Downtown West in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Virgil Akins

Born March 10, 1928

Photographed by Jason Voigt, January 23, 2023

1. Virgil Akins Marker

Inscription. Virgil "Honey Bear" Akins was born in St. Louis, Missouri and became the first African American homegrown boxing champion and the last fighter to fight for a world title here until 2005. Akins' record was 60-31 with two draws over his 14-year career including upsetting Vince Martinez at the Arena on June 6, 1958. His knockouts totaled 34.

Erected 2005 by Gateway Community Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Sports. A significant historical date for this entry is June 6, 1958.

Location. 38° 38.194′ N, 90° 12.424′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Downtown West. It is on Doctor Martin Luther King Drive (Missouri Route D) west of North 20th Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1934 Dr Martin Luther King Dr, Saint Louis MO 63106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Reuben C. and Katherine J. Anderson (here, next to this marker); Representative Wyvetter Younge (here, next to this marker); Dr. Ruth M. Harris (here, next to this marker); Wiley Price, Jr. (here, next to this marker); Russ Mitchell (here, next to this marker); Osborne Earl Smith

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(here, next to this marker); James Thomas Bell (here, next to this marker); Montford Point Marines of St. Louis (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Also see . . . Virgil Akins on Wikipedia. Akins (1929-2011) fought many fights at the Kiel Auditorium and the Arena in St. Louis, as well as other cities including Chicago, Boston and Washington, DC. He was given the nickname "Honey Bear" due to him "being vicious like a bear but smooth like honey". (Submitted on February 2, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 2, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 246 times since then and 30 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on February 2, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.