George Byers (boxer)


George Byers was a Canadian boxer who won the World Colored Middleweight Championship in 1897 and held the World Colored Heavyweight Championship from September 14, 1898, to March 16, 1901, a reign of 913 days. The 5′ 8½″ fought out of Boston from 1895 to 1904 at a weight of between 120 and 165 lbs., in many weight classes and frequently against men that were much larger than himself. On 9 December 1897 in Waterbury, Connecticut, he faced Harry Peppers in a title match for the World Colored Middleweight Championship. Byers knocked out the undefeated Peppers, the Pacific Coast Middleweight Champion of the Pacific Coast in the 19th round of a 20-round contest. He took up US citizenship in 1917

Rivalry With Frank Childs

Byers fought Frank Childs for the world colored heavyweight title on 14 September 1898 at the Lenox Athletic Club in New York City, winning on points in a 20-round bout. Childs continued to claim the title during Byers' reign, and fought former colored heavyweight champ Bob Armstrong on 4 March 1899 in Cincinnati, Ohio, in a fight announced as being for the title.
Byers next fought Childs, who was billing himself as the "black heavyweight title" holder, on 16 March at the Star Athletic Club in Chicago. Byers had put his colored heavyweight title on the line and emerged victorious, winning a decision in a six-round contest.
One year later, on 16 March 1901, Byers lost his title to Childs when the ex-champ KO-ed him in the 17th round of a 20-round title bout. They never fought again.

Record

Byers racked up a record of 20 wins against seven losses and 20 draws.

Legacy & Honors

In 2020 award-winning author Mark Allen Baker published the first comprehensive account of The World Colored Heavyweight Championship, 1876-1937, with McFarland & Company, a leading independent publisher of academic & nonfiction books. This history traces the advent and demise of the Championship, the stories of the talented professional athletes who won it, and the demarcation of the color line both in and out of the ring.
For decades the World Colored Heavyweight Championship was a useful tool to combat racial oppression-the existence of the title a leverage mechanism, or tool, used as a technique to counter a social element, “drawing the color line.”

Death

Byers died in Boston City Hospital, either of pneumonia or a heart attack depending on conflicting reports, in 1937.

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec, unless otherwise stated.

Official record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
52Draw20–7–20 Charlie HagheyPTS10May 3, 1904Portland, Maine, US
51Win20–7–19 Cyclone RobinsonKO1 Mar 21, 1904Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
50Win19–7–19 Black FitzsimmonsTKO8 Mar 14, 1904Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
49Win18–7–19 Dick MooreKO3 Jul 31, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
48Loss17–7–19 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienNWS6May 23, 1903National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
47Loss17–7–19 Sandy FergusonPTS12Apr 8, 1903Tempiar A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, US
46Draw17–6–19 Charlie HagheyPTS12Feb 23, 1903Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
45Draw17–6–18 Sandy FergusonPTS8Jan 22, 1903Brighton Social & A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, USPre arranged draw if lasting the distance
44Win17–6–17 Mike SchalowPTS6Dec 25, 1902Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
43Draw16–6–17 Jack 'Twin' SullivanPTS6Dec 1, 1902Bangor, Maine, US
42Draw16–6–16 Dick O'BrienPTS10Oct 30, 1902Norumbega Hall, Bangor, Maine, US
41Win16–6–15 Charlie HagheyPTS10May 9, 1902East Boston A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
40Win15–6–15 J. WightmanKO1 Apr 19, 1902Bowdoin Square Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US
39Loss14–6–15 Tom CareyTKO13 Nov 28, 1901Casino, New Britain, Connecticut, US
38Loss14–5–15 Billy StiftPTS6Nov 9, 1901Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
37Draw14–4–15 Mysterious Billy SmithPTS15Aug 19, 1901Victoria Rink, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
36Loss14–4–14 Frank ChildsKO17 Mar 16, 1901Hot Springs, Arkansas, USLost world colored heavyweight title
35Loss14–3–14 Jack RootKO9 Jan 18, 1901Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US
34Win14–2–14 Tim Draffin MurphyPTS6Oct 30, 1900Star A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
33Draw13–2–14 'Wild' Bill HanrahanPTS15Aug 29, 1900Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
32Draw13–2–13 Dick O'BrienPTS15May 30, 1900Lynn, Massachusetts, US
31NC13–2–12 George GardnerNC15 May 14, 1900Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USFight stopped for "bluffing"
30Draw13–2–12 Frank ChildsPTS6Mar 16, 1900Star Athletic Club, Chicago, Illinois, USRetained world colored heavyweight title;
For black heavyweight title
29Loss13–2–11 George GardnerDQ14 Feb 22, 1900Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, USByers DQ'd for hitting Gardner after a knockdown
28Win13–1–11 Martin MulverhillTKO2 Feb 12, 1900Kirkland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
27Draw12–1–11 George GardnerNWS15Feb 2, 1900Lasters Hall, Lynn, Massachusetts, USPre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
26Draw12–1–11 Jim McCormickPTS12Jan 11, 1900Brockton Athletic Club, Brockton, Massachusetts, US
25Draw12–1–10 Dick O'BrienPTS10Dec 28, 1899Lewiston, Maine, US
24Win12–1–9 Jack BurkePTS10Nov 3, 1899Kirtland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
23Loss11–1–9 Tommy WestKO7 Sep 4, 1899Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
22Draw11–0–9 Australian Jim RyanPTS25Aug 12, 1899Greenwood Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
21Win11–0–8 Charley StrongTKO9 Jul 24, 1899Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
20Draw10–0–8 Billy StiftPTS6Jun 16, 1899Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, US
1910–0–7 Dick O'BrienNC3May 30, 1899Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
18Win10–0–7 Jack CattanachTKO2 May 3, 1899Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
17Win9–0–7 Charles GoffTKO2 Apr 3, 1899Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
16Draw8–0–7 Jack BonnerPTS20Dec 13, 1898Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
15Win8–0–6 Frank ChildsPTS20Sep 14, 1898Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, USWon world colored heavyweight title
147–0–6 Bob ArmstrongND?May 2, 1898Roanoke Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, USWinner not specified
13Draw7–0–6Johnny GormanPTS8Apr 28, 1898Lynn, Massachusetts, USPre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
12Win7–0–5Harry PeppersKO19 Dec 9, 1897Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
11Draw6–0–5Dan MurphyPTS20Nov 11, 1897Jacque's Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
10Draw6–0–4Charles GoffPTS12Sep 23, 1897Gladiator Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
9Draw6–0–3Dan MurphyPTS15May 25, 1897Nutmeg Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
8Draw6–0–2Dan MurphyPTS10Apr 5, 1897Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
7Win6–0–1Lon BeckwithTKO5 Mar 24, 1897Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
6Win5–0–1James McNamaraKO3 Feb 25, 1897New York City, New York, US
5Win4–0–1Jack BoylanKO2 Feb 17, 1897New Polo Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
4Win3–0–1Dan CarrollTKO7 Dec 16, 1896Boston, Massachusetts, US
3Win2–0–1Charley SmithPTS8Dec 1, 1895Boston, Massachusetts, USExact date is unavailable
2Win1–0–1Charley GerrardKO2 Nov 11, 1895Boston, Massachusetts, USExact date is unavailable
1Draw0–0–1Jack ColbertPTS3Aug 23, 1895Boston, Massachusetts, US

