Billy Miske

Billy Miske
Personal information
Nickname
The St. Paul Thunderbolt
BornWilliam Arthur Miske
(1894-04-12)April 12, 1894
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 1924(1924-01-01) (aged 29)
Height6 ft 0+1⁄2 in (1.84 m)
WeightLight Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Boxing career
Reach76 in (193 cm)
Boxing record
Total fights105
Wins74
Win by KO34
Losses13
Draws16

Billy Miske, alias The Saint Paul Thunderbolt (April 12, 1894 – January 1, 1924), was a professional boxer from Saint Paul, Minnesota.[1] During his tenure as a pugilist he had multiple-bout series with a plethora of all-time greats including Harry Greb, Jack Dempsey, Fred Fulton, Jack Dillon, Tommy Gibbons, Bill Brennan and Battling Levinsky, among others. Despite a career shortened by illness and an early death, statistical website BoxRec still lists Miske as the No. 26 ranked heavyweight of all time.[2]

Professional boxing career

An American of German descent, Miske stood at 6'0" and over the course of his career weighed between 158 and 190 lbs. 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 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.

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 did not 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.[3][4] His health prevented him from training for the fight. Amazingly, though, Miske knocked Brennan out in the fourth round.[5] Miske died in St. Paul, Minnesota of kidney failure less than 2 months later on January 1, 1924. [6][7]

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 three recorded losses are against Hall of Famers Jack Dempsey, Kid Norfolk and Tommy Gibbons, 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.[8] On December 8, 2009, it was announced that Miske would be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010. On September 28, 2012 Miske was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame.

