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George Godfrey (boxer, born 1897)

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George Godfrey
Born
Feab Smith Williams

(1897-01-25)January 25, 1897
DiedAugust 13, 1947(1947-08-13) (aged 50)
NationalityAmerican
Other namesThe Leiperville Shadow
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Reach79.5 in (202 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights124[1]
Wins97
Wins by KO79
Losses21
Draws2

George Godfrey (II) The Leiperville Shadow (January 25, 1897 – August 13, 1947) was the ring name of Feab Smith Williams, a heavyweight boxer from the state of Alabama who fought from 1919 to 1937. He named himself after George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey, a Black Canadian boxer from the bare-knuckle boxing days who had been a top name during the John L. Sullivan era. Old Chocolate had been the fourth fighter to reign as World Colored Heavyweight Champion while the second George Godfrey was the 20th fighter to hold the colored heavyweight title.

The colored heavyweight title was recognized due to the color bar in pro boxing in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when white champions drew the color line and would not defend the title against a black man. In the heavyweight division, the color bar was adamantly defended by Old Chocolate Godfrey's contemporary, "The Boston Strong Boy", John L. Sullivan. Ironically, it remained in force even after colored heavyweight title holder Jack Johnson won the world's heavyweight title in 1908. Johnson never fought black opponents either, allegedly because such top promoters as Tex Rickard believed that a fight between two black boxers would not draw at the gate. He was also the only man to ever defeat the 7 foot 9 inch giant Gogea Mitu.

Because of the color bar in the heavyweight division that continued until the rise of Joe Louis in the 1930s, the second Godfrey Williams never fought for the world heavyweight championship, like the man he had named himself after. He did win the International Boxing Union's version of the world heavyweight championship in 1935, two years before Louis became the second black man to become the universally recognized world heavyweight champ.

Boxing career

[edit]

Boxing's second George Godfrey fought ring legend Sam Langford three times. Godfrey, who was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall and weighed between 220 and 260 lb (118 kg) during his career, dwarfed the 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Langford. Despite his advantage in size, height and weight, Godfrey was knocked out in two of the three matches in 1920 and 1921. He did manage a draw in his first bout with Langford in 1920.

Godfrey is said to have been instructed by promoters on a number of occasions to carry opponents if he wanted to receive more important fights. He was outpointed over 10 rounds in 1926 by future champion Jack Sharkey and in 1928 by Johnny Risko, but outpointed Paolino Uzcudun in 1928.

World Colored Heavyweight Championship

[edit]

Godfrey twice won the World Colored Heavyweight Championship. When Harry Wills was stripped of the title after losing by disqualification to Jack Sharkey on October 12, 1926, Godfrey defeated Larry Gains on November 8, 1926, at Broadway Auditorium in Buffalo, New York, on a TKO in the sixth round. Godfrey made three defenses of the title, which was retaken by Gaines on August 15, 1928, in Buffalo when Godfrey was disqualified.[2]

The title was later vacated, and Godfrey won it a second time on August 24, 1931, in Toronto, Canada, when he defeated Seal Harris, whom he knocked out in the second round. He defended it three more times before losing to Obidiah "Obie" Walker on points in a 10-round fight held in Philadelphia on October 9, 1933.[3] In the interim between the two titles, he fought Bearcat Wright for the "Black Heavyweight Championship" on December 19, 1930, in Atlanta, Georgia, but the 10-round fight was a draw.

