George Godfrey
("Old Chocolate")
BORN March 30 1853; Prince Edward Island, Canada DIED October 17 1901; Revere, Massachusetts HEIGHT 5-10 1/2 WEIGHT 165-176 lbs Godfrey was never much bigger than a light heavyweight but fought anyone, regardless of their weight; He was quick and clever and especially game; Godfrey won the Colored Heavyweight Championship of the World during his career
During his career, Godfrey defeated such men as Charles Hadley, McHenry Johnson ("Minneapolis Star"), Patsy Cardiff, "Denver" Ed Smith, Joe Lannon, Jack Ashton, C.A.C. Smith and Jack Wannop1879 Charles Hadley New York, NY D 6 -Some sources report 1882 Tom "Ham" Williams Boston, Ma KO 3 -Some sources report "W 3" Joe Dougherty Boston, Ma KO 1 Mose Laborn Boston, Ma KO -Godfrey won a Heavyweight Competition by winning the previous 3 bouts 1881 Sep John L. Sullivan Boston, Ma SCH -This bout was scheduled but not held; Both men were stripped for a "fight-to-the-finish"; Sullivan then said he would not fight Godfrey; Some sources report 1882 1882 Jan 26 Charles Hadley New York, NY D 4 Jake Kilrain Boston, Ma D 3 -Some sources report "EX 3" -Godfrey defeated a number of unnamed opponents 1883 Jan 18 Charles Hadley New York, NY D 6 Feb 22 Charles Hadley Boston, Ma W 6 -Godfrey claimed the Colored Heavyweight Championship of the World; John L. Sullivan was the referee; Some sources report "KO 6" on 2/23/83 May 10 McHenry Johnson Boston, Ma D 4 -Johnson was called the Minneapolis Star; Police intervened; Some sources report 5/10/84; Some sources report "NC 4"; Some sources report "D 3" May 16 Jake Kilrain Boston, Ma ND 3 -Police intervened; Some sources report "D 3"; Some sources report "L 3" 1884 Dec 6 George Taylor Boston, Ma D 4 1883-1885 Billy Wilson W 1885 Jan 12 Jack Loring in Massachusetts ND 3 Mar 10 Jimmy Doherty Boston, Ma KO 1 -Some sources report 1882 Harry Williams Boston, Ma KO 3 -Some sources report 1882 May Barney Small Salem, Ma KO 2 Nov 16 Jimmy Doherty Boston, Ma LF 3 -Godfrey knocked Doherty down 3 times; The referee ruled that Godfrey struck Doherty while he was on his knees and declared Doherty the winner by foul Dec 7 Joe Mullen Chelsea, Ma KO 3 Dec 22 Isaac "Ike" Talbot Bangor, Me D 6 -Some sources report "W 6"; Some sources report "ND 6" 1884-1886 C.A.C. Smith D 6 1886 Apr 26 Joe Lannon Boston, Ma D 6 -Some sources report "W 6" 1887 Sep 19 Joe Lannon Boston, Ma EX 3 1888 Jan 25 McHenry Johnson Bloomfield, Co KO 4 -Johnson was called the Minneapolis Star; Godfrey knocked Johnson down 3 times; The referee first ruled Godfrey loser by an "LF 4" verdict; He later reversed the decision and Godfrey got the winner's share of the purse; Godfrey was recognized as the "Colored Heavyweight Champion of the World"; Some sources report "Denver, Co" Feb 27 Bobby Burns Fitchburg, Ma W 4 May 14 -Godfrey challenged John L. Sullivan to a bout; Sullivan refused Aug 24 Peter Jackson San Francisco, Ca LK 19 1887-1889 Patsy Cardiff Boston, Ma SCH -This bout was scheduled; The outcome is not known 1889 Peter Jackson EX Peter Jackson EX Feb 4 Joe Lannon Boston, Ma D 15 -It had been agreed that the fight would be a "Draw" if a knockout was not scored; John L. Sullivan was the referee Mar 28 Jack Wannop Boston, Ma KO 6 Nov 7 Jack Ashton Boston, Ma KO 14 1890 Mar 8 Patsy Cardiff Providence, RI KO 16 Nov 25 "Denver" Ed Smith Hoboken, NJ TK 23 1891 Mar 13 Jake Kilrain San Francisco, Ca LK 44 1892 May 16 Joe Lannon Coney Island, NY KO 4 -Some sources report "TK 5" Aug 15 C.A.C. Smith New York, NY W 4 Oct 31 Joe Choynski Coney Island, NY LK 15 1893 Nov 8 Steve O'Donnell Providence, RI D 6 Nov 11 Jim Hall Boston, Ma ND 3 Dec 15 Joe Butler D 4 1894 May 28 Peter Maher Boston, Ma LK 6 1895 Nov 11 Billy Woods Baltimore, Md WF 9 -Some sources report 11/10/95; Some sources report "WF 8" 1896 Mar 5 Nick Burley Boston, Ma D 15 *** Assistance Was Provided By Christopher Shelton ***
Record courtesy of Tracy Callis, Historian, International Boxing Research Organization
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