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Johnny Coulon

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Johnny Coulon
Born
Johnny Coulon

February 12, 1889
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
DiedOctober 29, 1973(1973-10-29) (aged 84)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
NationalityCanadian
Other namesThe Cherry Picker From Logan Square
Chicago Spider
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Height5 ft 0 in (1.52 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights91
Wins67
Wins by KO31
Losses11
Draws12
No contests1

John Frederic Coulon (February 12, 1889 – October 29, 1973) was a Canadian-American professional boxer who was the world bantamweight champion from March 6, 1910, when he wrested the crown from England's Jim Kendrick, until June 3, 1914, when he was defeated by Kid Williams in Vernon, California.[1] He was also a boxing manager late in life and managed, among others, Eddie Perkins.

As there was some dispute over the sanctioning of the World Bantamweight Title by different boxing associations, other sources, particularly many American newspapers of the day, and the World Boxing Association, which became the National Boxing Association, recognized his first taking the bantamweight world championship on February 26, 1911, when he defeated Frankie Conley in twenty rounds in New Orleans, Louisiana.[2]

Early life

[edit]

Born in Toronto to American parents Emile Eugene Coulon (1857–1911) and Sarah Loretta Waltzinger (1857–1923), Coulon grew up in turn-of-the-century Chicago, where, as a prelim fighter, he became known as "The Cherry Picker from Logan Square." In the summer of 1906, at the age of seventeen, he received a life saving medal from the U.S. government, and was matched to fight Danny Goodman in Davenport, winning the eight-round match. According to the Chicago Tribune, it may have been his professional debut, but was certainly not one of his first. He began fighting as an amateur in Chicago two years earlier, once appearing in Kid Howard's Gymnasium, weighing barely one hundred pounds for some bouts. According to his Boxrec record, he won roughly fifteen fights as an amateur, frequently by knockout.[3][4]

Early boxing career

[edit]

Coulon turned pro at 16 and was a champion at 21. His career, managed by his father, Emile E. "Pop" Coulon, stretched from 1905 to 1920. Counting newspaper decisions, the hall-of-famer, according to Boxrec, is listed as losing only eleven times in 91 fights, but he claimed to have fought over 300 total bouts.[5]

Coulon won 26 of his early bouts before losing a 10-round decision to Kid Murphy. In a rematch with Murphy in 1908, Coulon reversed the decision and earned recognition as the American bantamweight champion, though the title was billed as the Paperweight World Title, and not recognized as the World Bantamweight Title by all sanctioning bodies.[6]

Boxing career and taking the World Bantamweight Title

[edit]

After an important win against Jim Kendrick in 19 rounds on February 18, 1910, in New Orleans, Louisiana, he later defeated him again in a nineteen-round battle in the same city where he won by technical knockout. The fights were billed as the "Paperweight World Championships" at a weight of 8 stones, 3 pounds or 115 pounds in American weight measure. Not all sanctioning bodies recognized this fight as bestowing the World Bantamweight Championship. Coulon defended the title against Earl Denning, Frankie Conley, Frankie Burns, and Kid Williams. Three of his opponents were Hall-of-Famers: Kid Williams, Pete Herman, and Charley Goldman, who is best known for training Rocky Marciano. He also faced Harry Forbes, a gifted bantamweight from Chicago, and brother of boxer Clarence.

His April 10, 1910, ten round New York bout at the Marathon Athletic Club in Brooklyn with Young O'Leary was another close affair with Coulon winning by "having only a shade the better of the round." The reporter for the article felt O'Leary was weakened in his attempt to make the 112 pound fighting weight, and thus had a disadvantage in the bout. The fight was considered a title fight for the "Paperweight World Championship at 115 pounds, though both fighters were under that limit. Some sources still considered the fight for the Bantamweight World Championship.[7]

Undisputedly taking the World Bantamweight Title

[edit]
Frankie Conley, World Bantamweight Champion Contender

On year after his win against Kendrick, many sources consider his 20 round points decision over Frankie Conley on February 26, 1911 in New Orleans, Louisiana, as bestowing the World Bantamweight Title for the first time at age 22. In the historic bout at the West Side Athletic Club, both men gave equal punishment throughout the bout with Conley still able to throw punches in the final twentieth round. Believing Coulon still a clear winner of the bout, the Indianapolis Star, gave eighteen of the twenty rounds to Coulon, though not by wide margins.[8]

Harry Forbes

In March and April 1911, Coulon fought Phil McGovern and Harry Forbes in ten round no decision title matches in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Forbes had been recognized as the World Bantamweight Boxing Champion from 1901 to 1903 by the World Boxing Association. Though there was no referee decision on points, if Coulon lost the fight by knockout or technical knockout before the ten rounds were completed, he still would have forfeited his title. Both bouts went the full ten rounds, and several newspapers gave Coulon the edge in the bouts.[9]