Carnera fight

[edit]

Two months before Godfrey fought Primo Carnera, Carnera fought Bombo Chevalier and it ended with extreme controversy when one of Chevalier's seconds threw in the towel. Chevalier's manager stated "the towel should not have been thrown in." In an investigation, Chevalier said he had been approached earlier about a "fake fight," but had declined. No one had expected the towel to be thrown in.[4] Carnera vs. Chevalier was depicted in the movie The Harder They Fall (1956). In response to the towel throwing controversy, seconds were forbidden from throwing in the towel in Carnera vs. Godfrey.[5]

Many observers considered the 1930 Carnera fight to be fixed. According to boxing historian Herbert Goldman, Carnera was "very much mob controlled."[6] Godfrey was disqualified for an intentional low blow in the fifth round when he was clearly getting the better of Carnera.[7] In the aftermath, Godfrey lost his boxing license and half his purse, Carnera was cleared. Godfrey was the 4th boxer that year to lose his license after fighting Carnera.[8] Godfrey's suspension by the National Boxing Association, which represented 13 states, forced Godfrey out of the major sports venues and into secondary arenas and to tour the world.

IBU title

[edit]

Godfrey would go to Europe later in his career and win the International Boxing Union World Heavyweight title. In late 1934, the IBU had ordered world champion Max Baer to defend his title against the reigning European champion, Pierre Charles of Belgium. When Baer instead opted to fight James J. Braddock, they withdrew recognition of him as champion.

Subsequently, the IBU matched Charles with Godfrey for their version of the title with the fight taking place in Brussels, Belgium on October 2, 1935. Godfrey won a fifteen-round decision on points, but did not press any claim to the championship and it was inactive for the next two years. The IBU then recognized Baer's successor Braddock, as champion.

Death and honors

[edit]

Godfrey died on August 13, 1947, in his home and was found a week later, aged 50. His funeral was attended by many boxers, including former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, former light heavyweight champion Jack Root, former middleweight champion Gorilla Jones, and others included footballer Dick Donald and boxing manager Mike McNulty.[9]

In 2003, Godfrey was named to the Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

In 2007, he was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

Godfrey had a brief career in movies making five motion pictures from 1926 to 1937. His most famous role was as the cook in Paramount Pictures's 1926 Old Ironsides. His final role was as himself in MGM's Big City which starred Spencer Tracy.


