George Byers (boxer)

George Frederick Byers
Born(1872-06-25)June 25, 1872
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
DiedApril 10, 1937(1937-04-10) (aged 64)
Boston, Massachusetts
NationalityCanadian
Other namesBudge
Statistics
Weight(s)Light heavyweight
Heavyweight
Height5 ft 8.5 in (174.0 cm)
Boxing record
Total fights52
Wins20
Wins by KO13
Losses8 (4 KO)
Draws21
No contests3

George Byers (June 25, 1872 – April 10, 1937) was a Canadian boxer who won the World Colored Middleweight Championship in 1897 and held the World Colored Heavyweight Championship from September 14, 1898, to March 16, 1901, a reign of 913 days. The 5′ 8½″ fought out of Boston from 1895 to 1904 at a weight of between 120 and 165 lbs., in many weight classes and frequently against men that were much larger than himself. On 9 December 1897 in Waterbury, Connecticut, he faced Harry Peppers in a title match for the World Colored Middleweight Championship.[1] Byers knocked out the undefeated Peppers, the Pacific Coast Middleweight Champion of the Pacific Coast in the 19th round of a 20-round contest.[2] He took up US citizenship in 1917[3] (subscription required)

Rivalry With Frank Childs

Byers fought Frank Childs for the world colored heavyweight title on 14 September 1898 at the Lenox Athletic Club in New York City, winning on points in a 20-round bout. Childs continued to claim the title during Byers' reign, and fought former colored heavyweight champ Bob Armstrong on 4 March 1899 in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a fight announced as being for the title.

Byers next fought Childs, who was billing himself as the "black heavyweight title" holder, on 16 March at the Star Athletic Club in Chicago. Byers had put his colored heavyweight title on the line and emerged victorious, winning a decision in a six-round contest.

One year later, on 16 March 1901, Byers lost his title to Childs when the ex-champ KO-ed him in the 17th round of a 20-round title bout. They never fought again.

Record

Byers racked up a record of 20 wins (17 by knock out) against seven losses (knocked out four times) and 20 draws.[4]

Legacy & Honors

In 2020 award-winning author Mark Allen Baker published the first comprehensive account of The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, with McFarland & Company, a leading independent publisher of academic & nonfiction books. This history traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the talented professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring.

For decades the World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a useful tool to combat racial oppression-the existence of the title a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, “drawing the color line.”


Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[5] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

52 fights 20 wins 7 losses
By knockout 14 4
By decision 6 2
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 20
No contests 3
Newspaper decisions/draws 2