Of his February 18, 1912 twenty round World Bantamweight Title Fight victory in New Orleans over Frankie Burns, the press wrote that he had the only knockdown in the fast paced and well matched fight and that, "the crowd was loathe to leave" and the "yelling was deafening". As late as the eighteenth and nineteenth round, Burns was fighting back with jabs to the face of Coulon, though the close fight ended with a points decision for Coulon. Both men were fighting hard til the final bell. Part of the crowd's deafening yells were a result of the closeness of the fight and that many felt Burns should have gotten a draw decision. The Washington Post felt that Burns may have had the better of the seventeenth through twentieth rounds.[10][11]

As a boxer who became a performer, his June 11, 1912, bout with Frankie Hayes in New Haven, Connecticut, was not exceedingly rare in this era of boxing. With the demanding schedule many boxers kept, where injuries and fatigue were both common, boxers would on very rare occasions perform more than box. The bout's original referee Fitzgerald left the ring after the third of ten rounds declaring the bout was a "frame-up" and that the boxers were refusing to fight. That a World Champion might fix a fight was rare but not unheard of in this era, as sometimes organized crime exerted major influence on the outcome of fights. A Police Chief Cowles warned both fighters to box, and finally in the fourth round Hayes went down by knockout, though the crowd was not convinced the knockout was genuine or staged. Bouts of this type often left the audience and law enforcement officials wondering if a "fix" was involved due to pressures from gamblers or organized crime to effect an outcome favorable to their betting.[12]

One source noted a slight decline in Coulon's boxing style after the death of his father Emile E. "Pop" Coulon on July 28, 1911, with his telling loss to Kid Williams three years later in June 1914. From July 28 though December 1912, Coulon took a six-month boxing hiatus which may have reduced his competitiveness. His unwillingness to take a new manager after the loss of his father, may have simply reduced his ability to schedule frequent bouts with top boxers and thus reduced his incentive to train. A higher percentage of his better publicized fights in late 1912 were draws, with a lower percentage of wins by decision of the referees.[13]

Losing the World Bantamweight Title

[edit]
Kid Williams, World Bantamweight Champion Contender

Coulon indisputedly lost the World Bantamweight Title when Kid Williams stopped him in a lop-sided victory ending in a third-round knockout on June 9, 1914, in Vernon, California. Coulon made "only a feeble resistance" in the June title bout with Williams, before a crowd of 10,700, and as he lost the bout in less than nine minutes of total fighting, New York's Evening World, wrote that "he slid into obscurity with barely a protest."[14][15][16]

Coulon served in the United States Army during World War I, often instructing soldiers on how to fight. He fought no well-known professional bouts from May 1917 though March 1920, while America was at war. He boxed twice in France after his service stint with Charles Ledoux and Emile Juliard in 1920, and retired from the ring that year with a total record including newspaper decisions of 67 wins, 11 losses, 12 draws, with 1 no-contest.[17]

Retirement from boxing

[edit]

After retirement, he began public performances with a mystifying stage act. He would appear stripped to the waist and challenge anyone in the audience to try to lift him off his feet. It seemed an empty boast since at five feet and barely 110 pounds, he was smaller than many schoolboys. But those who took up the challenge soon left the stage baffled and frustrated when they were unable to lift Coulon an inch off the floor. Coulon himself never made any extravagant claims that he could violate natural laws. He was content to make a living by presenting a baffling stage act. The trick was that Coulon would feign a struggle, grabbing the opponent by the back of the neck and right arm and applying pressure to a nerve there. Once he even successfully prevented imposing heavyweight Primo Carnera from lifting him off the floor. His act also included what he described as levitation and his appearing to lose and gain weight at will.[18][19]

Marriage and opening Coulon's gymnasium

[edit]

On July 27, 1921, at the end of his boxing career, Coulon married his diminutive Irish wife of over fifty years, Marie Maloney (1892–1984), a native Chicagoan.[20][21] She never saw him fight professionally, but together they opened Coulon's Gymnasium on the South Side of Chicago around 1923. Marie was the business manager, and helped to match fighters who performed at the gym both as professionals and amateurs.[22] Coulon's professional career was over when they met, but together they saw many of the great boxers train at their gym down through the years — these included Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Jim Braddock, Joe Louis, Sugar Ray Robinson, and Muhammad Ali." Ali would often use the gym to keep himself toned during his exile years. Coulon managed junior welterweight champion Eddie Perkins and light-heavyweight contender Allen Thomas. Coulon often travelled to find Perkins fights even into his 70s.[23]

Ernest Hemingway visited Coulon's and insisted on sparring with the local pugs. LeRoy Neiman sketched boxers working out. A cult movie of the sixties, Medium Cool, filmed scenes at the gym, where Coulon briefly appeared, a tiny old man captured forever on celluloid.

Coulon was not only a topnotch trainer, but living boxing history. He was a close friend of Jack Johnson, had frequented Johnson's restaurant, the "Café de Champion," and served as a pallbearer at the great champion's funeral. He knew every heavyweight champion since the Great John L. Sullivan, trained hundreds of fighters and was a revered celebrity in Chicago during the 1960s. At 76 he could leave a ring by jumping over a top rope, landing softly on his feet. He celebrated a birthday by walking the length of the gym on his hands. He died at 84 in 1973 in Chicago and was buried in St. Mary's Cemetery along with his wife. His gym was later torn down. In 2016 all rights to the boxer was given to a relative by the name of Brenden Wirth.

