 James
Parker
2001 Greater Flint
Afro-American Hall of Fame Inductee
Category: BOXING
Parent: James Parker
Wife: Jo Ann
Daughters: India, China
Sons: Dion, James
James (also known as Baby James) grew up on the north side of Flint
in the St. John Street neighborhood. He attended Fairview Elementary,
Lowell Junior High and Flint Central High School.
James began his boxing career under the guidance of the late Dee Cavette
and Floyd Fielder at the old Flint Interracial Community Center (FICC)
on St. John Street.
He was one of the best heavyweights during his time to come out of
Flint. He had the skills of a Sugar Ray Robinson with a knock out punch.
In 1960 he won both City and State Novice Middleweight Titles. He won
the open heavyweight title in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1962.
When James entered the United Stated Marines he polished his skills
as a boxer, and went on to win all service championships. In four years
in the United States Marines, he had a record of 49 wins and one loss.
In 1963, while on leave, James won the Flint Golden Gloves finals
in the heavyweight division with a KO. It was booked as the fight of
the night, James Parker vs. the A-Bomb.
James won the light heavyweight quarter finals National Golden Gloves
held in Kansas City, and gained the officials nod as the National Tournament's
most outstanding fighter (at that time).
In 1965 James won the State Golden Gloves heavyweight title and in
1967 he won the state Golden Gloves heavyweight title for the third
time.
James is retired and resides in Flint.
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