George Gardner (boxer)
| George Gardner | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | George Gardiner |
| Rated at | Middleweight |
| Height | 5 ft 11 1⁄2 in (1.816 m) |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Born |
March 17, 1877 Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland |
| Died | July 8, 1954 (aged 77) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 68 |
| Wins | 45 |
| Wins by KO | 31 |
| Losses | 12 |
| Draws | 9 |
| No contests | 0 |
George Gardner (born March 17, 1877 – July 8, 1954), was a famous Irish-born American boxer who was the first undisputed World Light Heavyweight Champion. He held claims to both the World Middleweight Title as well as the World Heavyweight Title. He was the second man in history to hold the World's Light Heavyweight title, defeating the first Light Heavyweight Champion, Jack Root by KO after 12 rounds.
George Gardner's name is often misspelled, "George Gardiner", which was an alias although some believe it was the correct spelling. He signed his name "George Gardner" and only newspapers at time would spell his name, "George Gardiner". However, his brother, Jimmy Gardner, signed his name, "Jimmy Gardiner" when handing out autographs. George Gardner is unfortunely most remembered as the young 26 - year old champion who lost his title to 41 - year old Bob Fitzsimmons after a questionable 20 - round decision on points. It made Fitzsimmons a legend, being the first triple title division champion in boxing history. However, George Gardner was always a highly regarded fighter and often avoided by others.
George Gardner was born on March 17, 1877 at County Clare, Ireland on St. Patrick's Day. He was believed to have been the son of an Irish prize - fighter and came from poverty. George and his brothers, Billy and Jimmy Gardner were all well known professional boxers of their era.
George Gardner began his career in 1897 when he was 20 years old. He was almost six feet tall and weighed anywhere from 150 to 175 pounds during his career. Gardner won several fights in the New England area, being noted in newspapers as the "Middleweight Champion of New England".
Gardner was the number one middleweight contender in 1901 and claimed the World's Middleweight Title that year. He defeated Frank Craig, the Colored Middleweight Champion at London, England, and newspapers declared that Gardner "secured the World Middleweight Title". Afterwards, Gardner challenged Tommy Ryan for the title, but Ryan declined although Gardner was the number one contender for the title.
Gardner then claimed the title after he knocked out Kid Carter in a fight that billed as the "Middleweight Championship of the World". He then pounded Barbados Joe Walcott, the Welterweight Champion of the World, in a 20 - round rematch in 1902 and later that year he knocked out the undefeated Jack Root after 17 rounds at Salt Lake City, Utah in front of a crowd of Arizona miners. Both fighters weighed in at 165 pounds. Reports even claimed Gardner killed Root in the fight.
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