Tommy Gibbons

Tale Of The Tape Born: 3-22-1891 Place: St. Paul, Minn. Died: 11-19-1960 Height: 5' 9.5" Weight: 172 lbs. Right-handed Nationality: Irish-American Manager: Eddie Kane

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Like his older brother Mike, Tommy Gibbons is best remembered for a fight in which he kept a champion at bay. Widely acknowledged as a stellar fighter in several weight classes, Gibbons held his own with heaveyweight king Jack Dempsey and was knocked out only once in his career.

Gibbons learned to box at the YMCA in his hometown of St. Paul. He turned professional at the age of twenty and recorded knockouts in his first three fights. At the start of his career, gibbons fought as a welterweight. As he added weight, he moved up in class until he eventually contended for the heavyweight title. Gibbons battled Hall of Famer Harry Greb four times from 1915 to 1922, losing the only one of the four bouts in which a decision was rendered. He also fought multiple bouts with George ("K.O.") Brown, Joe Herrick, George Chip, Gus Christie, Silent Martin, Billy Miske, Clay Turner, Burt Kenny, and Chuck Wiggins. Only Miske beat Gibbons, and he won on a foul.

Initially, Gibbons was famed for his speed and boxing ability. However, as he gained weight, he developed a more powerful punch. In 1921, Gibbons won 21 fights by knockouts, with ten of them coming in the first round. Although not all of the victories were against top competition, Gibbons succeeded in making enough of a name for himself to earn a shot at Dempsey's heavyweight title.

The title fight took place in Shelby, Montana. The city fathers wanted to put the town on the map by hosting a heavyweight championship bout. Jack Kearns, Dempsey's manager, agreed to have his fighter perform there if Dempsey were paid $310,000. Kearns also insisted on using his own referee, James Dougherty. Gibbons, hungry for the championship, agreed to be paid beyond expenses only if there were money left over after Dempsey's cut. Dempsey got paid, but because the fight drew only about 7,000 spectators, Gibbons received nothing. In fact, the fight was a financial disaster for Shelby and three banks failed as a result of backing the fiasco.

It took Dempsey's nemesis, Gene Tunney, to finally stop Gibbons. In a fight in 1925, Tunney dropped Gibbons in the twelfth round. It was the first and only time he was knocked out. Gibbons then retired, never having won a championship. In retirement, he sold insurance and served four terms as sheriff of St. Paul.

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CLICK HERE FOR PICS ON GREB VS. TOMMY GIBBONS

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The picture below can be purchased at www.heavyweightcollectibles.com

Here is a round by round description of the 1922 Gibbons-Greb Fight

March 14, 1922

Bout Is Stirring From End To End

Newspaper Article Info Newspaper Name: The New York Times Date Printed: March 14, 1922 Page 21

Greb and Gibbons entered the ring at Madison Square Garden for their fifteen round battle at 9:50 o'clock last night, and were greeted with a salvo of applause. The weights were announced as 163 1/2 pounds for Greb and 171 for Gibbons.

After the usual announcements from the ring, during which Gene Tunney was introduced, the pair posed in the corner while a battery of camera men got them in fighting posture. Then they were called to the center for instructions, after which the fight began.

ROUND ONE

The men rushed out of their corners at the gong and into a clinch, in the course of which Greb popped away several lefts that landed lightly on Gibbon's chin. Gibbons feinted with his left and ducked under a stiff right. In a clinch in the centre of the ring Greb drove several lefts into Gibbons stomach. Greb landed twice on Gibbons face. Both missed vicous uppercuts. Greb caught Gibbons with several hard punches toward the end of the round, and both were fighting furiously at the gong.

ROUND TWO

The men rushed into close quarters and Gibbons got in several stiff rights to the body. Greb landed a left on Gibbons body, and the latter swung a right to Greb's jaw. The Pittsburgh fighter drove in several lefts to the body and they clinched. Both missed heavy uppercuts. Gibbons drove home the first hard blow of the fight, catching Greb in the stomach, and causing the latter to slow up considerably. Gibbons tried hard to get home a finishing punch, but failed, and they were mixing matters in the centre of the ring at the bell.

ROUND THREE

They rushed into a clinch. Gibbons planted two lefts to the jaw. Greb stepped out of the way of two hard left uppercuts. Gibbons landed a left smash to the jaw. Greb stepped away and they clinched. Gibbons continued his attack on Greb's body. Greb landed a hard left to the body. Greb drove home another to the same place. In close quarters they exchanged several heavy blows to the body.

ROUND FOUR

They rushed into a clinch and Gibbons landed a left lightly to the jaw. Greb danced away from Gibbons and missed a vicous uppercut. Gibbons swung completely around when he missed Greb's head. Greb landed lefts to head and body, but Gibbons blocked and they exchanged a pair of rights to the face. Greb again landed on Gibbon's stomach. Gibbons got out of the way of a heavy uppercut. Gibbons landed on Greb's jaw and they went into a clinch at the gong.

