ED PARKER

 Nickname: Pee Wee

   After a very successful run as an amateur boxer, Houston's Ed "Pee Wee" Parker turned pro on Sept. 11, 1985. Parker scored a 3rd round technical knockout over fellow Texan David Gonzalez.  Few knew it at the time, but it was a very tough way to start out his career, Gonzalez would go on to win the California State Lightweight title, the NABF Welterweight title, and would fight for the WBC Jr. Middleweight world title!  Parker's management must have believed in his skills because he was put in with some pretty high level opposition from the start. 

   Parker went 6-0 with 3 ko's before taking the rematch with David Gonzalez. It was another great matchup, but this time it was Gonzalez winning via 8 round decision.  Parker took his first loss in a very tough fight.

   2 fights later, Parker found his self fighting for his first title belt. Just a little over 1 year from his pro debut, the 7-1 Parker faced another Houston up-and-coming favorite - Ronald Haynes (13-2) for the Texas State Lightweight Title.The fight went the full 12 round distance, and it was Haynes getting the unanimous decision from the judges.

   After 2 more fights and two more wins against solid opponents (Sylvester Kennon, and Gerardo Velasquez) in Texas, Parker ventured out and began fighting in venues outside of his home state.

   Ed Parker set out to prove that he was more than just a "local favorite" and went on the road hoping to battle his way into world class contention.  

Fighting in California, New York, South Africa, New Jersey, and Tijuana Mexico, Parker proved his ability going 9-1-2 in that stretch against opponents with a combined record of 195-33-8! 

   Parker was invited to participate in the Jr. Lightweight tournament held by The Forum in Los Angeles. He shined as he stopped Oscar Gallegos (12-1) in 3 rounds, fought a majority draw - with 1 judge's card favoring Parker, and the other 2 having it a 95-95 draw, against Rogelio Lopez (16-9), knocking out Robert Byrd (19-2) in round 7 of the tournament semi-final, interesting side note: the Referee for that fight was.... Robert Byrd! ...And on Oct. 23, 1989 Ed "Pee Wee" Parker (18-3-2) faced off with Kenny Baysmore (25-2-2) for the Forum tournament championship. It was a wild affair going the full 12 rounds, and ending in a unanimous decision. One Judge had it 116-113,  the other two Judges saw it 116-112 all in favor of Ed Parker. Ed "Pee Wee" Parker wore the prestigious title proudly, and that performance propelled him into his next fight which would be a challenge for the vacant WBC Continental Americas Featherweight Championship. His opponent was rugged Abe Gomez (16-3-1) who was very popular in the Los Angeles area. This fight was also held at the "fabulous" Forum in Los Angeles where Parker himself had become quite popular after his dazzling performance in the Forum Tournament. The fight was televised nationally on the Prime Ticket network. As expected the fight was tough and went the full 12 rounds, but there was no doubt who was the clear winner. Ed Parker scored the unanimous decision victory on cards reading: Dr. James Jen Kin: 116-113, Vince Delgado: 117-111, and Robert Byrd: 118-107, all in favor of Ed Parker.

   After back-to-back title winning fights, just a month-and-a-half later, Parker defended his WBC Continental Americas title belt against veteran Refugio Rojas (35-17-1) at The Forum in Los Angeles. It was a successful defense, ending in a unanimous decision win for the defending champion Parker, but the ruling was changed to a "No Contest" after the champion failed post-fight testing. Parker broke down upon being told of the test results, but didn't give up, and 3 months later came back with a great, but losing effort against undefeated Frankie Mitchell (24-0), dropping a very close unanimous decision on scores of 97-93, and 96-94 x 2 in Reno, Nevada.

   Parker was an active fighter, and just under a month after his bruising war with Frankie Mitchell over 10 rounds, he scored a great win over former NABF champion, and WBA World title challenger - Jesus Poll by unanimous decision over 12 rounds.

 

   Taking 4 months off, Parker took on undefeated, and world ranked Jesse James Leija (15-0) in an all-Texas showdown bout at the Hemisfair Arena in San Antonio, Texas.  It was a wild night in front of an enthusiastic crowd. And after 10 tense, back-and-forth rounds, the Judges scorecards read: Vince Amaya 97-94 in favor of Leija, Jimmy Parks had it 98-96 going to Parker, and Judge Wilfredo Esperon saw the fight 96-96. Nothing was settled as the fight was declared a split Draw!

   Being the active fighting champion that he was, Parker came right back with a stretch against 4 world ranked fighters, going 0-2-2 against: Manuel "Mantecas" Medina (37-3), Rowdy Welch (12-1), Aladin Stevens (41-6-5), and Harold Warren (15-5). All of the fights ended in decisions, with the Welch bout ending as a "Technical Draw" after an accidental clash of heads in round 1.

   Parker's career went down hill after that.  Fighting 17 more times in about 8 years, but winning only once in that final stretch. Proving what a skilled and worthy fighter he was, Even though he was losing most of his bouts, he continued to fight high level opponents and became a "Gate-Keeper" because of his high skill level.

   Edward's final bout came on March 18, 1999, 13-and-a-half years after making his professional debut, losing a 4 round decision to Larry O'Shields (14-6-2) at the Sheraton in Houston Texas.

   If you look close at Parker's record, you will see that he didn't get many "easy" fights along the way. Of his 50 professional bouts, only 2 were against fighters that didn't have a winning record!  He fought often, and is always held in high regard when remembered by boxing fans.

   Parker ended with a final record of 22 wins, 21 losses, 6 draws, and 1 no contest, winning 9 by knockout. A very deceiving final tally for sure. Fighting well past his prime, and refusing to take "easy" fights.  

   We are honored to induct Edward "Pee Wee" Parker into our Hall-of-Fan-Favorites!

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