Tiger Flowers
Encyclopedia
Theodore Flowers became the first African-American middleweight boxing champion, defeating Harry Greb
in 1926. Known as "Tiger", he began boxing professionally in 1918 at the age of 23 while working at a Philadelphia shipbuilding plant. Nicknamed the "Georgia Deacon", he was a devoutly religious man who would recite a passage from Psalm 144 before every bout.
, Kid Norfolk
, Jamaica Kid, and Mickey Walker. In 1924, Tiger was rated the number one contender to Greb's title by Ring Magazine. Flowers earned a shot at Harry Greb after losing a questionable decision to lightheavyweight champion Mike McTigue
.
On February 26, 1926, before a crowd of 16,311 at Madison Square Garden
, Flowers dethroned Greb by unanimous decision, and would repeat the victory in August. Tiger's next bout came against Mickey Walker in Chicago. Flowers would dominate the bout but would lose a controversial decision in the eyes of many, which would later be investigated by the Illinois Athletic Commission, but the decision would not be overturned.
While trying to obtain a rematch with Walker, Flowers was hospitalized in November 1927 to have surgery to remove scar tissue from around his eyes. Complications from the surgery resulted in the tragic passing of Tiger Flowers on November 16, 1927, reminiscent of the surgery that caused the death of Greb the year before. He was buried in Atlanta
's Lincoln Cemetery.
Flowers has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
(1993) and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
(1976)
Harry Greb
Harry Greb was an American boxer. He was World Middleweight boxing Champion from 1923 to 1926 and American Light Heavyweight title holder 1922–1923. He fought a recorded 303 times in his 13 year-career, against the best opposition the talent-rich 1910s & 20s could provide him, frequently squaring...
in 1926. Known as "Tiger", he began boxing professionally in 1918 at the age of 23 while working at a Philadelphia shipbuilding plant. Nicknamed the "Georgia Deacon", he was a devoutly religious man who would recite a passage from Psalm 144 before every bout.
Professional career
During his career, Flowers would meet many high caliber fighters, including Sam LangfordSam Langford
Sam Langford was a Black Canadian boxing standout of the early part of the 20th century. Called the "Greatest Fighter Nobody Knows," by ESPN. He was rated #2 by The Ring on their list of "100 greatest punchers of all time". Langford was originally from Weymouth Falls, a small community in Nova...
, Kid Norfolk
Kid Norfolk
William Ward also known as Kid Norfolk was a world heavyweight boxing title contender.-Professional career:...
, Jamaica Kid, and Mickey Walker. In 1924, Tiger was rated the number one contender to Greb's title by Ring Magazine. Flowers earned a shot at Harry Greb after losing a questionable decision to lightheavyweight champion Mike McTigue
Mike McTigue
"Bold" Mike McTigue was the light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1923-1925....
.
On February 26, 1926, before a crowd of 16,311 at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
, Flowers dethroned Greb by unanimous decision, and would repeat the victory in August. Tiger's next bout came against Mickey Walker in Chicago. Flowers would dominate the bout but would lose a controversial decision in the eyes of many, which would later be investigated by the Illinois Athletic Commission, but the decision would not be overturned.
While trying to obtain a rematch with Walker, Flowers was hospitalized in November 1927 to have surgery to remove scar tissue from around his eyes. Complications from the surgery resulted in the tragic passing of Tiger Flowers on November 16, 1927, reminiscent of the surgery that caused the death of Greb the year before. He was buried in Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
's Lincoln Cemetery.
Flowers has been 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...
(1993) and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is located in Macon, Georgia. It is the largest state sports hall of fame in America at .-Exhibitions:The Hall of Fame houses over of exhibit space broken down into sections including Hall of Fame Inductees, High School, collegiate sports, Olympic, Paralympic,...
(1976)