George Godfrey

George Godfrey (20 March 1852 – 18 August 1901), nicknamed Old Chocolate by the press of the day in the last stage of his long career, was a Black Canadian heavyweight boxer who held the distinction of being World 'Colored' Heavyweight Champion during his career. Godfrey was inducted into the PEI Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.

Biography

Early life Godfrey was born to William Godfrey and Sarah Byers in an area of Charlottetown known as the Bog, a poor part of the west end. He first received boxing lessons while still residing in Charlottetown, from Professor Dick Cronin, who ran a boxing academy on Richmond Street in the city. Godfrey also played baseball locally. Godfrey left P.E.I. in 1870 to Boston where he worked as a porter for a firm of silk importers, trained at a gym, and took boxing lessons from a Professor Bailey. After winning in the heavyweight class at a local boxing competition in 1879, he began boxing professionally.

Professional career Godfrey went 4-0-4 in his first eight fights, which included a draw with famed pugilist Jake Kilrain. In just his ninth pro bout, he won the World 'Colored' Heavyweight Champion by beating Charles Hadley via sixth-round knockout on 23 February 1883. On 24 August 1888, at age 36, Godfrey faced off against world renowned Australian boxer Peter Jackson in San Francisco, California. He would end up losing the bout by technical knockout in the nineteenth round, subsequently losing the World 'Colored' Title. Godfrey had two more bouts with the much heavier Kilrain after their initial draw, losing both of them via knockout. He also faced Ireland's Peter Maher and California Joe Choynski towards the latter part of his career, almost 40 years old, also losing those matchups.

American boxer Feab S. Williams would later use the ring name "George Godfrey" and claimed the same Championship 42 years after his Canadian namesake.

Notable bouts

Result Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location