Finnish Boxing Coach Olli Maki, Who Fought Davey Moore For World Title, Dies at 82
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Kirkkonummi, Finland (April 11th, 2019)– Noted Finnish boxing coach Olli Maki, who won the European Amateur Lightweight title in 1957, turned pro in 1960, fought the late Davey Moore for the World Featherweight title in 1962, and won the European Super Lightweight title as a professional in 1964, has died at the age of 82 in his native Kirkkonummi, Finland.
After turning pro in 1960, Maki compiled a professional record of 28-14-8 with five knockouts. He fought Davey Moore for the undisputed World Featherweight title in Helsinki Finland in 1962, but was knocked down three times and stopped in the second round in his only world title opportunity. Maki did not get a rematch with Moore, as bout with Moore became a footnote in boxing history. Moore’s title defense victory over Maki was the last title bout victory for Moore, who tragically died two days after getting stopped by Sugar Ramos in the tenth round of his next and final title bout at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, in March 1963.
After losing his European title in a rematch, and winning only four of his last 12 bouts, Maki wisely chose to retire after a knockout loss to Juan Flores in Palma de Mallorca, Spain in 1973. The 2016 feature film ‘The Happiest Day in the Life of Olli Maki’ is based on his life. His son Pekki Maeki followed in his father’s footsteps and is today a noted boxing trainer in Finland.
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