Professional boxing record

103 fights 43 wins 3 losses
By knockout 32 1
By decision 8 2
By disqualification 3 0
Draws 2
Newspaper decisions/draws 55
Key to abbreviations used for results
DQ Disqualification RTD Corner retirement
KO Knockout SD Split decision / split draw
MD Majority decision / majority draw TD Technical decision / technical draw
NC No contest TKO Technical knockout
PTS Points decision UD Unanimous decision / unanimous draw
Boxing record
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round(s), time Date Location Notes
103 Win 43–3–2 (55) Bill Brennan KO 4 (10) Nov 7, 1923 City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska
102 Win 42–3–2 (55) Harry Foley KO 4 (10), 0:42 Jan 12, 1923 City Auditorium, Omaha, Nebraska
101 Loss 41–3–2 (55) Tommy Gibbons UD 10 Dec 15, 1922 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
100 Win 41–2–2 (55) Bud Ryder TKO 3 (10) Nov 11, 1922 Grand Forks Auditorium, Grand Forks, North Dakota
99 Win 40–2–2 (55) Tommy Gibbons DQ 10 (15), 0:27 Oct 13, 1922 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
98 Draw 39–2–2 (55) Bob Roper PTS 12 Sep 4, 1922 Coliseum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
97 Win 39–2–1 (55) Fred Fulton KO 1 (10) Aug 25, 1922 Lexington Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota
96 Win 38–2–1 (55) Martin Burke NWS 12 Jul 10, 1922 Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado
95 Win 38–2–1 (54) Willie Meehan KO 1 (10), 2:40 Jul 3, 1922 Coliseum, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
94 Win 37–2–1 (54) Homer Smith KO 1 (12) Jun 23, 1922 Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky
93 Win 36–2–1 (54) Bob Roper PTS 10 May 29, 1922 Dyckman Oval, Upper Manhattan, New York
92 Win 35–2–1 (54) Martin Burke PTS 15 Apr 27, 1922 Orleans A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana
91 Win 34–2–1 (54) Billy Shade TKO 2 (12) Apr 10, 1922 Oak Hill Auditorium, Youngstown, Ohio
90 Win 33–2–1 (54) Al Roberts KO 2 (10), 2:53 Mar 2, 1922 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
89 Win 32–2–1 (54) Bob Roper DQ 6 (8) Feb 20, 1922 Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
88 Win 31–2–1 (54) Jack Renault TKO 13 (15) Jan 28, 1922 Clermont Avenue Skating Rink, Brooklyn, New York
87 Win 30–2–1 (54) Charley Weinert NWS 12 Jan 16, 1922 Broad A.C., Newark, New Jersey
86 Win 30–2–1 (53) Tony Melchior TKO 4 (10) Nov 11, 1921 Columbus, Ohio
85 Win 29–2–1 (53) Jack Renault NWS 8 Jul 2, 1921 Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey
84 Win 29–2–1 (52) Bill Brennan NWS 10 Jun 8, 1921 Lexington Park, Saint Paul, Minnesota
83 Win 29–2–1 (51) Tom McCarty KO 2 (10) May 9, 1921 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
82 Win 28–2–1 (51) Farmer Lodge KO 4 (10) Mar 7, 1921 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
81 Win 27–2–1 (51) Lee Anderson PTS 10 Feb 9, 1921 Arena, Milwaukie, Oregon
80 Loss 26–2–1 (51) Jack Dempsey KO 3 (10), 1:13 Sep 6, 1920 Floyd Fitzsimmons Arena, Benton Harbor, Michigan For world heavyweight title
79 Win 26–1–1 (51) Jack Moran TKO 2 (10) Jun 11, 1920 Nicollet Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota
78 Loss 25–1–1 (51) Battling Levinsky NWS 12 Jul 7, 1919 Rossford Arena, Rossford, Ohio
77 Draw 25–1–1 (50) Bill Brennan NWS 8 Jun 25, 1919 Cardinal Field, St. Louis, Missouri
76 Draw 25–1–1 (49) Tommy Gibbons NWS 10 Jun 19, 1919 Nicollet Park, Minneapolis, Minnesota
75 Loss 25–1–1 (48) Kid Norfolk NWS 10 Jun 9, 1919 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
74 Win 25–1–1 (47) Willie Meehan NWS 10 Jun 6, 1919 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
73 Win 25–1–1 (46) Bill Brennan PTS 15 Apr 28, 1919 Tulsa Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma
72 Loss 24–1–1 (46) Harry Greb NWS 10 Mar 31, 1919 Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
71 Win 24–1–1 (45) Tom Cowler KO 4 (10) Mar 28, 1919 Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland
