Halimi, Alphonse

A member of the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, Halimi was the world bantamweight champion from 1957-1959. An orthodox Jew, he fought with a Magen David on his trunks and participated in the first professional bout to take place in Israel (1962).

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 18, 1932

Career Highlights:
As an amateur in the early 1950s, Halimi fought 189 bouts and held the French amateur bantamweight title from 1953-55. After turning professional in 1955, Halimi won his first seven fights by knockout, five in the first-round. He quickly moved up the ranks and won the first 18 fights of his career before receiving a title shot. In April 1957, less than two years after turning professional, Halimi defeated Mario D'Agata in a 15-round decision to win the New York world bantamweight crown. Seven months later, he defeated Raton Macias in a 15-round decision and was recognized as the undisputed world champion.

Halimi did not defend his title in 1958 and it was not until July 1959 that he made his first title defense. Against Jose Becerra of Mexico, Halimi fought well early but gradually lost control of the fight and was knocked down twice in the eighth, the second time for good. Seven months after losing the title, Becerra (Mexico's first world champion) gave Halimi a rematch for the title. Halimi again started strong, knocking Becerra down in the second-round and controlling much of the fight through the first eight-rounds. After showing signs of tiring in the ninth though, Halimi was then knocked out in the tenth.

Halimi rebounded from his two losses to Becerra and defeated Freddie Gilroy in October 1960 to win the European bantamweight title. Although he lost the title the following year to Johnny Caldwell (he also lost the rematch with Caldwell), Halimi then defeated Piero Rollo in June 1962 to regain the European title; the bout took place in Tel Aviv and was the first-ever professional boxing match held in the State of Israel. Halimi lost the title to Rollo in their rematch four months later; he never received another title shot. Halimi fought sparingly for two more years and then retired in 1964 with 41 victories in 50 career decisions.

Origin:
Constantine, Algeria

Career Statistics:
Professional record:
Wins: 41 (21 by knockout)
Losses: 8
Draws: 1

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