Mike Farragher
| Mike Farragher | |
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| Born | January 2, 1871 Youngstown, Ohio |
| Died | October 21, 1934 Youngstown, Ohio |
Michael Joseph Farragher (January 2, 1871 – October 21, 1934) was a well-known welterweight boxer from Youngstown, Ohio. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Farragher faced opponents in venues such as New York City; Wheeling, West Virginia; Cleveland, Ohio; and Homestead, Pennsylvania.
Early in his career, journalists compared Farragher to legendary prizefighter James J. Corbett, in terms of both his physical appearance and fighting style.
He was born in the working-class district of Brier Hill, on Youngstown's north side. The Farraghers were actively involved with St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church, and at least two members of the family became well known athletes. Mike Farragher's younger brother, James Farragher, gained recognition as a left tackle on the University of Notre Dame's football team and is credited in official histories as an acting head coach of the "Fighting Irish".
Farragher "weighed in" at between 122 and 135 pounds and participated in almost 40 fights, with five "knock-outs" to his credit. In a career that lasted from 1891 to 1912, he defeated early champions such as Jim Gallagher, Jeff Powers, Tommy Broderick, Jimmy Reeder, and Stanton Abbott.
He was unable to fight in his hometown throughout 1894, because "local ministers took a united stand against the sport", while "the Catholic Institute barred all persons who had taken part in prize fights". Farragher was evidently undeterred. That year, he defeated Eastern champion Abe Lloyd in a bout of 27 rounds held in Ellwood City, Pennsylvania.
One of his most anticipated matches of 1895 involved English-born fighter John Parry, a resident of Homestead, Pennsylvania.". "At present there is no one in the ring whom Farragher would rather meet than the man Parry", the Youngstown Daily Vindicator reported on June 3, 1895. "According to Farragher, the young Englishman acted unlike a gentleman at a recent meeting Farragher had with [rival fighter James] Callagher, and at which contest Parry was behind Callagher". The following week, the Vindicator noted that Farragher was training for the match at O'Brien's Westake Crossing Gymnasium in Youngstown. "He is reported to be in his usual good shape and says he will have no trouble in getting to weight at the appointed time", the paper added.
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