“Farmer Joe” Kahut (June 22, 1923 – October 4, 1990) fought his way out into the hearts of Oregonians during and after World War II, rising from bouts in Salem to become Pacific Coast Light Heavyweight Champion.
Born in 1923, Kahut grew up on a farm outside Woodburn and got into professional boxing in January 1941 at the Salem Armory. He won his first four round bout on points against Johnny Fields. Joe won four more bouts by April before returning to the fields of the family farm. He continued as a farmer through his career, which earned him the nickname “Farmer Joe.”
Kahut, who stood 5-foot-10, moved to six-round bouts at the Portland Auditorium in 1942 and became the state light heavyweight champion in July 1943 with a 10-round decision over Young Otto at Multnomah Stadium. That win put Kahut at 13-0 with seven knockouts.
Joe’s long frame filled out to 180 pounds, and he moved up to heavyweight class in 1945. He reached No. 6 in the Ring Magazine rankings in November and remained among the top fighters on the West Coast as a heavyweight or light heavyweight for the next five years. He won the Pacific Northwest Heavyweight title in 1950 with a fourth-round knockout of Bill Peterson. He successfully defended the title once.
In 1951, Kahut fought Ezzard Charles at the Pacific Livestock Pavillion in Portland before a crowd of 6,724. He lost by knockout in the eighth of twelve rounds. Joe was skilled enough to contend in two weight classes over his career.
Joe Kahut retired in early 1954 with a career record of 55-26 with 6 draws. He won 37 bouts by knockout.
He was inducted into the Oregon Boxing Hall of Fame in 1998.