39 Facts About Ike Weir

Ike Weir was an Irish boxer, credited with being the first man to be featherweight champion of the world.

Ike Weir took the title after defeating Frank Murphy on March 31,1889, in Kouts, Indiana in a fight that went an astounding eighty rounds, though it was officially declared a draw.

Some sources may credit Weir with taking the world title as early as 1887 in his knockout title wins over Jack Farrell in Ridgefield, New Jersey on January 24, or Jack Williams in Westerly, Rhode Island, on March 10.

Ike Weir first claimed the title in his win over Farrell.

Ike Weir was recognized by most sources to have lost the title on January 13,1890, to Torpedo Billy Murphy in a fourteenth-round knockout in San Francisco, California.

Ike Weir was born on February 5,1867, in Lurgan, Ireland.

Ike Weir grew up near Belfast, where his father worked as a breeder, buyer, and trainer of thoroughbred horses for the gentry.

Ike Weir was somewhat dark complected with curly hair, blue eyes, and a lean build.

Ike Weir was well educated and had a fondness for books, and music.

Ike Weir's shooting skills with both gun and pistol were noteworthy, and he was a fine pianist, having taken music education at an early age.

Ike Weir would remain in the US the rest of his life.

Ike Weir knocked out Burns in six difficult rounds in Boston.

Ike Weir was known for his clever ducking and rapid countering, rather than a strong punch.

Ike Weir defeated a number of middleweights in his career, some outweighing him by as much as fifty pounds.

On March 10,1887, Ike Weir fought a thirty-six-round match against Jack Williams in Westerly, Rhode Island, that ended in a knockout for Ike Weir.

On January 24,1887, Ike Weir won a seventh-round knockout against Jack Farrell in Ridgefield, New Jersey, near Hoboken, that was billed as a World 124 pound title match, though it was not subsequently recognized as such.

Ike Weir took a few good shots in the bout himself and subsequently had a bad cut over his right eye.

Ike Weir later described Farrell as the "gamest man he ever met".

Ike Weir knocked Clarke down twice in the first and once in the seventh.

Ike Weir's seconds threw in the sponge at the end of the twentieth when he could no longer see.

On July 20,1887, Ike Weir fought an unusually long 61-round match outdoors against Jack Havlin of Providence, in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.

On December 12,1887, Ike Weir fought a 20-round featherweight title match against Tommy Warren at boxer John Barnes's club in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with Barnes himself as the referee.

Legend has it that Ike Weir did a somersault followed by a handstand so his seconds could remove his warm-up pants.

Ike Weir did a second hand stand when asked to shake the hand of Miller, brushing his foot on Miller's chin.

Shortly after this bout, Ike Weir fought "Ironman" George Siddons on February 3,1888, in Duluth, Minnesota, winning by technical knockout in the eleventh of 15 rounds, though Siddons claimed he had been fouled.

Ike Weir lost the world featherweight title on January 13,1890, to Torpedo Billy Murphy in a fourteenth-round knockout at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco, California.

Ike Weir dominated throughout the fight, but was said to have failed to follow up on his advantages, when, for no apparent reason, Ike Weir collapsed to the ground in the thirteenth round.

However, while Ike Weir rose in time, he soon went back down again.

Ike Weir went down 6 times, and while he made it to the end of the round.

Ike Weir's legs were shaking at the start of the fourteenth round, but he was reported to have avoided Murphy's hits, until going down from another light hit, this time until he was counted out.

Ike Weir successfully used his clever ducking and bobbing as a defense in the fight, avoiding Murphy's powerful right which had plagued him in their earlier title bout.

Ike Weir took around seven months off from boxing during the period.

Ike Weir danced the Highland Fling and Irish jig during the match, which annoyed his opponent but greatly pleased the crowd.

On March 17,1894, Ike Weir was outclassed in a bout with Arthur Griffiths, known as "Young Griffo," at the Second Regiment Armory in Chicago.

Ike Weir announced retirement after the bout but returned to the ring for a few more professional bouts and exhibitions.

Ike Weir was at the end of a harsh career at thirty-one, while Sears was then years younger.

Ike Weir was still training horses for wealthy clients in April 1904.

Ike Weir lived out his remaining days in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and died on September 12,1908, at age 41.

Ike Weir had been suffering for two years from an accident he had while riding a horse, and had not improved after several operations.