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Terry McGovern (boxer)

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Terry McGovern
Born
John Terrence McGovern

(1880-03-09)March 9, 1880
DiedFebruary 22, 1918(1918-02-22) (aged 37)
Other namesTerrible Terry
Statistics
Weight(s)Bantamweight
Featherweight
Lightweight
Height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Reach65 in (165 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights80
Wins65
Wins by KO44
Losses6
Draws8
No contests1

Terrible Terry McGovern (March 9, 1880 – February 22, 1918) was an American professional boxer who held the World Bantamweight and Featherweight Championships.[1][2] He was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania as John Terrence McGovern.[3][4] Through most of his career he was managed by Sam H. Harris, who remained a lifelong friend. Many boxing historians considered McGovern's greatest attributes his punching ability and signature charges rather than his boxing style or defensive technique. That the majority of his wins were by knockout speaks to the power of his punch.[5]

Early life

[edit]

McGovern was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on March 9, 1880, to Irish parents. After the death of his father Joseph, he tried to help support his widowed mother by peddling vegetables after the family moved to South Brooklyn the year after he was born. Starting his professional career in 1897, several of his brothers would also attempt to make a living as boxers.[5]

He began boxing at Brooklyn's Greenwood Athletic Club in preliminary bouts at age 16.[6]

Professional career

[edit]

In his impressive career, McGovern took both the World Bantamweight and Featherweight Titles. He defended the World Featherweight Title at least five times against Joe Bernstein, Tommy White, Aurelio Herrera, and twice against Oscar Gardiner. He lost it to Young Corbett II who defeated him in World Featherweight Title fights on two separate occasions. His victory over Frank Erne, World Lightweight Champion, led some to claim he was also heir to the World Lightweight Title, though most sources today believe the bout was not a sanctioned title fight.[3]

In his first 36 better-publicized bouts before taking the World Bantamweight Title, McGovern won an astounding 30, losing only to Johnny Snee and Tim Calahan. His winning streak did not end after taking the Bantamweight Title.

World Bantam Champ, 1899

[edit]
Portrait of McGovern

McGovern won the vacant World Bantamweight Championship on September 12, 1899, in a first-round knockout of British boxer Pedlar Palmer before a crowd of 10,000, using a series of heavy body blows. McGovern was only 19 years old and had been boxing professionally little more than two years. The bout took place at the Westchester Athletic Club in New York. The winner was to receive $7,500, and the loser $2,500, both sizable purses for the period, but far less than boxers would make for a World Title fight a decade later. The referee was George Siler. The fight was billed as the 116 pound championship. McGovern wore green trunks for the bout which he believed gave him luck.[7][8] This was the first world championship bout under Queensberry Rules to end by a one-round knockout. McGovern never defended the title and relinquished it in 1900.[3][9]

On November 18, 1899, he defeated New Yorker Patsy Haley in a first-round knockout in Chicago at Tattersall's in a non-title match. Like many of McGovern's early opponents, Haley was a skilled boxer, yet not a match for McGovern. Haley would become one of the best-known and most-respected New York-area referees in the 1920s and 1930s and referee an impressive array of World Title fights.

Win over Frank Erne, Lightweight Champion

[edit]

On July 16, 1900, in an important bout, McGovern defeated World Lightweight Champion Frank Erne in a third-round technical knockout before a crowd of 13,000 in New York's Madison Square Garden. Erne knocked down McGovern with a blow to the head in the very first round, but McGovern took most of the count before landing on his feet and resuming the fight. Grinning and furious, McGovern was fastest in the third round showing his signature aggressive style. Erne, was down at least twice in the third round and had received a telling blow to the face from McGovern before his seconds threw in the sponge. Upon examination after the fight, Erne was found to have the most substantial injuries to his nose and mouth. The betting on the fight remained even for a considerable time, before McGovern took a slight lead before the fight. As Erne was the reigning World Lightweight Champion as a result of just beating Joe Gans, some sources credited McGovern with having taken the World Lightweight Crown as a result of winning the match by a TKO, but very few give him credit for the title today.[10]

On December 22, 1899, McGovern defeated Harry Forbes in what was billed by some sources as a World Featherweight match, but the bout was not widely recognized as one. McGovern knocked out Forbes in the second round at the New Broadway Athletic Club. Forbes went down after a terrific right-handed uppercut to the chin from McGovern, who was the aggressor throughout the short match. McGovern had beaten Forbes earlier in a 15th-round knockout in Brooklyn on October 1, 1898.[3][11]

