February 27- One Birth Date Shared by Four Men: Doug Jones, Tom McNeeley, Ivan Robinson, and Leo Randolph

February 27- One Birth Date Shared by Four Men: Doug Jones, Tom McNeeley, Ivan Robinson, and Leo Randolph

In boxing, the scorecards and titles tell only part of the story. The heart of the sport beats in the moments that don’t always make the highlight reels, like the quiet persistence of a contender and the calculated risk of stepping into the ring against a legend. On February 27, four such men came into the world: Doug Jones, Tom McNeeley, Ivan Robinson, and Leo Randolph, each carving a chapter of boxing history in his own way.

Doug Jones

Born in New York City in 1937, Doug Jones built a career that reads like a blueprint in resilience. A heavyweight from 1958 to 1967, Jones compiled 30 wins, 10 losses, and 1 draw, with 20 wins coming by way of knockout, facing some of the most dangerous men of his era: Eddie Machen, Harold Johnson, Zora Folley, Bob Foster, George Chuvalo, Ernie Terrell, Thad Spencer, and Joe Frazier. He defeated former world champion Bobo Olson, proving that technique and toughness could earn respect and a victory.

Perhaps no fight defines Jones better than his March 1963 showdown with Cassius Clay at Madison Square Garden. Though Ali won a unanimous decision, Jones pushed and tested the young future champion. In a time when the heavyweight division brimmed with talent, Jones became a quiet measuring stick for greatness.

Tom McNeeley

Born in Arlington, Massachusetts, also on February 27, 1937, Tom McNeeley turned pro in 1958. He built a record of 37–14, with 28 wins coming by KO, stepping into the spotlight against one of the era’s icons: Floyd Patterson. On December 4, 1961, McNeeley challenged Patterson for the heavyweight crown. Stopped in four rounds of a scheduled 15 McNeeley was floored eleven times. He nevertheless earned a place among recognized names, a fighter who had tested himself against the pinnacle of the sport.

McNeely also faced greats like Willie Pastrano, Brian London, Oscar Bonavena, Thad Spencer, and Jose “Chegui” Torres. On February 3, 1964, McNeely and Doug Jones faced each other, with Jones emerging victorious by way of a fifth round stoppage.

Beyond the ring, McNeeley remained a fixture in boxing, serving as a long-time commissioner in Massachusetts, carrying the lessons of his career into governance and mentorship.

As a side note, both McNeeley’s father (Tom Sr.) and his son Peter also fought professionally.

Ivan “Mighty” Robinson

Philadelphia gave the sport one of its craftiest fighters in Ivan Robinson, who was born February 27, 1971. Turning professional in 1992, Robinson compiled a 32–12–2 record with 12 knockouts, building a career defined by technical skill and tactical precision.

Robinson’s amateur pedigree included a silver medal at the 1990 Goodwill Games. His opponent back on August 4, 1990 was future legend Oscar De La Hoya, whom he lost to by way of split decision. Robinson also won a 1991 U.S. Amateur Featherweight title. These experiences were a foundation that would serve him well against the sport’s elite. His professional highlight came in 1998, when he scored two victories over Arturo Gatti in fights celebrated as some of the year’s most compelling battles. Later, he tested himself against the likes of Demetrio Ceballos, Phillip Holiday, Isreal Cardona, Angel Manfreddy, James Crayton, Antonio Diaz, Vivian Harris, Jesse James Leija and Julio César Chávez,  proving time and again that Robinson’s measure was not titles but courage. In 2013, his contributions were formally recognized with induction into the Pennsylvania Boxing Hall of Fame.

Leo Randolph

The youngest of the quartet, Leo Randolph, was born on February 27, 1958, in Columbus, Mississippi, though his formative years were spent in Tacoma, Washington. His amateur career was extraordinary, culminating in Olympic gold at the 1976 Montreal Games in the flyweight division. National Golden Gloves and AAU championships marked him as a prodigy whose professional potential was obvious.

Turning pro, Randolph captured the WBA super bantamweight title on May 4, 1980, stopping Ricardo Cardona by TKO. His reign was brief — he lost the title to Sergio Victor Palma later that year and then retired from the sport.

Randolph holds the record for the shortest professional career span for any boxing champion: two years and fifty days.

February 27

Doug Jones, Tom McNeeley, Ivan Robinson, and Leo Randolph remind us that the fight game is about courage, persistence, and the human stories that unfold round after round.

From the gyms of New York and Philadelphia to Olympic podiums and championship rings, February 27 has gifted the sport four men whose careers echo far beyond their records. And in remembering them, we see why boxing endures.

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