Real name Jimmy Barry Stance orthodox Height 1.57 m Draws 9 Nationality Irish-American Role Boxer Total fights 70 | Rated at Bantamweight Name Jimmy Barry Division Bantamweight Nickname(s) The Little Tiger Wins 59 Martial art Boxing | |
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Born March 7, 1870
Chicago, Illinois ( 1870-03-07 ) Died April 4, 1943, Chicago, Illinois, United States | ||
Jimmy Barry (March 7, 1870 – April 4, 1943) was an Irish-American boxer from Chicago, Illinois. Known as "The Little Tiger," Barry held the World Bantamweight Championship from 1894 to 1899 and retired undefeated.
In his first significant bout, Barry knocked out Jack Levy in 17 rounds to win the 100-pound world championship on December 5, 1894. The following year, he claimed the world bantamweight crown (the bantamweight limit at the time ranged from 100 to 112 pounds) when George Dixon moved up to the featherweight class. Barry's 28th-round knockout of Casper Leon on September 15, 1894, solidified that claim.
On December 6, 1897, Barry scored a 20th-round knockout against Walter Croot in London, England. Croot died the following day from a brain injury. Charged with manslaughter, Barry was exonerated when it was determined that Croot had died from a fractured skull sustained when his head hit the unpadded floor. That led to reform in the creation of padded canvas ring surfaces.
Barry was distraught over Croot's death. The Chicagoan continued to box, but he did not fight with the same ferocity. Barry fought ten times after the Croot tragedy and failed to score a single knockout. In his final bout, he boxed a six-round draw with Harry Harris on September 1, 1899.
According to the International Boxing Hall of Fame, which inducted the diminutive pugilist in the Old Timer category in 2000, Barry was undefeated in 70 professional fights. He won 59 bouts, 39 by knockout, and had nine draws and two no-contests. He is one of just fourteen world boxing champions to retire without a loss.