ROUND FIVE

Both men sparred cautiously and then went to work at close range. Greb danced in and landed a left on Gibbon's jaw. The latter jabbed in a left which just grazed Greb's chin. Gibbons missed a left uppercut and Greb went astray with a hard right and left. Gibbons jabbed Greb in the face. Greb stepped into a hard left. Gibbons drove three solid lefts into Greb's stomach. The latter retaliated with a left to his rival's body as the bell ended the round.

ROUND SIX

Greb drove a right to the head. Gibbons feinted and then drove a right to Greb's stomach. They clinched and Greb landed a hard right to the kidneys. Gibbons crossed a right to the jaw. He made Greb miss several punches and then landed a light left to the body. They rushed into close quarters and Gibbons placed a heavy right in Greb's mid-section. Greb continued his dancing tactics, with Gibbons following him around the ring. They exchanged a pair of rights as the bell sounded.

ROUND SEVEN

They went into a clinch. Greb landed a hard right to the head and Gibbons slashed a left sharply to the body. Greb tried for a short uppercut but Gibbons danced away. Greb lunged in with another uppercut. Gibbons drove Greb back with a hard right to the jaw. At close quarters Greb landed several blows to the head and body and Gibbons drove home a solid right. Greb landed a cracking right to the jaw. In a curious mix-up in Greb's corner they exchanged several solid wollaps. They were still at it when the round ended.

ROUND EIGHT

Greb thrust a left jab to the jaw. They clinched and Gibbons landed a left and right to the body. He missed a left swing, but got inside of Greb's guard with his right. They clinched and Greb brought over his right to the back of Gibbon's head and then landed a sucession of lefts and rights to the jaw. Greb jabbed Gibbons several times to the jaw and there were some heavy punches exchanged at close range in the centre of the ring. Greb got over a heavy right which landed flush on Gibbon's jaw and he followed with a furious assault on Gibbons stomach and head. The St. Paul fighter was plainly tiring, while Greb seemed to get faster as the battle progressed.

ROUND NINE

Greb landed several blows to start the round and caught Gibbons twice on the side of the head. The Smokey City man drove in a left to the body and then Gibbons rocked Greb's head with two hard rights. Greb missed an uppercut and they exchanged right swings. They clinched, and, coming out, Gibbons landed on Greb's head. Greb landed several blows to the body and head without a return. Gibbons got over a hard left swing and he followed with left and right to head as the bell ended the session.

ROUND TEN

Gibbons opened the round with a left to the body. He ripped home another hard one to the same place and they rushed into a clinch. Greb landed a light left on Gibbons head and they clinched. Gibbons landed a hard left to Greb's jaw and followed it with another to the body. Greb brought over a hard right on Gibbons chin and they clinched. Gibbons rocked Greb's head with a short right clip. Greb missed a left. Gibbons drove home another right. Gibbons caused Greb to wince when he sank a hard right to the stomach at the bell.

ROUND ELEVEN

Gibbons rushed right at Greb and they exchanged hard lefts to the head. In a clinch Gibbons got home a pair of rights to the jaw. Greb followed with a left to the body and a right to the jaw. Gibbons again drove a hard left into Greb's ribs. He chased Greb around the ring and landed a hard right to the head. Greb landed lefts and rights to the body. As Greb was coming in Gibbons swung in his right to the body and landed a heavy right on Greb's kidneys at the bell.

ROUND TWELVE

Greb rushed out of his corner and landed a left and right to the body. Gibbons landed a hard left on Greb's chin and the latter uncorked several heavy blows to the body. Greb landed a right to the side of the head and they clinched. In the clinch both fighters got in some stiff jabs. Greb landed a left to the body and Gibbons countered with a right to the jaw. Greb landed a right to the head. Greb landed two solid punches on Gibbons's jaw without a return as the bell ended the round.

ROUND THIRTEEN

Gibbons landed twice with right taps to the body and Greb danced away and then shot home two-rights and followed with a left to the head. Gibbons landed a left on Greb's jaw and they clinched. Greb got home a right and as Gibbons missed a swing Greb struck in two lefts to the jaw. Gibbons landed a left to the body. Greb got away from the ropes, where Gibbons had pinned him, and landed two solid blows. Then he reached Gibbons with a left to the stomach. The Pittsburgh fighter landed several lefts and rights to the body and as the round ended he slammed home a right to the kidneys.

ROUND FOURTEEN

They rushed into a clinch. Greb landed a right to the body and followed with a left to the head. He wrestled Gibbons to the ropes and then brought over a heavy right to the stomach. Greb landed two solid smashes on Gibbon's jaw and they clinched. Gibbons drove home a left to the stomach. Greb landed a left to the jaw. They rushed into a clinch in a corner and Greb was short with a right swing for Gibbons's jaw. Just before the end of the round Greb landed lefts and rights lightly on Gibbon's body and jaw. The Pittsburgh boy appeared to get stronger, while Gibbons slowed up considerably as the battle neared the close.

