15 Facts About Oscar Gardner

Oscar Gardner was an American bantamweight and featherweight boxer known as the Omaha Kid.

Oscar Gardner was a top contender for the Featherweight Championship of the World and the Featherweight Champion of America, though he never won any awards or titles; many claim this was due to poor refereeing.

Oscar Gardner grew up on the east side of the city with older brother Joe, younger brother Eddie, and sister Grace.

Oscar Gardner relocated to Omaha after learning he could earn more money in their pugilistic community, then returned to Minneapolis in 1891.

Oscar Gardner claimed not to train for matches and both drank and smoked cigars, oftentimes waiting to put out his smoke until right before entering the ring.

Oscar Gardner was brought to court, facing charges of manslaughter and prize-fighting, but was quickly acquitted.

In 1898, Oscar Gardner was a top contender for the World Featherweight title.

Oscar Gardner lost his third and fourth attempts in 1900 and 1901 to Terry McGovern.

Oscar Gardner retired in 1901 at age 29 and returned to Minneapolis.

In 1918, Oscar Gardner was reportedly back in Minneapolis, this time as a bar owner with his brother Eddie and, according to writer Jack Grace, as a politician, but was in Pittsburgh by 1924.

Oscar Gardner worked as a promoter with Tex Rickard for several years and in 1928 was working as a boxing judge and a factory watchman in Brooklyn.

Oscar Gardner contracted yellow jaundice in June 1928 but did not respond to treatment and was seriously ill by September.

Oscar Gardner died on December 25,1928, in a Minneapolis hospital.

Oscar Gardner was survived by his wife and his children, Oscar Jr.

Oscar Gardner was inducted into the Minnesota Boxing Hall of Fame in 2012.