Achievements and honors

[edit]

Coulon was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 (Sport: Boxing; Theme: Strength & Science), was installed in the Catholic Youth Organization's Club of Champions for his contributions to amateur boxing in 1971, and into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1999. He was elected to New York's Boxing Hall of Fame on January 6, 1966.[24]


Professional boxing record

[edit]

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[25] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

[edit]
90 fights 50 wins 6 losses
By knockout 30 3
By decision 20 3
Draws 4
No contests 1
Newspaper decisions/draws 29

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
90 Win 50–6–4 (30) Emile Juliard KO 2 (10) Apr 28, 1920 31 years, 76 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US
89 Loss 49–6–4 (30) Charles Ledoux KO 6 (15) Mar 16, 1920 31 years, 33 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US
88 Loss 49–5–4 (30) Pete Herman TKO 3 (10) May 14, 1917 28 years, 91 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US
87 Win 49–4–4 (30) Bobby Hughes PTS 10 Apr 9, 1917 28 years, 56 days Tulane Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
86 Draw 48–4–4 (30) Frankie Mason NWS 10 Mar 30, 1917 28 years, 46 days Majestic Theatre, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
85 Draw 48–4–4 (29) Steve Flessner PTS 15 Feb 26, 1917 28 years, 14 days Momumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US
84 Draw 48–4–3 (29) Jackie Sharkey NWS 10 Feb 5, 1917 27 years, 359 days Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
83 Win 48–4–3 (28) Joe Wagner NWS 10 Jan 1, 1917 27 years, 324 days Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
82 Draw 48–4–3 (27) George Thompson PTS 4 Sep 8, 1916 27 years, 209 days Gritton's Arena, San Diego, California, US
81 Win 48–4–2 (27) Kid Julian PTS 4 Aug 11, 1916 27 years, 181 days Gritton's Arena, San Diego, California, US
80 Draw 47–4–2 (27) George Thompson PTS 4 Aug 8, 1916 27 years, 178 days Broadway Rink, San Diego, California, US
79 Loss 47–4–1 (27) Eddie Campi PTS 4 Jul 28, 1916 27 years, 167 days Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
78 Loss 47–3–1 (27) Billy Mascott NWS 6 Jul 21, 1916 27 years, 160 days Rose City A.C., Portland, Oregon, US
77 Loss 47–3–1 (26) Billy Mascott PTS 6 Jul 3, 1916 27 years, 142 days Rose City Speedway, Portland, Oregon, US
76 Win 47–2–1 (26) Johnny Ritchie NWS 10 Apr 25, 1916 27 years, 73 days Kenosha, Wisconsin, US
75 Loss 47–2–1 (25) Kid Williams KO 3 (20) Jun 9, 1914 25 years, 117 days Arena, Vernon, California, US Lost world bantamweight title
74 Win 47–1–1 (25) Young Sinnett NWS 10 Jan 21, 1914 24 years, 343 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
73 Draw 47–1–1 (24) Frankie Burns NWS 10 Jun 23, 1913 24 years, 131 days Ice Skating Rink Arena, Kenosha, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
72 Loss 47–1–1 (23) Frank Bradley NWS 6 May 12, 1913 24 years, 89 days Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
71 Win 47–1–1 (22) Tommy Hudson KO 5 (8) Apr 30, 1913 24 years, 77 days Windsor, Ontario, Canada
70 Win 46–1–1 (22) Charley Goldman NWS 10 Nov 20, 1912 23 years, 282 days Royale A.C., New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
69 Loss 46–1–1 (21) Kid Williams NWS 10 Oct 18, 1912 23 years, 249 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
68 Win 46–1–1 (20) Joe Wagner NWS 10 Jul 2, 1912 23 years, 141 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
67 Win 46–1–1 (19) Frankie Hayes KO 4 (10) Jun 11, 1912 23 years, 120 days Casino, New Haven, Connecticut, US
66 Win 45–1–1 (19) Johnny Solzberg NWS 10 May 8, 1912 23 years, 86 days Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
65 Win 45–1–1 (18) Frankie Burns PTS 20 Feb 18, 1912 23 years, 6 days West Side A.C., Gretna, Louisiana, US Retained world bantamweight title
