George Holden
BORN Feruary 8 1842; Wallsend, Staffordshire, England (Fought out of Manchester, England) DIED March 16 1916 HEIGHT 5-8 1/2 WEIGHT 112-131 lbs Holden was an Englishman who, in 1861, won the Bantamweight Championship of England and claimed the Bantamweight Championship of the World against Charles Lynch; He lost those titles in 1862 to Peter Morris and subsequently challenged for those titles three times - losing to Jack Lead in 1863 and reportedly fighting two "draws" with Peter Morris in 1866
Holden came to America in 1881 and engaged in some fights and was "awarded" the 131-Pound Championship of America by Richard K. Fox in 1885 for his win against Ike Weir; His last fight is thought to be in 1889
Fox (of the Police Gazette) had a way of selecting different men and proclaiming them as World Champion if he thought they were the best - or if he didn't like, for whatever reasons, the commonly recognized champion at any weight; For example, he and the great heavyweight champion, John L. Sullivan, disliked each other very much and Fox designed the Heavyweight Championship Belt and presented it to Jake Kilrain
So, it could be that Fox recognized Holden for his skills and used the fact that he had been champion in England as a reason for presenting him with the medal; Since it was presented in 1882, it may have honored him since he (Holden) had just come over in 1881
During his career, George defeated such men as Charles Lynch, Ike Weir and Johnny Morley1857 Eli Jukes Staffordshire, Eng W -Some sources report "Shire Oak, Eng" 1861 Dec 24 Charles Lynch London, Eng W 54 -Bantamweight Championship of the World; Bantamweight Championship of England; The weight limit was 112 lbs; Some sources report 1860 1860-1862 Dollar White SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; White failed to show; Holden claimed a "win" Dollar White SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; White failed to show; Holden claimed a "win" Dollar White SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; White failed to show; Holden claimed a "win" Mick (the Grecian) Staffordshire, Eng W -Some sources report "Four Crosses, Eng" 1862 Aug 28 Peter Morris Kent, Eng L 64 -Bantamweight Championship of the World; Bantamweight Championship of England 1863 Sep 2 Jack Lead Kentish Marshes, Eng L -Bantamweight Championship of England; Lead was called "Jem Mace's Stiff 'Un"; Some sources report "D" in London, Eng and say Holden was paid to settle for a draw; Other sources report 1860-1862 1864 Jul 5 Mic Moran Garthief, Eng (near Cannock) W 20 1865 Jerry Hawkes SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; Hawkes failed to show; Holden claimed a "win" 1866 Nov 27 Peter Morris Staffordshire, Eng ND 8 -Bantamweight Championship of the World; Bantamweight Championship of England; Some sources report "D 34"; This bout was fought in two rings on two days, Nov 27-28; (Perhaps, it should be considered as two bouts) *** The Following Bouts May Not Have Been For This Boxer *** (Note the Age of Holden By This Time) 1881 Nov 16 Frank White Conneaut, Oh D 4 -Some sources report "W 6" in Jefferson, Oh; Police intervened 1882 Mar 27 Frank White New York, NY EX Apr 24 Frank White New York, NY EX May 1 Frank White Boston, Ma EX Aug 21 Arthur Chambers Bridgeport, Ct EX 3 Aug 21 Joe "Tug" Wilson Bridgeport, Ct EX 3 -The previous 2 bouts were held the same date 1885 Dec 14 Ike Weir Manchester, Eng W -This bout was part of a 131-Pound Competition and All-Weights Competition; Richard Fox (Police Gazette) recognized Holden as 131-Pound Champion of America 1889 Dec 27 Johnny Morley Manchester, Eng TK 9 *** The Following Bouts Are Reported But Not Confirmed *** 1888-1889 Young Griffo L 12 1898 Dick Keyes Brooklyn, NY L 12 Sep 10 Tim Kearns Brooklyn, NY L 10
Review courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization
