Billy Miske
Encyclopedia
Billy Miske, alias The Saint Paul Thunderbolt (April 12, 1894 - January 1, 1924), was a professional boxer
from Saint Paul
, Minnesota
.
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.
, 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. His health prevented him from training for the fight. Amazingly, though, Miske knocked Brennan out in the fourth round.
Miske died in St. Paul, Minnesota of kidney failure less than 2 months later on January 1st, 1924.
, 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
. On December 8, 2009, it was announced that Miske would be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from Saint Paul
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul is the capital and second-most populous city of the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies mostly on the east bank of the Mississippi River in the area surrounding its point of confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city...
, Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
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
Jack Dempsey
William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was an American boxer who held the world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first...
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
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
, and it was the only time Billy Miske was ever knocked out.
Illness and death
Miske fought his last bout against Bill BrennanBill Brennan
Bill Brennan was an American boxer who fought and lost to World Heavy Weight Champion Jack Dempsey twice...
, 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
Bright's disease
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood causes....
). Due to his family's economic situation, however, Miske decided he had to step into the ring one more time. His health prevented him from training for the fight. Amazingly, though, Miske knocked Brennan out in the fourth round.
Miske died in St. Paul, Minnesota of kidney failure less than 2 months later on January 1st, 1924.
Legacy
Miske's enduring legacy is that of an underappreciated fighter. It is argued that Miske deserved, but never received, title matches against Jack DillonJack Dillon
Ernest Cutler Price was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world.-Personal:...
, Battling Levinsky
Battling Levinsky
Barney Williams , was light heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1916 to 1920.-Boxing career:...
and Georges Carpentier
Georges Carpentier
Georges Carpentier was a French boxer. He fought mainly as a light heavyweight and heavyweight in a career lasting from 1908-26. Nicknamed the "Orchid Man", he stood and his fighting weight ranged from...
. His two recorded losses are against two champions, Jack Dempsey and Kid Norfolk
Kid Norfolk
William Ward also known as Kid Norfolk was a world heavyweight boxing title contender.-Professional career:...
, 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
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
. On December 8, 2009, it was announced that Miske would be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010.