Bob Satterfield
WeightHeavyweight
Height5 ft 10 in
NationalityUnited States
Birth dateNovember 9, 1923
Birth placeSt. Louis, Missouri
Death dateJune 1, 1977 (aged 53)
StyleOrthodox
Total79
Wins50
Losses25
Draws4
Ko35

Bob "Bombardier" Satterfield (November 9, 1923 in St. Louis, Missouri – June 1, 1977) was a heavyweight boxer who fought from 1945 to 1957. Satterfield, a top-rated contender who never fought for the title, retired with a record of 50 wins (35 KOs), 25 losses and 4 draws. Known for his punching power, he is listed in Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time at number 58. Satterfield later died from cancer at the age of 53.

Amateur career

Satterfield was the Chicago City Golden Gloves 147-pound champion in 1941.[1] He lost to Al Tribuani on a first-round knockout in the inter-city championship between Chicago and New York boxers.[2]

Professional career

Satterfield, known for his punching power and aggressive style, was a fan favorite. His poor stamina and weak chin often cost him fights, however. In his bout against heavyweight contender Rex Layne on March 9, 1951, Satterfield hurt Layne, and knocked him down for an eight count in the first round. Layne slowly retook control of the fight, and ultimately knocked out Satterfield in the eighth round.[3]

Satterfield was knocked out in 7 rounds by future middleweight champion Jake LaMotta on September 12, 1946.[4] He was also knocked out in 2 rounds by former heavyweight champion Ezzard Charles on January 13, 1954.[5][6][7] Satterfield did score a knockout over future heavyweight contender Cleveland Williams[8] and also beat the dangerous giant Cuban Niño Valdés,[9] but lost by KO to light heavyweight champion Archie Moore, and dropped 2 out of 3 to future light heavyweight champion Harold Johnson.

He retired from boxing on January 15, 1958, due to a detached retina in his left eye.[10]

In the media

In the 2007 motion picture Resurrecting the Champ (based on an L.A. Times Magazine article)[11] a reporter named Erik Kernan Jr. finds a homeless man claiming to be Bob Satterfield and writes an article about him in the Denver Times Magazine. The film stars Samuel L. Jackson, Josh Hartnett and Alan Alda and was directed by Rod Lurie.

