Mike McTigue facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mike McTigue
Statistics
Real name	Michael Francis McTigue
Nickname(s)	Bold Mike
Rated at	Light Heavyweight
Nationality	Irish
Born	(1892-11-26)November 26, 1892 Kilnamona, County Clare, Ireland, U.K.
Died	August 12, 1966(1966-08-12) (aged 73) Queens, New York, U.S.
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	174
Wins	111
Wins by KO	52
Losses	45
Draws	14
No contests	4

"Bold" Mike McTigue (born November 26, 1892 – died August 12, 1966) was a famous Irish boxer. He was the world champion in the light heavyweight division from 1923 to 1925. People called him "Bold Mike" because of his brave fighting style.

Early Life

Michael Francis McTigue was born in a small place called Lickaun, in Kilnamona, County Clare, Ireland. This was on November 26, 1892. When he was 20 years old, in 1912, Mike moved to America. He traveled across the ocean on a ship called the Baltic. He arrived in New York City on September 21, 1912. Mike also had a brother, Jim McTigue, who was also a boxer.

Boxing Career

Mike McTigue spent 13 years boxing in America. He worked hard to become a top fighter.

Becoming World Champion

In 1923, Mike got a chance to fight for the World Light Heavyweight Championship. This big fight happened in Dublin, Ireland, at the La Scala Opera House. He fought against a boxer named Battling Siki. Even though there was a civil war happening in Ireland at the time, the fight went on. Mike McTigue won the fight after 20 rounds, becoming the new World Light Heavyweight Champion!

He defended his title against some very strong boxers. These included future Hall of Famers like Tommy Loughran, Young Stribling, and Mickey Walker. In 1925, he lost his title to Paul Berlenbach. Berlenbach was a gold medalist wrestler who became a boxer.

Later, in 1927, Mike was given the New York Athletic State Commission's light heavyweight championship. This happened after the previous champion, Jack Delaney, moved to a heavier weight class. However, Mike lost this title in his very first defense against Tommy Loughran on October 7, 1927.

Famous Opponents

During his long career, Mike McTigue fought many well-known boxers. He faced tough opponents like Paul Berlenbach, Jeff Smith, Harry Greb, Mickey Walker, and Tommy Loughran. He didn't win all these fights, but he showed great skill. For example, he beat Tiger Flowers in a close fight. One of his best performances was in 1927. He knocked out Paul Berlenbach in the fourth round in America.

Life After Boxing

Mike McTigue was 38 years old when he had to stop boxing. He had been fighting for 21 years! After his boxing career ended, Mike ran a successful bar on Long Island for many years. This was in New York.

Later in his life, Mike faced health challenges. He spent his last ten years in hospitals in New York. He passed away at New York's Queen's General Hospital on August 12, 1966. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

Mike loved to tell stories about his boxing days. His favorite story was about his big fight in Dublin. He would talk about a guard who was in his corner during the fight. The guard had placed a bet on Mike! The guard even poked Mike with his bayonet and said, "God help you if you lose!" Mike was honored in his hometown in Ireland. The porch of the church was named after him. Also, the Kilnamona Community Centre, which opened in 2001, was named in his honor.

Professional Boxing Record

Here is a summary of Mike McTigue's official boxing record. All this information comes from BoxRec.

Official record

Please note that some fights were called "no decision" bouts. These are not counted in the main win/loss/draw numbers.

Unofficial record

This record includes the "newspaper decision" fights in the total wins, losses, and draws.

See also

• List of light heavyweight boxing champions