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 Date Location Notes
52 Draw 20–7–20 (5) Charlie Haghey PTS 10 May 3, 1904 Portland, Maine, US
51 Win 20–7–19 (5) Cyclone Robinson KO 1 (10) Mar 21, 1904 Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
50 Win 19–7–19 (5) Black Fitzsimmons TKO 8 (10) Mar 14, 1904 Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
49 Win 18–7–19 (5) Dick Moore KO 3 (12) Jul 31, 1903 Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
48 Loss 17–7–19 (5) Philadelphia Jack O'Brien NWS 6 May 23, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
47 Loss 17–7–19 (4) Sandy Ferguson PTS 12 Apr 8, 1903 Tempiar A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, US
46 Draw 17–6–19 (4) Charlie Haghey PTS 12 Feb 23, 1903 Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
45 Draw 17–6–18 (4) Sandy Ferguson PTS 8 Jan 22, 1903 Brighton Social & A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, US Pre arranged draw if lasting the distance
44 Win 17–6–17 (4) Mike Schalow PTS 6 Dec 25, 1902 Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
43 Draw 16–6–17 (4) Jack 'Twin' Sullivan PTS 6 Dec 1, 1902 Bangor, Maine, US
42 Draw 16–6–16 (4) Dick O'Brien PTS 10 Oct 30, 1902 Norumbega Hall, Bangor, Maine, US
41 Win 16–6–15 (4) Charlie Haghey PTS 10 May 9, 1902 East Boston A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
40 Win 15–6–15 (4) J. Wightman KO 1 (10) Apr 19, 1902 Bowdoin Square Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US
39 Loss 14–6–15 (4) Tom Carey TKO 13 (15) Nov 28, 1901 Casino, New Britain, Connecticut, US
38 Loss 14–5–15 (4) Billy Stift PTS 6 Nov 9, 1901 Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
37 Draw 14–4–15 (4) Mysterious Billy Smith PTS 15 Aug 19, 1901 Victoria Rink, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
36 Loss 14–4–14 (4) Frank Childs KO 17 (20) Mar 16, 1901 Hot Springs, Arkansas, US Lost world colored heavyweight title
35 Loss 14–3–14 (4) Jack Root KO 9 (20) Jan 18, 1901 Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US
34 Win 14–2–14 (4) Tim Draffin Murphy PTS 6 Oct 30, 1900 Star A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
33 Draw 13–2–14 (4) 'Wild' Bill Hanrahan PTS 15 Aug 29, 1900 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
32 Draw 13–2–13 (4) Dick O'Brien PTS 15 May 30, 1900 Lynn, Massachusetts, US
31 NC 13–2–12 (4) George Gardner NC 15 (15) May 14, 1900 Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US Fight stopped for "bluffing"
30 Draw 13–2–12 (3) Frank Childs PTS 6 Mar 16, 1900 Star Athletic Club, Chicago, Illinois, US Retained world colored heavyweight title;
For black heavyweight title
29 Loss 13–2–11 (3) George Gardner DQ 14 (15) Feb 22, 1900 Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, US Byers DQ'd for hitting Gardner after a knockdown
28 Win 13–1–11 (3) Martin Mulverhill TKO 2 (15) Feb 12, 1900 Kirkland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
27 Draw 12–1–11 (3) George Gardner NWS 15 Feb 2, 1900 Lasters Hall, Lynn, Massachusetts, US Pre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
26 Draw 12–1–11 (2) Jim McCormick PTS 12 Jan 11, 1900 Brockton Athletic Club, Brockton, Massachusetts, US
25 Draw 12–1–10 (2) Dick O'Brien PTS 10 Dec 28, 1899 Lewiston, Maine, US
24 Win 12–1–9 (2) Jack Burke PTS 10 Nov 3, 1899 Kirtland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
23 Loss 11–1–9 (2) Tommy West KO 7 (25) Sep 4, 1899 Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
22 Draw 11–0–9 (2) Australian Jim Ryan PTS 25 Aug 12, 1899 Greenwood Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
21 Win 11–0–8 (2) Charley Strong TKO 9 (20) Jul 24, 1899 Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
20 Draw 10–0–8 (2) Billy Stift PTS 6 Jun 16, 1899 Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, US
19 NC 10–0–7 (2) Dick O'Brien NC 3 May 30, 1899 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
18 Win 10–0–7 (1) Jack Cattanach TKO 2 (10) May 3, 1899 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
17 Win 9–0–7 (1) Charles Goff TKO 2 (20) Apr 3, 1899 Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
16 Draw 8–0–7 (1) Jack Bonner PTS 20 Dec 13, 1898 Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
15 Win 8–0–6 (1) Frank Childs PTS 20 Sep 14, 1898 Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US Won world colored heavyweight title
14 ND 7–0–6 (1) Bob Armstrong ND ? May 2, 1898 Roanoke Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US Winner not specified
13 Draw 7–0–6 Johnny Gorman PTS 8 Apr 28, 1898 Lynn, Massachusetts, US Pre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
12 Win 7–0–5 Harry Peppers KO 19 (20) Dec 9, 1897 Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
11 Draw 6–0–5 Dan Murphy PTS 20 Nov 11, 1897 Jacque's Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
10 Draw 6–0–4 Charles Goff PTS 12 Sep 23, 1897 Gladiator Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
9 Draw 6–0–3 Dan Murphy PTS 15 May 25, 1897 Nutmeg Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
8 Draw 6–0–2 Dan Murphy PTS 10 Apr 5, 1897 Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
7 Win 6–0–1 Lon Beckwith TKO 5 (12) Mar 24, 1897 Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
6 Win 5–0–1 James McNamara KO 3 (10) Feb 25, 1897 New York City, New York, US
5 Win 4–0–1 Jack Boylan KO 2 (10) Feb 17, 1897 New Polo Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
4 Win 3–0–1 Dan Carroll TKO 7 (10) Dec 16, 1896 Boston, Massachusetts, US
3 Win 2–0–1 Charley Smith PTS 8 Dec 1, 1895 Boston, Massachusetts, US Exact date is unavailable
2 Win 1–0–1 Charley Gerrard KO 2 (8) Nov 11, 1895 Boston, Massachusetts, US Exact date is unavailable
1 Draw 0–0–1 Jack Colbert PTS 3 Aug 23, 1895 Boston, Massachusetts, US

