Tom McNeeley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tom McNeeley |
|
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Nickname(s) | Jr |
| Rated at | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6′ 2″ (188 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born | 27 February 1937 Cambridge, Massachusetts |
| Died | 25 October 2011 (aged 74) Weymouth, Massachusetts |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 51 |
| Wins | 37 |
| Wins by KO | 28 |
| Losses | 14 |
| Draws | 0 |
| No contests | 0 |
Thomas William McNeeley, Jr. (born February 27, 1937 – died October 25, 2011) was a professional boxer from America. He was known as "Jr." He came from a family of boxers. His father, Tom McNeeley, Sr., was also a professional boxer. Tom McNeeley, Jr. continued this family tradition.
Contents
Who Was Tom McNeeley?
Tom McNeeley, Jr. was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Before he became a boxer, he went to Michigan State University. There, he played football. This showed he was a strong and athletic person from a young age.
Starting His Boxing Journey
Tom McNeeley, Jr. had his first professional boxing match on July 17, 1958. He started his career very well. He fought 25 times without losing any of those fights. This was a great start for a young boxer.
His Big Fight
On December 4, 1961, Tom McNeeley, Jr. had a very important fight. He fought against Floyd Patterson for the World Heavyweight Championship. This was a huge event in the boxing world. Floyd Patterson was a famous champion at that time. In the end, Patterson won the fight and kept his championship title. Even though McNeeley did not win, fighting for the world title was a major achievement in his career.
Life After Boxing
Tom McNeeley, Jr. retired from boxing after a fight on June 14, 1966. After his boxing career, he continued to work in public service. He served on the Massachusetts Boxing Commission for eight years. This group helps to manage and oversee boxing matches in Massachusetts.
He also worked as a U.S. Marshall. A U.S. Marshall is a type of law enforcement officer. Later, he worked in the sports department of the Massachusetts prison system. He also helped state employees as a counselor.
A Boxing Family
The McNeeley family's boxing tradition continued with Tom's son, Peter McNeeley. Peter also became a professional boxer. He even fought against the famous boxer Mike Tyson. This shows how boxing was a big part of the McNeeley family's life for many years.
