Billy Miske
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| William Arthur Miske | |
|---|---|
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| Statistics | |
| Real name | William Arthur Miske |
| Nickname(s) | Billy |
| Rated at | Heavyweight / Lightheavyweight |
| Height | 6' |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | April 12, 1894 St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 1924 (aged 29) |
| Stance | Speed |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 103 |
| Wins | 72 |
| Wins by KO | 33 |
| Losses | 15 |
| Draws | 14 |
Billy Miske, alias The Saint Paul Thunderbolt (April 12, 1894 - January 1, 1924), was a professional boxer from Saint Paul, Minnesota. [1]
Contents |
[edit] Professional Boxing Career
An American of German descent, Billy stood at 6'0" and over the course of his career weighed between 158 and 190lbs. He was managed by John Pearl "J.P" Smith (1913-18) and Jack Reddy (1918-23).
Miske was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He began his career as a middleweight. During the course of his career, he competed successfully as a light-heavyweight and heavyweight, defeating many well known fighters. On September 6, 1920, Miske lost to Jack Dempsey in the third round of a fight to decide the World Heavyweight Boxing title. It was the first heavyweight title match to be broadcast on radio, and it was the only time Billy Miske was ever knocked out.
[edit] Illness and death
Miske fought his last bout against Bill Brennan, whom he met on November 7, 1923. At this point in his life, Miske knew he didn't have much time left before his kidneys gave out (doctors had told him he had only months to live because of his Bright's Disease). Due to his family's economic situation, however, Miske decided he had to step into the ring one more time.[2][3] His health prevented him from training for the fight. Amazingly, though, Miske knocked Brennan out in the fourth round. [4] Miske died in St. Paul, Minnesota of kidney failure less than 2 months later on January 1st, 1924. [5][6]
[edit] Legacy
Miske's enduring legacy is that of an underappreciated fighter. It is argued that Miske deserved, but never received, title matches against Jack Dillon, Battling Levinsky and Georges Carpentier. His two recorded losses are against two champions, Jack Dempsey and Kid Norfolk, while his list of defeated opponents boasts some of the most storied names in boxing history. Miske's final professional record was 72-15-14 with 33 wins by knockout. [7] On December 8, 2009, it was announced that Miske would be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Billy Miske - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia
- ^ Ziglar, Zig, (2000). See You At The Top, pp. 331-332, Pelican Publishing Company, ISBN 1565547063
- ^ What If Your Number Came Up? Les Goates, May 4, 1952, The Deseret News
- ^ Newspaper Article: Fighter gave his all for family's holiday, Spokane Chronicle, December 25, 1985
- ^ BoxRec Boxing Encyclopedia
- ^ The Evening Independent, 1924
- ^ Billy Miske
[edit] External links
- Rick Reilly Sports Illustrated Article
- International Boxing Hall of Fame's article about Billy Miske
- 1955 Newspaper Article
- His son's page
- Article at CyberBoxingZone Journal
- Professional boxing record for Billy Miske from BoxRec
- 1924 Newspaper Article
- 1952 Newspaper Article
- Amazing Sports Stories - "Billy Miske: Dead Man Fighting"
