Archie the Mongoose

The Poplar Bluff Museum has tales of us, our family, and our history. I want to tell you some of those tales found within the museum walls.

Archie Moore was in trouble.

Born in 1913, he grew up in St. Louis. Archie was a dropout from a broken home. He was in a street gang and stealing for a living.

Soon, Archie ended up in reform school. As a teenager, he was sent to the country. In 1933, Archie arrived at the Civilian Conservation Corps work camp in Poplar Bluff.

That’s when his life changed. Archie was inspired by his new environment and dedicated himself to sports.

He began boxing and was allowed to form a boxing team. Archie began participating in local Golden Glove competitions. At the age of 22, he started his professional boxing career. It took 16 years, but in 1952 Archie Moore won the World Light Heavyweight Boxing Championship.

It was a hard road. He earned the nickname “The Mongoose.” He held the title for 10 years, the longest period anyone ever held the title.

In his career, Archie had the opportunity to fight Floyd Patterson, Rocky Marciano and Mohammed Ali.

He retired in 1963 with a record of 186 wins (132 KO’s), 23 losses, 10 draws and 1 no contest.

His nickname changed to the “Old Mongoose” because his boxing career was one of the longest on record (28 years). His era included Joe Louis and Mohammed Ali.

After retirement, Archie coached boxing. He trained George Forman, Mohammed Ali, and the Nigerian Olympic Boxing Team.

Archie also went to Hollywood. He appeared in eight motion pictures and six television shows.

In 1957, Archie formed a group called “Any Boy Can (ABC).” He mentored young men in sportsmanship, respect and confidence using boxing and sports. His program was recognized internationally and Archie was offered the position of “Minister of Welfare and Children” in Argentina. He declined only to accept an appointment from President Ronald Reagan with the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) teaching boxing to inner city children. This earned Archie the keys to the city of San Diego. In 1980, Archie “The Mongoose” Moore was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame.

Poplar Bluff is proud of the part it played in putting this champion on the right track of life, where he ultimately changed so many other lives.

Archie Moore photos and boxing posters can be seen downstairs at the Poplar Bluff Museum.

The museum is open every Sunday free of charge from 1-4 p.m. at 1010 Main St., Poplar Bluff (Formerly the Old Mark Twain School). Tell them Mike sent you!

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.