World Featherweight Champ, 1900

[edit]
George Dixon

McGovern moved up in weight from Bantam and captured the World Featherweight Championship from George Dixon on January 9, 1900, by scoring a technical knockout in the eighth round at the Broadway Athletic Club in New York. Dixon was not a favorite in the late betting.[12] McGovern seemed to dominate from the sixth round on, using frequent straight, short-arm punches into Dixon's body and face. He eventually scored a knock down. The bout was ended when Dixon's manager threw in the sponge ending the match. The great lightweight Charlie White was in McGovern's corner for the bout. Some controversy existed among bettors when the officials ruled the fight a knockout when it technically was not, as no ten count was completed against Dixon. A betting controversy was inevitable, as one source wrote that the Dixon fight was "one of the heaviest betting bouts ever staged in America".[13][14]

Defenses of Feather Title

[edit]

On June 12, 1900, McGovern defeated Tommy White at the Seaside Sporting Club in a decisive third-round knockout in Brooklyn, New York. After two minutes of fighting in the first round, the electric lighting in the club went out, nearly causing a panic among the crowd. Ten minutes later the lights went on again and the fighting resumed. An attendant fan, Frank Conlin, kept the crowd sedate by whistling a series of tunes.[3][15] White was seriously outclassed in the battle, as he was knocked down once in the first round, twice in the second, and four times in the third. McGovern made no objection to White being 1/2 pound overweight at weigh in. Referee Johnny White did a full ten count against White in the third round to end the bout.[16]

On November 2, 1900, McGovern defeated the great New York Jewish featherweight Joe Bernstein in Louisville, Kentucky, in a World Featherweight Title fight. The bout ended in a seventh-round knockout. Bernstein was said to have "made a poor showing from the beginning." The fight was stopped by the referee George Siler when Bernstein could not rise in the eight round, after more than one knockdown, and a full eight count.[17]

McGovern scored a knockout over the legendary Black boxer Joe Gans in a non-title match on December 13, 1900. Gans claimed that he threw the fight.[3] The issue of whether Gans had quit early and intentionally ended the fight was put to a Chicago District Attorney.[18] Both fighters had warrants issued for their arrest for disturbing the peace which were thrown out the day after the fight.[19]

On April 30, 1901, before a crowd of 8,000, McGovern defeated Oscar Gardiner at the Mechanics Pavilion in San Francisco in a fourth-round knockout. They fought for a purse of $5,000 with the winner taking 75 percent. In the fourth round, Gardiner was knocked down three times before losing to a ten count after a blow to the stomach. Gardiner took a while to recover from the blows of McGovern after the count, and it was feared he was hurt seriously.[20]

In another defense of his World Featherweight Title, McGovern was credited with knocking out Aurelio Herrera in five rounds. Herrera afterwards claimed he had been doped during the fight.[3]

Loss of Feather Title, 1901

[edit]
Young Corbett II

McGovern lost his World Featherweight Crown when he was stopped by Young Corbett II in two rounds on November 28, 1901. Corbett also won their rematch. Of their March 31, 1903, rematch in San Francisco, Young Corbett was said to have the best of the last three rounds of the 11th-round knockout. McGovern had only a slight lead in the first eight rounds, as well as only a slight lead in the early betting.[21]

On March 14, 1906, McGovern lost a lightweight match to Battling Nelson at the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia in a six-round newspaper decision. The fight was described as "one of the fastest and most vicious battles ever seen in the ring." In both the fourth and fifth rounds Nelson staggered McGovern with heavy lefts to the neck and jaw. Although McGovern landed repeatedly on Nelson, his blows did not slow the assault of his opponent. He did not appear to gain an advantage until the sixth round when he became the aggressor. The bout could not have a referee ruling on points, but the Minneapolis Journal and four local Philadelphia newspapers gave Nelson the advantage.[3][22]

McGovern finished his career with a record of 65 wins (42 KOs) 5 losses and 5 draws. As was common in that era, he also engaged in many No Decision bouts. In 2003, McGovern was named to the Ring Magazines list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. Boxing historian Nat Fleischer ranked McGovern as the greatest featherweight of all time. He had an estimated lifetime earnings of $203,000, which included his income as a vaudeville entertainer.[5]

Life after boxing

[edit]
Vaudeville poster of McGovern, managed by Sam H. Harris

Like many boxers, McGovern lost some of his fortune betting on horses at the track before his retirement from boxing. He purchased a race horse and attempted to have one of his brothers ride as a jockey. He showed increasingly poor judgement in his betting as he slipped into mental illness.