70 Win 23–1–1 (45) Tom Cowler NWS 6 Jan 11, 1919 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
69 Win 23–1–1 (44) Gus Christie TKO 10 (10) Dec 27, 1918 Elite Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
68 Win 22–1–1 (44) Fireman Jim Flynn KO 2 (15), 0:35 Dec 16, 1918 Tulsa Convention Hall, Tulsa, Oklahoma
67 Loss 21–1–1 (44) Jack Dempsey NWS 6 Nov 28, 1918 Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
66 Win 21–1–1 (43) Tom McMahon NWS 6 Nov 18, 1918 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
65 Win 21–1–1 (42) Harry Greb NWS 10 Sep 21, 1918 Forbes Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
64 Draw 21–1–1 (41) George Ashe NWS 4 Jul 16, 1918 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York
63 Win 21–1–1 (40) Bartley Madden NWS 8 Jul 15, 1918 Armory A.A. Outdoor Arena, Jersey City, New Jersey
62 Win 21–1–1 (39) Gunboat Smith NWS 8 Jul 12, 1918 International League Ballpark, Jersey City, New Jersey
61 Win 21–1–1 (38) Edward KO Kruvosky PTS 4 Jun 14, 1918 Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California
60 Draw 20–1–1 (38) Willie Meehan PTS 4 Jun 7, 1918 Shrine Temple, Los Angeles, California
59 Win 20–1 (38) Henry Hendricks TKO 2 (4) May 31, 1918 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
58 Draw 19–1 (38) Jack Dempsey NWS 10 May 3, 1918 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
57 Win 19–1 (37) Gunboat Smith PTS 10 Apr 12, 1918 Municipal Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia
56 Win 18–1 (37) Tom Cowler TKO 5 (12) Apr 8, 1918 Arcadia Rink, Minneapolis, Minnesota
55 Win 17–1 (37) Gus Christie NWS 10 Feb 27, 1918 Opera House, Superior, Wisconsin
54 Draw 17–1 (36) Fred Fulton NWS 10 Jan 18, 1918 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
53 Win 17–1 (35) Jack Dillon NWS 10 Nov 13, 1917 Broadway Auditorium, Brooklyn, New York
52 Win 17–1 (34) Bert Kenny TKO 5 (12) Oct 30, 1917 Arena (Armory A.A.), Boston, Massachusetts
51 Loss 16–1 (34) Kid Norfolk PTS 12 Oct 16, 1917 Arena (Armory A.A.), Boston, Massachusetts
50 Win 16–0 (34) Charley Weinert NWS 10 Oct 2, 1917 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
49 Win 16–0 (33) Carl Morris NWS 10 Sep 28, 1917 Harlem S.C., Manhattan, New York
48 Win 16–0 (32) Bert Kenny NWS 10 Sep 18, 1917 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
47 Win 16–0 (31) Joe Bonds KO 1 (10) Jul 24, 1917 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
46 Loss 15–0 (31) Battling Levinsky NWS 10 Feb 27, 1917 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
45 Win 15–0 (30) Jack Dillon NWS 10 Jan 16, 1917 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
44 Win 15–0 (29) Charley Weinert NWS 12 Jan 12, 1917 Harlem S.C., Manhattan, New York
43 Win 15–0 (28) George KO Brown NWS 12 Jan 1, 1917 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
42 Win 15–0 (27) Jack Dillon NWS 10 Dec 19, 1916 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
41 Win 15–0 (26) Larry Williams NWS 6 Nov 27, 1916 Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
40 Win 15–0 (25) Bob Moha NWS 10 Nov 17, 1916 Broadway Arena, Brooklyn, New York
39 Win 15–0 (24) Tim O'Neil KO 6 (10) Nov 9, 1916 Clermont Avenue Skating Rink, Brooklyn, New York
38 Win 14–0 (24) Battling Levinsky NWS 10 Oct 30, 1916 Clermont Avenue Skating Rink, Brooklyn, New York
37 Win 14–0 (23) Battling Levinsky NWS 10 Oct 12, 1916 Clermont Avenue Skating Rink, Brooklyn, New York
36 Win 14–0 (22) Jim Barry TKO 6 (10) Sep 21, 1916 Clermont Avenue Skating Rink, Brooklyn, New York
35 Win 13–0 (22) Johnny Howard KO 10 (10) Aug 31, 1916 Clermont Avenue Skating Rink, Brooklyn, New York
34 Win 12–0 (22) Jack Hubbard KO 9 (10) Jun 22, 1916 Clermont Avenue Skating Rink, Brooklyn, New York
33 Loss 11–0 (22) Jack Dillon NWS 10 Apr 14, 1916 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
32 Win 11–0 (21) Dick Gilbert PTS 15 Feb 29, 1916 National A.C., Denver, Colorado
31 Win 10–0 (21) Jack Dillon NWS 10 Jan 28, 1916 Opera House, Superior, Wisconsin
