Irish American boxers of the late 1800s and early 1900s figured prominently in the Mecca Cigarettes Champion Athlete and Prize Fighter series of trading cards.
The biographical information supplied, in some cases quite extensive and in others quite brief, shows how the Irish dominated boxing in that era.
1. Jimmy Barry
Bantamweight Champion of the World Jimmy Barry, was born in Chicago on March 7, 1870. In 68 contests, from 1891 to 1899, when he retired, he was never defeated. He fought Casper Leon of New York in Illinois on September 15, 1894, and won by a knockout in the 28th round to become the new bantamweight champion. His meeting in 1897 with the British champion, Walter Croot, in London, ended tragically when Barry’s right dropped Croot with such force that he died from a brain injury.
2. Joe Coburn
American Heavyweight Champion Joe Coburn was born on July 20, 1835, in Middletown, County Armagh, Ireland. He was five feet, nine inches tall. He fought with bare knuckles Mike McCool at Charlestown, Maryland, on May 5, 1863, and won in 67 rounds. He challenged Jem Mace in Port Ryeson, Canada, on May 18, 1870.
They were in the ring one hour and 17 minutes without a blow being struck, when the military appeared and broke up the meeting. They finally had a real fight in St. Louis, Mississippi on November 30, 1870, for $3,000. The fight was declared a draw in the 12th round. Coburn died on December 6, 1890.
3. James J. Corbett
Heavyweight Champion of the World, “Gentleman Jim” Corbett was born in San Francisco on September 1, 1866. He stood 6 feet, 1 inch tall. Corbett won the heavyweight championship from John L. Sullivan, who had held the title for 12 years, by decisively defeating him in 21 rounds at the Olympic Club of New Orleans on September 7, 1892. He lost the title to Bob Fitzsimmons in 14 rounds in Carson, Nevada, on March 17, 1897. He retired from the ring and became an actor.
4. Young Donahoe
Real name Phil Powers. Born in Boston, May 5, 1885. Height: 5 feet 6 inches; weight: 133 Ibs. This young pugilist, from 1903 to 1907, won from Young Igalls, Jack O’Brien, Matty Baldwin, Jimmy Hanlon, Hugh Glancy, Harry Scroggs, and Young Keating.
In 1908 he won from Young Kloby, lost to Dave Deshler and drew with George Memsic, Dave Deshler and W. Fitzgerald. In 1909, he lost to Phil Brock, won over Young Kid Farmer, Kid Sullivan, Kid Goodman and had a no-decision fight with Tommy Devlin.
5. Mike Donovan
Middleweight Champion of the World Mike Donovan, was born in Chicago, in 1848.
Height: 5 feet 9 1/2 inches; weight: 145 to 150 pounds. He entered the ring at age 18 years and beat many men weighting from 175 to 195 Ibs.
In July 1866, he fought Billie Browley with bare knuckles in 92 rounds, three hours and 15 minutes and lost on a foul. In 1866, he beat Mike Conroy in 62 rounds and also defeated Patsy Curtain and Jem Conroy.
In the years 1867-68 he beat Pat McDermott, Dan Carr and Pat Kelly. In 1869, he fought, with bare knuckles, John Bayer. He won in 23 rounds and retired but returned in 1872 to beat Jack Corlin and Teddy Neary. In 1873, he fought Jim Murray. After 44 rounds the fight was stopped by the police. In 1874, he lost to Charlie Burke in 4 rounds but returned in 1877 to beat Dick Liston in 5 rounds. In 1878, he fought and won against W.C. McClelland, Billie Costello, George Crockett and George Smith. In 1880, he beat Ed McClencahy in 3 rounds. In 1881, he fought John L. Sullivan, with no decision in 4 rounds. In 1882, he fought Jack Davis of England, after 196 rounds, the police stopped the fight. In 1884 he beat Jack Welsh and Walter Wilson. In 1888, he fought a draw with Jack Dempsey, “The Nonpareil,” in 6 rounds. In 1891, he beat his old rival McClelland in 48 seconds and retired. He became a boxing instructor at the New York Athletic Club.
6. Jack McAuliffe
Lightweight Champion of the World Jack McAuliffe was born in Cork, Ireland on March 24, 1866. At five feet six inches, he reigned supreme from 1885 to 1896 and retired undefeated. His most notable battle was with Jem Carney, at Revere, Massachusetts, when they fought 74 rounds to a draw. His last fight was against Billy Myer, whom he knocked out in the 15th round.
7. Packey McFarland
McFarland was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 1, 1888. He was five feet, eight inches in height and first entered the ring when he was 16 years of age. He came to the front very rapidly and was considered one of the cleverest lightweights in the business. In 1907, he fought nine fights winning eight of them against Jimmy Breslin and Joe Gilligan, which lasted 25 rounds.
8. Jimmy Walsh
Born in Newton, Massachusetts, in 1886. Height, five feet two inches; weight, 116-118 pounds. Winnings, 1901-1907: Young Schlindler, Johnny Powers, Danny Ryan, Young Sullivan, Kid Terrill, Terry Edwards, Young Wagner, Tom Quigley, Monte Attell, Digger Stanley and Eddie Menney. In 1908, he won against Jimmy Carroll, Young Britt, Draw, Monte Attell. In 1909, he lost to Johnny Reagan. Had a no decision with Young Pierce, a draw with Digger Stanley, a no decision with Ed Whittaker, and a draw with Tommy O’Toole in Boston on November 9 in a 12-round fight.
9. Tommy Ryan
Real name Joseph Youngs. Born in Redwood, New York, March 20, 1870; height: five feet seven inches. He fought 109 bouts from 1887 to 1907, winning 85, with 45 knockouts. He fought Danny Necdham in Minneapolis on February 16, 1891, for a $1,000 purse and knocked him out in the 76th round; he challenged Billy Smith for the championship, and in a thrilling encounter also in Minneapolis on July 26, 1894, he was declared the winner after 20 rounds. On January 18, 1895, he beat Jack Dempsey, “The Nonpareil,” in three rounds at Coney Island, New York.
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the December/January 1991 issue of Irish America. ♦
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