5 great Irish boxers from history

#4. Jimmy McLarnin - Perhaps the greatest-ever Irish boxer

Jimmy McLarnin [Instagram: @boxhingnewsandhistory]

Jimmy McLarnin was born in Ireland in 1907. He moved to Canada at a young age and began his professional boxing career in Vancouver. He moved to Chicago early in his career. Like many Irish boxers, McLarnin spent most of his career boxing overseas. The boxing record of a fighter like McLarnin is difficult to verify as bouts often went unrecorded at the time. However, it is currently estimated at 55-11-3.

McLarnin began boxing as a teenager. He won his first world title in 1933 when he knocked out Young Corbett III in the first round. After defeating Corbett, McLarnin had three back-to-back fights with Barney Ross. He also fought Pancho Villa, Benny Leonard, Joe Glick, Sammy Mandel, and Tony Canzoneri.

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#3. Mike McTigue - Former Light Heavyweight World Champion

Mike McTigue [Instagram @old_time_mollywhoppers]

Mike McTigue was born in County Clare, Ireland, in 1892. He was the Light Heavyweight Champion of the world from 1923 to 1925 and boxed professionally from 1914 to 1930. His estimated record is 77 wins, 26 losses, and 13 draws and no-contests. There were 58 other bouts that were 'Newspaper decision/Draws', which are not included in the official win-loss column. Some consider McTigue to be the greatest Irish boxer of all time.

Mike McTigue fought the likes of Jack Sharkey, Tommy Loughran, Mickey Walker, Jack Delaney, Battling Siki, Battling Levinsky, and Tiger Flowers. He also had two tough bouts with Harry Greb, who is considered to be one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in history. McTigue was forced to retire in 1930 after his boxing license was revoked. He opened a bar in New York, which became a popular hub for fight fans and fighters.