Billy Miske
| Billy Miske | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | William Arthur Miske |
| Nickname(s) | The St. Paul Thunderbolt |
| Rated at |
Light Heavyweight Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 0 1⁄2 in (1.84 m) |
| Reach | 76 in (193 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
April 12, 1894 St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 1924 (aged 29) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 105 |
| Wins | 74 |
| Wins by KO | 34 |
| Losses | 13 |
| Draws | 16 |
Billy Miske, alias The Saint Paul Thunderbolt (April 12, 1894 – January 1, 1924), was a professional boxer from Saint Paul, Minnesota. During his tenure as a pugilist he had multiple-bout series with a plethora of all-time greats including Harry Greb, Jack Dempsey, Jack Dillon, Tommy Gibbons, Bill Brennan and Battling Levinsky, among others. Despite a career shortened by illness and an early death, statistical website BoxRec still lists Miske as the No. 26 ranked heavyweight of all-time.
An American of German descent, Miske stood at 6'0" and over the course of his career weighed between 158 and 190 lbs. He was managed by John Pearl "J.P" Smith (1913–18) and Jack Reddy (1918–23).
Miske was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He began his career as a middleweight. During the course of his career, he competed successfully as a light-heavyweight and heavyweight, defeating many well known fighters. On September 6, 1920, Miske lost to Jack Dempsey in the third round of a fight to decide the World Heavyweight Boxing title. It was the first heavyweight title match to be broadcast on radio, and it was the only time Billy Miske was ever knocked out.
Miske fought his last bout against Bill Brennan, whom he met on November 7, 1923. At this point in his life, Miske knew he did not have much time left before his kidneys gave out (doctors had told him he had only months to live because of his Bright's Disease). Due to his family's economic situation, however, Miske decided he had to step into the ring one more time. His health prevented him from training for the fight. Amazingly, though, Miske knocked Brennan out in the fourth round. Miske died in St. Paul, Minnesota of kidney failure less than 2 months later on January 1, 1924.
...
Wikipedia