Bob Cleroux

Bob Cleroux (born Robert Cléroux; 1938 – April 25, 2025) was a Canadian professional heavyweight boxer. He was a two-time Canadian heavyweight champion.

Early life Robert Cléroux was born in Quebec, Canada, in 1938.

Amateur boxing career Bob Cleroux competed at the national championships as an amateur, winning the 1956 Canadian amateur boxing title. Coached by Jacques Chevrier and Ned Lafontaine at the Immaculate Conception Centre, he claimed victory in the open class heavyweight division at the 1957 Quebec Golden Gloves Championships, followed by the heavyweight title at the 1957 Canadian Amateur Boxing Championships.

Professional career Cleroux turned professional in the summer of 1957 and made his pro debut at the Montreal Forum. From 1958 on, his father and Al Bachman of New York co-managed Cleroux's career.

His debut at New York's famed Madison Square Garden came against Buddy Turman on May 29, 1959. The contest resulted in the first loss of Cleroux's professional boxing career after he lost on points. He returned to the Garden in February 1960 to defeat Willi Besmanoff by unanimous decision. Cleroux recorded his 18th knockout across 22 professional bouts.

Taking the Canadian heavyweight championship, August 1960 Cleroux, who held a record of 22-1-1, faced Toronto's George Chuvalo for the Canadian heavyweight championship at Delorimier Stadium on August 17, 1960. He claimed the title with a split-decision verdict, ending Chuvalo's two-year reign.

The Ring magazine rated Cleroux as the world's seventh-best heavyweight for 1960 in its February 1961 issue.

Reclaiming the Canadian heavyweight championship, August 1961 In August 1961, one year after his title loss, he won the Canadian heavyweight championship from George Chuvalo for the second time.

The National Boxing Association placed him sixth among world heavyweights by October 1961. The heavyweight champion lined up a non-title ten-round match with Archie Moore for December 5, 1961, while disregarding his rematch clause with Chuvalo. The bout was cancelled by Eddie Quinn due to poor ticket sales.

Cleroux successfully defended his Canadian heavyweight title with a knockout win over Cecil Gray in January 1962.

After the Folley fight, he stepped away from boxing and spent a few years employed at a brewery. When a staff cutback cost Cleroux his brewery job, he began a comeback campaign. He returned from a five-year retirement in July 1968. His October 1968 win against Jean-Claude Roy propelled him to top title contender status in the rankings released by the Canadian Professional Boxing Federation.

He defeated Cleveland Williams in November 1968 at the Montreal Forum.

From 1957 to 1969, the Montreal heavyweight took part in 54 bouts, finishing with a career record of 47 victories, 6 defeats, 1 draw, and 37 knockouts.

Professional boxing record

Death Robert Cléroux died on April 25, 2025, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, at 87.