12 Facts About Johnny Kilbane

John Patrick Kilbane was an American featherweight boxer in the early part of the 20th century.

Johnny Kilbane held the World Featherweight title from 1912 to 1923, the longest period in the division's history, having defended the title against four contenders during the reign.

Johnny Kilbane was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1960 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.

Johnny Kilbane was born to Irish emigrees John and Mary Johnny Kilbane in Cleveland, Ohio on April 9,1889.

Johnny Kilbane's mother died when he was 3 years old and his father went blind when he was 6.

Johnny Kilbane attended school until the sixth grade when he dropped out to help support his family.

On February 22,1912, Johnny Kilbane took the featherweight title from Abe Atell in a twenty-round match in Vernon, California.

Johnny Kilbane held the featherweight championship for 11 years through numerous fights.

Johnny Kilbane fought 1904 World Bantamweight champion Jimmy Walsh in a World Featherweight Title match on May 21,1912, at the Pilgrim Athletic Club in Boston, Massachusetts to a twelve-round draw decision.

Johnny Kilbane was such a popular prizefighter in his day that his name appeared in print as a verb.

Johnny Kilbane was a distant relative of the Irish boxer John Joe Nevin, the footballer Darren Fletcher, the wrestler Giant Haystacks and the Irish footballer Kevin Johnny Kilbane.

Johnny Kilbane died on May 31,1957, in Cleveland, Ohio.