Tommy Kelly | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Tommy Kelly September 6, 1867 |
| Died | January 4, 1927 (aged 59) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Harlem Spider |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Bantamweight |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm) |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 51 |
| Wins | 37 |
| Wins by KO | 17 |
| Losses | 7 |
| Draws | 6 |
| No contests | 1 |
Tommy "Spider" Kelly (September 6, 1867 – January 4, 1927) was a Harlem, New York boxer (nicknamed "The Harlem Spider"), and the world champion bantamweight fighter between 1890 and 1892. He was the first New York-born champion since the Marquess of Queensberry rules were adopted. [1]
The professional career of Spider Kelly as a boxer began in 1887 when he knocked out Larry Boylan, [2] with Boylan being removed from the ring unconscious.
Continuing to win his fights, at the end of 1887, Kelly claimed the title of American bantam-weight champion, having defeated Tommy Russell. [3] In early 1888, Kelly fought a draw against George Dixon [4] and then obtained his first victory over Michael Chappie Moran, who would later become his greatest career rival.
In a second match with Moran, in an 1889 fight that was billed as a world title bantam-weight fight, Kelly was victorious, allowing him to claim the world bantam-weight title. However, only a few months later, in his third duel against Moran, Kelly was defeated and the world title went to Moran.
Nevertheless, in early 1890, Kelly and Moran fought a fourth time. Kelly managed to serve a definitive knockout to his rival during this match, as Kelly laid Moran out on the canvas within a time of 38 minutes. [5] Kelly held on to his world bantam-weight title until 1892, when he was dethroned by Englishman Billy Plimmer in 10 rounds at Coney Island. [6]
After losing his title to Plimmer, Kelly fought - through a hard series of defeats - Tim Murphy (3 times), Maxie Haugh, Kid Gleason, Frank Brierley, Harry Fisher, Casper Leon, and Fred Mayo.
Finally, after a discouraging nine years of on and off fighting with just three wins to eight losses, Kelly decided to retire in 1901 after four consecutive draws against the light-weight fighter, Kid Goodman.
After boxing, Kelly obtained a civil service position with the New York City Streets Department. [7]
The Sun Also Rises
In the novel The Sun Also Rises, Spider Kelly teaches Robert Cohn how to box and flattens his nose in a fight.
References
- ^ Corpas, Jose (2006). New York City's Greatest Boxers. Arcadia Publishing. p. 127. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "BoxRec - Tommy Spider Kelly". Boxrec.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "Cyber Boxing Zone -- Tommy "Spider" Kelly". Cyberboxingzone.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "The sun. (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, May 11, 1888, Page 3, Image 3". Loc.gov. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Saturday, 1 February 1890". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ "The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Tuesday, 10 May 1892". Newspapers.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
- ^ The Utica Saturday Globe, January 1911, Fultonhistory.com