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The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia -- Old Timer

Johnny Saunders

BORN Fought out of New York, New York
WEIGHT 135-145 lbs

Saunders was a skilled boxer-type known primarily for his sparring sessions with prominent fighters; Johnny had good standing with boxing people as a fighter, trainer and second

Some data is contradictory; Many of these "EX" bouts could likely be called "ND" bouts; If anyone comes across conclusive data, please contact Tracy Callis

1874
Apr 29 Ned Mallahan                 New York, NY                     EX   

1876
Jan 13 Ned Mallahan                 New York, NY                     EX   
Mar    -Saunders was to testify on behalf of a defendant regarding horse-stealing
Aug 30 Ned Mallahan                 New York, NY                     EX   

1877
Mar 29 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                     EX   
May  1 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                     EX   
Sep 24 Johnny Reilly                Brooklyn, NY                     EX   
Dec  6 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                     EX   

1878
May  4 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                     EX   
May 16 -Saunders was given a benefit in New York, NY
May 28 Johnny Reilly                Brooklyn, NY                     EX   
          -Some sources report 5/27/1878
Sep 12 Jack McGinly                 New York, NY                     EX  4
          -Perhaps, this man was actually "Johnny Reilly"
Sep    -Saunders seconded Tommy "Duke" Moore vs Thomas King in Weehawken, NJ

1879
Mar 20 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                     EX   
Jun 26 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                    SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Sep 18 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                     ND   
Sep 18 Mike Coburn                  New York, NY                     ND   
          -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date
Sep 29 Jim Riley                    New York, NY                     EX  3
          -Likely, this man was "Johnny Reilly"

1880
Mar 20 Johnny Reilly                New York, NY                    SCH   
          -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known
Apr    -Saunders was training George Rooke at Joe Goss' Atlantic Hotel
          at Fort Hamilton, NY
Nov 11 -Saunders was scheduled to appear in New York, NY but could not
          due to a sprained ankle (Harry Hill's: Houston Street)
Nov 29 an unnamed opponent          New York, NY                     EX   

1881
Feb 25 Dick Hollywood               New York, NY                     EX   
May  9 Johnny Reilly                Philadelphia, Pa                 EX   
Dec 26 Mike Coburn                  New York, NY                     EX   

1882
Jan 13 -Saunders was given a benefit at Harry Hill's in New York, NY
Jan    Dick Hollywood               Bridgeport, Ct                   EX   
Mar 27 Martin "Fiddler" Neary       New York, NY                     EX   
Mar 28 Pat Jordan                   Jersey City, NJ                  EX   
Dec 14 Bob Farrell                  New York, NY                     EX   
Dec 28 George Seddons               New York, NY                     EX   

1883
Mar  1 Bob Farrell                  New York, NY                     EX   
Mar 19 Billy Kilduff                Boston, Ma                       EX   
Mar 29 Joe Gaffney                  New York, NY                     EX   
Sep 20 Tommy Costello               New York, NY                     EX   
Sep 20 Steve Taylor                 New York, NY                     EX   
          -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date

1884
Feb 26 -Saunders seconded Eddie Connors vs Tug Ryan in Hoboken, NJ
Jun    -Saunders trained Mike Cleary for his upcoming bout with Jake Kilrain

1885
Apr 24 Mike Gillespie               New York, NY                     EX   
          -This bout was part of a benefit for Joe Goss' widow

1886
May  3 Mike Gillespie               New York, NY                     EX   

1888
Aug 28 -Saunders was in Saratoga, NY

1890
Feb 15 Gus Lambert                  New York, NY                     LK   

Review courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization