Billy Miske

Infobox_Boxer
name = William Arthur Miske


nickname = Billy
realname= William Arthur Miske
nationality=American
weight = Varied
birth_date = birth date|1894|4|12|mf=y
death_date = death date and age|1924|1|1|1894|4|12|mf=y
birth_place = St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
home = St. Paul, Minnesota
style = Speed
total = 103
wins = 72
KO = 33
losses = 15
draws = 14
no decisions =

Billy Miske, alias "The Saint Paul Thunderbolt" (April 12 1894 - January 1 1924), was a professional boxer from Saint Paul, Minnesota. [ [http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Human:10592 Billy Miske - Boxrec Boxing Encyclopaedia ] ]

Professional Boxing Career

An American of German descent, Billy stood at 6'0" and over the course of his career weighed between 158 and 190lbs. He was managed by John Pearl "J.P" Smith (1913-18) and Jack Reddy (1918-23).

Miske was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He began his career as a middleweight. During the course of his career, he competed successfully as a light-heavyweight and heavyweight, defeating many well known fighters. On September 6, 1920, Miske lost to Jack Dempsey in the third round of a fight to decide the World Heavyweight Boxing title. It was the first heavyweight title match to be broadcast on radio, and it was the first and only time Billy Miske was ever knocked out.

Illness

Miske fought his last bout against Bill Brennan, whom he met on November 7, 1923. At this point in his life, Miske knew he didn't have much time left before his kidneys gave out (doctors had told him he had only months to live). Due to his family's economic situation, however, Miske decided he had to step into the ring one more time. His health entirely prevented him from training for the fight, however, and Miske was unable to even get out of his rocking chair until fight night. Amazingly, though, Miske knocked Brennan out in the fourth round. Miske went on to die of kidney failure less than 2 months later.

Death

Miske died in St. Paul, Minnesota of Bright's Disease on January 1.

Legacy

Miske's enduring legacy is that of an underappreciated fighter. It is argued that Miske deserved, but never received, title matches against Jack Dillon, Battling Levinsky and Georges Carpentier. His two recorded losses are against two champions, Jack Dempsey and Kid Norfolk, while his list of defeated opponents boasts some of the most storied names in boxing history. Miske's final professional record was 72-15-14 with 33 wins by knockout. [ [http://www.boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=10592&cat=boxer Billy Miske ] ]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/Lodge/6525/Article-BillyMiske.htm Article]
* [http://www.billymiske.com/ His son's page]
* [http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/wail900_callis.htm Article]
*