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Jimmy Barry

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Jimmy Barry
Born
Jimmy Barry

(1870-03-07)March 7, 1870
DiedApril 4, 1943(1943-04-04) (aged 73)
NationalityIrish-American
Other namesThe Little Tiger
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Stanceorthodox
Boxing record
Total fights70
Wins59
Wins by KO39
Losses0
Draws9
No contests2

Jimmy Barry (March 7, 1870 – April 4, 1943) was an Irish-American boxer from Chicago, Illinois. Known as "The Little Tiger," Barry held the World Bantamweight Championship from 1894 to 1899 and retired undefeated.[1]

In his first significant bout, Barry knocked out Jack Levy in 17 rounds to win the 100-pound world championship on December 5, 1894. The following year, he claimed the world bantamweight crown (the bantamweight limit at the time ranged from 100 to 112 pounds) when George Dixon moved up to the featherweight class. Barry's 28th-round knockout of Casper Leon on September 15, 1894, solidified that claim.[2]

On December 6, 1897, Barry scored a 20th-round knockout against Walter Croot in London, England. Croot died the following day from a brain injury.[3] Charged with manslaughter, Barry was exonerated when it was determined that Croot had died from a fractured skull sustained when his head hit the unpadded floor. That led to reform in the creation of padded canvas ring surfaces.[4]

Barry was distraught over Croot's death. The Chicagoan continued to box, but he did not fight with the same ferocity. Barry fought ten times after the Croot tragedy and failed to score a single knockout. In his final bout, he boxed a six-round draw with Harry Harris on September 1, 1899.[5]

According to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, which inducted the diminutive pugilist in the Old Timer category in 2000, Barry was undefeated in 70 professional fights. He won 59 bouts, 39 by knockout, and had nine draws and two no-contests. He is one of just twelve world boxing champions to retire without a loss.[6]

See also

Achievements
Vacant
Title last held by
George Dixon
World Bantamweight Champion
6 December 1897 – September 1899
Retired
Vacant
Title next held by
Terry McGovern

References

  1. ^ "The Lineal Bantamweight Champions". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. ^ IBHOF: Jimmy Barry
  3. ^ "English Bantamweight Dies"
  4. ^ "The Toughest Chicagoan Of All Time"
  5. ^ The Boxing Register: International Boxing Hall of Fame Official Record Book
  6. ^ The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia