1) John L Sullivan (1858-1918)
Born in Roxbury, Massachusetts to Irish immigrant parents, Sullivan or the Boston Strong Boy became the first American sports idol. He was the link between the old and the new, being the last Bare Knuckle Champion and the first gloved champion. At 5'10 tall and weighing in at 190 pounds, he was a powerful versatile athlete who although proficient with both fists had a powerful right hand which could break a man's jaw.
Sullivan could take a punch and on numerous occasions he tested this out by walking into bars and telling everyone there that he could lick any of them. A challenge which was readily accepted by many, and readily regretted by most.
Although no formal boxing titles existed during Sullivan's era due to the legality of the sport, he undoubtedly held the title of world champion in the eyes of most Americans. His defeat of Paddy Ryan in 1882 with an 8th Round Knockout and a gruelling 75th Round win over Jake Kilrain in 1889 cemented his place in boxing folklore.
Sullivan toured America and appeared in France and England for exhibition bouts and reportedly earned 1 Million Dollars over his career.
The end came for Sullivan in 1892 when he faced Jim Corbett in the Carnival of Champions, New Orleans. Years of hard living may have taken its toll but a younger, faster and more technically aware fighter, Jim Corbett, put an end to Sullivan's career with a 21st Round knockdown. Sullivan retired from boxing after the fight, only appearing in exhibition bouts over the next 12 years against well known fighters such as Tom Sharkey and Jim Jeffries.
Sullivan did much to advance the sport of boxing with his charismatic and bullish style.
2) Gene Tunney (1897-1978)
Born in New York City to two Irish parents, Mary Lydon and John Tunney, Gene Tunney, standing at 6'0, would become World Heavyweight Champion at the age of 29. Tunney was an intelligent fighter moulded along the lines of a previous great Jim Corbett. He studied each opponent in detail and boxed scientifically rather than toe to toe. However what makes Tunney an all time great is that he could adapt his style if needed.
His bobbing and weaving style flummoxed many a fighter in his era, but it is the Harry Greb fights in Tunney's career that shows he had the willingness and heart to go toe to toe if the occasion arose. Tunney's fight record is a testament to his boxing skills, in a total of 86 fights he lost only once.
His opportunity to take the greatest prize came in 1926 against Jack Dempsey. An underdog going into the fight, Tunney won the fight on points in the Tenth, a major shock in the boxing world. A rematch was widely anticipated and it occurred 364 days after their first encounter. This match will be forever remembered for the Long Count which caused controversy, after confusion over a new rule which required fighters to go to a neutral corner after a knockdown, led to a time lapse of around 14 seconds before Tunney rose from the canvas. Tunney did rise eventually and went on to win the fight.
Tunney went on to defend his title only once. In 1928 he fought New Zealander Tom Heeney which he won by TK in the 12th. He decided to retire after this fight, some believe as a promise to his wife, but he went out as the undefeated Heavyweight Champion of the World. Tunney may not have been as charismatic a figure as Dempsey during this period who in boxing circles has taken much of the accolade and some commentators stated he had a weak chin and was not a strong puncher. However Tunney's record speaks for itself he beat Dempsey twice, in over half of his fights won the achieved this by knockout and his only knockdown in his career was the infamous Long Count.
Tunney died on the 7th November 1978 at the age of 81.
3) Jack Dempsey (1895-1983)
Born in Manassa, Colorado to an Irish father and English mother, standing at 6'1 and weighing 187 pounds, 'the Manassa Mauler' rose to stardom in a World Title fight in 1919 against Jess Willard. The previous year saw Dempsey accumulate an impressive record to set up this title bout. In 1918 he fought 17 times winning 15 losing 1 with one no decision. At the beginning of 1919 he fought 5 times winning each one by knockout in the first round.
The fight with Willard was billed as a modern day David v Goliath as Willard stood at 6'6 and few gave Dempsey any hope. After the bell sounded for round one it was clear what Dempsey's intentions were, to finish this fight as early as his previous 5 fights that year. He nearly achieved this, sending Willard to the canvas 7 times in the First. Dempsey had inflicted considerable damage on the Champion in the opening minutes, including a broken jaw, cheek bone and ribs. The fight was stopped by Willard's corner at the end of the Third.
Dempsey went on to successfully defend his title 6 times in 7 years. His reign would come to an end against another Irish American fighter Gene Tunney in September 1926. Tunney had only lost once in his career but was considered the underdog. Dempsey lost the fight on points in the Tenth, a major shock in the boxing world. Dempsey considered retiring but decided against it defeating future Heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey on his way to a rematch with Tunney.
The rematch was widely anticipated and the Gate receipts exceeded 2 million dollars. The infamous match would be remembered for the notorious long count which occurred in the seventh round. Dempsey was losing the fight on points when he hit Tunney with a left hook to the chin sending the champion to the floor. Confusion over a new rule which required fighters to go to a neutral corner after a knockdown, led to a time lapse of around 14 seconds before Tunney rose from the canvas. Tunney regained his composure and won the fight on points.
Dempsey retired after the fight, only fighting exhibitions and died in 1977, with a legacy of one of the greatest box office draws in boxing history.
