Elmer Ray

“Violent”

Boxing · Deceased

98-23-11 (3 NC)RECORD

69WINS BY KO / TKO

29WINS BY DECISION

135PRO FIGHTS

Profile

Full name	Elmo John Ray
Nickname	Violent
Date of birth	3 Mar 1911
Died	20 May 1987
Nationality	American
Birthplace	Hastings, Florida, US
Based in	Not added yet
Weight classes	Heavyweight
Trainers	Not added yet
Height	188 cm (6′2″)
Reach	Not added yet
Stance	Orthodox
Years active	1933–1949
Status	Deceased
Pro debut	31 Oct 1933
Last fight	Loss vs John Holman, 8 Mar 1949

Details on this page were compiled from public information on 11 Oct 2026 (the record is as of that date). Is this you? Claim this profile to correct anything and add your photo and bio. Claim this profile

Titles and honours

'Colored' Florida State heavyweight champion (1938)

Background

Elmer Ray was a Florida-born heavyweight known for his punching power. He fought contenders such as Jersey Joe Walcott, Ezzard Charles and Lee Savold, and boxed exhibitions with Joe Louis.

Fight history

135 professional fights. Newest first.

Result	Opponent	Method	Round	Time	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	John Holman	KO	8	1:37	8 Mar 1949	Miami, Florida, US
Loss	Kid Riviera	Decision (unanimous)	10		22 Feb 1949	St. Louis, Missouri, US
Win	Sid Peaks	KO	9	2:55	8 Feb 1949	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Tex Boddie	KO	4		11 Jan 1949	Miami, Florida, US
Loss	Ezzard Charles	KO	9	2:43	7 May 1948	Chicago, Illinois, US
Win	Al Smith	TKO	3		26 Mar 1948	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Sandy McPherson	KO	5	2:05	16 Mar 1948	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Willie Brown	KO	4	2:18	2 Mar 1948	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Ezzard Charles	Decision (split)	10		25 Jul 1947	New York City, New York, US
Win	Howard Chard	TKO	7	2:55	14 Jul 1947	Syracuse, New York, US
Win	Pete Louthis	KO	2	2:37	8 Jul 1947	Syracuse, New York, US
Win	Colion Chaney	KO	3	0:50	30 Jun 1947	West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
Loss	Jersey Joe Walcott	Decision (majority)	10		4 Mar 1947	Miami, Florida, US
Win	George Parks	TKO	2		6 Feb 1947	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Jersey Joe Walcott	Decision (split)	10		15 Nov 1946	New York City, New York, US
Win	Clifford Mann	KO	2	1:12	4 Nov 1946	Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
Win	George Parks	KO	3		25 Oct 1946	Chicago, Illinois, US
Win	Earl Lowman	TKO (corner retirement)	2		15 Oct 1946	Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
Win	Lee Savold	KO	2	1:39	28 Aug 1946	New York City, New York, US
Win	George Fitch	TKO	5	1:43	5 Aug 1946	West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
Win	Larry Lane	KO	2	2:35	23 Jul 1946	Millvale, Pennsylvania, US
Win	Earl Lowman	KO	3		1 Jul 1946	West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
Win	Vern Escoe	KO	3		17 Jun 1946	Baltimore, Maryland, US
Win	Art McAlpine	TKO	9	0:12	3 Jun 1946	West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
Win	Colion Chaney	KO	1	1:00	15 Apr 1946	Baltimore, Maryland, US
Win	Dixie Oliver	KO	1		2 Apr 1946	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Hubert Hood	TKO	4		19 Mar 1946	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Al Patterson	KO	3		5 Mar 1946	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Dan Merritt	KO	4		19 Feb 1946	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Grant Shade	KO	1	1:45	10 Dec 1945	Bismarck, North Dakota, US
Win	Cyclone Lynch	KO	1		6 Dec 1945	Galveston, Texas, US
Win	Grant Shade	KO	2	1:25	29 Nov 1945	Galveston, Texas, US
Win	Hubert Hood	Decision (points)	10		19 Oct 1945	Chicago, Illinois, US
Win	Jimmy Gardner	KO	1	0:46	11 Oct 1945	Cleveland, Ohio, US
Win	Henry Cooper	TKO	3		14 Sep 1945	Saint Paul, Minnesota, US
Win	Larry Lane	Decision (unanimous)	10		1 Jun 1945	Chicago, Illinois, US
