Walker, Mickey (1901-1981), an American boxer, was a world champion from 1922 to 1931. From 1922 to 1926, he held the world welterweight title. From 1926 to 1931, he was the world middleweight champion. Walker was a tough, brawling boxer who battled leading fighters in four different weight classifications—welterweight, middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight.
Walker was one of the most colorful personalities in boxing history, known for his free-wheeling lifestyle. Walker earned millions of dollars as a fighter and spent most of it in high living.
Walker won his first title in 1922, defeating Jack Britton in a 15-round decision for the welterweight championship. He lost the welterweight title to Pete Latzo in a 10-round decision in 1926 but defeated Tiger Flowers for the middleweight title in a 10-round decision the same year. He had previously lost a middleweight title fight to defending champion Harry Greb in 1925.
Walker did not defend his middleweight title after 1929 and gave it up in 1931. He fought defending champion Tommy Loughran for the light heavyweight title in 1929, losing a 10-round decision. He fought defending champion Maxie Rosenbloom for the light heavyweight championship in 1933, losing a 15-round decision. He also fought future heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey to a draw in a nontitle fight in 1931.
Edward Patrick Walker was born on July 13, 1901, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. He began boxing as a professional at the age of 17. Walker retired in 1935 with a career record of 93 victories, 19 defeats, and 4 draws. After his retirement, he worked at several jobs, including operating a tavern in Elizabeth. He also became an accomplished painter. Walker died on April 28, 1981.
See also Greb, Harry .