Professional boxing record

[edit]
126 fights 98 wins 21 losses
By knockout 80 6
By decision 16 6
By disqualification 2 9
Draws 2
No contests 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
126 Loss 98–21–2 (5) Hank Hankinson TKO 8 (10), 1:34 Aug 10, 1937 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
125 Win 98–20–2 (5) Billy Wells KO 2 (10), 1:34 Aug 11, 1936 Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US
124 Win 97–20–2 (5) Pierre Charles PTS 15 Oct 2, 1935 Palais des Sports, Schaerbeek, Belgium Won European heavyweight title
123 Loss 96–20–2 (5) Motzi Spakow DQ 4 (10) Jun 15, 1935 Roman Arenas, Bucharest, Romania Godfrey DQ'd for hitting Spakow in the kidneys
122 Win 96–19–2 (5) Dumitru Pavelescu KO 2 (10) Jun 7, 1935 Venus Arena, Bucharest, Romania
121 Win 95–19–2 (5) Piet van Gool PTS 10 Dec 12, 1934 Eden Theater, Leuven, Belgium
120 Win 94–19–2 (5) Arthur Meurant TKO 5 (10) Dec 6, 1934 Cinema Imperial, Binche, Belgium
119 Win 93–19–2 (5) Hans Schonrath TKO 3 (10) Nov 14, 1934 Palais d'Ete, Brussels, Belgium
118 NC 92–19–2 (5) Mauro Galusso NC 3 (10) Aug 25, 1934 Estadio Brasil, Río de Janeiro, Brazil Stopped for "stalling"
117 Win 92–19–2 (4) Giacomo Bergomas KO 6 (10) Aug 18, 1934 Estadio Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil
116 NC 91–19–2 (4) Andres Castano NC ? (10) Jul 14, 1934 Santos Rink, Santos, Brazil Result unknown
115 Win 91–19–2 (3) Valentin Campolo PTS 10 Jun 30, 1934 Estadio Brasil, Río de Janeiro, Brazil
114 Loss 90–19–2 (3) Obie Walker PTS 10 Oct 9, 1933 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Lost world colored heavyweight title
113 NC 90–18–2 (3) Bearcat Wright NC 6 (10) Feb 10, 1933 Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, US World colored heavyweight title at stake;
Stopped for "stalling"
112 Win 90–18–2 (2) Tiger Jack Fox PTS 10 Jan 31, 1933 Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, US Retained world colored heavyweight title
111 Loss 89–18–2 (2) Walter Cobb UD 10 Dec 29, 1932 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
110 Win 89–17–2 (2) Walter Cobb PTS 10 Dec 12, 1932 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
109 Win 88–17–2 (2) Al Fay TKO 8 (20) Oct 24, 1932 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
108 Win 87–17–2 (2) Roy Clark KO 5 (20) Sep 5, 1932 Arena Tex Rickard, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Retained world colored heavyweight title
107 Win 86–17–2 (2) Gene Stanton KO 3 (?) May 31, 1932 Lakeside Stadium, Canton, Ohio, US Second fight in one day
106 Win 85–17–2 (2) K.O. Willis KO 2 (?) May 31, 1932 Lakeside Stadium, Canton, Ohio, US
105 Win 84–17–2 (2) Texas Tanner KO 2 (?) May 30, 1932 Lakeside Stadium, Canton, Ohio, US
104 Win 83–17–2 (2) Billy Williams KO 1 (4) May 24, 1932 Barnes Auditorium, Alliance, Ohio, US
103 Win 82–17–2 (2) Kid Moran KO 2 (5) May 19, 1932 Pontiac A.C., Pontiac, Michigan, US Second fight in one day
102 Win 81–17–2 (2) Harry Johnson KO 1 (5), 0:20 May 19, 1932 Pontiac A.C., Pontiac, Michigan, US
101 Win 80–17–2 (2) K.O. Harper KO 2 (10) May 10, 1932 Mount Clemens, Michigan, US Exact date unknown
100 Win 79–17–2 (2) Flash Ryser KO 2 (10) May 3, 1932 Monroe, Michigan, US
99 Loss 78–17–2 (2) Jack Gross PTS 10 Nov 17, 1931 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
98 Win 78–16–2 (2) Seal Harris KO 2 (10), 1:35 Aug 24, 1931 Arena Gardens, Toronto, Canada Won vacant world colored heavyweight title
97 Win 77–16–2 (2) George Gemas KO 2 (?), 1:22 Jul 13, 1931 Arena Gardens, Toronto, Canada
96 Win 76–16–2 (2) Ricardo Rosel KO 1 (20), 0:53 Feb 23, 1931 Plaza de Toros, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico Won vacant Mexico heavyweight title
95 Win 75–16–2 (2) Salvatore Ruggirello KO 1 (10), 2:25 Jan 1, 1931 El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico
94 Draw 74–16–2 (2) Bearcat Wright PTS 10 Dec 19, 1930 City Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, US For vacant Black American heavyweight title
93 Win 74–16–1 (2) Seal Harris KO 3 (5) Dec 8, 1930 Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
92 Win 73–16–1 (2) Seal Harris KO 4 (10) Nov 7, 1930 Prudden Auditorium, Lansing, Michigan, US
91 Win 72–16–1 (2) Jack Leslie KO 3 (10) Aug 29, 1930 Columbia Arena, Evansville, Indiana, US
90 Win 71–16–1 (2) Arthur De Kuh KO 4 (10) Aug 26, 1930 Taylor Bowl, Newburgh Heights, Ohio, US
89 Win 70–16–1 (2) Elijah Lee KO 2 (10) Aug 20, 1930 Tomlinson Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana, US
88 Win 69–16–1 (2) Frankie Simms TKO 2 (12) Jul 8, 1930 Taylor Bowl, Newburgh Heights, Ohio, US
