Fireman Jim Flynn
Fireman Jim Flynn | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Andrew Chiariglione December 24, 1879 |
| Died | April 12, 1935 (aged 55) |
| Nationality |  American |
| Other names | Andrew Haynes |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 123 |
| Wins | 47 |
| Wins by KO | 33 |
| Losses | 53 |
| Draws | 20 |
Andrew Chiariglione, usually known as Fireman Jim Flynn, (December 24, 1879–April 12, 1935) was an American boxer of the early twentieth century who twice attempted to take the World Heavyweight Title without success. He is most remembered as the only boxer to ever knock out the formidable Jack Dempsey.[1][2]
Professional career
A native of Hoboken, New Jersey, Flynn's first recorded fight was in 1899. Beginning his career in earnest by 1900, he was working as a Railroad Fireman in Pueblo, Colorado at the time.[3]
First attempt at World Heavyweight Title, October 1906
He was first offered a shot at the World Heavyweight Title by heavyweight champion Tommy Burns. They met on October 2, 1906 in Los Angeles, California, with Burns stopping Flynn in the 15th round. The fight was an exciting one from the start, and Flynn was nearly down for the count more than once in the fourteenth. In the fifteenth round, Burns knocked Flynn to the canvas in the center of the ring for a full ten minutes before he could be revived.[4] According to the Los Angeles Times, Burns was "given one of the hardest battles of his career", and "up to the fourteenth round Flynn was a strong as Burns". Flynn took terrible punishment in the fourteenth and final fifteenth round, however.[5]
Flynn met Jack "Twin" Sullivan three times in 1906–07, drawing twice, and beating him once on points.[1]
Victory over Jack Dempsey, February 1907
Flynn knocked out Jack Dempsey in a first round win in Murray Utah, on February 13, 1917. He was the only fighter to ever knock out Dempsey, although boxing historian Monte Cox has questioned the legitimacy of the result.[6] A year later Flynn met Dempsey again, and this time Flynn was knocked out in the first round.[1]
On July 14, 1909, Flynn met future Hall of Fame boxer Billy Papke in a ten round Draw according to the Los Angeles Herald. The Los Angeles Times, however, gave the bout to Papke, as did the United Press. He had previously defeated Papke by newspaper decision in March 19 of that year in Los Angeles.[1]
Flynn fought the highly rated Sam Langford in 1908 and twice more in 1910, losing twice and gaining a draw in their second match.[1]
Second attempt at World Heavyweight Title, July 1912
On July 4, 1912, Flynn challenged for the World Heavyweight Title a second time against Jack Johnson in Las Vegas, Nevada. Despite being warned by the referee, Flynn continually attempted to headbutt Johnson, and the local sheriff eventually stepped in during the ninth round to stop the fight in Johnson's favor.[1] Johnson won the fight decisively and was barely touched by the fists of Flynn, who was repeatedly the victim of Johnson's blows.[7]
He continued to fight rated contenders such as Battling Levinsky, Jack Dillon and Gunboat Smith.
Flynn continued to fight into his 40s. He fought three bouts against Sam Langford, losing all three, and beat Tiger Flowers, the future middleweight champion, in 1923. He finally retired in 1925 after a 26-year ring career, with a final record of 47-53-20, including 33 wins by knockout.[1]
He died of a heart attack on April 12, 1935 at the City Hospital in Los Angeles.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Fireman Jim Flyn". BoxRec. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ ""Fireman" Jim Flyn". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
- ^ a b Zimmerman, Paul, "Fireman Jim Flynn Who Kayoed Dempsey", The Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvania, pg. 19, 13 April 1935
- ^ "Burns Knocks Out Jim Flynn", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, pg. 13, 3 October 1906
- ^ "Burns Knocks Out Flynn in the Fifteenth Round", Los Angeles Times', Los Angeles, California, pg. 6, 3 October 1906
- ^ "Did Jack Dempsey Take a Dive?". Cox's Corner. Retrieved 16 July 2008.
- ^ "Johnson Has Little Trouble Holding His Title", Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, pg. 19, 5 July 1912
External links
- Fireman Jim Flynn at Flickr
- Boxing record for Fireman Jim Flynn from BoxRec (registration required)
