George Gardner: The Banner County's Light Heavyweight Champion of the World

Monday, 20 September 2010 00:00

Written by Barry McNamara

A little known fact about County Clare is that it has produced a number of world champion boxers down through the years.

The recent linking of County Clare with ‘The Greatest’, Muhammad Ali, through his great grandfather focused national media attention on Ireland’s Banner County. However, Ali is not the only boxer with connections with Clare.

Cinderella Man and 'The Pride of The Irish’, Jim Braddock’s mother was from Ennis. Braddock reigned as world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937. One of Ireland's greatest prize fighters, Mike McTigue, was born in Kilnamona.

Another boxer who is perhaps given less credit and recognition than he deserves is George Gardner who was the first undisputed Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World. He also held claims to both the World Middleweight Title as well as the World Heavyweight Title.

George Gardner, possible local name ‘Gardiner’, was born on St Patrick’s Day, 1877 in Lisdoonvarna. He was believed to have been the son of an Irish prize - fighter and came from poverty. He was a brother of Jimmy Gardner and Billy Gardner, both boxers.

Gardner was the number one middleweight contender in 1901 and claimed the World's Middleweight Title that year. He defeated Frank Craig, the Colored Middleweight Champion at London, England, and newspapers declared that Gardner "secured the World Middleweight Title". Afterwards, Gardner challenged Tommy Ryan for the title, but Ryan declined although Gardner was the number one contender for the title.

Gardner then claimed the title after he knocked out Kid Carter in a fight that billed as the "Middleweight Championship of the World". He then pounded Barbados Joe Walcott, the Welterweight Champion of the World, in a 20 - round rematch in 1902 and later that year he knocked out the undefeated Jack Root after 17 rounds at Salt Lake City, Utah in front of a crowd of Arizona miners. Both fighters weighed in at 165 pounds. Reports even claimed Gardner killed Root in the fight.

He then lasted 20 - rounds with Jack Johnson (boxer), the first African - American to hold the World's Heavyweight Title. Gardner weighed in at 155 and Johnson weighed in at 185, and gained the decision on points by knocking the Irishman down twice in the 8th and 14th rounds. However, despite the 30 - pound weight advantage, Johnson failed to knock out the light, fast, clever, and scrappy Irishman.

Gardner was a contender for the newly created World's Light - Heavyweight Title in 1903, now weighing about 170 pounds. He then fought Peter Maher, the Irish Heavyweight Champion, considered to be the most dangerous hitter of his era. Gardner knocked out Maher within round one and then defeated Marvin Hart by TKO after 12 rounds.

On July 4th, 1903, at Ontario, Canada, at the International Athletic Club, after 12 rounds of fighting, George Gardner knocked out Jack Root for the Light - Heavyweight Championship of the World. He was the first Irish - American to hold the title and the first undisputed champion to hold the title. Most records state that Root was the first champion of the division, but others, including George Gardner, had claimed the title before. The Root - Gardner fight was the first Light - Heavyweight Title fight caught on film. Newspapers reported that Gardner knocked Root down seven times.

George Gardner defended his title later that year at age 26 on November 25th, 1903 at San Francisco, California, against the 41 - year old Bob Fitzsimmons, who had killed two men in the ring and was the former Middleweight and Heavyweight Champion. After a questionable 20 - round decision on points, Fitzsimmons knocked the young champion down twice and gained a slight decision. After losing the title, George Gardner challenged Fitzsimmons to a rematch, but was denied a second chance at the title.

Gardner was still a highly regarded contender for the Light - Heavyweight Title, even being rated above Bob Fitzsimmons. However, Gardner set his sights on the World's Heavyweight Title. It was held by Marvin Hart, whom Gardner had defeated and drawn with before.

Gardner opened a saloon in Chicago, married and fathered a son in 1905, who also became a professional boxer in the light - heavyweight division using the name, "Morgan Gardiner". Morgan Gardner later began a career as a narcotics detective. George Gardner's brother, Jimmy Gardner, claimed the World's Welterweight Title in 1908, making the Gardner brothers the first Irish - American sibilings in world history to hold world titles.

Gardner challenged Marvin Hart for the Heavyweight Championship of the World, but again he was denied a title shot. Afterwards, his career faded by 1906 with losses and draws against Jim Flynn, Al Kaufman, Terry Mustain, and Tony Ross. Gardner retired at age 32 in 1908 with a record of 44 wins, 32 by way of knockout, 12 losses, 7 draws, and 3 no contests.

Gardner kept fighting however, but considered himself a "washed - up prize - fighter". He was said to have fought in over 300 battles. It was said in a newspaper that Gardner "has drawn from their seats in applause more fight fans than any other light - heavyweight, it is declared".

During his career, Gardner defeated such renowned boxers as Joe Walcott, Peter Maher, Marvin Hart, Jack Root, George Byers, Frank Craig, Jim Jeffords, Billy Stift and Jack Moffatt.

Gardner died in Chicago, Illinois on July 8 1954. Newspapers stated that 4 ex - champions were pallbearers at his funeral. George Gardner is still considered one of the greatest light - heavyweight fighters of all - time.

George Gardner Boxing Record:
Total: 66
Wins: 44
KOs: 32
Losses: 12
Draws: 7
View individual fight record here

George Gardner Fight With Jack Root, July 4th 1903 - Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada