# Joe Burman

Joe Burman (11 December 1898– 8 April 1979) was a British-born American boxer who was briefly awarded the World bantamweight championship by the New York State Athletic Commission, when reigning champion Joe Lynch cancelled a bout with him scheduled for October 19, 1923. Burman defeated five world champions in his career, Pete Herman, Sammy Mandell, Joe Lynch, Charles Ledoux, and Johnny McCoy and was rated among the top bantamweight boxers in the world for several years. He had only three losses and was never knocked out in an exceptional career that spanned eight years, and included as many as 120 bouts.

## Early life and career

Burman was born in London, England, on December 11, 1898, to a large Jewish family of six children, who emigrated to the United States in his early youth. His father was of Russian-Jewish heritage, and his mother was of Polish origin. In his early career, he boxed frequently in New York, fighting his first professional bout around seventeen. On December 3, 1915, he defeated Young Pope in a four-round points decision at the Argus in New York in his first prize fight.
He lost to Johnny Ertle or Ertel, a disputed claimant to the world bantamweight championship, on November 21, 1917, in a ten-round newspaper decision at the Arcadia Rink in Milwaukee. Burman uncharacteristically scored well with a straight left in the early rounds, but Ertle later countered strongly with his right to the face of Burman, throwing more telling blows. The only knockdown of the close fight came in the eighth when Burman briefly knocked Ertle off balance while he delivered a punch. Burman dominated by the tenth, and in two instances may have nearly had Burman close to a knockout.
He lost to 1922 world junior featherweight champion Jack "Kid" Wolfe in a close ten-round newspaper decision in Buffalo, New York, on January 23, 1920. His opponent forced the battle and landed harder and more precise blows in the last four rounds, turning the decision of most newspapers against Burman. Wolfe, a slightly awkward boxer, but powerful hitter, carried a strong punch with his right which he delivered well in the fourth, sixth, ninth, and tenth rounds. In the ninth and tenth, after the boxers were warned against clinching, Wolfe found openings to score sufficiently against Burman to take the decision. Both boxers, being evenly matched, clinched frequently throughout the bout and were forced to fight at close range, displeasing the vocal crowd. In two other meetings with Wolfe, in the prior two months, Burman was unable to win a newspaper decision, scoring one draw and another loss.

### Win over bantam champ Pete Herman

In an important victory on September 6, 1920, Burman defeated reigning world bantamweight champion Pete Herman in a non-title bout at the Colliseum in St. Louis in an eight-round newspaper decision. Burman was awarded five rounds, for clearly landing more blows and taking the more aggressive stance, with Herman taking two, and the rest considered even.
He defeated French bantamweight champion Charles Ledoux, on September 20, 1920, in an eight-round newspaper decision of three leading Philadelphia newspapers at Philadelphia's Olympia Athletic Club. Burman won as many of six of the eight rounds, showing clever boxing and ruggedness against the blows of his opponent. He defeated Ledoux in two other meetings and drew once in ten rounds in November 1920.
According to the Chicago Tribune, Burman defeated 1919 world bantamweight champion Jackie Sharkey in New York in a ten-round no-decision bout on June 19, 1917. In a more widely publicized meeting that featured a boxing card of champions on June 21, 1921, the two drew in a ten-round points decision at the newly opened boxing drome in the Bronx. In a lightning fast fight that focused on in-fighting, both boxers went repeatedly to the body. There were minute long rallies that had the impressive crowd of 25,000 enthralled at several points in the bout. In another widely publicized meeting on October 10, 1920, the two drew in a newspaper decision in East Chicago. Burman, who was known as a good outside fighter, scored with left jabs and right crosses, while Sharkey, with a slight disadvantage in reach, dominated the infighting. Burman, who was clearly the aggressor, may have dealt fewer blows, but they landed with more steam than Sharkey's at most points in the bout.
Burman met Sammy Sandow, another Jewish boxer with Russian ancestry, and won a ten-round newspaper decision on March 31, 1922, in Detroit. The bout featured no knockdowns. Sandow used his reach advantage to send left jabs to Sandow's face, while Sandow was forced to fight in close. Burman's strong right was usually well defended by Sandow's use of a crouch to fend them off. In a previous meeting, a twelve-round points decision in Baltimore on April 30, 1920, Sandow had won decisively. Burman was probably hit twice for every blow landed on his opponent, and Sandow put him to the canvas briefly in the eight with a right. Sandow began to build a points lead in the sixth through tenth, and scored heavily in the eighth, ninth, and eleventh.

### Close loss to champion Sammy Mandell

In an important bout against a top contender Burman met 1926 world lightweight champion Sammy Mandell in a close no decision ten round bout in Aurora, Illinois, on April 29, 1922, losing in the opinion of most, though not all, local newspapers. A low blow foul against Burman in the fourth hurt his chances to obtain the decision from many newspapers. The Chicago Tribune gave Burman six of the ten rounds in the close bout, believing his blows to Mandell's midsection throughout the bout were more telling than those he received to his head and body from his opponent.

## Career highlights

In an important upset Burman defeated reigning world bantamweight champion Joe Lynch, at least by newspaper decision of the Chicago Tribune, on March 19, 1923, in a ten-round match before 10,000 fans at Dexter Park in Chicago. The Cincinnati Enquirer gave Burman six rounds, Lynch only two, and two were scored as even. The win spotlighted Burman as a top contender for the title, and was a turn in his favor as Burman had lost to Lynch by a significant margin in six rounds in Philadelphia on October 25, 1919, and in another short bout in 1921.

### World bantam champ, 1923

In his most important contest, Burman was scheduled to fight a rematch with bantamweight champion Joe Lynch at Madison Square Garden in a rare title match on October 19, 1923. The contest was cancelled by Lynch's handlers, who claimed he was suffering from a shoulder injury. The New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC), believing the injury was not serious, ordered Lynch to fight, and when he refused and failed to appear for the weigh-in, the NYSAC officially stripped him of the bantamweight title and awarded it to Burman.

### Loss of Bantam title

New York Jewish boxer Abe Goldstein accepted the commission's call to replace Lynch. The bout was scheduled at Madision Square Garden on October 19, 1923, the same date as the scheduled bout with Lynch. Both Goldstein and Burman made weight the day of the contest, and the NYSAC sanctioned the match as a title bout. Burman, however, lost the close and exciting bout in a twelve-round points decision. Ray Arcel, Goldstein's exceptional trainer, later wrote that Goldstein had not had time to fully train for the bout due to the short notice he was given to substitute for Lynch. Goldstein was awarded five of the rounds, Burman three, and four were even. Goldstein reached Burman's chin with his left in the early rounds repeatedly, though Burman scored with a strong right to his opponent's jaw in the second. Goldstein took the match with the effective use of his left, and a sufficient advantage in points scoring in at least five of the rounds. The Pittsburgh Gazette Times gave Burman only two of the rounds, the seventh when he connected with solid rights to Goldstein's jaw, and the tenth, and noted that Goldstein had a wide margin in the first three rounds. Though nearly blinded by a gash above his eye, Goldstein held Burman to a draw in points in the final two rounds, which strongly aided the judges in awarding him the decision.

#### Stripped of world bantam title

Because the NYSAC's brief award of the world bantamweight title was not won in a ring battle, and as Burman could not defeat Abe Goldstein in the sanctioned world bantamweight contest at Madison Square Garden, his two-day award of the title was not subsequently recognized by the NYSAC or any other sanctioning body.
Burman defeated Johnny McCoy (who would become the 1927 world flyweight champion), on December 21, 1923, in a late career ten-round newspaper decision in Blue Island, Illinois. Burman proved the superior boxer in all but one round, and in the sixth through tenth had McCoy desperately hanging on and badly fatigued. McCoy survived the late rounds by well timed clinching that gave him just enough time to recover. He staggered Burman in the third, but it was his only round, while Burman charged back and hammered his opponent in the fourth. Burman's subsequent place in boxing history was diminished considerably, though his record was outstanding and his performance against five boxing champions included four wins, with a possible win over the fifth, Sammy Mandell.

## Life after boxing

He appeared as himself in the Selig Athletic Feature film #44, a boxing documentary produced by William Nicholas Selig, along with boxer Johnny Ertle, and wrestlers Sam Varrion and Ben Ruben.
After retiring from boxing around 1924, Burman ran a popular custom men's clothing store in Chicago's Loop district. In 1928, he was back in the newspapers when he was shot in the leg in Chicago's Davis hotel and could not tell police who shot him or why.
He worked as a matchmaker and promoter at Chicago's Marigold Gardens in the early 1950s before later moving to the west coast around 1959.
After working as a liquor salesman in Los Angeles, Burman died there on April 8, 1979, after a long bout with liver cancer. Services were held at Hillside Memorial on April 10, in Culver City, California.

## Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

### Official record

| 129 fights | 36 wins | 3 losses |
| By knockout | 21 | 0 |
| By decision | 14 | 3 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 6 | 6 |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 84 | 84 |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as "no decision" bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Age | Notes |
| 129 | Draw | 36–3–6 (84) | Dick Griffin | PTS | 4 | Mar 25, 1924 | 25 years, 104 days | Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. | |
| 128 | Loss | 36–3–5 (84) | Ernie Goozeman | NWS | 10 | Dec 28, 1923 | 25 years, 16 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 127 | Win | 36–3–5 (83) | Johnny McCoy | NWS | 10 | Dec 21, 1923 | 25 years, 9 days | Island A.A., Blue Island, Florida, U.S. | |
| 126 | Loss | 36–3–5 (82) | Johnny Curtin | NWS | 10 | Nov 27, 1923 | 24 years, 350 days | Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 125 | Loss | 36–3–5 (81) | Abe Goldstein | PTS | 12 | Oct 19, 1923 | 24 years, 311 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost NYSAC bantamweight title |
| 124 | Win | 36–2–5 (81) | George Butch | NWS | 10 | Aug 17, 1923 | 24 years, 248 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 123 | Win | 36–2–5 (80) | Patsy Flanagan | KO | 3 (10) | May 29, 1923 | 24 years, 168 days | Dexter Park Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 122 | Win | 35–2–5 (80) | Joe Lynch | NWS | 10 | Mar 19, 1923 | 24 years, 97 days | Dexter Park Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 121 | Win | 35–2–5 (79) | Frankie Schaeffer | NWS | 10 | Mar 12, 1923 | 24 years, 90 days | Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 120 | Win | 35–2–5 (78) | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Feb 21, 1923 | 24 years, 71 days | Suburban Club, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 119 | Win | 35–2–5 (77) | Patsy Flanagan | NWS | 10 | Jan 29, 1923 | 24 years, 48 days | Suburban club, Chicago suburb, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 35–2–5 (76) | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Jan 15, 1923 | 24 years, 34 days | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 117 | Win | 35–2–5 (75) | Cowboy Eddie Anderson | NWS | 10 | Aug 25, 1922 | 23 years, 256 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 116 | Loss | 35–2–5 (74) | Mike Dundee | NWS | 10 | Jul 14, 1922 | 23 years, 214 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 115 | Loss | 35–2–5 (73) | Sammy Mandell | NWS | 10 | May 29, 1922 | 23 years, 168 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 114 | Win | 35–2–5 (72) | Bud Dempsey | PTS | 10 | May 22, 1922 | 23 years, 161 days | Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 113 | Win | 34–2–5 (72) | Tommy Ryan | NWS | 12 | May 12, 1922 | 23 years, 151 days | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 34–2–5 (71) | Marty Collins | PTS | 10 | Apr 24, 1922 | 23 years, 133 days | Mount Royal Arena, Ontario, Montreal, Canada | |
| 111 | Win | 33–2–5 (71) | Sammy Sandow | NWS | 10 | Mar 31, 1922 | 23 years, 109 days | Avenue Theater, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 110 | Win | 33–2–5 (70) | Midget Smith | PTS | 12 | Mar 20, 1922 | 23 years, 98 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 109 | Draw | 32–2–5 (70) | Tommy Ryan | NWS | 12 | Feb 27, 1922 | 23 years, 77 days | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 108 | Win | 32–2–5 (69) | Jack Eile | NWS | 8 | Feb 24, 1922 | 23 years, 74 days | Suburban Club, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 107 | Win | 32–2–5 (68) | Johnny Brown | NWS | 8 | Nov 28, 1921 | 22 years, 351 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 106 | Win | 32–2–5 (67) | Benny Gould | PTS | 10 | Nov 22, 1921 | 22 years, 345 days | The Armouries, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 105 | Win | 31–2–5 (67) | Midget Smith | PTS | 10 | Oct 7, 1921 | 22 years, 299 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 104 | Draw | 30–2–5 (67) | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Sep 9, 1921 | 22 years, 271 days | Twin Cities A.C., East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 103 | Loss | 30–2–5 (66) | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Jul 22, 1921 | 22 years, 222 days | Twin Cities A.C., East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 102 | Win | 30–2–5 (65) | Charles Ledoux | PTS | 12 | Jul 12, 1921 | 22 years, 212 days | Boxing Drome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 101 | Win | 29–2–5 (65) | Joe Lynch | NWS | 10 | Jun 28, 1921 | 22 years, 198 days | Twin City A.C., East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 100 | Draw | 29–2–5 (64) | Jackie Sharkey | PTS | 10 | Jun 21, 1921 | 22 years, 191 days | Boxing Drome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 29–2–4 (64) | Kid Williams | NWS | 8 | Apr 25, 1921 | 22 years, 134 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 98 | Win | 29–2–4 (63) | Dick Loadman | NWS | 8 | Apr 11, 1921 | 22 years, 120 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 97 | Draw | 29–2–4 (62) | Roy Moore | NWS | 12 | Apr 8, 1921 | 22 years, 117 days | Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 29–2–4 (61) | Paul Demers | PTS | 10 | Mar 16, 1921 | 22 years, 94 days | New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 95 | Loss | 28–2–4 (61) | Joe Lynch | NWS | 10 | Mar 10, 1921 | 22 years, 88 days | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 94 | Win | 28–2–4 (60) | Abe Friedman | PTS | 10 | Feb 1, 1921 | 22 years, 51 days | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 27–2–4 (60) | Carl Tremaine | NWS | 10 | Jan 19, 1921 | 22 years, 38 days | Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 27–2–4 (59) | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 8 | Jan 8, 1921 | 22 years, 27 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 91 | Loss | 27–2–4 (58) | Carl Tremaine | NWS | 10 | Dec 17, 1920 | 22 years, 5 days | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 90 | Loss | 27–2–4 (57) | Young Montreal | NWS | 10 | Dec 6, 1920 | 21 years, 360 days | Roller Palace Rink, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 89 | Draw | 27–2–4 (56) | Charles Ledoux | PTS | 10 | Nov 26, 1920 | 21 years, 350 days | Infantry Hall, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 27–2–3 (56) | Carl Tremaine | NWS | 8 | Nov 22, 1920 | 21 years, 346 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 87 | Draw | 27–2–3 (55) | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 10 | Oct 9, 1920 | 21 years, 302 days | East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 86 | Win | 27–2–3 (54) | Charles Ledoux | NWS | 8 | Sep 20, 1920 | 21 years, 283 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 27–2–3 (53) | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 8 | Sep 10, 1920 | 21 years, 273 days | Armory, Camden, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 27–2–3 (52) | Pete Herman | NWS | 8 | Sep 6, 1920 | 21 years, 269 days | Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 27–2–3 (51) | Frankie Daly | NWS | 8 | Aug 23, 1920 | 21 years, 255 days | Battery A Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 27–2–3 (50) | Charles Ledoux | NWS | 8 | Jun 23, 1920 | 21 years, 194 days | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 81 | Draw | 27–2–3 (49) | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 6 | May 3, 1920 | 21 years, 143 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 80 | Loss | 27–2–3 (48) | Sammy Sandow | PTS | 12 | Apr 30, 1920 | 21 years, 140 days | Colonial Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 27–1–3 (48) | Patsy Wallace | NWS | 6 | Apr 24, 1920 | 21 years, 134 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 27–1–3 (47) | Marty Collins | NWS | 12 | Apr 14, 1920 | 21 years, 124 days | Portland, Maine, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 27–1–3 (46) | Sammy Sieger | NWS | 8 | Apr 12, 1920 | 21 years, 122 days | Grand Theatre, Trenton A.C., Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 27–1–3 (45) | Hughie Hutchinson | NWS | 6 | Apr 5, 1920 | 21 years, 115 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 27–1–3 (44) | Pekin Kid Herman | NWS | 10 | Mar 15, 1920 | 21 years, 94 days | Peoria, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 74 | Loss | 27–1–3 (43) | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | NWS | 10 | Jan 23, 1920 | 21 years, 42 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 73 | Draw | 27–1–3 (42) | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | PTS | 10 | Jan 19, 1920 | 21 years, 38 days | Peoria, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 27–1–2 (42) | Dick Griffin | KO | 3 (12) | Jan 12, 1920 | 21 years, 31 days | Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 26–1–2 (42) | Dick Griffin | DQ | 6 (12) | Jan 1, 1920 | 21 years, 20 days | Moose Auditorium, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 70 | Loss | 25–1–2 (42) | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | NWS | 12 | Dec 12, 1919 | 21 years, 0 days | Akron, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 25–1–2 (41) | Bernie Hahn | PTS | 8 | Dec 8, 1919 | 20 years, 361 days | Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 24–1–2 (41) | Mike Dundee | NWS | 10 | Dec 1, 1919 | 20 years, 354 days | Lakeside Arena, Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 67 | Loss | 24–1–2 (40) | Joe Lynch | NWS | 6 | Oct 25, 1919 | 20 years, 317 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 66 | Draw | 24–1–2 (39) | Joe Lynch | NWS | 6 | Sep 29, 1919 | 20 years, 291 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 24–1–2 (38) | Roy Moore | NWS | 10 | Sep 22, 1919 | 20 years, 284 days | Peoria, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 24–1–2 (37) | Billy Bevan | NWS | 6 | Sep 15, 1919 | 20 years, 277 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 24–1–2 (36) | Jim Roberts | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 10, 1919 | 20 years, 272 days | Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 23–1–2 (36) | Joe Leopold | KO | 8 (12) | Sep 3, 1919 | 20 years, 265 days | Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 22–1–2 (36) | Pekin Kid Herman | KO | 7 (?) | Jul 4, 1919 | 20 years, 204 days | Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 60 | Loss | 21–1–2 (36) | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 10 | Jun 16, 1919 | 20 years, 186 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 21–1–2 (35) | Patsy Johnson | PTS | 15 | Jun 6, 1919 | 20 years, 176 days | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 58 | Loss | 20–1–2 (35) | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | NWS | 10 | May 1, 1919 | 20 years, 110 days | Gray's Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 20–1–2 (34) | Dick Loadman | NWS | 10 | Apr 23, 1919 | 20 years, 132 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 20–1–2 (33) | Harry Coulin | NWS | 10 | Apr 14, 1919 | 20 years, 123 days | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Draw | 20–1–2 (32) | Frankie Daly | PTS | 12 | Apr 4, 1919 | 20 years, 113 days | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 20–1–1 (32) | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 6 | Mar 22, 1919 | 20 years, 100 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 53 | Draw | 20–1–1 (31) | Charlie Beecher | NWS | 6 | Mar 10, 1919 | 20 years, 88 days | Harrison A.C., Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 52 | Draw | 20–1–1 (30) | Johnny Murray | NWS | 6 | Feb 24, 1919 | 20 years, 74 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 20–1–1 (29) | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 6 | Feb 3, 1919 | 20 years, 53 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 50 | Draw | 20–1–1 (28) | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 8 | Jan 27, 1919 | 20 years, 46 days | Grand Theatre, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 20–1–1 (27) | Frankie Conway | KO | 5 (10) | Jan 24, 1919 | 20 years, 43 days | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 19–1–1 (27) | Eddie Wimler | PTS | 12 | Dec 26, 1918 | 20 years, 14 days | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 18–1–1 (27) | Frankie Conway | NWS | 6 | Dec 14, 1918 | 20 years, 2 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 18–1–1 (26) | Dave Astey | KO | 1 (6) | Nov 28, 1918 | 19 years, 351 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 17–1–1 (26) | Sammy Marino | NWS | 6 | Nov 15, 1918 | 19 years, 338 days | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 17–1–1 (25) | Young Terry McGovern | NWS | 6 | Nov 6, 1918 | 19 years, 329 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 17–1–1 (24) | Joe Tuber | NWS | 6 | Sep 21, 1918 | 19 years, 283 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 42 | Draw | 17–1–1 (23) | Earl Puryear | PTS | 10 | Sep 16, 1918 | 19 years, 278 days | La Salle, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 17–1 (23) | Young Joey Mendo | KO | 9 (10) | May 6, 1918 | 19 years, 145 days | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 16–1 (23) | Mike Ertle | NWS | 10 | Apr 30, 1918 | 19 years, 139 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 39 | Draw | 16–1 (22) | Andy Chaney | NWS | 10 | Apr 22, 1918 | 19 years, 131 days | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 38 | Loss | 16–1 (21) | Johnny Ertle | NWS | 10 | Nov 21, 1917 | 18 years, 344 days | Arcadia Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | World bantamweight title claim at stake; (via KO only) |
| 37 | Win | 16–1 (20) | Frankie Daly | NWS | 10 | Nov 10, 1917 | 18 years, 333 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 16–1 (19) | Willie Astey | NWS | 10 | Nov 2, 1917 | 18 years, 325 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 16–1 (18) | George Thompson | NWS | 10 | Jul 23, 1917 | 18 years, 223 days | Lakeside Arena, Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 16–1 (17) | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 10 | Jun 19, 1917 | 18 years, 189 days | Pioneer S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 16–1 (16) | Frankie Williams | NWS | 10 | May 31, 1917 | 18 years, 170 days | Hunts Point A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 16–1 (15) | Dutch Brandt | NWS | 10 | May 26, 1917 | 18 years, 165 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Draw | 16–1 (14) | Frankie Clarke | NWS | 10 | May 21, 1917 | 18 years, 160 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 16–1 (13) | Dutch Brandt | NWS | 10 | May 5, 1917 | 18 years, 144 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 16–1 (12) | Frankie Daly | NWS | 10 | Mar 22, 1917 | 18 years, 100 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Draw | 16–1 (11) | Billy Fitzsimmons | NWS | 10 | Mar 9, 1917 | 18 years, 87 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 16–1 (10) | Jimmy Murray | NWS | 10 | Mar 3, 1917 | 18 years, 81 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 16–1 (9) | Billy Fitzsimmons | NWS | 10 | Feb 22, 1917 | 18 years, 72 days | Broadway S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 16–1 (8) | Johnny Solzberg | NWS | 10 | Feb 9, 1917 | 18 years, 59 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 16–1 (7) | Willie Astey | NWS | 10 | Jan 26, 1917 | 18 years, 45 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 16–1 (6) | Murray Allen | NWS | 10 | Jan 15, 1917 | 18 years, 34 days | Olympic Athletic Club, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 16–1 (5) | Happy Smith | NWS | 10 | Jan 6, 1917 | 18 years, 25 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 16–1 (4) | Kid Rash | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 29, 1916 | 18 years, 17 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 15–1 (4) | Kid Rash | NWS | 6 | Dec 8, 1916 | 17 years, 362 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 15–1 (3) | Jack Courtney | NWS | 10 | Nov 4, 1916 | 17 years, 328 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 15–1 (2) | Georgie Lewis | KO | 2 (?) | Oct 24, 1916 | 17 years, 317 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Draw | 14–1 (2) | Frankie Williams | NWS | 6 | Oct 20, 1916 | 17 years, 313 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Draw | 14–1 (1) | Jack Tracey | NWS | 6 | Oct 10, 1916 | 17 years, 303 days | Hunts Point Casino, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Mike Hogan | TKO | 2 (?) | Sep 25, 1916 | 17 years, 288 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Kid McCarthy | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 21, 1916 | 17 years, 284 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Frankie Bell | TKO | 4 (4) | Sep 16, 1916 | 17 years, 279 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Eddie Ryan | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 12, 1916 | 17 years, 275 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Jim Roberts | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 10, 1916 | 17 years, 273 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Harry Fields | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 5, 1916 | 17 years, 268 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Kid Rash | KO | 4 (?) | Aug 29, 1916 | 17 years, 261 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Bobby Turner | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 21, 1916 | 17 years, 222 days | New Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Loss | 6–1 | Gussie Lewis | PTS | 6 | Jul 13, 1916 | 17 years, 214 days | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Tommy White | KO | 5 (?) | Apr 25, 1916 | 17 years, 135 days | Argo, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Young Pope | PTS | 4 | Apr 15, 1916 | 17 years, 125 days | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | John Fallon | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 8, 1916 | 17 years, 118 days | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Kid Hogan | PTS | 6 | Mar 30, 1916 | 17 years, 109 days | Lamont, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Jimmy Mars | KO | 3 (?) | Mar 25, 1916 | 17 years, 104 days | Argo, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Young Pope | PTS | 4 | Dec 3, 1915 | 16 years, 356 days | Argo, Illinois, U.S. | |

### Unofficial record

| 129 fights | 91 wins | 18 losses |
| By knockout | 21 | 0 |
| By decision | 69 | 18 |
| By disqualification | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 20 | 20 |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 129 | Draw | 91–18–20 | Dick Griffin | PTS | 4 | Mar 25, 1924 | 25 years, 104 days | Arena, Vernon, California, U.S. | |
| 128 | Loss | 91–18–19 | Ernie Goozeman | NWS | 10 | Dec 28, 1923 | 25 years, 16 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 127 | Win | 91–17–19 | Johnny McCoy | NWS | 10 | Dec 21, 1923 | 25 years, 9 days | Island A.A., Blue Island, Florida, U.S. | |
| 126 | Loss | 90–17–19 | Johnny Curtin | NWS | 10 | Nov 27, 1923 | 24 years, 350 days | Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 125 | Loss | 90–16–19 | Abe Goldstein | PTS | 12 | Oct 19, 1923 | 24 years, 311 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | Lost NYSAC bantamweight title |
| 124 | Win | 90–15–19 | George Butch | NWS | 10 | Aug 17, 1923 | 24 years, 248 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 123 | Win | 89–15–19 | Patsy Flanagan | KO | 3 (10) | May 29, 1923 | 24 years, 168 days | Dexter Park Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 122 | Win | 88–15–19 | Joe Lynch | NWS | 10 | Mar 19, 1923 | 24 years, 97 days | Dexter Park Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 121 | Win | 87–15–19 | Frankie Schaeffer | NWS | 10 | Mar 12, 1923 | 24 years, 90 days | Ashland Blvd. Auditorium, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 120 | Win | 86–15–19 | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Feb 21, 1923 | 24 years, 71 days | Suburban Club, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 119 | Win | 85–15–19 | Patsy Flanagan | NWS | 10 | Jan 29, 1923 | 24 years, 48 days | Suburban club, Chicago suburb, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 118 | Win | 84–15–19 | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Jan 15, 1923 | 24 years, 34 days | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 117 | Win | 83–15–19 | Cowboy Eddie Anderson | NWS | 10 | Aug 25, 1922 | 23 years, 256 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 116 | Loss | 82–15–19 | Mike Dundee | NWS | 10 | Jul 14, 1922 | 23 years, 214 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 115 | Loss | 82–14–19 | Sammy Mandell | NWS | 10 | May 29, 1922 | 23 years, 168 days | Mullen-Sager Arena, Aurora, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 114 | Win | 82–13–19 | Bud Dempsey | PTS | 10 | May 22, 1922 | 23 years, 161 days | Dyckman Oval, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 113 | Win | 81–13–19 | Tommy Ryan | NWS | 12 | May 12, 1922 | 23 years, 151 days | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 112 | Win | 80–13–19 | Marty Collins | PTS | 10 | Apr 24, 1922 | 23 years, 133 days | Mount Royal Arena, Ontario, Montreal, Canada | |
| 111 | Win | 79–13–19 | Sammy Sandow | NWS | 10 | Mar 31, 1922 | 23 years, 109 days | Avenue Theater, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 110 | Win | 78–13–19 | Midget Smith | PTS | 12 | Mar 20, 1922 | 23 years, 98 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 109 | Draw | 77–13–19 | Tommy Ryan | NWS | 12 | Feb 27, 1922 | 23 years, 77 days | Jefferson County Armory, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 108 | Win | 77–13–18 | Jack Eile | NWS | 8 | Feb 24, 1922 | 23 years, 74 days | Suburban Club, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 107 | Win | 76–13–18 | Johnny Brown | NWS | 8 | Nov 28, 1921 | 22 years, 351 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 106 | Win | 75–13–18 | Benny Gould | PTS | 10 | Nov 22, 1921 | 22 years, 345 days | The Armouries, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
| 105 | Win | 74–13–18 | Midget Smith | PTS | 10 | Oct 7, 1921 | 22 years, 299 days | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 104 | Draw | 73–13–18 | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Sep 9, 1921 | 22 years, 271 days | Twin Cities A.C., East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 103 | Loss | 73–13–17 | Midget Smith | NWS | 10 | Jul 22, 1921 | 22 years, 222 days | Twin Cities A.C., East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 102 | Win | 73–12–17 | Charles Ledoux | PTS | 12 | Jul 12, 1921 | 22 years, 212 days | Boxing Drome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 101 | Win | 72–12–17 | Joe Lynch | NWS | 10 | Jun 28, 1921 | 22 years, 198 days | Twin City A.C., East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 100 | Draw | 71–12–17 | Jackie Sharkey | PTS | 10 | Jun 21, 1921 | 22 years, 191 days | Boxing Drome, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 99 | Loss | 71–12–16 | Kid Williams | NWS | 8 | Apr 25, 1921 | 22 years, 134 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 98 | Win | 71–11–16 | Dick Loadman | NWS | 8 | Apr 11, 1921 | 22 years, 120 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 97 | Draw | 70–11–16 | Roy Moore | NWS | 12 | Apr 8, 1921 | 22 years, 117 days | Coliseum, Toledo, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 96 | Win | 70–11–15 | Paul Demers | PTS | 10 | Mar 16, 1921 | 22 years, 94 days | New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 95 | Loss | 69–11–15 | Joe Lynch | NWS | 10 | Mar 10, 1921 | 22 years, 88 days | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 94 | Win | 69–10–15 | Abe Friedman | PTS | 10 | Feb 1, 1921 | 22 years, 51 days | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 93 | Win | 68–10–15 | Carl Tremaine | NWS | 10 | Jan 19, 1921 | 22 years, 38 days | Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 92 | Win | 67–10–15 | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 8 | Jan 8, 1921 | 22 years, 27 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 91 | Loss | 66–10–15 | Carl Tremaine | NWS | 10 | Dec 17, 1920 | 22 years, 5 days | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 90 | Loss | 66–9–15 | Young Montreal | NWS | 10 | Dec 6, 1920 | 21 years, 360 days | Roller Palace Rink, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 89 | Draw | 66–8–15 | Charles Ledoux | PTS | 10 | Nov 26, 1920 | 21 years, 350 days | Infantry Hall, Providence, Rhode Island, U.S. | |