64 Win 44–1–1 (18) Frankie Conley PTS 20 Feb 3, 1912 22 years, 356 days Arena, Vernon, California, US Retained world bantamweight title
63 Win 43–1–1 (18) Harry Forbes KO 3 (10) Jan 22, 1912 22 years, 344 days Badger A.C., Kenosha, Wisconsin, US
62 Win 42–1–1 (18) George Kitson TKO 3 (10) Jan 11, 1912 22 years, 333 days South Bend, Indiana, US Retained world bantamweight title
61 Draw 41–1–1 (18) Johnny Daly NWS 10 May 25, 1911 22 years, 102 days Princess Rink, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
60 Draw 41–1–1 (17) Eddie O'Keefe PTS 10 Apr 25, 1911 22 years, 72 days Hippodrome, Kansas City, Missouri, US Retained world bantamweight title
59 Win 41–1 (17) Phil McGovern NWS 10 Apr 20, 1911 22 years, 67 days Kenosha, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
58 Win 41–1 (16) Harry Forbes NWS 10 Mar 28, 1911 22 years, 44 days Ice Skating Rink Arena, Kenosha, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
57 Win 41–1 (15) George Kitson TKO 5 (10) Mar 22, 1911 22 years, 38 days Akron, Ohio, US
56 Win 40–1 (15) Frankie Conley PTS 20 Feb 26, 1911 22 years, 14 days Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US Won world bantamweight title
55 Win 39–1 (15) Terry Moran KO 2 (8) Jan 18, 1911 21 years, 340 days National A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
54 Win 38–1 (15) Earl Denning KO 5 (8) Dec 19, 1910 21 years, 310 days National A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US Retained world paperweight title
53 Win 37–1 (15) Charley Harvey PTS 10 Dec 3, 1910 21 years, 294 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US Retained world paperweight title
52 Win 36–1 (15) Frankie Burns NWS 10 Jun 8, 1910 21 years, 116 days Manhattan Casino, New York City, New York, US World paperweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
51 Win 36–1 (14) Phil McGovern NWS 10 May 12, 1910 21 years, 89 days Madison A.C., New York City, New York, US World paperweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
50 Loss 36–1 (13) Frankie Burns NWS 10 Apr 25, 1910 21 years, 72 days Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, US
49 Draw 36–1 (12) Young O'Leary NWS 10 Apr 11, 1910 21 years, 58 days Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, US World paperweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
48 Win 36–1 (11) Jim Kenrick TKO 19 (20) Mar 6, 1910 21 years, 22 days West Side A.C., McDonoughville, Louisiana, US Retained world paperweight title
47 Win 35–1 (11) Jim Kenrick PTS 10 Feb 18, 1910 21 years, 6 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US Claimed vacant world paperweight title
46 Win 34–1 (11) Earl Denning KO 9 (10) Jan 29, 1910 20 years, 351 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
45 Win 33–1 (11) George Kitson PTS 10 Jan 15, 1910 20 years, 337 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US
44 NC 32–1 (11) Earl Denning NC 3 (10), 0:55 Dec 20, 1909 20 years, 311 days Majestic Theater, Gary, Indiana, US The police shut down the event and arrested the principals,
the referee and half a dozen spectators
43 Draw 32–1 (10) Patsy Brannigan NWS 6 Nov 22, 1909 20 years, 283 days Cambria Theatre, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
42 Win 32–1 (9) Young Ziringer NWS 6 Oct 22, 1909 20 years, 252 days Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
41 Win 32–1 (8) Tibby Watson KO 10 (20) May 28, 1909 20 years, 105 days Gymnastic Club, Dayton, Ohio, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
40 Win 31–1 (8) Jock Phenicie NWS 6 May 20, 1909 20 years, 97 days Mars Club, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
39 Win 31–1 (7) Eddie Doyle NWS 10 Mar 4, 1909 20 years, 20 days Whirlwind A.C., New York City, New York, US
38 Draw 31–1 (6) Joe Coster NWS 10 Mar 1, 1909 20 years, 17 days Bedford A.C., New York City, New York, US