87 Loss 68–16–1 (2) Primo Carnera DQ 5 (10), 1:13 Jun 23, 1930 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
86 Win 68–15–1 (2) Jack Rozier TKO 1 (10) May 16, 1930 Maryland Ball Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US
85 Win 67–15–1 (2) Roy Clark KO 7 (10) Mar 24, 1930 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
84 Win 66–15–1 (2) Jack Gross TKO 5 (10) Mar 10, 1930 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
83 Win 65–15–1 (2) Tom Hawkins KO 3 (?) Dec 23, 1929 Roanoke, Virginia, US
82 NC 64–15–1 (2) Jimmy Byrne NC 7 (10) Nov 7, 1929 Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, US Called NC by the referee because of a "lack of action"
81 Loss 64–15–1 (1) Long Tom Hawkins DQ 3 (10) Aug 13, 1929 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
80 Win 64–14–1 (1) Ralph Smith TKO 2 (10) Jul 15, 1929 Grand Rapids, Michigan, US
79 Win 63–14–1 (1) Chuck Wiggins TKO 7 (12) Jun 26, 1929 Taylor Bowl, Newburgh Heights, Ohio, US
78 Win 62–14–1 (1) Jimmy Byrne TKO 7 (10) Jun 3, 1929 Baker Bowl, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
77 Win 61–14–1 (1) Farmer Lodge KO 2 (10) Apr 15, 1929 Jackson, Michigan, US
76 Win 60–14–1 (1) Bill Hartwell KO 2 (10) Apr 5, 1929 Tinker Field, Orlando, Florida, US
75 Win 59–14–1 (1) Francisco Cruz Coelho KO 2 (10) Jan 14, 1929 Antler's Auditorium, Lorain, Ohio, US
74 Loss 58–14–1 (1) Al Walker DQ 3 (10) Jan 7, 1929 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Godfrey DQ'd for a low blow
73 Win 58–13–1 (1) Jim Sigman KO 2 (10) Dec 12, 1928 Fremont Theatre, Fremont, Ohio, US
72 Win 57–13–1 (1) Clem Johnson KO 3 (?) Dec 3, 1928 Richmond, Virginia, US
71 Win 56–13–1 (1) Bud Gorman TKO 3 (10), 2:40 Nov 12, 1928 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
70 Win 55–13–1 (1) Benny Hill KO 1 (10) Oct 12, 1928 Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US
69 Win 54–13–1 (1) Pierre Charles KO 2 (10), 1:45 Aug 31, 1928 Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, US
68 Win 53–13–1 (1) Tut Jackson TKO 4 (10) Aug 21, 1928 Memorial Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina, US
67 Loss 52–13–1 (1) Larry Gains DQ 3 (10), 1:20 Aug 15, 1928 Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Lost world colored heavyweight title;
Godfrey DQ'd for low blow
66 Loss 52–12–1 (1) Johnny Risko PTS 10 Jun 27, 1928 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US
65 Win 52–11–1 (1) Paulino Uzcudun PTS 10 Feb 28, 1928 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, US
64 Win 51–11–1 (1) Joe White TKO 1 (8) Jan 23, 1928 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
63 Win 50–11–1 (1) Soldier Jones KO 1 (10) Dec 26, 1927 Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US
62 Win 49–11–1 (1) Andre DeRosa KO 2 (10) Dec 5, 1927 Canton Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, US
61 Win 48–11–1 (1) Jack Townsend PTS 4 Nov 22, 1927 Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, US
60 Win 47–11–1 (1) Clem Johnson KO 1 (8) Nov 21, 1927 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US Retained world colored heavyweight title
59 Win 46–11–1 (1) Tom Sayers KO 1 (10) Oct 31, 1927 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
58 Win 45–11–1 (1) Monte Munn TKO 4 (12), 2:20 Sep 14, 1927 Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US
57 Win 44–11–1 (1) Henry van Patten KO 2 (10) Sep 8, 1927 Culver City Stadium, Culver City, Pennsylvania, US
56 Win 43–11–1 (1) Jim Maloney KO 1 (10), 1:25 Aug 15, 1927 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
55 Win 42–11–1 (1) Neil Clisby KO 7 (10) Jul 5, 1927 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US Retained world colored heavyweight title
54 Win 41–11–1 (1) Jake Kilrain PTS 10 Jun 23, 1927 Culver City Stadium, Culver City, California, US
53 Win 40–11–1 (1) Long Tom Hawkins KO 7 (10) May 13, 1927 Coliseum, San Diego, California, US
52 Win 39–11–1 (1) Jack Roper TKO 5 (10) May 5, 1927 Culver City Stadium, Culver City, California, US
51 Win 38–11–1 (1) Leon Chevalier KO 4 (10) Apr 18, 1927 Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, US
50 Win 37–11–1 (1) Jack Roper KO 9 (10) Apr 6, 1927 Auditorium, Oakland, California, US
49 Win 36–11–1 (1) Tony Fuente TKO 2 (10) Mar 29, 1927 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
48 Win 35–11–1 (1) Ralph Smith TKO 9 (10) Mar 8, 1927 Armory, Portland, Maine, US
47 Win 34–11–1 (1) Cowboy Billy Owens TKO 8 (8) Dec 3, 1926 Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
46 NC 33–11–1 (1) Bearcat Wright NC 10 (10) Nov 23, 1926 Armory, Portland, Maine, US World colored heavyweight title at stake;