Win	Perk Daniels	KO	8		4 May 1945	Baltimore, Maryland, US
Win	Vince Pimpinella	TKO	5		13 Apr 1945	Baltimore, Maryland, US
Win	Bob Jacobs	TKO	3		3 Apr 1945	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Jimmy O'Brien	TKO	5	2:41	23 Mar 1945	New York City, New York, US
Win	Johnny White	KO	1	2:19	5 Feb 1945	New York City, New York, US
Win	Henry Jones	TKO	9	0:25	25 Jan 1945	Boston, Massachusetts, US
Win	Mickey Hayes	KO	3	1:55	11 Jan 1945	Boston, Massachusetts, US
Win	Kid Riviera	TKO	6		8 Dec 1944	New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Win	Earl Lowman	Decision (unanimous)	10		30 Nov 1944	Boston, Massachusetts, US
Win	Claudio Villar	KO	1	0:35	24 Nov 1944	Chicago, Illinois, US
Win	Bill Petersen	KO	2		27 Oct 1944	Chicago, Illinois, US
Win	Perk Daniels	Decision (points)	10		17 Oct 1944	Los Angeles, California, US
Win	Larry Lovett	TKO	3		3 Oct 1944	Los Angeles, California, US
Win	Colion Chaney	KO	5		17 Jul 1944	Chicago, Illinois, US
Win	Freddie Hudson	KO	1	2:55	15 May 1944	San Francisco, California, US
Win	Bob Smith	KO	2		5 May 1944	Hollywood, California, US
Win	Jay D. Turner	KO	5		28 Apr 1944	San Diego, California, US
Win	Buddy Millard	KO	4	2:20	31 Mar 1944	Hollywood, California, US
Win	Bob Smith	KO	10		15 Mar 1944	Oakland, California, US
Win	Al Ware	KO	3		8 Mar 1944	Los Angeles, California, US
Win	Al Jordan	TKO	3		25 Feb 1944	San Diego, California, US
Win	Mike Alfano	TKO	2		18 Feb 1944	Hollywood, California, US
Win	Bob Smith	Decision (points)	10		3 Dec 1943	San Diego, California, US
Win	Ernie Rios	TKO	5	2:40	12 Nov 1943	Hollywood, California, US
Win	Jimmy Grinnage	TKO	3		18 Oct 1943	Santa Monica, California, US
Win	Lorenzo Pedro	TKO	8		15 Oct 1943	San Diego, California, US
Win	Gene Felton	KO	2		1 Oct 1943	San Diego, California, US
Loss	Turkey Thompson	KO	1	2:55	24 Aug 1943	Los Angeles, California, US
No contest	Turkey Thompson	No contest	6		9 Aug 1943	San Diego, California, US
Win	Phil Johnson	Decision (points)	6		26 Apr 1943	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Win	George Fitch	Decision (points)	10		19 Apr 1943	New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Win	Moise Howard	KO	3		24 Jan 1943	New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Loss	Larry Lovett	Decision (points)	10		15 Jan 1943	West Palm Beach, Florida, US	Billed for the colored heavyweight title of the South
Win	Louis Moulton	KO	3		12 Jun 1942	Jacksonville, Florida, US
Win	Ben Reed	KO	3		3 Mar 1942	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Willie Snell	TKO	5		20 Feb 1942		Date and location uncertain
Win	Otis Thomas	Decision (points)	10		17 Feb 1942	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Bob Smith	Decision (points)	10		10 Feb 1942	Miami, Florida, US
Draw	Dixie Oliver	Decision (points)	8		26 Jan 1942	Tampa, Florida, US
Win	Battling Monroe	Decision (points)	10		29 Oct 1941	Galveston, Texas, US
Win	Cyclone Lynch	KO	3	2:23	6 Aug 1941	Galveston, Texas, US
Win	Wilbert Bassett	TKO	6	1:35	23 Jul 1941	Galveston, Texas, US
Win	Obie Walker	Decision (unanimous)	10		24 Jun 1941	Galveston, Texas, US
Win	Sam Morris	Decision (points)	10		12 May 1941	Orlando, Florida, US
Win	Willie Reddish	Decision (points)	10		1 Apr 1941	Miami, Florida, US
Draw	Dixie Oliver	Decision (points)	10		5 Mar 1941	Orlando, Florida, US
Loss	Willie Reddish	TKO	3		27 Feb 1941	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Dixie Oliver	Decision (split)	10		30 Dec 1940	Orlando, Florida, US
Win	Dixie Oliver	KO	2		9 Dec 1940	Orlando, Florida, US
Win	Dixie Oliver	Decision (points)	10		2 Dec 1940	Orlando, Florida, US
Win	Kenny Blackshere	KO	1		11 Jul 1940	Jacksonville, Florida, US
Win	Earl Bethal	KO	1		4 Jul 1940	Jacksonville, Florida, US
Win	Jack Lewis	KO	3		29 Apr 1940	Orlando, Florida, US
Loss	Frank Lumpkin	Decision (split)	15		11 Apr 1940	Orlando, Florida, US
Win	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		1 Apr 1940	Orlando, Florida, US