37 Win 31–1 (5) Johnny Daly NWS 10 Feb 18, 1909 20 years, 6 days Whirlwind A.C., New York City, New York, US
36 Win 31–1 (4) Kid Murphy TKO 5 (10) Feb 11, 1909 19 years, 365 days Whirlwind A.C., New York City, New York, US
35 Win 30–1 (4) Mike Orrison PTS 6 Jan 1, 1909 19 years, 324 days Turner Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, US
34 Win 29–1 (4) Young O'Leary NWS 6 Nov 2, 1908 19 years, 264 days Roman A.C., New York City, New York, US
33 Draw 29–1 (3) Hughey McGovern NWS 3 Oct 13, 1908 19 years, 244 days Douglas A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
32 Loss 29–1 (2) Eddie Doyle NWS 3 Oct 13, 1908 19 years, 244 days Douglas A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
31 Win 29–1 (1) Yankee Schwartz NWS 6 Oct 5, 1908 19 years, 236 days West End A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
30 Win 29–1 Terry Edwards KO 4 (?) Sep 24, 1908 19 years, 225 days Badger A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
29 Win 28–1 Young Joe Gans TKO 5 (?) Aug 6, 1908 19 years, 176 days Waukegan, Illinois, US
28 Win 27–1 Tommy Scully TKO 9 (10) Apr 29, 1908 19 years, 77 days Cubs A.C., Waukegan, Illinois, US
27 Win 26–1 Hughey McGovern PTS 10 Mar 13, 1908 19 years, 30 days Naud Junction Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
26 Win 25–1 Cooney Kelly KO 9 (10) Feb 20, 1908 19 years, 8 days Peoria A.C., Peoria, Illinois, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
25 Win 24–1 Kid Murphy PTS 10 Jan 29, 1908 18 years, 351 days Peoria A.C., Peoria, Illinois, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
24 Win 23–1 Kid Murphy PTS 10 Jan 8, 1908 18 years, 330 days Peoria A.C., Peoria, Illinois, US Won world bantamweight title claim
23 Win 22–1 Young Fitzgerald PTS 10 Nov 1, 1907 18 years, 262 days Badger A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
22 Win 21–1 Young Fitzgerald TKO 6 (?) Mar 12, 1907 18 years, 28 days Green Valley A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
21 Loss 20–1 Kid Murphy PTS 10 Mar 1, 1907 18 years, 17 days Terminal Building, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US For vacant world bantamweight title claim
20 Win 20–0 Young Fitzgerald PTS 10 Feb 12, 1907 18 years, 0 days Green Valley A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin US
19 Win 19–0 Charlie Kriegel PTS 8 Nov 15, 1906 17 years, 276 days Burtis Opera House, Davenport, Iowa, US
18 Win 18–0 Kid Bruno PTS 3 Oct 24, 1906 17 years, 254 days Fox Lake, Illinois, US
17 Win 17–0 Fred Gaylor KO 1 (?) Oct 14, 1906 17 years, 244 days Fox Lake, Illinois, US
16 Win 16–0 Ralph Grant TKO 3 (8) Oct 11, 1906 17 years, 241 days Tri-City A.C., Davenport, Iowa, US
15 Win 15–0 Danny Goodman PTS 8 Sep 3, 1906 17 years, 203 days Davenport, Iowa, US
14 Win 14–0 Fred Gaylor KO 2 (?) Aug 6, 1906 17 years, 175 days Fox Lake, Illinois, US
13 Win 13–0 Kid Egan TKO 2 (?) Mar 20, 1906 17 years, 36 days Chicago, Illinois, US
12 Win 12–0 Eddie Berndt TKO 2 (?) Mar 2, 1906 17 years, 18 days Chicago, Illinois, US
11 Win 11–0 Eddie Berndt PTS 3 Feb 3, 1906 16 years, 356 days Chicago, Illinois, US
10 Win 10–0 Jack Francis TKO 2 (?) Jan 21, 1906 16 years, 343 days Chicago, Illinois, US
9 Win 9–0 Jimmy Dunn KO 1 (?) Nov 24, 1905 16 years, 285 days Chicago, Illinois, US
8 Win 8–0 Jack Ryan KO 3 (?) Nov 17, 1905 16 years, 278 days Chicago, Illinois, US
7 Win 7–0 Peter Kelly KO 3 (?) May 18, 1905 16 years, 95 days College Point, New York, US
6 Win 6–0 Kid Carpenter KO 3 (?) Apr 12, 1905 16 years, 59 days New York City, New York, US
5 Win 5–0 George Fox KO 4 (?) Mar 14, 1905 16 years, 30 days Chicago, Illinois, US
4 Win 4–0 Kid Irwin KO 2 (?) Mar 3, 1905 16 years, 19 days Chicago, Illinois, US
3 Win 3–0 Frankle Nee PTS 6 Feb 15, 1905 16 years, 3 days Chicago, Illinois, US
2 Win 2–0 Kid Burns PTS 6 Jan 24, 1905 15 years, 347 days Chicago, Illinois, US
1 Win 1–0 Young Bennie KO 6 (6) Jan 18, 1905 15 years, 341 days Chicago, Illinois, US

