Tommy Gibbons | |
---|---|
Statistics | |
Real name | Thomas Joseph Gibbons |
Nickname(s) | none |
Rated at | Heavyweight |
Nationality | United States Of America |
Born |
Saint Paul, Minnesota |
March 22, 1891
Died | November 19, 1960 | (aged 69)
Stance | Orthodox |
Boxing record | |
Total fights | 106 |
Wins | 96 |
Wins by KO | 48 |
Losses | 5 |
Draws | 4 |
No contests | 1 |
Thomas Joseph Gibbons (March 22, 1891 – November 19, 1960) was an American heavyweight boxer who remained nearly undefeated during his professional career.
He was born on March 22, 1891 in Saint Paul, Minnesota to Thomas John Gibbons and Mary Burke. He had a brother Mike Gibbons.
Tommy started boxing professionally in 1911 as a middleweight. Like his brother he was a master scientific boxer who chose to outbox his opponents. In time, he advanced to the heavyweight boxing class and developed a respectable punch.
On May 27, 1916 he married Helen Constance Moga in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
His biggest fight came near the end of his career in Jack Dempsey vs. Tommy Gibbons when he met heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey on July 4, 1923 in Shelby, Montana. The local backers and the town of Shelby went broke putting on the fight. The great Dempsey battled through the full fifteen rounds before winning by decision. Dempsey was awarded $200,000, whereas Gibbons received expense money.
Tommy Gibbons record was 56-4-1 with 44 no decisions, and 1 no contest. He scored 48 knockouts, and was stopped only once by Gene Tunney on June 5, 1925. The names dotting his record read like boxing's hall of fame. Tommy recorded wins over George Chip, Willie Meehan, Billy Miske, Chuck Wiggins, Jack Bloomfield, and Kid Norfolk. Tommy had no decision matches with George "K.O." Brown, Billy Miske, Harry Greb, Battling Levinsky, Bob Roper, Chuck Wiggins, Georges Carpentier, and others. Only Harry Greb, Billy Miske, Jack Dempsey, and Gene Tunney were able to score wins over Tommy Gibbons.