McGovern spent much of his later life in mental institutions, though he was able to intermittently work odd jobs. He was working as a ticket taker at the Grand Opera House in Brooklyn near the end of his life. Two months prior to his death he was visiting Camp Upton, a WW I military port of embarkation on Long Island when he took ill. He died of pneumonia and Bright's disease, a kidney ailment in the charity ward of King's County Hospital, Brooklyn, New York, on February 22, 1918, at the age of 37. He died relatively poor, considering his lifetime earnings. In his final years, he lived on a pension given to him by his manager and promoter Sam Harris. Harris had been managing some of McGovern's remaining wealth as a trust fund, and was able to give a complete estate of $10,000 to McGovern's widow, which included the home they had been living in when McGovern died.[23] Harris looked after McGovern in his waning years, as did his friend Joe Humphries. McGovern was married and left one son, Joe, of 19 years, and had two surviving brothers, Philip and Hugh. His final service was at the Church of St. John the Evangelist, and he was subsequently buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brooklyn.[5][24][25][26]

Professional boxing record

[edit]

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[27] unless otherwise stated.

Official record

[edit]
80 fights 60 wins 4 losses
By knockout 45 2
By decision 14 0
By disqualification 1 2
Draws 3
No contests 1
Newspaper decisions/draws 12

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

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
80 Draw 60–4–3 (13) Spike Robson NWS 6 May 26, 1906 National A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
79 Draw 60–4–3 (12) Young Loughrey NWS 6 May 16, 1906 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
78 Draw 60–4–3 (11) Young Corbett II NWS 6 Oct 17, 1906 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
77 Draw 60–4–3 (10) Jimmy Britt NWS 10 May 28, 1906 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
76 Loss 60–4–3 (9) Battling Nelson NWS 6 Mar 14, 1906 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
75 Win 60–4–3 (8) Harlem Tommy Murphy TKO 1 (6) Oct 18, 1905 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
74 Win 59–4–3 (8) Eddie Hanlon TKO 4 (6) Oct 10, 1904 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
73 Win 58–4–3 (8) Yock Henniger KO 2 (3) Jan 1, 1904 Lyric Theatre, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
72 Win 57–4–3 (8) Billy Willis NWS 6 Dec 19, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
71 Win 57–4–3 (7) Jimmy Briggs PTS 15 Oct 20, 1903 Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
70 Win 56–4–3 (7) Billy Willis NWS 6 Oct 3, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
69 Win 56–4–3 (6) Lew Ryall NWS 6 Sep 26, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
68 Loss 56–4–3 (5) Young Corbett II KO 11 (20) Mar 31, 1903 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. For world featherweight title
67 Win 56–3–3 (5) Billy Maynard KO 4 (6) Feb 25, 1902 Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
66 Win 55–3–3 (5) Joe Bernstein NWS 6 Feb 6, 1902 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
65 Win 55–3–3 (4) Dave Sullivan TKO 15 (25) Feb 2, 1902 Southern A.C., Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
64 Loss 54–3–3 (4) Young Corbett II KO 2 (?) Nov 28, 1901 Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. Lost world featherweight title
63 Win 54–2–3 (4) Aurelio Herrera KO 5 (20) May 29, 1901 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
62 Win 53–2–3 (4) Oscar Gardner KO 4 (?) Apr 30, 1901 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
61 Win 52–2–3 (4) Joe Gans KO 2 (6) Dec 13, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
60 Win 51–2–3 (4) Kid Broad PTS 6 Nov 13, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
59 Win 50–2–3 (4) Joe Bernstein KO 7 (25) Nov 2, 1900 Nonpareil A.C., Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
58 Win 49–2–3 (4) Frank Erne TKO 3 (6) Jul 16, 1900 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
57 Win 48–2–3 (4) George Dixon PTS 6 Jun 23, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
56 Win 47–2–3 (4) Tommy White KO 3 (25) Jun 12, 1900 Seaside A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
55 Win 46–2–3 (4) Ellwood McCloskey NWS 6 May 21, 1900 Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
54 Win 46–2–3 (3) Tommy Warren TKO 1 (25) Apr 20, 1900 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Draw 45–2–3 (3) Tommy White NWS 6 Apr 17, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
52 Win 45–2–3 (2) Eddie Lenny KO 2 (6) Mar 15, 1900 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
51 Win 44–2–3 (2) Oscar Gardner KO 3 (25) Mar 9, 1900 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
50 Win 43–2–3 (2) Eddie Santry TKO 5 (6) Feb 1, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