Unofficial record

[edit]
90 fights 66 wins 11 losses
By knockout 30 3
By decision 36 8
Draws 12
No contests 1

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
90 Win 65–11–12 (1) Emile Juliard KO 2 (10) Apr 28, 1920 31 years, 76 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US
89 Loss 64–11–12 (1) Charles Ledoux KO 6 (15) Mar 16, 1920 31 years, 33 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US
88 Loss 64–10–12 (1) Pete Herman TKO 3 (10) May 14, 1917 28 years, 91 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US
87 Win 64–9–12 (1) Bobby Hughes PTS 10 Apr 9, 1917 28 years, 56 days Tulane Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
86 Draw 64–9–12 (1) Frankie Mason NWS 10 Mar 30, 1917 28 years, 46 days Majestic Theatre, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US
85 Draw 64–9–11 (1) Steve Flessner PTS 15 Feb 26, 1917 28 years, 14 days Momumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US
84 Draw 64–9–10 (1) Jackie Sharkey NWS 10 Feb 5, 1917 27 years, 359 days Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
83 Win 64–9–9 (1) Joe Wagner NWS 10 Jan 1, 1917 27 years, 324 days Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
82 Draw 63–9–9 (1) George Thompson PTS 4 Sep 8, 1916 27 years, 209 days Gritton's Arena, San Diego, California, US
81 Win 63–9–8 (1) Kid Julian PTS 4 Aug 11, 1916 27 years, 181 days Gritton's Arena, San Diego, California, US
80 Draw 62–9–8 (1) George Thompson PTS 4 Aug 8, 1916 27 years, 178 days Broadway Rink, San Diego, California, US
79 Loss 62–9–7 (1) Eddie Campi PTS 4 Jul 28, 1916 27 years, 167 days Dreamland Rink, San Francisco, California, US
78 Loss 62–8–7 (1) Billy Mascott NWS 6 Jul 21, 1916 27 years, 160 days Rose City A.C., Portland, Oregon, US
77 Loss 62–7–7 (1) Billy Mascott PTS 6 Jul 3, 1916 27 years, 142 days Rose City Speedway, Portland, Oregon, US
76 Win 62–6–7 (1) Johnny Ritchie NWS 10 Apr 25, 1916 27 years, 73 days Kenosha, Wisconsin, US
75 Loss 61–6–7 (1) Kid Williams KO 3 (20) Jun 9, 1914 25 years, 117 days Arena, Vernon, California, US Lost world bantamweight title
74 Win 61–5–7 (1) Young Sinnett NWS 10 Jan 21, 1914 24 years, 343 days Lakeside Auditorium, Racine, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
73 Draw 60–5–7 (1) Frankie Burns NWS 10 Jun 23, 1913 24 years, 131 days Ice Skating Rink Arena, Kenosha, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
72 Loss 60–5–6 (1) Frank Bradley NWS 6 May 12, 1913 24 years, 89 days Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
71 Win 60–4–6 (1) Tommy Hudson KO 5 (8) Apr 30, 1913 24 years, 77 days Windsor, Ontario, Canada
70 Win 59–4–6 (1) Charley Goldman NWS 10 Nov 20, 1912 23 years, 282 days Royale A.C., New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
69 Loss 58–4–6 (1) Kid Williams NWS 10 Oct 18, 1912 23 years, 249 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
68 Win 58–3–6 (1) Joe Wagner NWS 10 Jul 2, 1912 23 years, 141 days St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
67 Win 57–3–6 (1) Frankie Hayes KO 4 (10) Jun 11, 1912 23 years, 120 days Casino, New Haven, Connecticut, US
66 Win 56–3–6 (1) Johnny Solzberg NWS 10 May 8, 1912 23 years, 86 days Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
65 Win 55–3–6 (1) Frankie Burns PTS 20 Feb 18, 1912 23 years, 6 days West Side A.C., Gretna, Louisiana, US Retained world bantamweight title
64 Win 54–3–6 (1) Frankie Conley PTS 20 Feb 3, 1912 22 years, 356 days Arena, Vernon, California, US Retained world bantamweight title
63 Win 53–3–6 (1) Harry Forbes KO 3 (10) Jan 22, 1912 22 years, 344 days Badger A.C., Kenosha, Wisconsin, US
62 Win 52–3–6 (1) George Kitson TKO 3 (10) Jan 11, 1912 22 years, 333 days South Bend, Indiana, US Retained world bantamweight title
61 Draw 51–3–6 (1) Johnny Daly NWS 10 May 25, 1911 22 years, 102 days Princess Rink, Fort Wayne, Indiana, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
60 Draw 51–3–5 (1) Eddie O'Keefe PTS 10 Apr 25, 1911 22 years, 72 days Hippodrome, Kansas City, Missouri, US Retained world bantamweight title
59 Win 51–3–4 (1) Phil McGovern NWS 10 Apr 20, 1911 22 years, 67 days Kenosha, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
58 Win 50–3–4 (1) Harry Forbes NWS 10 Mar 28, 1911 22 years, 44 days Ice Skating Rink Arena, Kenosha, Wisconsin, US World bantamweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
57 Win 49–3–4 (1) George Kitson TKO 5 (10) Mar 22, 1911 22 years, 38 days Akron, Ohio, US
56 Win 48–3–4 (1) Frankie Conley PTS 20 Feb 26, 1911 22 years, 14 days Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US Won world bantamweight title
55 Win 47–3–4 (1) Terry Moran KO 2 (8) Jan 18, 1911 21 years, 340 days National A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
54 Win 46–3–4 (1) Earl Denning KO 5 (8) Dec 19, 1910 21 years, 310 days National A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US Retained world paperweight title
53 Win 45–3–4 (1) Charley Harvey PTS 10 Dec 3, 1910 21 years, 294 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US Retained world paperweight title
52 Win 44–3–4 (1) Frankie Burns NWS 10 Jun 8, 1910 21 years, 116 days Manhattan Casino, New York City, New York, US World paperweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
51 Win 43–3–4 (1) Phil McGovern NWS 10 May 12, 1910 21 years, 89 days Madison A.C., New York City, New York, US World paperweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
50 Loss 42–3–4 (1) Frankie Burns NWS 10 Apr 25, 1910 21 years, 72 days Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, US