30 Win 10–0 (20) Frank Hoe KO 2 (10) Dec 28, 1915 Marshfield, Wisconsin
29 Win 9–0 (20) Jack Clements KO 8 (10) Dec 17, 1915 Minneapolis Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota
28 Draw 8–0 (20) Terry Kellar NWS 10 Dec 3, 1915 Opera House, Superior, Wisconsin
27 Draw 8–0 (19) George KO Brown NWS 12 Nov 1, 1915 Winnipeg, Manitoba
26 Win 8–0 (18) Jack Lester KO 2 (10) Sep 10, 1915 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
25 Draw 7–0 (18) Gus Christie NWS 10 Aug 24, 1915 Riverside A.C., Dubuque, Iowa
24 Loss 7–0 (17) Tommy Gibbons NWS 10 Jul 12, 1915 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
23 Win 7–0 (16) George KO Brown NWS 10 Apr 28, 1915 Acme Hall, Platteville, Wisconsin
22 Win 7–0 (15) Mike O'Dowd NWS 10 Apr 6, 1915 Hudson Arena, Hudson, Wisconsin
21 Win 7–0 (14) Eddie Nearing DQ 6 (10) Mar 23, 1915 Hudson Arena, Hudson, Wisconsin
20 Win 6–0 (14) Gus Christie NWS 8 Mar 16, 1915 Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
19 Draw 6–0 (13) Mike Hirsch NWS 6 Feb 25, 1915 Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
18 Loss 6–0 (12) Jack McCarron NWS 6 Jan 16, 1915 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
17 Draw 6–0 (11) Harry Greb NWS 6 Jan 12, 1915 Fairmont A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
16 Win 6–0 (10) Billy Maxwell NWS 6 Jan 9, 1915 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
15 Win 6–0 (9) Billy Maxwell NWS 6 Jan 1, 1915 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
14 Draw 6–0 (8) Al Thiel NWS 10 Dec 10, 1914 Academy of Music, Pottsville, Pennsylvania
13 Win 6–0 (7) Ralph Erne TKO 4 (10) Nov 23, 1914 O'Hara Theatre, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
12 Win 5–0 (7) Jimmy Dougherty TKO 3 (6) Nov 14, 1914 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
11 Win 4–0 (7) Theodore Thompson KO 2 (6) Jun 15, 1914 St. Paul Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota
10 Win 3–0 (7) Young Griffo NWS 10 Jun 1, 1914 O'Hara Theatre, Shenandoah, Pennsylvania
9 Draw 3–0 (6) Jack McCarron NWS 10 May 26, 1914 Academy of Music, Pottsville, Pennsylvania
8 Draw 3–0 (5) George Ashe NWS 6 May 16, 1914 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
7 Loss 3–0 (4) Tommy Gibbons NWS 10 Mar 24, 1914 Hudson Arena, Hudson, Wisconsin
6 Draw 3–0 (3) Spike Kelly NWS 10 Feb 17, 1914 Eighth Street Arena, Superior, Wisconsin
5 Draw 3–0 (2) Bill Scott NWS 10 Sep 30, 1913 Superior Athletic Arena, Superior, Wisconsin
4 Win 3–0 (1) Danny Ritt TKO 2 (10) Jun 10, 1913 Opera House, Superior, Wisconsin
3 Draw 2–0 (1) Theodore Thompson NWS 6 Apr 29, 1913 Opera House, Superior, Wisconsin
2 Win 2–0 Soldier Gregory KO 2 (6) Apr 7, 1913 Opera House, Superior, Wisconsin
1 Win 1–0 Joe Christie PTS 6 Mar 5, 1913 Opera House, Superior, Wisconsin Professional debut

Further reading

Moyle, Clay (2011) Billy Miske: The St. Paul Thunderbolt. Iowa City, Iowa: Win By KO Publications

References

  1. ^ "Billy Miske - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  2. ^ All-Time Heavyweight Rankings. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-11.
  3. ^ Ziglar, Zig (2010-10-19). Ziglar, Zig, (2000). See You At The Top, pp. 331-332, Pelican Publishing Company, ISBN 1-56554-706-3. Pelican. ISBN 9781455611805. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  4. ^ "What If Your Number Came Up? Les Goates, May 4, 1952, The Deseret News". 1952-05-04. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  5. ^ "Newspaper Article: Fighter gave his all for family's holiday, Spokane Chronicle, December 25, 1985". 1985-12-25. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  6. ^ "BoxRec Boxing Encyclopedia". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  7. ^ "The Evening Independent, 1924". 1924-01-04. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
  8. ^ "Billy Miske". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2014-05-04.
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