Fight stopped for "not trying"
45 Win 33–11–1 Larry Gains RTD 6 (10), 3:00 Nov 8, 1926 Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US Won vacant world colored heavyweight title
44 Win 32–11–1 Jack Townsend DQ 6 (10) Nov 1, 1926 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
43 Win 31–11–1 Bob Lawson PTS 6 Sep 23, 1926 Sesquicentennial Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
42 Loss 30–11–1 Jack Sharkey PTS 10 Sep 21, 1926 Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US
41 Win 30–10–1 Tiny Jim Herman UD 10 Aug 24, 1926 Armory, Portland, Oregon, US
40 Loss 29–10–1 Chuck Wiggins DQ 7 (10) Jun 9, 1926 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
39 Win 29–9–1 Sully Montgomery DQ 7 (10) Jan 6, 1926 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
38 Win 28–9–1 Martin Burke PTS 10 Dec 23, 1925 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
37 Win 27–9–1 Fred Fulton KO 5 (10) Dec 18, 1925 Kenwood Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
36 Win 26–9–1 Battling Owens KO 3 (15) Dec 14, 1925 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
35 Win 25–9–1 Martin Burke PTS 10 Sep 29, 1925 Maier Park, Vernon, California, US
34 Win 24–9–1 Mike Conroy TKO 2 (10) Aug 26, 1925 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
33 Win 23–9–1 Tiny Jim Herman TKO 3 (10) Aug 4, 1925 Arena, Vernon, California, US
32 Win 22–9–1 Jack Renault PTS 10 Jun 6, 1925 Recreation Park, San Francisco, California, US
31 Win 21–9–1 Sam Baker KO 4 (10) Apr 14, 1925 Arena, Vernon, California, US
30 Win 20–9–1 Vic Alexander TKO 6 (10) Mar 21, 1925 Wilmington Baseball Park, Wilmington, California, US
29 Win 19–9–1 Tut Jackson KO 5 (12) Feb 26, 1925 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
28 Win 18–9–1 Soldier George Jones KO 2 (10) Jan 30, 1925 Pottsville, Pennsylvania, US
27 Win 17–9–1 Joe White TKO 1 (10) Dec 1, 1924 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
26 Loss 16–9–1 Jack Renault PTS 10 Sep 8, 1924 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
25 Loss 16–8–1 Jack Townsend DQ 1 (12) Jul 19, 1924 Commonwealth Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
24 Win 16–7–1 Jack Thompson TKO 3 (10) Jun 23, 1924 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
23 Win 15–7–1 Farmer Lodge KO 3 (10) May 12, 1924 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
22 Loss 14–7–1 Tom Cowler DQ 2 (10) Mar 31, 1924 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Godfrey was DQ'd for hitting Cowler when he was down
21 Loss 14–6–1 Battling Owens DQ 5 (12) Dec 13, 1923 Oak Hill Auditorium, Youngstown, Ohio, US
20 Win 14–5–1 Rough House Ware KO 1 (10) Dec 7, 1923 Golden Gate A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
19 Win 13–5–1 Bill Tate KO 7 (12) Nov 2, 1923 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
18 Win 12–5–1 Buddy Jackson TKO 2 (8) Sep 17, 1923 Smedley Field, Chester, Pennsylvania, US
17 Loss 11–5–1 Jack Renault KO 11 (12) Mar 9, 1923 Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
16 Win 11–4–1 Clem Johnson PTS 12 Feb 27, 1923 Knickerbocker A.C. Arena, Albany, New York, US
15 Win 10–4–1 Jim Pearson KO 1 (6) Feb 21, 1923 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
14 Win 9–4–1 Jack Thompson TKO 5 (12) Dec 5, 1922 Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US
13 Win 8–4–1 George Ward KO 5 (8) Oct 20, 1922 Old Reliable A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
12 Win 7–4–1 K.O. Gordon KO 2 (?) Jan 1, 1922 Exact location unknown, US Exact date unknown
11 Loss 6–4–1 Sam Langford KO 1 (12) Aug 17, 1921 Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, US
10 Loss 6–3–1 Jack Thompson KO 4 (?) Feb 15, 1921 Saint Louis, Missouri, US
9 Win 6–2–1 Young Norfolk KO 1 (?) Feb 1, 1921 Exact location unknown, US Exact date unknown
8 Loss 5–2–1 Sam Langford KO 2 (10) Nov 17, 1920 Hot Springs, Arkansas, US
7 Loss 5–1–1 Battling Norfolk KO 5 (6), 2:00 Nov 1, 1920 Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
6 Win 5–0–1 Charlie Jude KO 1 (?), 1:30 Aug 30, 1920 Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
5 Win 4–0–1 Baby Doll Green KO 5 (?) Jul 19, 1920 Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US
4 Win 3–0–1 Bill Tate PTS 10 Jul, 1920 Exact location unknown, US Exact date unknown
3 Win 2–0–1 Battling Gahee PTS 15 Jun, 1920 Exact location unknown, US Exact date unknown
2 Draw 1–0–1 Sam Langford PTS 10 May, 1920 Exact location unknown, Canada Exact date unknown
1 Win 1–0 Eddie Jamison KO 1 (?) Dec, 1919 Exact location unknown, US Exact date unknown