49 Win 42–2–3 (2) Jack Ward TKO 1 (20) Jan 29, 1900 North Avenue Rink, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
48 Win 41–2–3 (2) George Dixon TKO 8 (25) Jan 9, 1900 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Won world featherweight title
47 Win 40–2–3 (2) Harry Forbes TKO 2 (25) Dec 22, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world bantamweight title
46 Win 39–2–3 (2) Charlie Mason KO 2 (10) Dec 18, 1899 People's A.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
45 Win 38–2–3 (2) Freckles O'Brien KO 1 (10) Dec 18, 1899 People's A.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
44 Win 37–2–3 (2) Kid Black KO 3 (4) Dec 12, 1899 Trocadero, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
43 Win 36–2–3 (2) James J Corbett Jr. KO 2 (4) Dec 11, 1899 Trocadero, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
42 Win 35–2–3 (2) Eddie Sprague KO 2 (10) Nov 30, 1899 Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
41 Win 34–2–3 (2) Patsy Haley KO 1 (6) Nov 18, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
40 Win 33–2–3 (2) Turkey Point Billy Smith KO 3 (6) Nov 18, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
39 Win 32–2–3 (2) Billy Rotchford KO 1 (6) Oct 9, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
38 Win 31–2–3 (2) Fred Snyder TKO 2 (6) Sep 29, 1899 Westchester A.C., Tuckahoe, New York, U.S.
37 Win 30–2–3 (2) Pedlar Palmer KO 1 (25) Sep 12, 1899 Westchester A.C., Tuckahoe, New York, U.S. Won world bantamweight title
36 Win 29–2–3 (2) Johnny Ritchie KO 3 (25) Jul 1, 1899 Westchester A.C., Tuckahoe, New York, U.S.
35 Win 28–2–3 (2) Billy Barnett KO 10 (20) Jun 8, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 27–2–3 (2) Sammy Kelly KO 5 (20) May 26, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
33 Win 26–2–3 (2) Joe Bernstein PTS 25 Apr 28, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 25–2–3 (2) Patsy Haley KO 18 (25) Mar 14, 1899 Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
31 Win 24–2–3 (2) Fred Snyder NWS 6 Feb 18, 1899 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
30 Win 24–2–3 (1) Casper Leon KO 12 (25) Jan 30, 1899 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
29 Win 23–2–3 (1) Austin Rice KO 14 (25) Dec 31, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Win 22–2–3 (1) Jimmy Rose KO 2 (25) Dec 17, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
27 Win 21–2–3 (1) Patsy Donovan KO 3 (6) Nov 26, 1898 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26 Win 20–2–3 (1) Tim Callahan KO 10 (25) Nov 19, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 19–2–3 (1) Harry Forbes KO 15 (25) Oct 1, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 18–2–3 (1) Eugene Garcia KO 5 (15) Sep 15, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
23 Draw 17–2–3 (1) Tim Callahan PTS 20 Aug 20, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 17–2–2 (1) George Monroe DQ 7 (20) Aug 4, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Loss 16–2–2 (1) Tim Callahan DQ 11 (25) Jul 23, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 16–1–2 (1) George Monroe KO 24 (25) Jun 11, 1898 Greater New York A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
19 Draw 15–1–2 (1) George Monroe PTS 20 May 5, 1898 Waverly A.C., Yonkers, New York, U.S.
18 Win 15–1–1 (1) Fred Mayo TKO 6 (10) Apr 15, 1898 Jacque's Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
17 Win 14–1–1 (1) Pinky Evans PTS 8 Mar 12, 1898 Waverly A.C., Yonkers, New York, U.S.
16 Win 13–1–1 (1) Billy Maynard PTS 8 Feb 25, 1898 Waverly A.C., Yonkers, New York, U.S.
15 Win 12–1–1 (1) Jack Kelly KO 2 (10) Dec 31, 1897 National A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Win 11–1–1 (1) Charles Roden PTS 6 Dec 18, 1897 Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 10–1–1 (1) Harry Peterson PTS 6 Nov 13, 1897 Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
12 NC 9–1–1 (1) Eddie Goodbody ND 1 (4) Oct 23, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Win 9–1–1 Jack Doyle TKO 7 (10) Oct 9, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 8–1–1 Johnny Reagan TKO 6 (6) Oct 2, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 7–1–1 Jack Leon TKO 7 (10) Sep 18, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 6–1–1 Billy Barrett PTS 10 Aug 23, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 5–1–1 Eddie Goodbody PTS 10 Aug 16, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
6 Draw 4–1–1 Tommy Sullivan PTS 10 Jun 19, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Tom McDermott PTS 10 Jun 7, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Kid Dougherty PTS 10 May 22, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 Eddie Avery PTS 4 May 5, 1897 Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 1–1 Frankie Barnes PTS 10 Apr 17, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Loss 0–1 Johnny Snee DQ 4 (10) Apr 3, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.

