About Mike O'Dowd
Lived 1895 – 1957 (aged 62). Mike O'Dowd was an American boxer.
Michael Joseph O'Dowd (April 5, 1895, in St. Paul, Minnesota – July 28, 1957) was an American boxer who held the World Middleweight Championship from 1917 to 1920.
Biography O'Dowd won the title on November 14, 1917, by knocking out Al McCoy in the sixth round after dropping him six times. O'Dowd was the only active boxing champion to fight at the front during World War I (1918, while serving in the U.S. Army). During his career he claimed victories over Hall of Famers Jack Britton, Mike Gibbons, Kid Lewis and Jeff Smith. On February 25, 1918, he held the legendary Harry Greb to a draw.
O'Dowd died on July 28, 1957, from a heart attack at a Veteran's hospital, aged 62. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery. He was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2014.
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.
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Important facts
People in Mike O'Dowd's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Mike O'Dowd's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Mike O'Dowd?
American boxer
When was Mike O'Dowd born?
Mike O'Dowd was born on 5 April 1895 in Saint Paul.
When did Mike O'Dowd die?
Mike O'Dowd died on 28 July 1957 in Saint Paul.
What was Mike O'Dowd's occupation?
Mike O'Dowd was a boxer.
What nationality was Mike O'Dowd?
Mike O'Dowd was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Mike O'Dowd. https://biography.guide/mike-o-dowd/
MLA: "Mike O'Dowd." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/mike-o-dowd/.
Chicago: "Mike O'Dowd." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/mike-o-dowd/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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