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "BoxRec: Login".
  2. ^ "George Godfrey". BoxRec. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  3. ^ "George Godfrey". BoxRec. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  4. ^ "California Ring Board to Continue Investigation". The Oregon Journal. April 16, 1930.
  5. ^ "CARNERA TO FIGHT GODFREY TONIGHT". The New York Times. May 17, 1930. ProQuest 98918577. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  6. ^ Bodner, Alan (1997). When Boxing Was a Jewish Sport. Praeger Publishers. p. 133. ISBN 978-0275953539.
  7. ^ "Primo Carnera vs. George Godfrey". BoxingRec. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  8. ^ "GODFREY'S LICENSE REVOKED BY BOARD: His $10,000 Purse Is Cut in Half as Aftermath of Foul in Carnera Bout". The New York Times. June 25, 1930. ProQuest 98939453. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  9. ^ "Heavyweight Fighter George Godfrey, 'The Black Shadow of Leiperville,' Dies at 50". Los Angeles Sentinel. August 21, 1947 – via The Daily Mirror.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Harry Wills (vacated)
World Colored Heavyweight Champion
November 8, 1926 – August 15, 1928
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Larry Gains (vacated)
World Colored Heavyweight Champion
August 24, 1931 – October 8, 1933
Succeeded by
Titles in pretence
Vacant
Title last held by
Sam Langford
World Heavyweight Champion
IBU recognition

October 2, 1935 – June 13, 1937
Vacant
Title next held by
Lee Savold