Doll Rafferty

Name: Doll Rafferty
Birth Name: LaVerne James Rafferty
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Died: 1964-08-04 (Age:41)
Height: 170cm
Pro Boxer: Record

James (Doll) Rafferty was a two-time Golden Gloves champion managed by Eddie Metrie. He was born in 1922 or 1923 and died on August 4, 1964, at the age of 41, after suffering a heart attack while working at American Motors.

His obituary claimed he was best known for his series of fights against Juste Fontaine and estimated that he earned $100,000 in 1946 alone.

In 1943, Rafferty knocked out Joey Archibald in what would be the former world champions final fight. Later that year, Rafferty traveled to Boston and was stopped in the second round by World Boxing Hall of Famer Tippy Larkin.

Rafferty posted wins over notables including Gene Spencer, Sammy Parotta, Joey Peralta, Dave Castilloux, and Charley (Cabey) Lewis. In 1946, he was knocked out in the sixth round by Willie Pep. In the same year, he lost a unanimous decision to Billy Graham in New York City. In 1947, Rafferty was knocked out by lightweight champion Ike Williams.

• Source: Doll Rafferty, Former Boxing Standout, Dies. The Milwaukee Sentinel (1964, Aug. 5) Article