ROUND FIFTEEN

Greb opened the final round with two rights that caused red blotches on Gibbons's body. They rushed into a clinch, and Greb got awayfrom two hard uppercuts. They stood toe to toe and exchanged several hard blows and then hammered away at each other in a clinch. Gibbons drew back from an uppercut. Greb landed left to the body. Gibbons ripped home two lefts to the stomach and rocked Greb's head with a right. They were going at it hard in Greb's corner when the bout ended.

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Get more information and pics about Tommy and Mike Gibbons from their website at http://www.tmgps.com/

"Photos on this page supplied by the Gibbons Family"

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CLICK HERE TO SEE TOMMY GIBBONS IN QUICKTIME VIDEO

There is a video of Tommy Gibbons that you can see right now for free. It's of him sparring with his brother Mike in 1919.

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RING RECORD: 57 wins - 4 losses - 1 draw - (106 total bouts)

 selected bouts

Sep 5	1911	Oscar  Kelly			Minnea.		KO	5

1912
Jul 12	1912	Tommy Nelson			NewYork		KO 1

1913
unknown	1913	Joe   Borrell			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1913	KO    Brennan			unknown		ND 10

1914
Feb 9	1914	George("K.O.")Brown		Hudson		ND 10
Mar 24	1914	Billy  Miske			Hudson		ND 3
Apr 20	1914	George("K.O.")Brown		Superio		ND 10
unknown	1914	Albert Buck Crouse		unknown		KO 4

1915
Jul 12	1915	Billy  Miske			St.Paul		ND 10
Nov 16	1915	Harry   Greb			St.Paul		ND 10

1916
unknown	1916	Gus Christie			unknown		ND 12

1917
unknown	1917	Bob     Moha			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1917	Jackie Clark			unknown		ND 10
Mar 23	1917	Battling Levinsky		St.Paul		ND 10
Aug 22	1917	George  Chip			St.Paul		ND 10
Sep 3	1917	Gus Christie			Dayton		W 15

1918
unknown	1918	Silent Martin			unknown		KO 10
unknown	1918	George  Chip			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1918	Silent  Martin			unknown		W 15
unknown	1918	Clay  Turner			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1918	George  Chip			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1918	Gus  Christie			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1918	Clay  Turner			unknown		ND 10
Apr 26	1918	Gus Christie			TerreHa		W 10
May 3	1918	George  Chip			DesMoin		W 12

1919
unknown	1919	Len Rowlands			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1919	Bartley  Madden			unknown		NC 4 (no contest)
unknown	1919	Larry Williams			unknown		ND 10
unknown	1919	Capt. Bob Roper			unknown		ND 10
Apr 11	1919	George  Chip			Denver		W 10
Jun 19	1919	Billy  Miske			Minnea.		ND 10
Jul 4	1919	George("K.O.")Brown		Denver		ND 12

1920
Feb 3	1920	George("K.O.")Brown		Peoria		ND 10
unknown	1920	Capt. Bob Roper			unknown		ND 10
May 15	1920	Harry   Greb			Pitts.		ND 10
unknown	1920	Clay  Turner			unknown		ND 10
Jul 31	1920	Harry   Greb			Pitts.		ND 10
unknown	1920	Chuck Wiggins			unknown		ND 12

1921
Apr 12	1921	Larry Williams			newyork		KO 4
Jun 21	1921	Willie  Meehan			ohio		KO 1
sep 6	1921	Dan   O'Dowd			ind.		KO 3
Dec 19	1921	Bartley Madden			Mich.		ND 10

1922
Mar 13	1922	Harry   Greb			NewYork		L 15
Oct 13	1922	Billy  Miske			NewYork		LF 10
Nov 13	1922	George  Ashe			Detroit		KO 1
Dec 15	1922	Billy  Miske			St.Paul		W 10

1923
Apr 30	1923	Chuck Wiggins			NewOrl.		KO 10
Jul 4	1923	Jack Dempsey			Shelby		L 15

1924
May 31	1924	Georges Carpentier		Ind.		ND 10
Oct 24	1924	Ted Jamieson			NewOrl.		KO 1
Dec 9	1924	Kid  Norfolk			N.Y.C.		KO 6

1925
Jan 8	1925	Jack   Burke			Mich.		TKO 6
Jan 30	1925	Tiny Jim Herman			Mich.		KO 3
Jun 5	1925	Gene  Tunney			NewYork		KO'd 12



Bio courtesy of The Boxing Register. 
By James B. Roberts and Alexander G. Skutt

www.harrygreb.com