Theodore Flowers (born August 5, 1895 in Camilla, Georgia) became the first African-American middleweight champion, defeating Harry Greb in 1926. Events 642 - Battle of Maserfield - Penda of Mercia defeats and kills Oswald of Bernicia. Year 1895 ( MDCCCXCV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Harry Greb (born Edward Henry Greb on June 6, 1894 in Pittsburgh to Pius and Annie Greb died October 22, 1926) was Known as "Tiger", he began boxing professionally in 1907 at the age of 19 while working at a Philadelphia shipbuilding plant. Nicknamed the "Georgia Deacon", he was a devoutly religious man who would recite a passage from Psalm 144 before every bout.
Professional Career
During his career, Flowers would meet many high caliber fighters, including Sam Langford, Kid Norfolk, Jamaica Kid, and Mickey Walker. Sam Langford ( March 4, 1883 - January 12, 1956) was an African Canadian boxing standout of the early part of the 20th century Edward Patrick "Mickey" Walker (b July 13, 1903, some sources indicate 1901 - d In 1924, Tiger was rated the number one contender to Greb's title by Ring Magazine. The Ring (often called Ring Magazine) is an American Boxing Magazine that was first published in 1922 as a boxing Flowers earned a shot at Harry Greb after losing a questionable decision to lightheavyweight champion Mike McTigue. "Bold" Mike McTigue (born in Kilnamona, County Clare, Ireland on November 26 1892 &ndash died August 12
On February 26, 1926, before a crowd of 16,311 at Madison Square Garden, Flowers dethroned Greb by unanimous decision, and would repeat the victory in August. Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG, and known colloquially as The Garden, has been the name of four Arenas in New York City. Tiger's next bout came against Mickey Walker in Chicago. Flowers would dominate the bout but would lose a controversial decision in the eyes of many, which would later be investigated by the Illinois Athletic Commission, but the decision would not be overturned.
While trying to obtain a rematch with Walker, Flowers was hospitalized in November 1927 to have surgery to remove scar tissue from around his eyes. Complications from the surgery resulted in the tragic passing of Tiger Flowers on November 16, 1927, reminiscent of the surgery that caused the death of Greb the year before. Events 534 - A second and final revision of the Codex Justinianus is published Year 1927 ( MCMXXVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
Flowers has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1993) and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (1976)
External links
Recommended Reading: The Pussycat of Prizefighting: Tiger Flowers and the Politics of Black Celebrity
The modern International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF is located in Canastota, New York, United States, within driving distance from the Baseball Hall The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame is located in Macon Georgia. It is the largest state Sports Hall of fame in America at.Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic