Who is the Best IRISH-AMERICAN boxer of all time ?

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Vic-JofreBRASIL, Nov 15, 2023.


  1. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Mickey Walker
    Jimmy McLarnin Edit - he was irish-irish and lived in Canada, so he does not count.
    Billy Conn
    Terry McGovern

    Was John L Sullivan irish-american ?
     
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2023
  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Muhammad Ali

    Tho Andre Ward deserves a mention.
     
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  3. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Vic, McLarnin wasn't Irish American. He was actually born in Ireland and spent his childhood in Canada.
     
  4. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Oh, I had no idea !

    Does Jack Dempsey qualify as irish-american ?
     
  5. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not sure but I believe so. I believe he was born in Montana. I will check.
     
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  6. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I guess it is hard to do this, I mean very few americans even in those days were irish on both sides...

    I did not put Braddock or Micky Ward in there because obviously they are not in the same tier as Mickey Walker, Terry McGovern or Billy Conn....
     
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  7. mr. magoo

    mr. magoo VIP Member Full Member

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    A lot of fighters also fought under different names that weren’t of their true ethnicity
     
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  8. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Not the irish though did they ?

    Philadelphia Jack O'Brian I guess was irish-american too.
     
  9. Clinton

    Clinton Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    His dad was of Irish blood, and he was born in Colorado so he qualifies.
     
  10. Vic-JofreBRASIL

    Vic-JofreBRASIL Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Fair enough, if Max Baer was a jewish-american, Dempsey is a irish-american fighter.
     
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  11. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Yes, The Manassa Mauler was born in Montana. Well done.
     
  12. ChrisJS

    ChrisJS Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Packey McFarland has to be up there.
     
  13. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I remember a card televised by either ESPN or USA Network back in the day on St. Patrick’s Day.

    To have some fun with it, every fighter entered the ring wearing either green trunks with white stripes or white with green.

    And regardless of race, every fighter was introduced by the ring announcer as “Irish” (whatever his name was).

    I think it was on USA, with, of course “Irish” Sean O’Grady on the call.
     
  14. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Our pope is the Holy Spirit Full Member

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    Mickey Rourke :)
     
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  15. ron davis

    ron davis Well-Known Member Full Member

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