Career
Wilson was the silver medalist in the bantamweight class at the 1936 Berlin Olympiad. Wilson was defeated in the final by Ulderico Sergo of Italy. Wilson went on to have a successful pro career, and was ranked number two in the world at lightweight by Ring Magazine in 1940, and number two in 1941 at welterweight.
Wilson was also the first African-American boxer to fight a main event at Hollywood Legion Stadium, when he defeated Tony Chavez on April 26, 1940.