Background
Akins was born and died in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Akins was born and died in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Akins was considered lanky, but proved nevertheless to be a powerful hitter with either hand. He began his career as a Lightweight in 1948, continuing to fight in that division for 6 years before finally growing into the Welterweight class. He was long considered to be an effective operator and boasted wins over future World Champions Joe Brown and Wallace ‘Bud’ Smith, as well as ending the incredible forty-seven fight winning streak of Ronnie Delaney, by way of knock-out in 1955.
An elimination tournament including six of the World’s top-rated Welterweights was swiftly established in an effort to find Basilio’s successor.
All told, Martinez went down nine times, having never seriously recovered from a shattering right delivered early in the First. Akins"s reign would not last long however.
Six months later, he lost his title to Don Jordan by way of unanimous decision and in only his first defense. Akins disputed the result but fared no better in the return, held the following Spring.
Palermo was imprisoned in 1961 for conspiracy and extortion for the covert ownership of prizefighters.
Akins died at the age of 82 on January 22, 2011.
Akins had powered his way up the rankings in both divisions and finally got his chance of a World title once Carmen Basilio relinquished the Welterweight Championship to concentrate on defending his new Middleweight crown.
Akins"s contract was "owned" under the table by the notorious Frank "Blinky" Palermo, a member of the Philadelphia crime family.