4) Tom Sharkey (1873-1953)
Born in Dundalk, Ireland, standing at 5'8, Tom Sharkey would have a colourful career in Boxing. Leaving Ireland and travelling to America at a very young age, Sharkey joined the US Navy. It was here that he learned how to fight. Challenging and accepting fights from all comers, was in his nature, short but powerful and fearful of nothing or no one.
It was while in the Navy that he began his professional boxing career. The earliest recorded fights where fought at his base in Honolulu. Between 1893 and 1896 he fought 19 times and won all 19 fights by way of knockout. In his early 20's he was already gaining a healthy respect by fighters in the boxing world.
In 1896 Sharkey took on the best around, including a win over Joe Choynski, a draw against Corbett in a four round exhibition, and an exhibition against the old timer John L. Sullivan. It was however a controversial fight which would bring Sharkey to the attention of many Americans. At the end of 1896 he was given the chance to fight Bob Fitzsimmons in a contest billed as the Heavyweight Championship because it was believed that Corbett the reigning champion had relinquished his title. The referee was none other than Wyatt Earp and it was his decision in round 8 to award the fight to Sharkey after a low blow, which caused outrage. Fitzsimmons was dictating the fight and was renowned for inventing the solar plexus punch which knocked Sharkey to the canvas. Many believe Earp rigged the fight in Sharkey's favour. After the fight, Sharkey was not crowned champion as Corbett stated that he had not relinquished his title and returned to the ring.
In 1896 Sharkey returned to Ireland and was greeted with a heroes' welcome. He fought relatively few contests in preference of some exhibition bouts. In 1898 Sharkey again fought the best around including wins over Gus Ruhlin and now former champion Jim Corbett. It was also in this year that Sharkey recorded his first loss, after a war of attrition against Jim Jeffries.
It would be Jeffries who he would face again in 1899 for the Heavyweight Championship. A fight which became known as the fight of the century was one of the hardest fought in the ring to this day. Jeffries in my opinion was the greatest of all time and would have held this title by most if he had not of come out of retirement to fight Jack Johnson. A fight, he should never have fought, only to be coaxed out of retirement by the American media, six years after he had hung up his gloves.
The fight with Sharkey was held in Coney Island. Sharkey had the best of the early rounds but Jeffries came back in the latter stages of the fight. Although both suffered severe injuries, most notably Sharkey, who had two broken ribs and a broken nose, the fight, went the distance. Many believed Sharkey won the fight but Jeffries was awarded the victory by decision.
Sharkey never fully recovered from the fight physically or mentally but went on fighting never achieving the status of world heavyweight champion. In his own words Sharkey fought them all and never backed away from anyone. He was among the best in an era which had some of the greatest boxers of all time. Jeffries was undefeated until his ill fated comeback against Johnson, Jim Corbett dubbed as the father of modern boxing and Bob Fitzsimmons, the first three division world champion.
Sharkey became great friends with Jeffries and toured America re-enacting their famous fight in 1899. Both had great respect for each other, Sharkey was among those, including Jack Johnson and Jack Dempsey who stated Jeffries was the greatest of all time, Jeffries stated that Sharkey's bouts were the hardest of his career crediting Sharkey as been the roughest, toughest and bravest man he ever fought.
Sharkey died, penniless, in 1953 after he lost his final fight with a long suffering illness. Remembered as the greatest heavyweight never to have won the title he was a veritable nightmare to any man he faced.
5) James Braddock (1905-1974)
Born to Irish parents Joseph and Elizabeth in New York City, Braddock's life would become one of the fairytale stories of the 20th century. Braddock started out as a very promising fighter rising up the ranks and had the opportunity to fight Tommy Loughran in 1929, for the light heavyweight championship, however he lost in a fifteen round decision.
Less than two months later the stock market crashed and Braddock like many others lost everything he had. His boxing career also suffered and he struggled to win fights, losing 16 of his 22 fights, in the process badly injuring his right hand. Jim was forced to give up boxing and filed for government relief. Jim struggled to support his family, occasionally finding work in the Docks unloading cargo ships. Compensating for his injured right hand he had to work twice as hard as others with his weak hand, subsequently strengthening it.
Braddock's story did not stop there, in 1934 with a touch of long awaited fortune, he was given the opportunity to fight John Griffin after a last minute cancellation. This match was on the undercard of the world championship fight between Primo Carnero and Max Baer. Braddock seen as simply a stepping stone for Griffin, won the fight by knockout in the third round. Braddock had taken his opportunity and two more fights ensued against strong favourites, John Henry Lewis and Art Lasky. Braddock won both fights and captured the hearts of a nation along the way.
The victories cemented Braddock's position as a serious contender and he was given his opportunity to fight the formidable champion Max Baer on June 13th 1935. Braddock going into the fight was ten to one underdog but after a gruelling fight and a dogged display he won the Heavyweight championship of the world by decision. Braddock would defend and lose his title against Joe Louis two years later but he has remained in the hearts of many people still to this day, for overcoming the odds.
Braddock's career was the subject of a Hollywood film, starring Russell Crowe. It is worth noting that Braddock paid back his welfare money, further adding to the legend of the proud underdog who fought the odds and won. Braddock retired in 1938 after one last fight with Tommy Far, which he won. He died on the 29th November 1974 at the age of 69.
