Category
Athlete
Sport
Boxing
Hometown
Saint John
Year Inducted
1977
athlete
Jack Burke
HONOURED MEMBER
Biography
Jackie Burke is the fifth boxer to be elected to the Hall of Fame, and the fourth from the port city of Saint John.He is the product of a provincial boxing tradition that rings with names like Connolly, Durelle, Lifford and O’Brien. It all began in 1961 when he made his debut - and came to an end with retirement ten years later.In between were thirty-five victories as an amateur (against only one defeat), the winning of the Canadian Bantamweight title over Johnny Devison in his fourth pro fight, six successful defences of that title, a 1965 ninth place ranking in the World Bantamweight division, and two tries at the Canadian Featherweight and Junior Lightweight titles. A career in boxing is short in terms of time, but Jackie Burke filled those years with the kinds of accomplishments that earned him recognition in the provincial, national and world rings. Enrolled in the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame, June 4th, 1977.
Quick Facts
Provincial Amateur champion for four consecutive years
Maritime champion for four consecutive years
Won the Canadian Bantamweight Professional championship in 1964
Won a silver medal at the 1964 Pan American Games