Unofficial record

52 fights 20 wins 8 losses
By knockout 14 4
By decision 6 3
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 21
No contests 3

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

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
52 Draw 20–8–20 (3) Charlie Haghey PTS 10 May 3, 1904 Portland, Maine, US
51 Win 20–8–19 (3) Cyclone Robinson KO 1 (10) Mar 21, 1904 Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
50 Win 19–8–19 (3) Black Fitzsimmons TKO 8 (10) Mar 14, 1904 Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
49 Win 18–8–19 (3) Dick Moore KO 3 (12) Jul 31, 1903 Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
48 Loss 17–8–19 (3) Philadelphia Jack O'Brien NWS 6 May 23, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
47 Loss 17–7–19 (3) Sandy Ferguson PTS 12 Apr 8, 1903 Tempiar A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, US
46 Draw 17–6–19 (3) Charlie Haghey PTS 12 Feb 23, 1903 Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
45 Draw 17–6–18 (3) Sandy Ferguson PTS 8 Jan 22, 1903 Brighton Social & A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, US Pre arranged draw if lasting the distance
44 Win 17–6–17 (3) Mike Schalow PTS 6 Dec 25, 1902 Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
43 Draw 16–6–17 (3) Jack 'Twin' Sullivan PTS 6 Dec 1, 1902 Bangor, Maine, US
42 Draw 16–6–16 (3) Dick O'Brien PTS 10 Oct 30, 1902 Norumbega Hall, Bangor, Maine, US
41 Win 16–6–15 (3) Charlie Haghey PTS 10 May 9, 1902 East Boston A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
40 Win 15–6–15 (3) J. Wightman KO 1 (10) Apr 19, 1902 Bowdoin Square Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US
39 Loss 14–6–15 (3) Tom Carey TKO 13 (15) Nov 28, 1901 Casino, New Britain, Connecticut, US
38 Loss 14–5–15 (3) Billy Stift PTS 6 Nov 9, 1901 Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
37 Draw 14–4–15 (3) Mysterious Billy Smith PTS 15 Aug 19, 1901 Victoria Rink, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
36 Loss 14–4–14 (3) Frank Childs KO 17 (20) Mar 16, 1901 Hot Springs, Arkansas, US Lost world colored heavyweight title
35 Loss 14–3–14 (3) Jack Root KO 9 (20) Jan 18, 1901 Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US
34 Win 14–2–14 (3) Tim Draffin Murphy PTS 6 Oct 30, 1900 Star A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
33 Draw 13–2–14 (3) 'Wild' Bill Hanrahan PTS 15 Aug 29, 1900 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
32 Draw 13–2–13 (3) Dick O'Brien PTS 15 May 30, 1900 Lynn, Massachusetts, US
31 NC 13–2–12 (3) George Gardner NC 15 (15) May 14, 1900 Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US Fight stopped for "bluffing"
30 Draw 13–2–12 (2) Frank Childs PTS 6 Mar 16, 1900 Star Athletic Club, Chicago, Illinois, US Retained world colored heavyweight title;
For black heavyweight title
29 Loss 13–2–12 (2) George Gardner DQ 14 (15) Feb 22, 1900 Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, US Byers DQ'd for hitting Gardner after a knockdown
28 Win 13–1–12 (2) Martin Mulverhill TKO 2 (15) Feb 12, 1900 Kirkland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
27 Draw 12–1–12 (2) George Gardner NWS 15 Feb 2, 1900 Lasters Hall, Lynn, Massachusetts, US Pre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