| 88 | Win | 66–8–14 | Carl Tremaine | NWS | 8 | Nov 22, 1920 | 21 years, 346 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 87 | Draw | 65–8–14 | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 10 | Oct 9, 1920 | 21 years, 302 days | East Chicago, Indiana, U.S. | |
| 86 | Win | 65–8–13 | Charles Ledoux | NWS | 8 | Sep 20, 1920 | 21 years, 283 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Win | 64–8–13 | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 8 | Sep 10, 1920 | 21 years, 273 days | Armory, Camden, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 84 | Win | 63–8–13 | Pete Herman | NWS | 8 | Sep 6, 1920 | 21 years, 269 days | Coliseum, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 62–8–13 | Frankie Daly | NWS | 8 | Aug 23, 1920 | 21 years, 255 days | Battery A Arena, Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 82 | Win | 61–8–13 | Charles Ledoux | NWS | 8 | Jun 23, 1920 | 21 years, 194 days | Ice Palace, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 81 | Draw | 60–8–13 | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 6 | May 3, 1920 | 21 years, 143 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 80 | Loss | 60–8–12 | Sammy Sandow | PTS | 12 | Apr 30, 1920 | 21 years, 140 days | Colonial Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 60–7–12 | Patsy Wallace | NWS | 6 | Apr 24, 1920 | 21 years, 134 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 78 | Win | 59–7–12 | Marty Collins | NWS | 12 | Apr 14, 1920 | 21 years, 124 days | Portland, Maine, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 58–7–12 | Sammy Sieger | NWS | 8 | Apr 12, 1920 | 21 years, 122 days | Grand Theatre, Trenton A.C., Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 76 | Win | 57–7–12 | Hughie Hutchinson | NWS | 6 | Apr 5, 1920 | 21 years, 115 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 75 | Win | 56–7–12 | Pekin Kid Herman | NWS | 10 | Mar 15, 1920 | 21 years, 94 days | Peoria, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 74 | Loss | 55–7–12 | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | NWS | 10 | Jan 23, 1920 | 21 years, 42 days | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, U.S. | |
| 73 | Draw | 55–6–12 | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | PTS | 10 | Jan 19, 1920 | 21 years, 38 days | Peoria, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 55–6–11 | Dick Griffin | KO | 3 (12) | Jan 12, 1920 | 21 years, 31 days | Stockyards Stadium, Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 54–6–11 | Dick Griffin | DQ | 6 (12) | Jan 1, 1920 | 21 years, 20 days | Moose Auditorium, Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 70 | Loss | 53–6–11 | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | NWS | 12 | Dec 12, 1919 | 21 years, 0 days | Akron, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 69 | Win | 53–5–11 | Bernie Hahn | PTS | 8 | Dec 8, 1919 | 20 years, 361 days | Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 52–5–11 | Mike Dundee | NWS | 10 | Dec 1, 1919 | 20 years, 354 days | Lakeside Arena, Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 67 | Loss | 51–5–11 | Joe Lynch | NWS | 6 | Oct 25, 1919 | 20 years, 317 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 66 | Draw | 51–4–11 | Joe Lynch | NWS | 6 | Sep 29, 1919 | 20 years, 291 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 51–4–10 | Roy Moore | NWS | 10 | Sep 22, 1919 | 20 years, 284 days | Peoria, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 50–4–10 | Billy Bevan | NWS | 6 | Sep 15, 1919 | 20 years, 277 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 49–4–10 | Jim Roberts | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 10, 1919 | 20 years, 272 days | Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 48–4–10 | Joe Leopold | KO | 8 (12) | Sep 3, 1919 | 20 years, 265 days | Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 61 | Win | 47–4–10 | Pekin Kid Herman | KO | 7 (?) | Jul 4, 1919 | 20 years, 204 days | Benton Harbor, Michigan, U.S. | |
| 60 | Loss | 46–4–10 | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 10 | Jun 16, 1919 | 20 years, 186 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 59 | Win | 46–3–10 | Patsy Johnson | PTS | 15 | Jun 6, 1919 | 20 years, 176 days | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 58 | Loss | 45–3–10 | Jack "Kid" Wolfe | NWS | 10 | May 1, 1919 | 20 years, 110 days | Gray's Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 57 | Win | 45–2–10 | Dick Loadman | NWS | 10 | Apr 23, 1919 | 20 years, 132 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 44–2–10 | Harry Coulin | NWS | 10 | Apr 14, 1919 | 20 years, 123 days | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 55 | Draw | 43–2–10 | Frankie Daly | PTS | 12 | Apr 4, 1919 | 20 years, 113 days | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 54 | Win | 43–2–9 | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 6 | Mar 22, 1919 | 20 years, 100 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 53 | Draw | 42–2–9 | Charlie Beecher | NWS | 6 | Mar 10, 1919 | 20 years, 88 days | Harrison A.C., Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 52 | Draw | 42–2–8 | Johnny Murray | NWS | 6 | Feb 24, 1919 | 20 years, 74 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 42–2–7 | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 6 | Feb 3, 1919 | 20 years, 53 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 50 | Draw | 41–2–7 | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 8 | Jan 27, 1919 | 20 years, 46 days | Grand Theatre, Trenton, New Jersey, U.S. | |
| 49 | Win | 41–2–6 | Frankie Conway | KO | 5 (10) | Jan 24, 1919 | 20 years, 43 days | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 40–2–6 | Eddie Wimler | PTS | 12 | Dec 26, 1918 | 20 years, 14 days | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 39–2–6 | Frankie Conway | NWS | 6 | Dec 14, 1918 | 20 years, 2 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 38–2–6 | Dave Astey | KO | 1 (6) | Nov 28, 1918 | 19 years, 351 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 45 | Win | 37–2–6 | Sammy Marino | NWS | 6 | Nov 15, 1918 | 19 years, 338 days | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 36–2–6 | Young Terry McGovern | NWS | 6 | Nov 6, 1918 | 19 years, 329 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 43 | Win | 35–2–6 | Joe Tuber | NWS | 6 | Sep 21, 1918 | 19 years, 283 days | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 42 | Draw | 34–2–6 | Earl Puryear | PTS | 10 | Sep 16, 1918 | 19 years, 278 days | La Salle, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 34–2–5 | Young Joey Mendo | KO | 9 (10) | May 6, 1918 | 19 years, 145 days | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 33–2–5 | Mike Ertle | NWS | 10 | Apr 30, 1918 | 19 years, 139 days | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 39 | Draw | 32–2–5 | Andy Chaney | NWS | 10 | Apr 22, 1918 | 19 years, 131 days | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 38 | Loss | 32–2–4 | Johnny Ertle | NWS | 10 | Nov 21, 1917 | 18 years, 344 days | Arcadia Rink, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. | World bantamweight title claim at stake; (via KO only) |
| 37 | Win | 32–1–4 | Frankie Daly | NWS | 10 | Nov 10, 1917 | 18 years, 333 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 31–1–4 | Willie Astey | NWS | 10 | Nov 2, 1917 | 18 years, 325 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 35 | Win | 30–1–4 | George Thompson | NWS | 10 | Jul 23, 1917 | 18 years, 223 days | Lakeside Arena, Racine, Wisconsin, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 29–1–4 | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 10 | Jun 19, 1917 | 18 years, 189 days | Pioneer S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 28–1–4 | Frankie Williams | NWS | 10 | May 31, 1917 | 18 years, 170 days | Hunts Point A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 32 | Win | 27–1–4 | Dutch Brandt | NWS | 10 | May 26, 1917 | 18 years, 165 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 31 | Draw | 26–1–4 | Frankie Clarke | NWS | 10 | May 21, 1917 | 18 years, 160 days | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 26–1–3 | Dutch Brandt | NWS | 10 | May 5, 1917 | 18 years, 144 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 25–1–3 | Frankie Daly | NWS | 10 | Mar 22, 1917 | 18 years, 100 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 28 | Draw | 24–1–3 | Billy Fitzsimmons | NWS | 10 | Mar 9, 1917 | 18 years, 87 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 24–1–2 | Jimmy Murray | NWS | 10 | Mar 3, 1917 | 18 years, 81 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 23–1–2 | Billy Fitzsimmons | NWS | 10 | Feb 22, 1917 | 18 years, 72 days | Broadway S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 22–1–2 | Johnny Solzberg | NWS | 10 | Feb 9, 1917 | 18 years, 59 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 21–1–2 | Willie Astey | NWS | 10 | Jan 26, 1917 | 18 years, 45 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 23 | Win | 20–1–2 | Murray Allen | NWS | 10 | Jan 15, 1917 | 18 years, 34 days | Olympic Athletic Club, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 22 | Win | 19–1–2 | Happy Smith | NWS | 10 | Jan 6, 1917 | 18 years, 25 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 21 | Win | 18–1–2 | Kid Rash | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 29, 1916 | 18 years, 17 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 17–1–2 | Kid Rash | NWS | 6 | Dec 8, 1916 | 17 years, 362 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 19 | Win | 16–1–2 | Jack Courtney | NWS | 10 | Nov 4, 1916 | 17 years, 328 days | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 15–1–2 | Georgie Lewis | KO | 2 (?) | Oct 24, 1916 | 17 years, 317 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Draw | 14–1–2 | Frankie Williams | NWS | 6 | Oct 20, 1916 | 17 years, 313 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 16 | Draw | 14–1–1 | Jack Tracey | NWS | 6 | Oct 10, 1916 | 17 years, 303 days | Hunts Point Casino, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Mike Hogan | TKO | 2 (?) | Sep 25, 1916 | 17 years, 288 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | Kid McCarthy | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 21, 1916 | 17 years, 284 days | Clermont Avenue Rink, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Frankie Bell | TKO | 4 (4) | Sep 16, 1916 | 17 years, 279 days | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | Eddie Ryan | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 12, 1916 | 17 years, 275 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Jim Roberts | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 10, 1916 | 17 years, 273 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Harry Fields | KO | 1 (?) | Sep 5, 1916 | 17 years, 268 days | New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Kid Rash | KO | 4 (?) | Aug 29, 1916 | 17 years, 261 days | Harlem S.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Bobby Turner | KO | 4 (?) | Jul 21, 1916 | 17 years, 222 days | New Polo A.C., New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 7 | Loss | 6–1 | Gussie Lewis | PTS | 6 | Jul 13, 1916 | 17 years, 214 days | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Tommy White | KO | 5 (?) | Apr 25, 1916 | 17 years, 135 days | Argo, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Young Pope | PTS | 4 | Apr 15, 1916 | 17 years, 125 days | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | John Fallon | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 8, 1916 | 17 years, 118 days | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Kid Hogan | PTS | 6 | Mar 30, 1916 | 17 years, 109 days | Lamont, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Jimmy Mars | KO | 3 (?) | Mar 25, 1916 | 17 years, 104 days | Argo, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Young Pope | PTS | 4 | Dec 3, 1915 | 16 years, 356 days | Argo, Illinois, U.S. | |