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Jimmy McLarnin
File:Jimmy McLarnin.jpg
Personal information
Real name: James McLarnin
Nickname(s): Baby Faced Assassin
Beltin' Celt
Dublin Dynamiter
Dublin Destroyer
Murderous Mick
The Belfast Spider
The Jew Killer
The Jew Beater
Hebrew Scourge
The Irish Lullaby
Nationality: Canadian
Date of birth: (1907-12-19)19 December 1907
Place of birth: Hillsborough, County Down, Ireland
Date of death: 28 October 2004(2004-10-28) (aged 96)
Place of death: Richland, Washington, United States of America
Personal Statistics
Rated at: Flyweight to Welterweight
Reach: 67 in (170 cm)
Boxing career information

James McLarnin, known as Jimmy McLarnin, (19 December 1907 – 28 October 2004) was a Canadian professional boxer who became two-time welterweight world champion and an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee.

Background[]

McLarnin was born in Hillsborough, County Down, Ireland, into a large Methodist family who emigrated to Vancouver when he was three. He took up boxing at the age of 10 after getting into a fight defending his newspaper-selling pitch. Former professional Charles "Pop" Foster recognised McLarnin's talent at the age of 13. He constructed a makeshift gym for McLarnin to train in, sure that he would one day be the champion of the world. The two of them would remain close, so much so that when Foster died, he left everything he had to McLarnin.

Boxing career[]

Following a successful start to his career in Vancouver, Foster took McLarnin to San Francisco, where his youthful appearance made it difficult to get a fight until he lied about his age, it is for this reason that McLarnin was known as the "Baby-faced Assassin". Despite his youthful appearance, McLarnin had incredible power with both fists, his right being particularly feared. However, like many similar fighters McLarnin suffered several hand injuries throughout his career; towards the end of his career McLarnin was forced to become more of a boxer due to this.[citation needed]

McLarnin lost his first title shot on 21 May 1928 in New York against world lightweight champion Sammy Mandell. However, he did go on to beat him twice in the following two years. It would be five years before McLarnin would next get a title shot, during which time he knocked out several top names, including Al Singer, Ruby Goldstein, and Sid Terris.[1]

McLarnin's second title shot came against welterweight champion Young Corbett III. McLarnin won by knockout after only 2 minutes 37 seconds. Following his title success, McLarnin fought an epic three-fight series with Barney Ross. The first fight, on 28 May 1934, was won by Ross, but McLarnin regained his title in their next match four months later. In the deciding fight on 28 May 1935, McLarnin lost his title for the final time in a narrow decision, and for the rest of his life McLarnin claimed he had done enough to retain his belt.

McLarnin retired in November 1936 still at the top of his game, having won his last two fights against all-time greats Tony Canzoneri and Lou Ambers. His record was 54 wins, 11 losses, and 3 draws in 68 contests. In 1996 Ring Magazine voted McLarnin the fifth-greatest welterweight of all time.

Life after boxing[]

Unlike many boxers, McLarnin invested his money wisely and retired a wealthy man. He opened an electrical goods store, and also did some acting, golfing, and lecturing.[2] He never returned to the ring despite the large incentives for him to do so.[2]

Death[]

McLarnin died in Richland, Washington in autumn of 2004, aged 96, and was interred in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Professional boxing record[]

