in prior winning form. This was shown in his rematch for the WBC Middleweight title a year later in May 1994 where McClellan knocked him out in the first round. Julian Jackson would be McClellan’s final victory before he was forced to retire from the sport because of injury.
Later Career
With Gerald McClellan retired, the WBC Middleweight title was vacant once again. Julian Jackson would take on Agostino Cardamone in May 1995, winning via TKO in the second round. This wouldn’t be a return to form for Jackson as he lost the title in his first defense to Texan Quincy Taylor in an upset in August.
After a year away from the ring to get back into fighting form, he returned and garner a four-win streak. This was a different Jackson who either fought to a decision or went for a stoppage victory. Following a failed attempt to take the WBU Light Middleweight title off Verno Phillips in January 1998 ending in a ninth-round knockout, Jackson had one final match. Bout 61 ended in a 9-round TKO loss to Anthony Jones months later.
Jackson would retire and become involved in religion in his native Virgin Islands. He now trains future boxers including his sons Julius “The Chef” Jackson and John “Dah Rock” Jackson who inherited his incredible stopping power. The two younger Jacksons are both former Olympians and sport impressive boxing records in divisions their father fought in.
Jackson’s record stands at 55-6-0 with 49 knockouts.
Reference
–http://boxrec.com/en/boxer/565
Selected Viewing
-vs. Herol Graham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_EEeixw5yA
-Compilation of Julian Jackson’s KOs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2emS52tdINY
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