Philly Boxing History

FEBRUARY 06, 1931

LOUGHRAN DEFEATS BAER AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

Former light heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran continued his quest for the heavyweight title by facing Max Baer in a 10-round bout at New York's Madison Square Garden on this day in 1931. Jack Dempsey was the referee. 

A couple of years before, Loughran had relinquished his 175-pound title to campaign as a heavyweight, and in Max Baer he faced his toughest test to date at the new weight. He passed the test with flying colors, scoring a unanimous decision against the future champ. 

In 1934, Tommy would get his big chance against the Italian giant Primo Carnera in Miami. Loughran spotted champ Primo 86 pounds in the fight. But Carnera's size proved to be too big an obstacle for the South Philly fighter. Loughran lasted the 15-round distance but could not take the championship. Carnera won the unanimous decision, defended his title, and broke one of Tommy's toes by stepping on it - or so the story goes. 

Loughran fought until 1937 and even won the Pennsylvania state heavyweight title in a bout against Al Ettore in 1935.

  1922 - Joe Tiplitz KO3 Ned Fitzgerald at the Olympia in South Philly