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St. Louis Joseph

Joseph (Joe) Anthony St. Louis
Sport: Boxing
Year Inducted: 1986

It was almost as sure as night follows day that Joseph “Joe” Anthony St. Louis would take up boxing; there was without doubt a little urging and pressure from his Hall of Fame father Donald Senior and brother Donald Junior, along with older brother Leo.

Joe’s early introduction to the fight game came when boxing was at its peak of both fan interest and fighter participation. It was not unusual for the cards to draw 1000-1500 fans at the Armouries and Water Street Arena. His early training took place at the Basic Training Centre #31 in Cornwall under his father’s coaching.

In 1946, the St. Columban’s Holy Name Society Boxing Club was organized under the direction of brother Kevin along with Don St. Louis; they were ably assisted by Canadian Champion Jerry Blanchard and Ashley Kirkey. They had approximately 15 Cornwall boys in their fight stable.

There was no lack of competition for the Cornwall boys because amateur boxing was enjoying a boom period in many other communities and records show they held their own.

Described by knowledgeable boxing people and sports reporters as being a stand-up fighter with power in both hands, Joe built up an impressive records of successive victories until he eventually lost a close decision to a Montreal fighter.

The highlight of his career and one of the main reasons for his being inducted into the Hall of Fame was winning a Golden Glove Championship, held in Brockville. He defeated a highly-favoured fighter out of Montreal’s Griffintown Boxing Club.

Joe continued his success up through the various weight classes and fighting in the light-heavy weight at 187 lbs until he was overmatched in a fight card in New York against a Marciano-type fighter out of Syracuse. He decided there were more important and enjoyable things in life and retired at 18.

He married Joan Martel and raised one daughter, Anne Mary, and has kept active in sports over the years playing hockey with the old-timers, softball, golf and is a qualified boxing judge in the Ontario Boxing Association.