Murderers' Row refers to a group of middleweight boxing contenders in the United States competing in the 1940s, primarily of a Black American background.
[1] Fighters recognized under the Murderers’ Row banner include Charley Burley, Lloyd Marshall, Holman Williams, Herbert "Cocoa Kid" Lewis Hardwick, Jack Chase, Eddie Booker, Aaron Wade, and Bert Lytell.
Eventually, Burley would retire after winning 83 bouts, without ever being able to meet in the ring the champions of the time, such as Rocky Graziano, Sugar Ray Robinson and Jake LaMotta.
In his autobiography, Light Heavyweight world champion, Archie Moore, stated that Booker was one of only two boxers (the other was Burley in a 1944 bout) who beat him in his prime and rated them as the best fighters he ever faced.
A popular and exciting fighter, the local New Orleans paper and Ring Magazine both reported on the large crowds that would attend Williams’ fights and that he received standing ovations for his performances.
[7] Williams would eventually compete in over 180 bouts, without ever getting a shot at the title - but the breadth of this achievement, with great success against other fighters in the Murderer's Row, has even led some to suggest him over Burley as its greatest member.