Eddie Perkins 1937-2012

Mr. Perkins, 75, was a member of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame because of his bouts in 20 international countries. Eddie died due to complications with Alzheimer's disease, May 10 2012, in his home in Chicago's Auburn Gresham neighborhood.

Born on March 3, 1937 in Clarksdale, Miss., Mr. Perkins moved to Chicago as a child and lived on the cities South Side where he stayed until his death. He graduated from Phillips High School and began boxing professionally. According to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, Eddie turned pro in 1956 after compiling a 26-10 amateur record.

Mr. Perkins won his first WBA title in Milan, Italy in 1962. After 15-rounds he won by a unanimous decision over Duilio Loi. He would lose his rematch with Loi three months later, but regained the WBA title and won the WBC belt in a unanimous decision over Roberto Cruz In the summer of 1963. He wouldn't lose another bout until 1965.

In retirement, Mr. Perkins spent almost a decade mentoring and training young fighters at Leo High School Boxing Club on the South Side.

Mr. Perkins is survived by his wife of 54 years, Annie, his two sons Eddie Jr. and Lawrence; his brother, the Rev. Lawrence Perkins and his two sisters, Bertha Barton and Elizabeth Carter. He has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

The Celtic Boxing Club of Chicago honors the memory of Eddie Perkins.

Career Highlights:

• Perkins was named to the 2008 induction class of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
• He was the world’s reigning junior welterweight in 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965.
• Fought professionally from 1956 to 1975
• Won 74 out of 96 bouts — 21 of them by knockout
• Fought in 20 countries on six continents.
• Knocked out only once in his career

Resources:

Eddie Perkins, 1937-2012 - Retired professional boxing champion
Ronnie Reese - The Chicago Tribune
May 16, 2012
Eddie Perkins, among the best boxers to ever call Chicago home, was World Boxing Council junior welterweight champion and two-time World Boxing Association junior welterweight champion during a 19-year professional career. [Read More]

Former champ was one of the best boxers Chicago produced
Maureen O’Donnell - The Chicago Sun Times
May 18, 2012
People said you could throw a whole handful of BB pellets at boxer Eddie Perkins, and not one of them would strike home. [Read More]

Rest in Peace Eddie Perkins
Jim Amato - fightkings.com
May 12, 2012
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. [Read More]