Johnny Kilbane
Encyclopedia
John "Johnny" Patrick Kilbane (April 9, 1889 – May 31, 1957) was a featherweight
boxer
in the early part of the 20th century. He held the featherweight title from 1912 to 1923, the longest period in the division's history. He was the second longest world title holder in boxing history, behind only Joe Louis
.
on April 9th, 1889. His mother died when he was 3 years old and his father went blind when he was 6. He attended school until the sixth grade when he dropped out to help support his family.
In 1912 Kilbane took the featherweight title from Abe Atell and held it for 11 years through numerous fights. He finally lost it to Eugene Criqui
. (The high number of "no decision"s in his career reflects early boxing rules in many states in the U.S. that dictated "no decision"--ND—unless a fight ended by knockout.)
In October 1917, Kilbane became a lieutenant in the U.S. Army — assigned to Camp Sherman located near Chillicothe, Ohio — training U.S. soldiers self-defense during World War I.
Following his boxing career, Kilbane refereed boxing matches, operated a gym, served in the Ohio State Legislature, and worked as the Clerk of the Cleveland Municipal Court. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
in 1995.
Kilbane was such a popular prizefighter in his day that his name appeared in print as a verb. An unsigned commentary in the sports pages of the New York Times on May 16, 1912, reported on an episode involving Detroit baseball player Ty Cobb
, who the day before, in a game between the Detroit Tigers
and the New York Yankees
, had gone into the stands after a heckler. The commentary said, "Ty Cobb 'johnny kilbaned' a spectator right on the place where he talks... and stopped the flow of profane and vulgar words..."
Kilbane had relatives in Achill, County Mayo
.
He died on May 31, 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio
.
Featherweight
Featherweight is a weight class division in the sport of boxing. There are similarly named divisions under several Mixed Martial Arts organizations and in Greco-Roman wrestling.-Professional boxing:...
boxer
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...
in the early part of the 20th century. He held the featherweight title from 1912 to 1923, the longest period in the division's history. He was the second longest world title holder in boxing history, behind only Joe Louis
Joe Louis
Joseph Louis Barrow , better known as Joe Louis, was the world heavyweight boxing champion from 1937 to 1949. He is considered to be one of the greatest heavyweights of all time...
.
Early life and career
Kilbane was born to John and Mary (Gallagher) Kilbane in Cleveland, OhioCleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
on April 9th, 1889. His mother died when he was 3 years old and his father went blind when he was 6. He attended school until the sixth grade when he dropped out to help support his family.
Career
Kilbane's first fight was in 1907, a fight in which he made $25.In 1912 Kilbane took the featherweight title from Abe Atell and held it for 11 years through numerous fights. He finally lost it to Eugene Criqui
Eugène Criqui
Eugène Criqui was a French boxer who held the world featherweight title in 1923.Criqui was born in the Belleville neighbourhood of Paris. He was a professional pipe-fitter before he turned professional in 1910. He won the French flyweight title in 1912. His boxing career was interrupted when he...
. (The high number of "no decision"s in his career reflects early boxing rules in many states in the U.S. that dictated "no decision"--ND—unless a fight ended by knockout.)
In October 1917, Kilbane became a lieutenant in the U.S. Army — assigned to Camp Sherman located near Chillicothe, Ohio — training U.S. soldiers self-defense during World War I.
Following his boxing career, Kilbane refereed boxing matches, operated a gym, served in the Ohio State Legislature, and worked as the Clerk of the Cleveland Municipal Court. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
International Boxing Hall of Fame
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta...
in 1995.
Kilbane was such a popular prizefighter in his day that his name appeared in print as a verb. An unsigned commentary in the sports pages of the New York Times on May 16, 1912, reported on an episode involving Detroit baseball player Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
, who the day before, in a game between the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, had gone into the stands after a heckler. The commentary said, "Ty Cobb 'johnny kilbaned' a spectator right on the place where he talks... and stopped the flow of profane and vulgar words..."
Kilbane had relatives in Achill, County Mayo
County Mayo
County Mayo is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the village of Mayo, which is now generally known as Mayo Abbey. Mayo County Council is the local authority for the county. The population of the county is 130,552...
.
He died on May 31, 1957 in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
.
External links
- Johnny Kilbane at Flickr Commons
- Johnny Kilbane