Joe Gagnon

Joe Gagnon (1918 – January 13, 2001) was a Canadian amateur and professional boxer in the flyweight and bantamweight categories. He won national amateur boxing titles in both weight classes.

Early life Raoul (Joey) Gagnon was born in 1918 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

Gagnon was selected to represent Canada at the Empire Games in December 1937. At 20, Joe Gagnon secured a silver medal at the 1938 British Empire Games in Sydney, defeating Scotsman Hugh Cameron in the semi-final but losing to Johnny Joubert of South Africa in the final.

After competing in Australia, he transitioned to the bantamweight class upon his return to Canada. He became the 1938 Quebec Golden Gloves bantamweight champion. While adjusting to the heavier weight class, he failed in his bid for the bantamweight crown at the Canadian amateur boxing championships in Winnipeg in May 1938.

He captured the 1939 Quebec Golden Gloves title at 118 pounds in April 1939. The provincial titleholder went on to win the bantamweight title at the Canadian amateur boxing championship in 1939.

Gagnon secured back-to-back Quebec Golden Gloves titles, taking the 112-pound division crown in May 1940.

His amateur career included numerous memorable victories, headlined by his 1940 win against Johnny Greco, a bout in which he gave away 15 pounds to his heavier opponent. He also recorded wins against Jerry Blanchard, Fernando Gagnon, and Danny Webb. That year, he competed in the open bantamweight class of the Canadian Army boxing championships. He defeated Gnr. Bobby Parker by decision in the final at Ottawa, where Canadian Defence Minister James Ralston presented him with a gold statuette. The Canadian Army bantamweight champion fought his last fight as an amateur in August 1944.

In 125 career bouts, Gagnon amassed a 117-8 record with 55 wins by knockout. Notably, he never suffered a knockout loss throughout his time in the ring. His preparation was guided by Sylvio Mireault, the ex-Canadian lightweight champion, along with his amateur coach Billy Zed, who supervised training and conditioning.

He scored a TKO victory over Ron Kingston in Soho, London, in April 1945 and then traveled to Ghent, Belgium, to fight on May 11, 1945, where he was outpointed by Tim Mahoney.

He compiled a brief pro career before hanging up his gloves.

Life after boxing Gagnon became a boxing coach at Palestre Nationale of Montreal in 1957.

Personal life He had an older brother named Babe Gagnon who was also a boxer.

Death Joe Gagnon died on January 13, 2001, in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada, at 82.

Legacy He ranks among the greatest amateur boxers to emerge from Montreal.

In 1997, he was inducted into the Canadian Boxing Hall of Fame.