Essay on Eugene “Silent” Hairston by Rochelle Wright

Eugene Hairston’s opponents

Among the numerous opponents of Eugene Hairston were such strongest Middleweight boxers as Jake LaMotta, aka Raging Bull, who managed to beat Eugene only after ten serious rounds and Sugar Ray Robinson, the toughest professional boxer.

The following boxers were Eugene’s opponents:

1947 – Bobby Rosado, Bernie Harper, Pat Murray, Eli DeLoach, Harold Alle, Laurie Buxton, Willie Astwood, Frank Hardeman, Thomson Harmon, Danny Robinson. Silent Hairston won all the bouts in 1947.

1948 – Joey Manfro, Leonard Lukes, Lou Masone, Danny Ruggerio, Jerry Coursal, Norman Rubio, Freddie Patterson, Willie Odom, Teddy Pritchard, Ross Anzalone, Al Mobley. Silent Hairston was the winner. He lost only to Teddy Pritchard in one of two bouts, and to Tommy Parks.

1949 – Eddie Edwards, Terri Moore, Don Ellis, Herman McCray, Charlie Williams, Al Mobley, Van Butler. Silent Hairston was the winner, he lost only to Walter Cartier, Terry Moore in one of two bouts, and Bobby Mann.

1950 – Jackie Keough, Billy Brown, Charley Salas, Billy Corbett, Lee Sala, Larry Shaw, Kid Gavilan, Lester Felton, J.T. Ross. Silent Hairston was the winner in the bouts with the above mentioned opponents but he lost to Johnny Bratton. He had a draw game with Jimmy Taylor.

1951 – Artie Towne, Paddy Young, Paul Pender, Jacky Keough, Laurent Dauthuille, Charley Zivic. Eugene was the winner in the bouts with the above mentioned boxers, but he lost to Kid Gavilan, Walter Cartier, Rocky Castellani, Laurent Dauthuille in one of two bouts. Eugene had a draw game with Joe Rindone.

1952 – Al Priest, Billy Kilgore. Eugene won the bouts with these two boxers, but he lost to Charles Humez, Bobo Olson, Jake LaMotta. He had a draw game with Robert Villemain and Jake LaMotta. (Eugene Silent Hairston.

Biography and Boxing Records)

Eugene “Silent” Hairston’s contribution to the Deaf Community

Eugene “Silent” Hairston stopped his boxing career at the age of 22 because of a serious eye injury which he got in his fight with Bobo Olson in 1952. Although he gave up boxing at the early age, his achievements and his name found their place in the history of American boxing. Of course, his contribution to the Deaf Community was great. He proved the fact that deaf people have their right to be the best in human society. They have their right to develop their talents and to achieve their goals. Such sport as boxing is a rather dangerous sport, and only strong and brave men can succeed. Eugene was a true winner because he lost only 13 fights out of 63. There were special changes in the rules of boxing for deaf boxers. Special light flash from the corners of the ring signaled the end of the round.