26 Draw 12–1–11 (2) Jim McCormick PTS 12 Jan 11, 1900 Brockton Athletic Club, Brockton, Massachusetts, US
25 Draw 12–1–10 (2) Dick O'Brien PTS 10 Dec 28, 1899 Lewiston, Maine, US
24 Win 12–1–9 (2) Jack Burke PTS 10 Nov 3, 1899 Kirtland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
23 Loss 11–1–9 (2) Tommy West KO 7 (25) Sep 4, 1899 Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
22 Draw 11–0–9 (2) Australian Jim Ryan PTS 25 Aug 12, 1899 Greenwood Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
21 Win 11–0–8 (2) Charley Strong TKO 9 (20) Jul 24, 1899 Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
20 Draw 10–0–8 (2) Billy Stift PTS 6 Jun 16, 1899 Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, US
19 NC 10–0–7 (2) Dick O'Brien NC 3 May 30, 1899 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
18 Win 10–0–7 (1) Jack Cattanach TKO 2 (10) May 3, 1899 Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
17 Win 9–0–7 (1) Charles Goff TKO 2 (20) Apr 3, 1899 Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
16 Draw 8–0–7 (1) Jack Bonner PTS 20 Dec 13, 1898 Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
15 Win 8–0–6 (1) Frank Childs PTS 20 Sep 14, 1898 Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US Won world colored heavyweight title
14 ND 7–0–6 (1) Bob Armstrong ND ? May 2, 1898 Roanoke Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US Winner not specified
13 Draw 7–0–6 Johnny Gorman PTS 8 Apr 28, 1898 Lynn, Massachusetts, US Pre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
12 Win 7–0–5 Harry Peppers KO 19 (20) Dec 9, 1897 Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
11 Draw 6–0–5 Dan Murphy PTS 20 Nov 11, 1897 Jacque's Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
10 Draw 6–0–4 Charles Goff PTS 12 Sep 23, 1897 Gladiator Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
9 Draw 6–0–3 Dan Murphy PTS 15 May 25, 1897 Nutmeg Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
8 Draw 6–0–2 Dan Murphy PTS 10 Apr 5, 1897 Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
7 Win 6–0–1 Lon Beckwith TKO 5 (12) Mar 24, 1897 Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
6 Win 5–0–1 James McNamara KO 3 (10) Feb 25, 1897 New York City, New York, US
5 Win 4–0–1 Jack Boylan KO 2 (10) Feb 17, 1897 New Polo Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
4 Win 3–0–1 Dan Carroll TKO 7 (10) Dec 16, 1896 Boston, Massachusetts, US
3 Win 2–0–1 Charley Smith PTS 8 Dec 1, 1895 Boston, Massachusetts, US Exact date is unavailable
2 Win 1–0–1 Charley Gerrard KO 2 (8) Nov 11, 1895 Boston, Massachusetts, US Exact date is unavailable
1 Draw 0–0–1 Jack Colbert PTS 3 Aug 23, 1895 Boston, Massachusetts, US

References

  1. ^ "George Byers". Cyber Boxing Zone. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
  2. ^ "George Byers". BoxRec. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Join Ancestry®".
  4. ^ "George Byers". BoxRec. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  5. ^ "BoxRec: George Byers".
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Unknown
 World Colored Middleweight Championship
December 9, 1897–Unknown 		Succeeded by
Unknown
Preceded by World Colored Heavyweight Championship
September 14, 1898–March 16, 1901 		Succeeded by

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