International Boxing Hall Of Fame

The first man to win the world lightweight title three times, Jimmy Carter was born in Aiken, South Carolina and moved with his family to Harlem, New York when he was a child.

 

Carter turned pro in 1946 and toiled earnestly in the lightweight ranks, facing the likes of Joe Brown, Sandy Saddler and Wallace (Bud) Smith. Finally on May 25, 1951, after 64 pro bouts, Carter challenged champion Ike Williams and dropped him four times en route to a 14th-round TKO.

 

Carter successfully defended against Art Aragon and Lauro Salas before losing the crown to Salas on May 14, 1952. Before the year was out, however, Carter would regain the title by decisioning Salas on October 15.

 

On March 5, 1954, Carter lost the crown to Paddy DeMarco but would again regain his title before the year ended. This time he knocked DeMarco out in the 15th round on November 17.

 

The following year, Carter's title reign would end for good, Wallace (Bud) Smith scored a 15-round split decision over the three-time champ to take the 135-pound belt on June 29, 1955. They met again four months later and Smith held onto the title with a decision.

 

Carter retired in from the ring in 1960. In his career, he met three fellow Hall of Famers -- Brown (L 10), Saddler (D 10) and Williams. He also met the likes of Don Jordan, Orlando Zulueta, Enrique Bolanos and Percy Bassett.