Tommy Loughran
| Tommy Loughran | |
| Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Real name | Thomas Loughran |
| Nickname(s) | Phantom of Philly |
| Rated at | Light Heavyweight |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth date | November 29, 1902 |
| Birth place | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Death date | July 7, 1982 (aged 79) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 175 |
| Wins | 96 |
| Wins by KO | 17 |
| Losses | 24 |
| Draws | 9 |
Tommy Loughran (born November 29, 1902, Philadelphia, PA – died July 7, 1982, Altoona, PA) was the 1927-1929 undefeated Light-Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the world and is regarded as one of the most skilled fighters of all time.
Loughran's effective use of coordinated foot work, sound defense and swift, accurate counter punching is now regarded as a precursor to the techniques practiced in modern boxing. Loughran fought many middleweight, light-heavyweight, and heavyweight champions in his career - including Gene Tunney, Jack Sharkey and Georges Carpentier. In his esteemed career Loughran even achieved a Newspaper Decision over fistic phenom Harry Greb. Loughran was but 19 years old when he first met Greb.
As a light heavyweight, he defeated two future world heavyweight champions: Max Baer and James J. Braddock. Loughran finally fought Primo Carnera for the Heavyweight title. Despite the 8 inch size disadvantage, the age disadvantage and weight disadvantage Loughran was up against, he still managed to beat the colossus - at least that's how the fans and critics since have ruled it. The judges however thought differently. Tommy Loughran was exhausted at the end of the fight while Carnera was fresh and unmarked. Carnera proved in this fight that he could boxe well against a very skilled fighter like Tommy Loughran.
In later years, when interviewed for the book, In this Corner...[1], Loughran reportedly agreed to only be awarded a win if he could stop the giant. Considering the conditions, Loughran's state and Carnera's connections, it is not unfair to assume some sort of corruption was at hand.
While Loughran is remembered among boxing's elite, his career was marred by his fragile hands and jaw. Loughran was also a very small light heavyweight and possessed no fear of larger men. Loughran fought regularly, even taking fights with only a few hours notice. When examining Loughran's career one must consider the almost masochistic abuse Loughran embraced.
He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. He was the Ring Magazine's Fighter of the Year in 1929 and 1931.
[
See also
- International Boxing Hall of Fame
- List of undisputed boxing champions
- Ring Magazine fighters of the year
- List of male boxers
- Boxing in the 1920s
- List of people from Philadelphia
[
External links
- Tommy Loughran's extensive website with many pictures, articles and memorabilia
- Tommy Loughran's Career Fight Record
- 2 minute movie of Loughran vs Jimmy Delaney
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