49 Draw 42–2–4 (1) Young O'Leary NWS 10 Apr 11, 1910 21 years, 58 days Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, US World paperweight title at stake;
(via KO only)
48 Win 42–2–3 (1) Jim Kenrick TKO 19 (20) Mar 6, 1910 21 years, 22 days West Side A.C., McDonoughville, Louisiana, US Retained world paperweight title
47 Win 41–2–3 (1) Jim Kenrick PTS 10 Feb 18, 1910 21 years, 6 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US Claimed vacant world paperweight title
46 Win 40–2–3 (1) Earl Denning KO 9 (10) Jan 29, 1910 20 years, 351 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
45 Win 39–2–3 (1) George Kitson PTS 10 Jan 15, 1910 20 years, 337 days Royal A.C., New Orleans, Louisiana, US
44 NC 38–2–3 (1) Earl Denning NC 3 (10), 0:55 Dec 20, 1909 20 years, 311 days Majestic Theater, Gary, Indiana, US The police shut down the event and arrested the principals,
the referee and half a dozen spectators
43 Draw 38–2–3 Patsy Brannigan NWS 6 Nov 22, 1909 20 years, 283 days Cambria Theatre, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
42 Win 38–2–2 Young Ziringer NWS 6 Oct 22, 1909 20 years, 252 days Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
41 Win 37–2–2 Tibby Watson KO 10 (20) May 28, 1909 20 years, 105 days Gymnastic Club, Dayton, Ohio, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
40 Win 36–2–2 Jock Phenicie NWS 6 May 20, 1909 20 years, 97 days Mars Club, Johnstown, Pennsylvania, US
39 Win 35–2–2 Eddie Doyle NWS 10 Mar 4, 1909 20 years, 20 days Whirlwind A.C., New York City, New York, US
38 Draw 34–2–2 Joe Coster NWS 10 Mar 1, 1909 20 years, 17 days Bedford A.C., New York City, New York, US
37 Win 34–2–1 Johnny Daly NWS 10 Feb 18, 1909 20 years, 6 days Whirlwind A.C., New York City, New York, US
36 Win 33–2–1 Kid Murphy TKO 5 (10) Feb 11, 1909 19 years, 365 days Whirlwind A.C., New York City, New York, US
35 Win 32–2–1 Mike Orrison PTS 6 Jan 1, 1909 19 years, 324 days Turner Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, US
34 Win 31–2–1 Young O'Leary NWS 6 Nov 2, 1908 19 years, 264 days Roman A.C., New York City, New York, US
33 Draw 30–2–1 Hughey McGovern NWS 3 Oct 13, 1908 19 years, 244 days Douglas A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
32 Loss 30–2 Eddie Doyle NWS 3 Oct 13, 1908 19 years, 244 days Douglas A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
31 Win 30–1 Yankee Schwartz NWS 6 Oct 5, 1908 19 years, 236 days West End A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
30 Win 29–1 Terry Edwards KO 4 (?) Sep 24, 1908 19 years, 225 days Badger A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
29 Win 28–1 Young Joe Gans TKO 5 (?) Aug 6, 1908 19 years, 176 days Waukegan, Illinois, US
28 Win 27–1 Tommy Scully TKO 9 (10) Apr 29, 1908 19 years, 77 days Cubs A.C., Waukegan, Illinois, US
27 Win 26–1 Hughey McGovern PTS 10 Mar 13, 1908 19 years, 30 days Naud Junction Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
26 Win 25–1 Cooney Kelly KO 9 (10) Feb 20, 1908 19 years, 8 days Peoria A.C., Peoria, Illinois, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
25 Win 24–1 Kid Murphy PTS 10 Jan 29, 1908 18 years, 351 days Peoria A.C., Peoria, Illinois, US Retained world bantamweight title claim
24 Win 23–1 Kid Murphy PTS 10 Jan 8, 1908 18 years, 330 days Peoria A.C., Peoria, Illinois, US Won world bantamweight title claim
23 Win 22–1 Young Fitzgerald PTS 10 Nov 1, 1907 18 years, 262 days Badger A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
22 Win 21–1 Young Fitzgerald TKO 6 (?) Mar 12, 1907 18 years, 28 days Green Valley A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
21 Loss 20–1 Kid Murphy PTS 10 Mar 1, 1907 18 years, 17 days Terminal Building, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US For vacant world bantamweight title claim
20 Win 20–0 Young Fitzgerald PTS 10 Feb 12, 1907 18 years, 0 days Green Valley A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin US
19 Win 19–0 Charlie Kriegel PTS 8 Nov 15, 1906 17 years, 276 days Burtis Opera House, Davenport, Iowa, US
18 Win 18–0 Kid Bruno PTS 3 Oct 24, 1906 17 years, 254 days Fox Lake, Illinois, US
17 Win 17–0 Fred Gaylor KO 1 (?) Oct 14, 1906 17 years, 244 days Fox Lake, Illinois, US
16 Win 16–0 Ralph Grant TKO 3 (8) Oct 11, 1906 17 years, 241 days Tri-City A.C., Davenport, Iowa, US
15 Win 15–0 Danny Goodman PTS 8 Sep 3, 1906 17 years, 203 days Davenport, Iowa, US
14 Win 14–0 Fred Gaylor KO 2 (?) Aug 6, 1906 17 years, 175 days Fox Lake, Illinois, US
13 Win 13–0 Kid Egan TKO 2 (?) Mar 20, 1906 17 years, 36 days Chicago, Illinois, US
12 Win 12–0 Eddie Berndt TKO 2 (?) Mar 2, 1906 17 years, 18 days Chicago, Illinois, US
11 Win 11–0 Eddie Berndt PTS 3 Feb 3, 1906 16 years, 356 days Chicago, Illinois, US
10 Win 10–0 Jack Francis TKO 2 (?) Jan 21, 1906 16 years, 343 days Chicago, Illinois, US
9 Win 9–0 Jimmy Dunn KO 1 (?) Nov 24, 1905 16 years, 285 days Chicago, Illinois, US
8 Win 8–0 Jack Ryan KO 3 (?) Nov 17, 1905 16 years, 278 days Chicago, Illinois, US
7 Win 7–0 Peter Kelly KO 3 (?) May 18, 1905 16 years, 95 days College Point, New York, US
6 Win 6–0 Kid Carpenter KO 3 (?) Apr 12, 1905 16 years, 59 days New York City, New York, US
5 Win 5–0 George Fox KO 4 (?) Mar 14, 1905 16 years, 30 days Chicago, Illinois, US
4 Win 4–0 Kid Irwin KO 2 (?) Mar 3, 1905 16 years, 19 days Chicago, Illinois, US
3 Win 3–0 Frankle Nee PTS 6 Feb 15, 1905 16 years, 3 days Chicago, Illinois, US
2 Win 2–0 Kid Burns PTS 6 Jan 24, 1905 15 years, 347 days Chicago, Illinois, US
1 Win 1–0 Young Bennie KO 6 (6) Jan 18, 1905 15 years, 341 days Chicago, Illinois, US