Unofficial record

[edit]
80 fights 66 wins 5 losses
By knockout 45 2
By decision 20 1
By disqualification 1 2
Draws 8
No contests 1

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

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
80 Draw 66–5–8 (1) Spike Robson NWS 6 May 26, 1906 National A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
79 Draw 66–5–7 (1) Young Loughrey NWS 6 May 16, 1906 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
78 Draw 66–5–6 (1) Young Corbett II NWS 6 Oct 17, 1906 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
77 Draw 66–5–5 (1) Jimmy Britt NWS 10 May 28, 1906 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
76 Loss 66–5–4 (1) Battling Nelson NWS 6 Mar 14, 1906 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
75 Win 66–4–4 (1) Harlem Tommy Murphy TKO 1 (6) Oct 18, 1905 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
74 Win 65–4–4 (1) Eddie Hanlon TKO 4 (6) Oct 10, 1904 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
73 Win 64–4–4 (1) Yock Henniger KO 2 (3) Jan 1, 1904 Lyric Theatre, Allentown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
72 Win 63–4–4 (1) Billy Willis NWS 6 Dec 19, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
71 Win 62–4–4 (1) Jimmy Briggs PTS 15 Oct 20, 1903 Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
70 Win 61–4–4 (1) Billy Willis NWS 6 Oct 3, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
69 Win 60–4–4 (1) Lew Ryall NWS 6 Sep 26, 1903 National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
68 Loss 59–4–4 (1) Young Corbett II KO 11 (20) Mar 31, 1903 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. For world featherweight title
67 Win 59–3–4 (1) Billy Maynard KO 4 (6) Feb 25, 1902 Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
66 Win 58–3–4 (1) Joe Bernstein NWS 6 Feb 6, 1902 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
65 Win 57–3–4 (1) Dave Sullivan TKO 15 (25) Feb 2, 1902 Southern A.C., Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
64 Loss 56–3–4 (1) Young Corbett II KO 2 (?) Nov 28, 1901 Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S. Lost world featherweight title
63 Win 56–2–4 (1) Aurelio Herrera KO 5 (20) May 29, 1901 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
62 Win 55–2–4 (1) Oscar Gardner KO 4 (?) Apr 30, 1901 Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
61 Win 54–2–4 (1) Joe Gans KO 2 (6) Dec 13, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
60 Win 53–2–4 (1) Kid Broad PTS 6 Nov 13, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
59 Win 52–2–4 (1) Joe Bernstein KO 7 (25) Nov 2, 1900 Nonpareil A.C., Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
58 Win 51–2–4 (1) Frank Erne TKO 3 (6) Jul 16, 1900 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
57 Win 50–2–4 (1) George Dixon PTS 6 Jun 23, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
56 Win 49–2–4 (1) Tommy White KO 3 (25) Jun 12, 1900 Seaside A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
55 Win 48–2–4 (1) Ellwood McCloskey NWS 6 May 21, 1900 Penn Art Club, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
54 Win 47–2–4 (1) Tommy Warren TKO 1 (25) Apr 20, 1900 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
53 Draw 46–2–4 (1) Tommy White NWS 6 Apr 17, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
52 Win 46–2–3 (1) Eddie Lenny KO 2 (6) Mar 15, 1900 Industrial Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
51 Win 45–2–3 (1) Oscar Gardner KO 3 (25) Mar 9, 1900 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
50 Win 44–2–3 (1) Eddie Santry TKO 5 (6) Feb 1, 1900 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Retained world featherweight title
49 Win 43–2–3 (1) Jack Ward TKO 1 (20) Jan 29, 1900 North Avenue Rink, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
48 Win 42–2–3 (1) George Dixon TKO 8 (25) Jan 9, 1900 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Won world featherweight title
