Despite it all, Bivens remained a fighter after regaining his health.
Jimmy Bivens received in death something he never truly received in life.
And that was recognition.
The news of Bivens’ death, at the age of 92 last week, gave pause to the boxing world. Eulogies poured in from around the country.
Although born in Georgia, Bivens made Cleveland his home.
During the 1940s and ‘50s, he was a force to be reckoned with in the ring. He retired from boxing in 1955, never attaining the championship status he so richly deserved.
Bivens had a boxing record hard to beat by any standards.
When he hung up his gloves, he had amassed a record of 86 wins, 25 losses, and one draw. He also had an impressive 31 knockouts as a pugilist.
He met seven Hall of Famer boxers and defeated four of them. Yet, Bivens never got a shot at greatness.
Although ranked perennially as a No. 1 contender, boxers, including the legendary Joe Louis, never wanted to step into the ring with Bivens. Some boxing historians venture that Bivens could have whipped The Brown Bomber in a “New York minute.”
We’ll never know.
In later years, life would not be kind to Bivens outside the ring.
In 1988, he was found in his daughter’s attic living in deplorable conditions and badly emaciated. Luckily, he was pulled out of the home and provided with adequate care thanks to a sister.
Despite it all, Bivens remained a fighter after regaining his health.
He died last Sunday at the McGregor Home in East Cleveland.
Rest in peace champ. You never threw in the towel.
