George Godfrey (boxer born 1853)
Encyclopedia
George Godfrey was the black Canadian heavyweight boxer that John L. Sullivan
refused to fight as a champion. He is not to be confused with the American heavyweight George Godfrey who named himself after our subject.
Godfrey left Canada as a boy to find employment as a porter in Boston's silk importing offices. There he took up boxing, calling himself "Old Chocolate". At a fighting weight of 175 pounds on a 5 in 10 in (177.8 cm) frame, he would be considered a light-heavyweight by today's standards. He would engage in an estimated 100 bouts, usually against significantly bigger opponents.
In 1881, a bare-knuckle fight against John L. Sullivan had been scheduled but was stopped by the police. After Sullivan had become champion, he would not fight Godfrey.
The most famous fighters Godfrey beat were Peter Maher
, Denver Ed Smith, McHenry Johnson ("Minneapolis Star"), Irish Joe Lannon, Patsy Cardiff, Steve O'Donnell and Joe Doherty. He fought the 20 lbs heavier Peter Jackson
from the Virgin Islands (based in Australia) in 1888 and lost the colored championship in the 19th round.
In 1892, at age 39, he was KO'd by Joe Choynski
.
John L. Sullivan
John Lawrence Sullivan , also known as the Boston Strong Boy, was recognized as the first heavyweight champion of gloved boxing from February 7, 1881 to 1892, and is generally recognized as the last heavyweight champion of bare-knuckle boxing under the London Prize Ring rules...
refused to fight as a champion. He is not to be confused with the American heavyweight George Godfrey who named himself after our subject.
Godfrey left Canada as a boy to find employment as a porter in Boston's silk importing offices. There he took up boxing, calling himself "Old Chocolate". At a fighting weight of 175 pounds on a 5 in 10 in (177.8 cm) frame, he would be considered a light-heavyweight by today's standards. He would engage in an estimated 100 bouts, usually against significantly bigger opponents.
In 1881, a bare-knuckle fight against John L. Sullivan had been scheduled but was stopped by the police. After Sullivan had become champion, he would not fight Godfrey.
The most famous fighters Godfrey beat were Peter Maher
Peter Maher (boxer)
Peter Maher was an Irish-American boxer known for his powerful punch. Early in his career Maher won the 1888 Middleweight Championship of Ireland, and the 1890 Heavyweight Championship of Ireland...
, Denver Ed Smith, McHenry Johnson ("Minneapolis Star"), Irish Joe Lannon, Patsy Cardiff, Steve O'Donnell and Joe Doherty. He fought the 20 lbs heavier Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson (boxer)
Peter "Black Prince" Jackson was a heavyweight boxer from Australia who had a significant international career.-Biography:...
from the Virgin Islands (based in Australia) in 1888 and lost the colored championship in the 19th round.
In 1892, at age 39, he was KO'd by Joe Choynski
Joe Choynski
Joseph Bartlett "Joe" Choynski was an American boxer who fought professionally from 1888 to 1904.-Boxing career:"Chrysanthemum Joe", the son of a Polish immigrant that settled in California in 1867, weighed no more than 176 lb throughout his career but regularly fought heavyweights. He was...
.