47 Win 41–2–3 (1) Harry Forbes TKO 2 (25) Dec 22, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. Retained world bantamweight title
46 Win 40–2–3 (1) Charlie Mason KO 2 (10) Dec 18, 1899 People's A.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
45 Win 39–2–3 (1) Freckles O'Brien KO 1 (10) Dec 18, 1899 People's A.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
44 Win 38–2–3 (1) Kid Black KO 3 (4) Dec 12, 1899 Trocadero, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
43 Win 37–2–3 (1) James J Corbett Jr. KO 2 (4) Dec 11, 1899 Trocadero, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
42 Win 36–2–3 (1) Eddie Sprague KO 2 (10) Nov 30, 1899 Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
41 Win 35–2–3 (1) Patsy Haley KO 1 (6) Nov 18, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
40 Win 34–2–3 (1) Turkey Point Billy Smith KO 3 (6) Nov 18, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
39 Win 33–2–3 (1) Billy Rotchford KO 1 (6) Oct 9, 1899 Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
38 Win 32–2–3 (1) Fred Snyder TKO 2 (6) Sep 29, 1899 Westchester A.C., Tuckahoe, New York, U.S.
37 Win 31–2–3 (1) Pedlar Palmer KO 1 (25) Sep 12, 1899 Westchester A.C., Tuckahoe, New York, U.S. Won world bantamweight title
36 Win 30–2–3 (1) Johnny Ritchie KO 3 (25) Jul 1, 1899 Westchester A.C., Tuckahoe, New York, U.S.
35 Win 29–2–3 (1) Billy Barnett KO 10 (20) Jun 8, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 28–2–3 (1) Sammy Kelly KO 5 (20) May 26, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
33 Win 27–2–3 (1) Joe Bernstein PTS 25 Apr 28, 1899 Broadway A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
32 Win 26–2–3 (1) Patsy Haley KO 18 (25) Mar 14, 1899 Lenox A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
31 Win 25–2–3 (1) Fred Snyder NWS 6 Feb 18, 1899 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
30 Win 24–2–3 (1) Casper Leon KO 12 (25) Jan 30, 1899 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
29 Win 23–2–3 (1) Austin Rice KO 14 (25) Dec 31, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
28 Win 22–2–3 (1) Jimmy Rose KO 2 (25) Dec 17, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
27 Win 21–2–3 (1) Patsy Donovan KO 3 (6) Nov 26, 1898 Nonpareil A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
26 Win 20–2–3 (1) Tim Callahan KO 10 (25) Nov 19, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
25 Win 19–2–3 (1) Harry Forbes KO 15 (25) Oct 1, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
24 Win 18–2–3 (1) Eugene Garcia KO 5 (15) Sep 15, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
23 Draw 17–2–3 (1) Tim Callahan PTS 20 Aug 20, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 17–2–2 (1) George Monroe DQ 7 (20) Aug 4, 1898 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Loss 16–2–2 (1) Tim Callahan DQ 11 (25) Jul 23, 1898 Pelican A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 16–1–2 (1) George Monroe KO 24 (25) Jun 11, 1898 Greater New York A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
19 Draw 15–1–2 (1) George Monroe PTS 20 May 5, 1898 Waverly A.C., Yonkers, New York, U.S.
18 Win 15–1–1 (1) Fred Mayo TKO 6 (10) Apr 15, 1898 Jacque's Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, U.S.
17 Win 14–1–1 (1) Pinky Evans PTS 8 Mar 12, 1898 Waverly A.C., Yonkers, New York, U.S.
16 Win 13–1–1 (1) Billy Maynard PTS 8 Feb 25, 1898 Waverly A.C., Yonkers, New York, U.S.
15 Win 12–1–1 (1) Jack Kelly KO 2 (10) Dec 31, 1897 National A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Win 11–1–1 (1) Charles Roden PTS 6 Dec 18, 1897 Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 10–1–1 (1) Harry Peterson PTS 6 Nov 13, 1897 Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
