Tommy Loughran
| Tommy Loughran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Thomas Loughran |
| Nickname(s) | Phantom of Philly |
| Rated at | Light Heavyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 11 1⁄2 in (1.82 m) |
| Reach | 73 in (190 cm) |
| Nationality | American |
| Born |
November 29, 1902 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died |
July 7, 1982 (aged 79) Altoona, Pennsylvania |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 169 |
| Wins | 121 |
| Wins by KO | 14 |
| Losses | 32 |
| Draws | 14 |
| No contests | 2 |
Thomas Patrick "Tommy" Loughran (November 29, 1902 – July 7, 1982) was an American professional boxer and the former World Light Heavyweight Champion. Statistical boxing website BoxRec lists Loughran as the #7 ranked light heavyweight of all time while The Ring Magazine founder Nat Fleischer placed him at #4.[1][2] The International Boxing Research Organization rates Loughran as the 6th best light heavyweight ever.[3] Loughran was named the Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year twice, first in 1929 and again 1931.[4] He was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1956 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.[1]
Boxing career
Loughran's effective use of coordinated foot work, sound defense and swift, accurate counter punching is now regarded as a precursor to the techniques practiced in modern boxing.[5]
Loughran fought many middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight champions in his career, including Gene Tunney, Jack Sharkey and Georges Carpentier. Loughran even achieved a Newspaper Decision over fistic phenom Harry Greb. Loughran was but 19 years old when he first met Greb. As a light heavyweight, he defeated two future world heavyweight champions: Max Baer and James J. Braddock. Loughran finally fought Primo Carnera for the heavyweight title but lost a decision.[6]
In an interview late in life, Loughran is quoted as saying his loss to Carnera was a pre-arranged fait accompli, e.g. "...I had to knock him out to win, I had to agree to that." Footage of the fight is limited and scarce, but Loughran contended he had Carnera in trouble in Rounds 4 and 10, "...but then, when I couldn't finish him, I knew the thing was over." The decision a foregone conclusion, Tommy Loughran told Peter Heller in April, 1972, "I beat (Carnera), no question about it."[7]
While Loughran is remembered among boxing's elite, his career was marred by his fragile hands and jaw.
Later life
He appeared as himself on the game show To Tell the Truth on February 12, 1957. On August 22nd of that year, he attained the unique distinction of being the third man in the ring at Sick's Stadium, Seattle, WA, for Floyd Patterson's defense of his heavyweight honors vs. one Pete Rademacher, the first and only time a fighter has challenged for the heavyweight crown in his professional debut. There were several knockdowns in the fight; Tommy counted out the challenger at 2:57 of the 6th round.
In the 1960s Loughran retired from having been a long-time, successful broker on Wall Street, where he'd dealt in commodities (sugar). He became a keynote speaker, appearing at dinners and banquets, his message an attempt to promote and strengthen the image of boxers and boxing at what for the sport was a troubled time.[7] In addition, Tommy lent color commentary to at least one championship bout, Carlos Ortiz vs. Johnny Bizarro in Pittsburgh, June 20, 1966.
Notable bouts
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References
- 1 2 Cyber Boxing Encyclopedia - Tommy Loughran CyberBoxingZone.com Retrieved on 2014-04-30
- ↑ All-Time Light Heavyweight Rankings. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2014-04-11.
- ↑ All-Time Light Heavyweight Rankings IBROresearch.com Retrieved on 2014-04-29
- ↑ Tommy Loughran (1902-1982) Historical Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-07.
- ↑ Casey, Mike (September 9, 2008). "Tommy Loughran: Poetry in Motion". East Side Boxing. Retrieved 2014-04-12.
- 1 2 Tommy Loughran's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2014-05-18.
- 1 2 Heller, Peter (1974) [1973]. In This Corner...!. New York, NY: Dell. OCLC 803908275.
External links
- Professional boxing record for Tommy Loughran from BoxRec
- 2 minute movie of Loughran vs Jimmy Delaney
- Tommy Loughran at Find a Grave
| Achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Mike McTigue |
NYSAC World Light Heavyweight Champion October 7, 1927 – July 18, 1929 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Jimmy Slattery |
| Vacant Title last held by Jack Delaney |
World Light Heavyweight Champion October 7, 1927 – July 18, 1929 Vacated |
Vacant Title next held by Maxie Rosenbloom |
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