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Carl Olson, (July 11 1928 – January 16
2002), was an USA|American boxer. He was the world
middleweight champion between October 1953 and
December 1955, the longest reign of any champion
in that division during the 1950s.  Although he is
probably best remembered for his three knockout
defeats against Sugar Ray Robinson.

His nickname, Bobo, was based on his younger
sister's mispronunciation of "brother".

==Early years==

Olson was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to a Portuguese
people|Portuguese mother and a Sweden|Swedish
father, hence his other nickname "The Hawaiian
Swede".  Like many boxers, Olson decided to take
up the sport after getting into fights on the
streets.  Olson received training from boxers who
were stationed in Hawaii during World War II, it
was also during this period that he picked up his
two trademark tattoos.

Using a fake identity card Olson obtained a boxing
licence at the age of 16.  He had won his first
three contests, two by knockout, before his true
age was discovered.  During 1945 Olson ran off to
San Francisco in order to continue his boxing
career.  By the time he was 18 he had amassed a
record of 13 successive wins (10 by KO).  Even at
this stage his power and huge reserves of stamina
were clear, as was his rather average skill.

==Mature career==

The first real test of Olson's career came on
March 20 1950, Olson's record at this point was 40
wins and 2 losses, against the Australian Dave
Sands.  Olson lost to a close points decision in
Sydney.  Seven months after this Olson had his
first fight against Sugar Ray Robinson, for the
lowly regarded Pennsylvania State World
Middleweight Title.  Olson, who was widely seen as
a slow starter, failed to get into the fight, even
though Robinson was not having one of his best
fights.  Olson managed to hold on for 11 rounds
before being knocked out.  Despite his great
record it was clear that Olson was still too
inexperienced to be fighting at that level.

A year after his loss to Robinson, Olson managed
to get a rematch against Dave Sands.  This fight
was the first to be televised coast-to-coast in
America. However, Sands once again proved too much
for Olson, he again won by unanimous decision.

On March 13 1952 Olson fought Robinson again, this
time for the World middleweight title.  Robinson,
who had lost and regained the title against Randy
Turpin in his previous two fights, was looking for
an easy fight.  However, Olson had improved
significantly from their first encounter.  Through
10 rounds the fight was neck-and-neck, only a
dominant finish by Robinson over the last 5 rounds
won him the decision.  This would be the only time
that Olson lasted the duration against Robinson.

Robinson retired for the first time in December
1952, vacating his middleweight crown.  The top
four contenders fought a tournament for the title.
 Olson defeated Paddy Young for the American title
to gain the right to fight for the vacant world
title, Turpin won the other eliminator against
Charley Humez.

The title fight against Turpin took place on
October 21 1953 at Madison Square Garden.  Turpin
dominated the first four rounds, he almost scored
a knockdown in the first, before Olson got a grip
on the fight.  As the fight progressed Olson took
the initiative, he scored knockdowns in the 10th
and 11th rounds on the way to a unanimous
decision.  Following his success Olson was voted
Ring Magazine fighters of the year|Ring magazine's
fighter of the year for 1953.

Olson won all seven of his fights in 1954
including defences of his title against such big
names as Kid Gavilan, Rocky Castellani, and Pierre
Langlois.

In 1955 Olson, who was finding it increasingly
difficult to make weight, stepped up to light
heavyweight.  His first major fight in this
category was against former champion Joey Maxim,
Olson won the fight easily on points after scoring
knockdowns in both the 2nd and 9th rounds.  On
June 22 Olson challenged 41 year old Archie Moore
for the light heavyweight title, a fight that many
believed Olson would easily win.  However, the
"Old Mongoose" was too strong for Olson and won by
knockout after only a minute had elapsed of the
third round.  After this fight Olson began his
decline.

Following two walkover wins, Olson put his
middleweight title on the line against Robinson,
who was once again number 1 contender following
his brief retirement, on December 9 1952.  Olson,
who entered the fight as a massive favourite, was
knocked out in the second round. The rematch,
fought five months later at Wrigley Field, ended
similarly with Olson going down in the fourth. 
After this second defeat Olson announced his
retirement.

==Late career==

After a year out of the game Olson returned as a
heavyweight to fight Maxim again, a fight he won
on points.  Olson took another year out following
a knockout defeat against Pat McMurtry.  Whilst
initially coming back as a journeyman, despite
being only 30, Olson managed to reestablish
himself as a contender.  On November 27 1964 he
fought Jose Torres with the winner going on to
fight the champion, Willie Pastrano.  Olson was
knocked out after 2 minutes of the first round. 
This defeat effectively ended his career, he would
only fight again four more times.

==Life after boxing==

Olson retired with a record of 99 wins (49 by KO),
16 losses, and 2 draws from his 117 professional
fights.  He went on to work with disaffected
youngsters before working as a public relations|PR
officer for the Teamsters Union.  In his later
years Olson suffered from Alzheimer's disease.  He
was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of
Fame in 2000.