Tommy Loughran
| Tommy Loughran | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Thomas Loughran |
| Nickname(s) | Phantom of Philly |
| Rated at | Light Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 11 1⁄2 in (1.82 m) |
| Reach | 73 in (190 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
November 29, 1902 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | July 7, 1982 (aged 79) Altoona, Pennsylvania |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 169 |
| Wins | 121 |
| Wins by KO | 14 |
| Losses | 32 |
| Draws | 14 |
| No contests | 2 |
Thomas Patrick "Tommy" Loughran (November 29, 1902 – July 7, 1982) was an American professional boxer and the former World Light Heavyweight Champion. Statistical boxing website BoxRec lists Loughran as the #7 ranked light heavyweight of all time while The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer placed him at #4. The International Boxing Research Organization rates Loughran as the 6th best light heavyweight ever. Loughran was named the Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year twice, first in 1929 and again 1931. He was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1956 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
Loughran was one of seven children of an Irish immigrant motorman. His effective use of coordinated foot work, sound defense and swift, accurate counter punching is now regarded as a precursor to the techniques practiced in modern boxing.
Loughran fought many middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight champions in his career, including Gene Tunney, Jack Sharkey and Georges Carpentier. Loughran even achieved a Newspaper Decision over fistic phenom Harry Greb. Loughran was but 19 years old when he first met Greb. As a light heavyweight, he defeated two future world heavyweight champions: Max Baer and James J. Braddock. Loughran finally fought Primo Carnera for the heavyweight title but lost a decision.
In an interview late in life, Loughran is quoted as saying his loss to Carnera was a pre-arranged fait accompli, e.g. "...I had to knock him out to win, I had to agree to that." Footage of the fight is limited and scarce, but Loughran contended he had Carnera in trouble in Rounds 4 and 10, "...but then, when I couldn't finish him, I knew the thing was over." The decision a foregone conclusion, Tommy Loughran told Peter Heller in April, 1972, "I beat (Carnera), no question about it."
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