Win	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	12		7 Mar 1940	Miami, Florida, US
Loss	Henry Taylor	Decision (split)	10		16 Feb 1940	Miami, Florida, US
Loss	Frank Lumpkin	Decision (points)	10		5 Feb 1940	Orlando, Florida, US
Loss	Frank Lumpkin	Decision (points)	10		22 Jan 1940	Orlando, Florida, US	For vacant Southern US (Negro) heavyweight title
Win	Tiger Jack Wright	Decision (points)	10		11 Jan 1940	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		4 Dec 1939	Columbia, South Carolina, US
Win	Leroy Haynes	Decision (unanimous)	10		17 Jul 1939	Atlanta, Georgia, US
Win	Otto McCall	TKO	3		19 Jun 1939	Atlanta, Georgia, US
Win	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		13 Apr 1939	Birmingham, Alabama, US	Newspaper decision
Win	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		23 Feb 1939	Birmingham, Alabama, US	Newspaper decision
Loss	Obie Walker	TKO	6		3 Oct 1938	Atlanta, Georgia, US
Loss	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		15 Sep 1938	Columbia, South Carolina, US
Draw	Jim Howell	Decision (points)	8		25 Jul 1938	New York City, New York, US
Loss	John Henry Lewis	KO	12		19 May 1938	Atlanta, Georgia, US
Win	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		27 Apr 1938	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Larry Lovett	Decision (points)	10		1 Apr 1938	West Palm Beach, Florida, US	Retained 'Colored' Florida State heavyweight title
Win	Larry Lovett	Decision (points)	10		4 Mar 1938	West Palm Beach, Florida, US	Won 'Colored' Florida State heavyweight title
Loss	Jersey Joe Walcott	KO	3	0:43	25 Sep 1937	New York City, New York, US
Win	Joe St. Peter	KO	1	1:52	6 Aug 1937	Long Beach, Florida, US
Loss	Earl Bethal	Decision (points)	4		27 Jul 1937	Jacksonville, Florida, US
No contest	Obie Walker	No contest	6		20 Apr 1937	Miami, Florida, US
Loss	Obie Walker	TKO	6		25 Mar 1937	West Palm Beach, Florida, US
Draw	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		18 Mar 1937	Daytona Beach, Florida, US
Loss	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		26 Jan 1937	Miami, Florida, US
Draw	Obie Walker	Decision (points)	10		19 Jan 1937	Miami, Florida, US
Draw	Ben McCoy	Decision (points)	10		15 Mar 1936	Nassau, Bahamas
Draw	Billy Jones	Decision (points)	10		21 Jan 1936	Miami, Florida, US
Win	Jonas Cobb	TKO	4		14 Jan 1936	Miami, Florida, US
Loss	Big Fast Black	KO	2		8 Nov 1935	New Orleans, Louisiana, US
Loss	RC Holloman	Disqualification	9		5 Nov 1935	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Win	Ben McCoy	Decision (points)	10		15 Oct 1935	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Win	Henry Johnson	TKO	2		8 Oct 1935	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Loss	Singapore Joe	Decision (points)	10		17 Apr 1935	Miami, Florida, US
Draw	RC Holloman	Decision (points)	10		2 Apr 1935	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Loss	Willie Bush	Disqualification	7		20 Mar 1935	Miami, Florida, US
No contest	Willie Bush	No contest	2		26 Feb 1935	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Loss	Battling Chauffeur	Decision (unanimous)	10		2 Oct 1934	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Win	Willie Bush	KO	7		18 Sep 1934	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Win	Willie Bush	TKO	4		21 Aug 1934	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Win	Walter King	Decision (unanimous)	10		17 Jul 1934	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Draw	Willie Bush	Decision (split)	10		19 Jun 1934	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Draw	Singapore Joe	Decision (points)	10		8 Feb 1934	Daytona Beach, Florida, US
Win	Young Jack Johnson	KO	5		7 Nov 1933	Tallahassee, Florida, US
Draw	Walter King	Decision (majority)	10		31 Oct 1933	Tallahassee, Florida, US	Pro debut

Record source: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).