Trivia

  • Satterfield served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1945.
  • The 1997 story "Resurrecting the Champ"[11] by J.R. Moehringer in the Los Angeles Times said that he was friends with musician Miles Davis and introduced Muhammad Ali to his first wife. This was based on an interview in the Chicago home of his son, Robert Satterfield Jr.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateAgeLocation
79Win50–25–4Howard KingSD10Nov 21, 195734Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
78Win49–25–4Garvin SawyerSD10Oct 21, 195733Enright Theatre, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
77Loss48–25–4Bert WhitehurstUD10Oct 1, 195733Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
76Loss48–24–4Julio MederosPTS10Jun 3, 195733Last Frontier Sportsdrome, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
75Win48–23–4Frankie DanielsMD10May 16, 195733Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
74Win47–23–4Ben WiseKO1 (10)Apr 15, 195733Auditorium, Oakland, California, U.S.
73Loss46–23–4Harold JohnsonUD10Mar 12, 195733Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
72Win46–22–4Julio MederosUD10Feb 4, 195733Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
71Win45–22–4Dale HallKO5 (10)Jan 8, 195733Auditorium, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
70Win44–22–4Warnell LesterKO10 (10)Nov 27, 195633Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
69Win43–22–4Claude ChapmanKO7 (10)Nov 12, 195633Rhode Island Auditorium, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S.
68Loss42–22–4Harold CarterTKO5 (10)Aug 1, 195632War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
67Win42–21–4Johnny SummerlinUD10Jun 20, 195632Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
66Win41–21–4Jim PerseyUD10Apr 10, 195632Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
65Loss40–21–4Harold CarterUD10Mar 20, 195632Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
64Draw40–20–4Harold CarterPTS10Feb 28, 195632Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
63Loss40–20–3John HolmanTKO8 (10)Jan 11, 195632Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
62Win40–19–3Paul AndrewsKO9 (10)Dec 6, 195532Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
61Win39–19–3Niño ValdésUD10Aug 17, 195531Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
60Draw38–19–3Joe RowanPTS10Jul 19, 195531Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
59Loss38–19–2Archie McBrideSD10May 11, 195531Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
58Loss38–18–2Joe LindsayUD10Apr 19, 195531Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
57Win38–17–2Marty MarshallSD10Mar 22, 195531Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
56Loss37–17–2Marty MarshallKO2 (10)Nov 30, 195431Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
55Win37–16–2John HolmanKO1 (10)Nov 10, 195431Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
54Win36–16–2Frankie DanielsTKO7 (10)Aug 30, 195430St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
53Win35–16–2John HolmanKO10 (10)Jul 20, 195430Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
52Win34–16–2Cleveland WilliamsKO3 (10)Jun 22, 195430Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
51Loss33–16–2Charley WilliamsSD10Jun 1, 195430Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
50Win33–15–2Julio MederosKO2 (10)May 11, 195430Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
49Loss32–15–2Ezzard CharlesKO2 (10)Jan 13, 195430Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
48Win32–14–2Ray AugustusKO8 (8)Dec 15, 195330Rainbo Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
47Win31–14–2Bob BakerKO1 (10)Jul 1, 195329Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
46Win30–14–2Gene BrownKO2 (10)Jun 3, 195329Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
45Win29–14–2Murray BurnettKO3 (6)May 15, 195329Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
44Loss28–14–2Harold JohnsonKO2 (10)Oct 6, 195228Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
43Win28–13–2Harold JohnsonSD10Aug 6, 195228Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
42Loss27–13–2Clarence HenryTKO1 (10)Jan 30, 195228Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
41Loss27–12–2Wes BascomMD10Nov 15, 195128Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
40Loss27–11–2Rex LayneTKO8 (10)Mar 9, 195127Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
39Win27–10–2Elkins BrothersTKO2 (10)Jan 19, 195127St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
38Win26–10–2Vern MitchellUD10Dec 13, 195027Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
37Loss25–10–2Lee OmaUD10Sep 25, 195026Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
36Win25–9–2Lee OmaKO6 (10)May 17, 195026Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
35Win24–9–2Tommy GómezUD10Mar 22, 195026Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
34Win23–9–2Nick BaroneUD10Feb 22, 195026Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
33Win22–9–2Sylvester PerkinsTKO2 (10)Nov 18, 194925Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
32Loss21–9–2Henry HallKO4 (10)Apr 25, 194925Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
31Loss21–8–2Archie MooreKO3 (10)Jan 31, 194925Sports Arena, Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
30Win21–7–2Bob AmosPTS10Dec 10, 194825International Amphitheatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
29Loss20–7–2Joey MaximUD10Nov 12, 194825Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
28Draw20–6–2Bob AmosPTS10Sep 15, 194824Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
27Win20–6–1Richard HaganTKO9 (10)Sep 7, 194824Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
26Win19–6–1Oakland Billy SmithKO1 (10)Jun 29, 194824Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
25Win18–6–1Art SwidenKO1 (10)May 7, 194824Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
24Loss17–6–1Sam BaroudiTKO2 (10)Jan 23, 194824Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
23Win17–5–1Al JohnsonPTS10Nov 12, 194724Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
22Win16–5–1Chuck HunterKO10 (10)Oct 6, 194723Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
21Loss15–5–1Al JohnsonUD8Aug 18, 194723Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
20Win15–4–1Willie MooreKO2 (8)Jun 30, 194723Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
19Loss14–4–1Bob FoxworthKO1 (10)Mar 14, 194723Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
18Win14–3–1Willie MooreUD8Feb 10, 194723Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
17Loss13–3–1Jake LaMottaKO7 (10)Sep 12, 194622Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
16Win13–2–1Vince PimpinellaKO2 (10)Aug 14, 194622Comiskey Park, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
15Loss12–2–1Holman WilliamsSD10Apr 25, 194622Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
14Win12–1–1Johnny ClarkTKO5 (10)Mar 28, 194622Coliseum North Hall, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
13Win11–1–1Benny McCombsKO2 (8)Dec 26, 194522Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
12Win10–1–1Collins BrownKO1 (10)Dec 7, 194522Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
11Win9–1–1Bob GarnerKO2 (8)Nov 14, 194522Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
10Win8–1–1Charley PolkKO2 (8)Oct 24, 194521Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
9Win7–1–1Oscar BoydKO4 (6)Sep 27, 194521Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
8Win6–1–1Curley DentonKO1 (6)Sep 6, 194521Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
7Win5–1–1Vecie VanKO1 (6)Aug 10, 194521Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
6Win4–1–1Herman HayesKO1 (6)Jul 23, 194521Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
5Draw3–1–1Johnny VorcePTS8May 28, 194521Marigold Gardens Outdoor Arena, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
4Win3–1Charley RothKO1 (4)May 7, 194521Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
3Loss2–1Mack ParshayKO1 (4)May 2, 194521Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
2Win2–0Arthur McWhorterKO1 (4)Apr 23, 194521Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
1Win1–0Tom MitchellKO1 (4)Mar 19, 194521Marigold Gardens, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.

References

  1. ^ Curtin, Sean (2006). Chicago Amateur Boxing. Chicago IL. p. 31. ISBN 0738541389.
  2. ^ "US Intercity Golden Gloves Championships, Chicago Stadium, Chicago, March 26, 1941". Amateur Boxing Results. 31 March 2002. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  3. ^ "Layne Dreams of Title After Upset TKO". Buffalo Evening News. March 10, 1951. p. 6. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Jake La Motta Wins In Seventh". The Times Record, Troy, New York. September 13, 1946. p. 24. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  5. ^ "'Best Left I Ever Threw' Flattens TV Foe, Earns Title Fight for Ez". Buffalo Evening News. January 14, 1954. p. 39. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  6. ^ "Charles' Kayo of Satterfield Boosts Title Bout Buildup". The Evening Star, Washington, D.C.. pp. C-1. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Charles' Kayo of Satterfield Boosts Title Bout Buildup (cont. from C-1)". The Evening Star, Washington, D.C.. January 14, 1954. pp. C-3. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  8. ^ "Satterfield KOs Williams In 3rd Round". The Times Record, Troy, New York. June 23, 1954. p. 24. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Satterfield Spots Valdes 32 Lbs., Batters Way to Decision". Elmira Star Gazette, Elmira, New York. August 18, 1955. p. 36. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  10. ^ "Spieser Retires in Ring, His Eyesight Imperiled, Satterfield Also Quits". Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, New York. 16 January 1958. p. 35. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  11. ^ J.R. Moehringer (1997-05-04). "RESURRECTING THE CHAMP". Los Angeles Times.com. Archived 2012-07-08 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2009-09-28.