54 Wins (21 Knockouts), 11 Defeats (1 Knockout), 3 Draws[3]
Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Win 54-11-3 United States Lou Ambers UD 10 1936-11-20 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 53-11-3 United States Tony Canzoneri UD 10 1936-10-05 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss 52-11-3 United States Tony Canzoneri UD 10 1936-05-08 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss 52-10-3 United States Barney Ross UD 15 1935-05-28 United States Polo Grounds, New York, New York Lost World Welterweight Title
Win 52-9-3 United States Barney Ross SD 15 1934-09-17 United States Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York Won World Welterweight Title
Loss 51-9-3 United States Barney Ross SD 15 1934-05-28 United States Madison Square Garden Bowl, Queens, New York Lost World Welterweight Title
The Ring magazine's "Fight of the Year" (1934)
Win 51-8-3 United States Young Corbett III TKO 1 (10), 2:37 1933-05-29 United States Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California Won World Welterweight Title
Win 50-8-3 United States Sammy Fuller TKO 8 (10), 2:58 1932-12-16 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 49-8-3 United States Benny Leonard TKO 6 (10), 2:55 1932-10-07 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss 48-8-3 File:Canadian Red Ensign 1921-1957.svg.png Lou Brouillard SD 10 1932-08-04 United States Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Win 48-7-3 United States Billy Petrolle UD 10 1931-08-20 United States Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Win 47-7-3 United States Billy Petrolle UD 10 1931-05-27 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss 46-7-3 United States Billy Petrolle UD 10 1930-11-21 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 46-6-3 United States Al Singer KO 3 (10), 2:21 1930-09-11 United States Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
Win 45-6-3 United States Jack Thompson UD 10 1930-03-28 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 44-6-3 United States Sammy Mandell UD 10 1930-03-01 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 43-6-3 United States Ruby Goldstein KO 2 (10) 1929-12-13 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 42-6-3 United States Sammy Mandell UD 10 1929-11-04 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 41-6-3 United States Sergeant Sammy Baker KO 1 (10), 2:01 1929-10-09 United States New York Coliseum, Bronx, New York
Win 40-6-3 United States Ray Miller UD 10 1929-03-22 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 39-6-3 United States Joe Glick KO 2 (10), 1:37 1929-03-01 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 38-6-3 United States Joe Glick UD 10 1929-01-11 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss 37-6-3 United States Ray Miller RTD 7 (10) 1928-11-30 United States Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win 37-5-3 File:Flag of Chile.svg Stanislaus Loayza KO 4 (10) 1928-08-02 United States Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win 36-5-3 File:Flag of Greece.svg Phil McGraw TKO 1 (10), 2:45 1928-06-21 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Loss 35-5-3 United States Sammy Mandell UD 15 1928-05-21 United States Polo Grounds, New York, New York For World Lightweight Title
Win 35-4-3 United States Sid Terris KO 1 (10), 1:47 1928-02-24 United States Madison Square Garden, New York, New York
Win 34-4-3 United States Billy Wallace PTS 10 1927-11-23 United States Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan
Win 33-4-3 United States Louis Kaplan KO 8 (10) 1927-10-18 United States Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois
Win 32-4-3 United States Don Long KO 3 (10) 1927-09-23 United States San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California
Win 31-4-3 United States Charlie McBride KO 2 (10) 1927-09-09 United States San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California
Win 30-4-3 File:Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Lope Tenorio PTS 10 1927-06-24 United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California
Win 29-4-3 United States Johnny Lamar PTS 10 1927-05-27 United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California
Win 28-4-3 United States Freeman Black KO 2 (10) 1927-05-06 United States San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California
Win 27-4-3 United States Tommy Cello PTS 10 1927-04-05 United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Draw 26-4-3 United States Tommy Cello PTS 10 1927-02-22 United States Recreation Park, San Francisco, California
Loss 26-4-2 United States Doc Snell PTS 10 1926-10-15 United States Legion Stadium, Hollywood, California
Win 26-3-2 United States Joe Glick PTS 10 1926-09-07 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Loss 25-3-2 United States Johnny Farr PTS 10 1926-03-17 United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Win 25-2-2 United States Joey Sangor KO 3 (10) 1926-03-03 United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Loss 24-2-2 United States Bud Taylor PTS 10 1926-01-12 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 24-1-2 United States Bud Taylor DQ 2 (10) 1925-12-08 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 23-1-2 United States Jackie Fields KO 2 (10) 1925-11-12 United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California
Win 22-1-2 File:Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Pancho Villa PTS 10 1925-07-04 United States Oaks Park, Emeryville, California
Loss 21-1-2 United States Bud Taylor PTS 10 1925-06-02 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 21-0-2 United States Eddie Spec Ramies KO 6 (6) 1925-04-18 United States Recreation Park, San Francisco, California
Win 20-0-2 United States Young Farrell PTS 6 1925-04-11 United States Lyceum A.C., Los Angeles, California
Win 19-0-2 United States Teddy Silva PTS 10 1925-03-24 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 18-0-2 United States Fidel LaBarba PTS 10 1925-01-13 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Draw 17-0-2 United States Memphis Pal Moore PTS 4 1924-12-09 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Draw 17-0-1 United States Fidel LaBarba PTS 4 1924-11-11 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 17-0 United States Fidel LaBarba PTS 4 1924-10-28 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 16-0 File:Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Young Nationalista PTS 4 1924-10-14 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 15-0 United States Frankie Dolan PTS 4 1924-10-07 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 14-0 United States Benny Diaz PTS 4 1924-09-30 United States Vernon Arena, Vernon, California
Win 13-0 United States Abe Gordon KO 2 (4) 1924-05-14 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 12-0 United States Jimmy Griffiths PTS 4 1924-05-02 United States L-st Arena, Sacramento, California
Win 11-0 United States Jockey Joe Dillon PTS 4 1924-04-30 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 10-0 United States Johnny Jockey Lightner PTS 4 1924-04-23 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 9-0 United States Frankie Grandetta PTS 4 1924-04-09 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 8-0 United States Jimmy Griffiths PTS 4 1924-04-02 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 7-0 United States Sammy Lee PTS 4 1924-03-26 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 6-0 United States Frankie Sands PTS 4 1924-03-19 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 5-0 United States Joe Conde TKO 3 (4) 1924-03-05 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 4-0 United States Eddie Collins TKO 3 (4) 1924-02-22 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 3-0 United States Frankie Sands PTS 4 1924-02-13 United States Oakland Auditorium Arena, Oakland, California
Win 2-0 File:Flag of Ireland.svg Mickey Gill MD 7 1923-12-28 File:Canadian Red Ensign 1921-1957.svg.png Hastings Gym, Vancouver, British Columbia
Win 1-0 File:Canadian Red Ensign 1921-1957.svg.png Young Fry KO 1 (6) 1923-12-19 File:Canadian Red Ensign 1921-1957.svg.png Hasting Gym, Vancouver, British Columbia

References[]

  1. Boxrec. "Jimmy McLarnin". Boxrec Fighter Page. http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9024&cat=boxer. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Mike Lewis (11 November 2004). "Jimmy McLarnin". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/2004/nov/11/guardianobituaries.boxing. Retrieved 5 April 2009.
  3. Jimmy McLarnin's Professional Boxing Record. BoxRec.com. Retrieved on 2011-09-30.

External links[]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Young Corbett III
World Welterweight Champion
May 29, 1933 – May 28, 1934
Succeeded by
Barney Ross
Inaugural Champion The Ring Welterweight Champion
1933 – May 28, 1934
Preceded by
Barney Ross
World Welterweight Champion
September 17, 1934 – May 28, 1935
The Ring Welterweight Champion
September 17, 1934 – May 28, 1935
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