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Lineal Bantamweight Champions". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. ^ "Johnny Coulon". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  3. ^ "Pugilistic Pointers", Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, p. 6, 23 August 1906
  4. ^ A discussion of Coulon's first professional fight in "Johnny Coulon". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  5. ^ "Johnny Coulon". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Johnny Coulon". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  7. ^ "Coulon Has Shade on Young O'Leary", The Inter Ocean, Chicago, Illinois, p. 4, 12 April 1910
  8. ^ "Johhny Coulon is Master of Conley", Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, pg. 8, 27 February 1911
  9. ^ "Johnny Coulon". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  10. ^ "Johnny Coulon Retains Title", The Courier Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, pg. 7, 19 February 1912
  11. ^ "Coulon Finds Burns Tough But Retains Bantam Title", Washington Post, Washington, D.C., pg. 8, 19 February 1912
  12. ^ "Johnny Coulon and Frankie Hayes in Burlesque Battle", Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan, p. 11, 12 June 1912
  13. ^ "Ex-Bantam Champion refused to Take Manager After Death of Parent",Oakland Tribune, Oakland, California, pg. 38, 26 July 1914
  14. ^ "Kid Williams Takes Bantam Title From Johnny Coulon With Knockout in Third", Evening World, New York, New York, p. 14, 10 June 1914
  15. ^ "Johnny Coulon". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  16. ^ Coulon lost his title to Kid Williams in "Williams Coming Back", The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Brooklyn, New York, p.22, 29 January 1923
  17. ^ "Johnny Coulon". BoxRec. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  18. ^ Detailed description of Coulon's stage act in "Current Comment", The San Bernardino County Sun, San Bernardino, California, pg. 4, 3 January 1921
  19. ^ His act once included Primo Carnera in "Weighed 110, Nobody Could Lift Him", St. Louis Post-Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, p. 8, 21 July 1945
  20. ^ "Johnny Coulon Marries Today", Arkansas Daily Traveller, Arkansas City, Kansas, p. 8, 27 July 1921
  21. ^ His wife Marie was Irish in "Have Boxer Will Travel", The Daily Mail, Haggerstown, Maryland p. 29, 9 July 1964
  22. ^ His wife Marie was Irish in "Have Boxer Will Travel", The Daily Mail, Haggerstown, Maryland p. 29, 9 July 1964
  23. ^ He coached Perkins and travelled with him and many boxers frequented his gymnasium in "Have Boxer Will Travel", The Daily Mail, Haggerstown, Maryland p. 29, 9 July 1964
  24. ^ "Billy Conn Voted into Boxing's Hall of Fame", The Evening Times, Syre, Pennsylvania, p. 9, 6 January 1966
  25. ^ "BoxRec: Johnny Coulon".
[edit]
Achievements
Vacant
Title last held by
Frankie Conley
World Bantamweight Champion
26 February 1911 – 3 June 1914
Succeeded by