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EDDIE PERKINS ON HIS WAY TO THE HALL OF FAME

posted by Kathleen Holland on December 12, 2007, in Features

By Jim Amato

In a career that spanned from 1956 to 1975, Eddie Perkins engaged in 99 professional fights. He won seventy five of those contests. He met opponents in over twenty different countries. He truly was a " world " champion.

Ediie lost three of his first five bouts but rallied to win seven straight. In 1958 he lost to Cleveland, Ohio's Cecil Shorts. He stopped Shorts in a rematch and then he outscored rugged Franke Ryff. In 1959 Eddie won a decision over Paul Armstead but lost to Carl Hubbard and was then halted by Al Urbina. It would be the only stoppage loss of Eddie's career.

1960 was a good year for Perkins as he beat Larry Boardman, Paolo Rosi and Joey Lopes. In 1961 Perkins lost a verdict to Youngstown, Ohio's L.C. Morgan. He would bounce right back to outscore the hard hitting Carlos Hernandez. That would lead to Eddie's first title shot and on October 21st he met defending WBA junior welterweight champion Dulio Loi in Milan, Italy. After fifteen rounds, the bout was judged a draw. They would meet again eleven months later and this time Eddie won the decision and captured his first world title.

Perkins reign lasted only three months as Loi won a decision in their rubber match. Loi decided to retire and on June 15th, 1963 Eddie won his second title with a decision over Roberto Cruz for the WBA and WBC titles.

Perkins would defend successfully against Yoshinori Takahashi and the slick Bunny Grant. He also sqeezed in five non title victories. On January 18, 1965 Eddie lost his crown to Carlos Hernandez. Seven months later he would lose to future great Jose Napoles.

Eddie was bound and determined to regain his title. He scored an important win over Kenny Lane but in 1966 he dropped a points call to Lennox Beckles. In 1967 he beat Adolph Pruitt and Paul Armstead but was then outpointed by the classy Nicolino Locche. Perkins came right back to beat Pruitt again. He finished the year with a draw against Joao Henrique.

Perkins put together a quiet win streak in 1968 but lost a decision in a rematch with Henrique. In 1970 Eddie re-established himself as a force to be reckoned with. He defeated Lion Furuyama, up and coming Clyde Gray and Pedro Adigue. He then lost a return match to Bunny Grant. Eddie then took out Johann Orsolics.

In 1971 Eddie defeated future champion Angel Espada but in 1972 he was upset by Victor Ortiz. In 1973 Eddie put himself in line for a welterweight title shot as he beat the rough and tough Armando Muniz to win the NABF welterweight title. Perkins would repeat his victory over Muniz in 1974.

Besides the two losses to Perkins and losses to Zovek Barajas, Marcos Geraldo and Angel Espada, Muniz was awarded a 1975 title fight with the great champion Jose Napoles. In Muniz' defense during that time period he did defeat Ernie Lopez and Hedgemon Lewis. Nevertheless in 1974 Eddie deserved a title shot especially after a win over Japan's Ryu Sorimachi. That would be Eddie's last victory. After his failure to win the middleweight title from Carlos Monzon, Napoles opted to fight a rematch with Hedgemon Lewis. This left the deserving Perkins out in the cold.

Perkins would lose a decision to future junior middleweight champion Rocky Mattioli. An aging and discouraged Perkins would then lose verdicts to Maxwell Malinga and Shoji Tsujimoto. In 1975 Eddie had his last battle loing an eight rounder in Germany to Franz Czandl.

Perkins met seven world champions and countless contenders in his distinguished career. He fought anyone, anywhere, anytime. Welcome to the Hall Of Fame Eddie.

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