Hester, Billy

Born in Louisville, KY, Billy Hester was a boxer who won the Kentucky middleweight title in 1954. The fight took place in Louisville with Hester defeating George Wilson in a 12-round decision. He also defeated Australian middleweight champion Billy McDonnell in 1957 in Sidney, Australia.

Hester's professional boxing career began in 1954 and ended in 1971. In October of 1971, a ten-round fight was scheduled between Hester and Clarence Geiggar in Las Vegas, NV. Referee Ferd Hernandez called the fight a "no contest" because the fighters had not fought to the best of their abilities. The boxers' purses were held until an investigation was completed by the Nevada Athletic Commission.

Hester's overall record was 25 wins (2 KOs), 5 loses (1 KO), and 2 draws.

For more see the Billy Hester entry in the Afro-American Encyclopedia; "Hester outpoints McDonnell," New York Times, 7/02/1957, p. 22; "Fight results" in The Lima News, 10/07/1971, p. 29; "Boxing" in Oakland Tribune, 10/07/1971, p. 89; and Billy Hester at boxrec.com.