Oscar Gardner
Encyclopedia
Oscar Gardner was a famous American
fighter and boxer
known as "the Omaha Kid". He was known for his solid blows and it was noted that Gardner killed a man in the ring. "The Omaha Kid" was a top contender for the Featherweight Championship of the World and the Featherweight Champion of America.
. He began boxing when he was around 20 years of age. Gardner stood almost five feet, four inches tall and weighed anywhere from 115 to 124 pounds during his career. Gardner was described as "confident, tough and game".
. He won several fights in 1898 and that year he fought George Stout
on April 7, 1898 at Columbus, Ohio
. Gardner had fought a 15 - round draw with Stout the previous year in 1897 in Cincinnati. After 12 rounds of fighting, Stout died from his injuries. Reports stated that when Gardner hit Stout it sounded like a "pistol shot". Afterwards, Gardner and his cornerman were charged with manslaughter
but acquitted.
for a fight that was billed as the American title, he was the number one contender for the World Featherweight Title. On November 29, 1898, at New York City
, the "Omaha Kid" lost on points after 25 rounds. Then on February 7, 1899, at New York City
, Gardner defeated Solly Smith
by TKO after 6 rounds for the Featherweight Championship of America.
On February 22, 1899, Gardner drew with Martin Flaherty
for the Featherweight Championship of the World. Gardner fought his way to a third shot at the title on March 9, 1900 but was knocked out after 3 rounds for the World Featherweight Title. His fourth chance at the title ended in knockout after 4 rounds and after a string of losses, the featherweight boxer retired.
Gardner spent his last years in Portland, Oregon
and died on Christmas Day in 1928 from an illness in his birthplace of Minneapolis, Minnesota
. His obituary stated that he was involved in 547 fights. He left a widow and two children.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
fighter and 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...
known as "the Omaha Kid". He was known for his solid blows and it was noted that Gardner killed a man in the ring. "The Omaha Kid" was a top contender for the Featherweight Championship of the World and the Featherweight Champion of America.
Early life
Oscar Gardner was born on May 19, 1872 at Minneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. He began boxing when he was around 20 years of age. Gardner stood almost five feet, four inches tall and weighed anywhere from 115 to 124 pounds during his career. Gardner was described as "confident, tough and game".
Boxing career
Gardner won most of his fights by knockout, which was unique for a featherweightFeatherweight
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:...
. He won several fights in 1898 and that year he fought George Stout
George Stout
George Frederick Stout was a leading English philosopher and psychologist.Born in South Shields, he studied and later taught philosophy and psychology at Cambridge University....
on April 7, 1898 at Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
. Gardner had fought a 15 - round draw with Stout the previous year in 1897 in Cincinnati. After 12 rounds of fighting, Stout died from his injuries. Reports stated that when Gardner hit Stout it sounded like a "pistol shot". Afterwards, Gardner and his cornerman were charged with manslaughter
Manslaughter
Manslaughter is a legal term for the killing of a human being, in a manner considered by law as less culpable than murder. The distinction between murder and manslaughter is said to have first been made by the Ancient Athenian lawmaker Dracon in the 7th century BC.The law generally differentiates...
but acquitted.
Featherweight contender
After Gardner knocked out Sam Kelly after 14 rounds in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
for a fight that was billed as the American title, he was the number one contender for the World Featherweight Title. On November 29, 1898, at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the "Omaha Kid" lost on points after 25 rounds. Then on February 7, 1899, at New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Gardner defeated Solly Smith
Solly Smith
Solomon Garcia Smith was a Mexican-American boxer in the Featherweight division...
by TKO after 6 rounds for the Featherweight Championship of America.
On February 22, 1899, Gardner drew with Martin Flaherty
Martin Flaherty
Martin John Flaherty was an outfielder in Major League Baseball for one game in . He struck out in both of his at bats. He played this game on August 18 for the team that represents the city of his birth, Worcester Ruby Legs. The following season, in , he umpired one game. He died in Providence,...
for the Featherweight Championship of the World. Gardner fought his way to a third shot at the title on March 9, 1900 but was knocked out after 3 rounds for the World Featherweight Title. His fourth chance at the title ended in knockout after 4 rounds and after a string of losses, the featherweight boxer retired.
Later years
Oscar Gardner retired after ten years in the ring. He had a record of 57 wins, 38 by knockout, 19 losses, 7 by knockout, and 28 draws, resulting in 106 fights. His son and brother were also professional boxers.Gardner spent his last years in Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
and died on Christmas Day in 1928 from an illness in his birthplace of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Minneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
. His obituary stated that he was involved in 547 fights. He left a widow and two children.