"The Springfield Rifle" Davey Moore
Born: Nov. 1, 1933
Died: March 21, 1963
Bouts: 67
Won: 59
Lost: 7
Drew: 1
KOs: 30
Induction: 2021
Born David Schultz Moore on November 1, 1933 in Lexington, KY.
Raised in Springfield, OH, Moore compiled a 120-5 amateur record, including the 1952 National AAU 118-pound championship and represented the USA at the 1952 Helsinki Olympic Games. He turned pro in 1953 and embarked on a steady march to the featherweight crown, defeating Lauro Salas (W 10) and Kid Anahuac (W 10, W 10) among others before stopping Hogan (Kid) Bassey in 13 rounds in Los Angeles for the 126-pound title in 1959. Amid many non-title bouts, he successfully defended his laurels against Bassey (TKO 11), Kazuo Takayama (W 15, W 15), Danny Valdez (KO 1) and Olli Maki (TKO 2). Designated WBC champion in February 1963, Moore lost the WBC / WBA featherweight titles to Ultiminio “Sugar” Ramos at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on March 21 via 10th round stoppage. Moore, who suffered a brain injury when his head hit the bottom ring rope after a knockdown, died two days later at White Memorial Hospital.
Known as “The Springfield Rifle” for his hard punching style, he compiled a 59-7-1 (30 KOs) professional ledger and boxed all over the globe including Japan, Finland, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Cuba, Panama, France, Italy, Venezuela and England. In 2013 a statue of Moore was erected in his honor in Springfield.