Mike McTigue

"Bold" Mike McTigue (November 26, 1892 – August 12, 1966) was an Irish-American professional boxer who reigned as the undisputed light-heavyweight boxing champion of the world from 1923 to 1925. He was the first light-heavyweight champion to be recognized by The Ring, a title he held from 1924 to 1925. After his first reign ended following a loss to Paul Berlenbach, he was awarded the NYSAC world light-heavyweight title in 1927, but he lost it that same year to Tommy Loughran in his first defense.

Early years

Michael Francis McTigue (Mike McTigue) was born in Lickaun, Kilnamona, in County Clare, Ireland, on 26 November 1892. He was recorded in the 1901 Census of County Clare. McTigue emigrated to America in 1912 when he was 20. He traveled as a steerage passenger of the British steamer Baltic, which arrived at the Port of New York on 21 September 1912. He was the brother of fellow boxer Jim McTigue.

Boxing career

World light heavyweight champion

Despite the Irish Civil War still ongoing, McTigue got a shot at the World Light Heavyweight Championship in 1923. The fight was held in La Scala Opera House in Prince's Street, Dublin on St. Patrick's Day against the French-Senegalese champion Battling Siki.

Nat Fleischer founder of The Ring, "It is doubtful whether a boxing contest was ever staged under such conditions... Spectators walked to the theater between rows of guards. Armored cars loomed around corners. Machine guns poked their noses from points of vantage. "After viewing newsreel footage of the fight in 1979, Robert Cantwell of Sports Illustrated concluded that Siki won more rounds and should have been declared the winner. George Kimball commented: "Under today’s scoring system, Siki might indeed have won more rounds than McTigue, but remember, [referee] Smith wasn’t handing in round-by-round totals, and his overall view was apt to be more shaped by the concluding rounds than those that had taken place more than an hour earlier."

McTigue won after 20 rounds to become the World Light Heavyweight Champion.

He would defend his title against future Hall of Famers Tommy Loughran, Young Stribling and Mickey Walker before losing the title by unanimous decision to the Olympic wrestler-turned-boxer Paul Berlenbach in 1925.

After his scheduled bout for August 11, 1927 versus reigning undisputed NBA, NYSAC and The Ring light heavyweight champion, Jack Delaney was cancelled due to Delaney vacating his titles and moving up to the heavyweight division, on July 26, 1927, the New York Athletic State Commission awarded McTigue their light heavyweight championship. McTigue lost his title in his first defense of the NYSAC light heavyweight title to Tommy Loughran on October 7, 1927.

Noteworthy opposition McTigue fought multiple bouts in his career against the likes of Paul Berlenbach, Jeff Smith, Harry Greb, Mickey Walker and Tommy Loughran. He also earned a close decision over Tiger Flowers. In 1927, he produced his greatest performance on American soil when he knocked out the great Berlenbach in the fourth round.

Retirement years and death

He was 38 years old when his boxing licence was revoked and had been fighting for 21 years. After his enforced retirement, McTigue ran a successful bar on Long Island until the late 1940s. He succumbed to poverty and ill health and was confined to various hospitals around New York for the last ten years of his life. He finally died at New York's Queen's General Hospital on August 12, 1966. He was survived by his widow and two daughters.

McTigue was honoured in his native parish when the porch of the church was named after him. Kilnamona's Community Centre was opened in 2001 and named in his honour.

Professional boxing record All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

Official record

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

Unofficial record

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

Titles in boxing Major world titles NYSAC light heavyweight champion (175 lbs) (2×) NBA (WBA) light heavyweight champion (175 lbs)

The Ring magazine titles The Ring light heavyweight champion (175 lbs)

Regional/International titles Canada middleweight champion (160 lbs)

Undisputed titles Undisputed light heavyweight champion