Bob "KO" Sweeney
KO Sweeney was known as "Kayo Sweeney", "Knockout Sweeney" or "Bob Sweeney". His real name was John Kraynack. Sweeney had the tag name "K.O." Sweeney because "it was more of an Irish name". His Slovak name would not be a big draw in the North Eastern Pennsylvania area. He fought Hall of Famers Harry Greb, Mike McTigue and Johnny Wilson.
-The following are exerpts from a newspaper obituary of John Kraynack's. It was supplied by family members Justin Kraynack and Bob Walters:
"John Kraynack was a veteran of World War 1, serving as a corporal in the 311th Machine Gun Battery, 79th Division. AEF, and saw considerable action in the Meuse-Argonne Forest, Monifausion, Grant Montague, and Troy Troy Battle Areas. He was a victim of gas in the later battle.
Mr. Kraynack was well known in boxing circles both before and after the war. He boxed and defeated several European opponents while serving in France and after returning from service joined the boxing stables of John "Fakir" James and fought under the name of Kayo Sweeney. He made frequent appearances in the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton area.
His wife, Caroline, passed away November 26,1958. Two brothers,Aloysius and Peter, preceded him in death last year. Mr. Kraynack was a member of St. Stephen's RC Church, Plymouth, and it's Holy Name Society. He was also a member of VFW Post 1425 and American Legion Post 463, Plymouth..........."
Tale Of The Tape Born: December 15,1894 Place: Plymouth, PA. Died: June 14, 1961, Wilkes-Barre,PA Height: Weight: lbs. Nationality: Austria-Hungary
selected bouts-supplied by Barry Deskins
1912
Jun 18 1913 Young Callahan RhodeI. KO 2 PR
1913
Feb 3 1913 Johnny Lore NewYork ND 10 (L 10) PR at (Olympic AC) Feb 6 1913 Sweeney NewYork ND 10 (W 10) PR at(44th Street AC) Feb 13 1913 Ty Cobb Penns. unknown Mar 3 1913 Billy Ryan Syracuse NewYork ND 10 (W 10) (Olympic AC) Apr 7 1913 "Harlem" Eddie Kelly NewYork ND 10 (W 10) (Olympic AC) Apr 26 1913 Willie Beecher NewYork ND 10 (W 10) (St. Nicholas AC) May 17 1913 Johnny Martin NewYork KO 7 (Atlantic Garden AC) --Martin had been the better until the seventh when Sweeney hit him low. The referee refused to call the blow a foul, and counted Martin out. Jun 21 1913 Willie Schaeffer NewYork TKO 5 (Fairmont AC) ???? 1913 Jackie Clarke unknown L 8 Aug 23 1913 Willie Adams NewYork ND 10 (W 10) (Fairmont AC) Sep 29 1913 Jack Martin NewHav. KO 3 Oct 8 1913 Tommy Jones Ohio Draw 15 Oct 29 1913 Bay Wood Rho.Is. W 15 Nov 4 1913 Grover Hayes Penns. L 10 Dec 10 1913 Young McDonough Rho.Is. KO 4
1914
Jan 9 1914 Johnny Wilson NewYork ND 10 Mar 7 1914 Tommy Maloney Troy NewYork ND 10 (W 10) Apr 14 1914 Tommy Maloney Troy NewYork ND 10 (W 10) Apr 22 1914 Frank Loughrey Rho.Is. W 12 May 20 1914 Frank Loughrey Rho.Is. W 15 Sep 7 1914 Frank Loughrey Rho.Is. Draw 15 Oct 24 1914 Tommy Howell Penns. ND 6 (L 6) (National AC) Nov 25 1914 Jack McCarron Penns. ND 6 (L 6) (National AC)
1915
Jan 9 1915 Johnny Wilson NewYork ND 10 Jan 27 1915 Jack Williams W.Vir. KO 4 Feb 6 1915 Buck O'Donnell NewYork KO 2 (Federal AC) May 27 1915 Johnny Wilson NewYork ND 10 Sep 27 1915 Jack Toland NewYork KO 5 Oct 9 1915 Bert Kenny NewYork ND 10 (L 10) (Fairmont AC) Oct 12 1915 Eddie Revoire Penns. ND 6 (L 6) (Fairmont AC) Oct 18 1915 Joe C. NewYork ND 10 (Draw) Nov 9 1915 Joe Borell NewYork ND 10 (L 10) Dec 22 1915 Mike McTigue Rho.Is. L 12
1916
Jan 12 1916 Mike McTigue Rho.Is. KO 5 (win) Jan 21 1916 Johnny Wilson Boston L 12 Feb 25 1916 Joe Chip NewYork KO'd in 10 ???? 1916 Fay Keiser unknown L 10 May 13 1916 Zulu Kid NewYork ND 10 (Draw) May 15 1916 Sam Miller Maryla. Draw 10 Jun 2 1916 Joe Chip NewYork KO'd in 10 Oct 26 1916 Mike McTigue NewYork ND 10 (L 10) (Pioneer SC) Nov 4 1916 Harry Greb Pitts. ND 6 (L news)
.1920
May 8 1920 Jack Dillon Indiana KO'd by 6
.1921
Feb 18 1921 Whitey Allen NewYork KO'd by 1
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Sources
IBRO= Paterson, NJ newspaper results
PR= Philadelphia Record Yearly Results (Courtesy of Chuck Hasson)
NYT= New York Times
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