Joey Archer, Middleweight Title Challenger, Dies in Rensselaer at 87

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

New York, NY (May 3rd, 2025)– Middleweight contender Joey Archer, who won 45 pro bouts between 1956 and 1967, beat Sugar Ray Robinson, who was unsuccessful in winning the American and world middleweight titles, as he died in a nursing home in Albany, New York at age 87.

Archer won 46 or 46 pro bouts, avenging a 10-round split decision loss to Jose Gonzalez in August 1962 with a 10-round unanimous decision win over Gonzalez in October 1962, both bouts at Madison Square Garden. A 10-round decision win over Don Fullmer at Madison Square Garden in February 1962 was followed by a 10-round decision loss in December 1965 in Boston Garden for the American Middleweight title.

Archer beat Rubin ‘Hurricane Carter’, former world champions Dick Tiger and Sugar Ray Robinson at The Garden, decking Robinson in the ninth round, and wound up in two world middleweight title bouts at The Garden with Emile Griffith in July 1966 and January 1967, losing 15 rounds decisions and then retiring.

In retirement, Archer owned bars and tried acting. Archer was a resident of Rensselaer, New York, and is survived by his wife of 49 years Joan, sister Patricia, and brother/trainer Jimmy Archer.

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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].