About Mike Cleary
Lived 1858 – 1893 (aged 35). Mike Cleary was an American boxer.
Mike Cleary (May 19, 1858 in County Laois, Ireland – September 5, 1893 in Belfast, New York) was an Irish-American boxer.
Cleary was born in County Laois, and emigrated to the United States. He was known as a quick and "scrappy" fighter. On October 18, 1882 he defeated the Middleweight Champion of America, John Rooke, in 3 rounds. Rooke had promised to knock Cleary out before the fourth round.
Cleary suffered an accident which resulted in the amputation of a foot in 1893. He developed tuberculosis and died the same year. He was buried in Belfast, New York, but his body was moved next to his mother's plot at New Cathedral Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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Important facts
People in Mike Cleary's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
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Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Mike Cleary's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mike Cleary?
American boxer
When was Mike Cleary born?
Mike Cleary was born on 19 May 1858 in County Laois.
When did Mike Cleary die?
Mike Cleary died on 5 September 1893.
What was Mike Cleary's occupation?
Mike Cleary was a boxer.
What nationality was Mike Cleary?
Mike Cleary was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mike Cleary. https://biography.guide/mike-cleary/
MLA: "Mike Cleary." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mike-cleary/.
Chicago: "Mike Cleary." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mike-cleary/.
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