George Gardner Boxing World Champ : Short Biography

George Gardner (1877-1954) of Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare was the first undisputed Light Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World. He is considered one of the top fighters of all time, as well as one of the top light - heavyweights of all time.

During his career, Gardner defeated such men as Joe Walcott, Peter Maher, Marvin Hart, Jack Root, George Byers, Frank Craig, Jim Jeffords, Billy Stift and Jack Moffatt.

On July 4, 1903, at Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, Gardner beat Jack Root in a TOTAL KNOCKOUT, Round 12 and won the title of World Light-heavyweight Champion. It was the first ever light heavyweight championship fight to be filmed.

Later that year on Nov 25, 1903, in San Francisco, Gardner lost his title to Bob Fitzsimmons in Round 20.

Gardner was never recognized for being as talented a fighter as he was because he won the Light Heavyweight Championship of the World in one bout and lost it in the next. However, the man to whom he lost in his first defence was a marvel, an All-Time great - Bob Fitzsimmons. To lose to him was no disgrace. 

The author of “Celtic Fists” states:

"... the first Irish-born World Champions were the Gardner brothers George and Jimmy from Ballinalacken Lisdoonvarna Co. Clare ... their father, Pat was a bare-knuckle battler and he moved the family to Lowell Mass. USA" 

However, this piece of information contains some error. Their father was Michael Gardner of Cloghaun and Pat Gardner of Poulnagun was their grandfather.

On April 18, 1891, the Gardner family emigrated to America and settled in 181 Lincoln St, Lowell, MA. In 1897 when he was 20 years old, Gardner began his professional boxing career. He won several fights in the New England area, being noted in newspapers as the "Middleweight Champion of New England".

He was almost six feet tall and weighed between 150-175 pounds during his career. As the family story goes, his arms were so long that when he sat in a chair, they touched the ground. 

In 1901, Gardner was the top middleweight contender and claimed the World's Middleweight Title on August 30, 1901, at the Mechanic's Pavilion in San Francisco after knocking out Kid Carter.

On October 31, 1902, Gardner fought 20 rounds with Jack Johnson (the first African-American to hold the World's Heavyweight Title). Johnson, who held a 30-pound weight advantage, won on points by knocking Gardner down twice in the 8th and 14th rounds.

On April 6, 1903, Gardner fought the Irish Heavyweight Champion, Peter Maher (the most dangerous hitter of his era) and knocked out Maher in round one.

On July 4, 1903, at the International Athletic Club in Ontario Canada, George Gardner became the first Irish-American to hold the title "the Light - Heavyweight Championship of the World" and the first undisputed champion to hold the title. This was the first Light-Heavyweight Title fight caught on film. 

In 1908, Gardner retired at age 32 and opened a saloon in Chicago. 

Gardner retired with a record of 44 wins, 32 by way of knockout, 12 losses, 7 draws, and 3 no contests. He was reputed to have fought in over 300 battles. One newspaper source noted that Gardner "had drawn from their seats in applause more fight fans than any other light - heavyweight". His son, Morgan Gardiner, also became a pro boxer in the Light Heavyweight division. 

His brother, Jimmy Gardiner claimed the World's Welterweight Title in 1908, making the Gardner brothers the first Irish - American siblings in world history hold world titles. 

Gardner died at age 77 on July 10, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois. Four ex-champions were pallbearers at his funeral.

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