Jimmy Lyggett Sr
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Lyggett was an American boxer
and boxing trainer.
He was born in the Afroamerican neighbourhood in Philadelphia.
'.
Lyggett fought with several great boxers during his career.
He boxed against Jack Blackburn
on November 25, 1918 in Philadelphia (ND, 6 rounds) and in 1919 with George Robinson
, who later two times fought for 'Colored' World middleweight title.
After winning the title of US Champion for Blacks, he set for Europe, wanting to prove himself as the best boxer in the world. He fought with the best European boxers , like state champions and vicechampions of Germany Rudolf Arndt, Hans Breitenstraeter, Walter Buckszun, Kurt Prenzel, Adolf Seybold, Rudi Wagener, Adolf Wiegert, Denmark Chic Nelson, Italian Giuseppe Spalla. Two times he boxed against Max Schmelling: first time on December 26, 1924 in Cologne, losing by TKO in 4th round (in fact, he was disqualified ), and second time, in the rematch in Berlin, on April 3, 1925, draw in a 8 rounds fight. After these fight, he was his sparring partner for a period of time.
At the age of 33, he ended his career as boxer.
He trained many young boxers in almost all boxing clubs in Zagreb, starting with boxing club Croatia, and later with clubs Herkules, Makabi and Radnik.
After a while, he became a friend with a neighbouring tavern owner. He gave him his warehouse in Preradovićeva as a training hall.
Soon, the Independent State of Croatia
was formed. Its Minister of Sports, Miško Zebić talked Lyggett to train Croatian national boxing team. He prepared Croatian team for the Olympics, that were never held due to WWII.
He was not disturbed because during whole war, he had no problems with authorities, although he was a person of black skin, although the ruling regime was the ally of Axis powers
.
He disliked Communism and Communists. He was very afraid of the Communists. Before the end of the war, his brother invited him to return to USA. Finally he accepted the invitation and talked his wife to move to USA. In 1945. they set for USA via Italy. They waited for months the ship that would take them to United States. His wife got ill and died in Milan. Broken, Lyggett returned to America alone.
His death place and death date are unclear. Some sources say that he died in USA in 1955.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
and boxing trainer.
He was born in the Afroamerican neighbourhood in Philadelphia.
Boxer
He started with boxing at the age of 17. At the age of 20, he won the United States Championship for professional Black boxers. One year later, he boxed with Eddie Palmer and won the match by KO in 19. round, taking the title of the champion of the "Colored Championship of the WorldWorld Colored Heavyweight Championship
The World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a belt issued to black boxers in the early twentieth century. This was the only heavyweight championship available to blacks prior to Jack Johnson being crowned World Heavyweight Champion...
'.
Lyggett fought with several great boxers during his career.
He boxed against Jack Blackburn
Jack Blackburn
Charles Henry "Jack" Blackburn was an American boxer and boxing trainer.-Biography:He was born in New Year's Day, January 1, 1883....
on November 25, 1918 in Philadelphia (ND, 6 rounds) and in 1919 with George Robinson
George Robinson
George Robinson may refer to:*George Robinson, 1st Marquess of Ripon , British Liberal politician*George Augustus Robinson , builder and preacher*George Robinson , bare-knuckle boxer...
, who later two times fought for 'Colored' World middleweight title.
After winning the title of US Champion for Blacks, he set for Europe, wanting to prove himself as the best boxer in the world. He fought with the best European boxers , like state champions and vicechampions of Germany Rudolf Arndt, Hans Breitenstraeter, Walter Buckszun, Kurt Prenzel, Adolf Seybold, Rudi Wagener, Adolf Wiegert, Denmark Chic Nelson, Italian Giuseppe Spalla. Two times he boxed against Max Schmelling: first time on December 26, 1924 in Cologne, losing by TKO in 4th round (in fact, he was disqualified ), and second time, in the rematch in Berlin, on April 3, 1925, draw in a 8 rounds fight. After these fight, he was his sparring partner for a period of time.
Boxing trainer
While he lived in Vienna, Austria, he met the woman of Croat descent, Roza, whome he married. She talked him to move to Croatia, to Zagreb. During 1930's, they moved to Zagreb. Soon he opened his boxing school in Ilica street.At the age of 33, he ended his career as boxer.
He trained many young boxers in almost all boxing clubs in Zagreb, starting with boxing club Croatia, and later with clubs Herkules, Makabi and Radnik.
After a while, he became a friend with a neighbouring tavern owner. He gave him his warehouse in Preradovićeva as a training hall.
Soon, the Independent State of Croatia
Independent State of Croatia
The Independent State of Croatia was a World War II puppet state of Nazi Germany, established on a part of Axis-occupied Yugoslavia. The NDH was founded on 10 April 1941, after the invasion of Yugoslavia by the Axis powers. All of Bosnia and Herzegovina was annexed to NDH, together with some parts...
was formed. Its Minister of Sports, Miško Zebić talked Lyggett to train Croatian national boxing team. He prepared Croatian team for the Olympics, that were never held due to WWII.
He was not disturbed because during whole war, he had no problems with authorities, although he was a person of black skin, although the ruling regime was the ally of Axis powers
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
.
He disliked Communism and Communists. He was very afraid of the Communists. Before the end of the war, his brother invited him to return to USA. Finally he accepted the invitation and talked his wife to move to USA. In 1945. they set for USA via Italy. They waited for months the ship that would take them to United States. His wife got ill and died in Milan. Broken, Lyggett returned to America alone.
His death place and death date are unclear. Some sources say that he died in USA in 1955.
Sources and references
Jutarnji list Marin Penavić: Jimmy Lyggett, crnac na čelu boksačke reprezentacije NDH, Feb 2, 2010, accessed Sep 2, 2010 (pictures of Lyggett)External links
- Boxing Tko je Jimmy Lyggett? - An American Boxer in Zagreb, November 2, 2006
- Google Books Peter Benson: Battling Siki: A Tale of Ring Fixes, Race, and Murder in the 1920s