Moore became Springfield’s first and only world boxing champion in March 1959 when he took the title from Nigeria’s Hogan “Kid” Bassey. Moore beat Bassey again in the rematch, forcing the Nigerian hero to retire from boxing.
Four years after winning the world title, Moore’s career ended with his tragic death two days after an unsuccessful defense of his title against Cuba’s Sugar Ramos in March 1963. Moore hit his head when Ramos knocked him down in the 10th round, forcing the defending champion to concede the fight and his title. Although Moore left the ring by himself, he collapsed in his dressing room and never recovered.
I really had forgotten about Moore until last year when a fundraising campaign to memorialize him with a larger-than-life bronze statue was unveiled. I first heard of him in Nigeria when Kid Bassey spoke glowingly about the only boxer who beat him twice. Last week, it was revealed that the completion of that bronze statue was in jeopardy because the recession has affected donations for the $92,000 project.
It is disappointing to know how little has been done for Moore, arguably Springfield’s biggest national and international figure since the ’60s. Perhaps only Johnny Lytle and John Legend come close to the international stardom Moore enjoyed. If the ongoing recession is blamed for the inability to raise enough funds to honor Moore with a bronze statue, what happened since Moore won the world title 46 years ago?
To help expedite this project, the fundraising campaign should extend its solicitation to boxing promoters such as Don King and Bob Arum, as well as musicians who might be willing to help, including John Legend.
A 1952 Olympian, the “Springfield Rifle” was posthumously inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1986. He probably would turn in his grave if he knew how well Bassey — whom he beat twice — was appreciated in Nigeria. Songs were performed in his honor, countless streets were named after him. The Nigerian government honored Bassey with a national medal and appointed him head coach of the national boxing team, a position he held for 20 years before his retirement long before he died at 65.
Locally, what was done for Moore in Springfield?
No street name. No gym. No school.
There is Bob Dylan’s song — “Who killed Davey Moore?” — and there is a park dedicated in his memory in 1972.
“People at the time thought that was the appropriate memorial for him,” Mayor Warren Copeland said about the park that was dedicated before he arrived in Springfield.
But even that park ticks off Rick Moore, son of the late boxer.
“Davey Moore Park was made a historic state park, but the entrance is shut because it is now the Fulton School entrance,” said Rick Moore, who was 9 when his father died. “They took half of the park to build the school. I thought that was rude and disrespectful. They didn’t take Snyder Park, George Rogers Park or Reid Park.”
The park indeed is tucked behind the school on Yellow Springs Street. Only people in that neighborhood would know where it is, which is a shame.
Davey Moore’s family members also worry about the southside location of Moore’s bronze statue. They want it moved downtown where four other statues are erected.
I disagree. Moore did enough to deserve his own spotlight — alone. The immediate concern should be how to raise enough funds to complete the bronze statue.
Eyobong Ita is the assistant city editor at Springfield News-Sun who has covered multiple world boxing championships.