Willie Joyce’s Chicago Boxing Battles: Lightweight
On March 2, 1943, Willie Joyce defeated former world champion Henry Armstrong by majority decision in Los Angeles.
Willie Joyce never held a world title, but he repeatedly proved himself against the men who did. The Chicago-based lightweight beat Henry Armstrong twice and took three of four meetings with Ike Williams, leaving a record against champions that made him one of the most respected contenders of his era.
Joyce first made his name in the amateur ranks. He won the National AAU bantamweight championship in 1936, then captured both Chicago and Intercity Golden Gloves featherweight titles in 1937. He turned professional that year and quickly became a familiar attraction in Chicago. In 1939, he faced Lew Jenkins three times: after their first bout ended in a draw, Joyce won the next two by split decision.
The most famous chapter of Joyce’s career came against Henry Armstrong, a three-division champion whose relentless style tested every opponent. The pair met four times in 1943 and 1944. Joyce won their first meeting in Los Angeles by majority decision in March 1943; Armstrong took the rematch that July. Joyce then earned another decision over him in Chicago in June 1944, before Armstrong won their final bout later that summer.
Joyce’s success was not limited to Armstrong. Against Ike Williams, who went on to become lightweight champion, Joyce won three of their four fights, including a split decision at Madison Square Garden. He also beat notable contenders such as Chalky Wright and Leo Rodak. Two title challenges against Tippy Larkin ended in decision defeats (career fight record), however, and Joyce never secured a world championship of his own.
That is what makes Joyce’s career memorable: his best wins were earned against champions at the height of their reputations, even as the title itself remained just out of reach. The embedded YouTube clip is no longer available on the platform. Explore more boxing coverage and fighter profiles on MMAUSA.
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Willie Joyce, Boxing, Boxing History, Championship Fights