12 NC 9–1–1 (1) Eddie Goodbody ND 1 (4) Oct 23, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Win 9–1–1 Jack Doyle TKO 7 (10) Oct 9, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 8–1–1 Johnny Reagan TKO 6 (6) Oct 2, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 7–1–1 Jack Leon TKO 7 (10) Sep 18, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 6–1–1 Billy Barrett PTS 10 Aug 23, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 5–1–1 Eddie Goodbody PTS 10 Aug 16, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
6 Draw 4–1–1 Tommy Sullivan PTS 10 Jun 19, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
5 Win 4–1 Tom McDermott PTS 10 Jun 7, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 3–1 Kid Dougherty PTS 10 May 22, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 2–1 Eddie Avery PTS 4 May 5, 1897 Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 1–1 Frankie Barnes PTS 10 Apr 17, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Loss 0–1 Johnny Snee DQ 4 (10) Apr 3, 1897 Greenwood A.C., New York City, New York, U.S.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Lineal Bantamweight Champions". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. ^ "The Lineal Featherweight Champions". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Terry McGovern". BoxRec. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  4. ^ "Terry McGovern". Cyber Boxing Zone. Retrieved 24 June 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d "The Terry McGovern We All Knew and Loved", The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, p. 10, 25 February 1918
  6. ^ "Last Gong is Sounded for Terry McGovern, Former Idol of the Ring", Arizona Daily Star, Tucson, Arizona, pg. 7, 23 February 1918
  7. ^ "Sporting News", The Topeka State Journal, Topeka, Kansas, page 2, 11 September 1899
  8. ^ "Lucky punch that switches titles". The Day. 6 February 1917. p. 10. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  9. ^ "Fighters Rival Ball Players in their Adherence to the Mascot", El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas, pg. 20, 9 March 1912
  10. ^ "Terry McGovern the Champion", The Scranton Tribune, Scranton, Pennsylvania, pg. 1, 17 July 1900
  11. ^ "Forbes Knocked Out", The Topeka State Journal, Topeka, Kansas, pg. 2, 23 December 1899
  12. ^ "McGovern-Dixon Fight", Evening Star, Washington, DC, p.7, 9 January 1900
  13. ^ "Sure Thing Pugilism", The Wichita Daily Eagle, Wichita, Kansas, p. 8, 18 January 1900
  14. ^ "Sport World as Seen with James J. Corbett", The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Fort Wayne, Indiana, p. 13, 23 April 1918
  15. ^ "Prevented a Panic", The Leon Reporter, Leon, Iowa, p. 4, 9 August 1900
  16. ^ "Another Win for Terry", Evening Star, Washington, D. C., p. 9, 13 June 1900
  17. ^ "Out in the Seventh", Topeka State Journal, Topeka, Kansas, p.2, 3 November 1900
  18. ^ "The Ring", Daily Inter-Mountain, Butte, Montana, p. 10, 29 December 1900
  19. ^ "Cases Dismissed", Marietta Daily Leader, Marietta, Georgia, p. 8, 15 December 1900
  20. ^ "McGovern in Four Rounds", Akron Daily Democrat, Akron, Ohio, p. 6, 1 May 1901
  21. ^ "Corbett the Winner", Bismarck Daily Tribune, Bismarck, South Dakota, p. 2, 1 April 1903
  22. ^ "Nelson Had Best of the Battle", Minneapolis Journal, Minneapolis, Minnesota, p. 10, 15 March 1906
  23. ^ "Terry Left House and $10,000 in Cash", Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, p. 11, 2 March 1918
  24. ^ "Terrible Terry of Prize Ring Fame Died Today", Santa Ana Register, Santa Ana, California, pg. 2, 22 February 1918
  25. ^ "McGovern was a Great Battler", The Houston Post, Houston, Texas, p. 17, 3 March 1918
  26. ^ "Terry Takes Final Count", The Washington Herald, Washington, D.C., p. 10, 23 February 1918
  27. ^ "BoxRec: Terry McGovern".
[edit]
Achievements
Vacant
Title last held by
Jimmy Barry
World Bantamweight Champion
September 12, 1899 – 1900
Vacated
Succeeded by
Preceded by World Featherweight Champion
January 9, 1900 – November 28, 1901
Succeeded by