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
52Draw20–8–20 Charlie HagheyPTS10May 3, 1904Portland, Maine, US
51Win20–8–19 Cyclone RobinsonKO1 Mar 21, 1904Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
50Win19–8–19 Black FitzsimmonsTKO8 Mar 14, 1904Pastime A.C., Portland, Maine, US
49Win18–8–19 Dick MooreKO3 Jul 31, 1903Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
48Loss17–8–19 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienNWS6May 23, 1903National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
47Loss17–7–19 Sandy FergusonPTS12Apr 8, 1903Tempiar A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, US
46Draw17–6–19 Charlie HagheyPTS12Feb 23, 1903Lawrence, Massachusetts, US
45Draw17–6–18 Sandy FergusonPTS8Jan 22, 1903Brighton Social & A.C., Brighton, Massachusetts, USPre arranged draw if lasting the distance
44Win17–6–17 Mike SchalowPTS6Dec 25, 1902Lenox A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, US
43Draw16–6–17 Jack 'Twin' SullivanPTS6Dec 1, 1902Bangor, Maine, US
42Draw16–6–16 Dick O'BrienPTS10Oct 30, 1902Norumbega Hall, Bangor, Maine, US
41Win16–6–15 Charlie HagheyPTS10May 9, 1902East Boston A.A., Boston, Massachusetts, US
40Win15–6–15 J. WightmanKO1 Apr 19, 1902Bowdoin Square Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, US
39Loss14–6–15 Tom CareyTKO13 Nov 28, 1901Casino, New Britain, Connecticut, US
38Loss14–5–15 Billy StiftPTS6Nov 9, 1901Chicago A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
37Draw14–4–15 Mysterious Billy SmithPTS15Aug 19, 1901Victoria Rink, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
36Loss14–4–14 Frank ChildsKO17 Mar 16, 1901Hot Springs, Arkansas, USLost world colored heavyweight title
35Loss14–3–14 Jack RootKO9 Jan 18, 1901Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, US
34Win14–2–14 Tim Draffin MurphyPTS6Oct 30, 1900Star A.C., Chicago, Illinois, US
33Draw13–2–14 'Wild' Bill HanrahanPTS15Aug 29, 1900Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
32Draw13–2–13 Dick O'BrienPTS15May 30, 1900Lynn, Massachusetts, US
31NC13–2–12 George GardnerNC15 May 14, 1900Roanoke A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, USFight stopped for "bluffing"
30Draw13–2–12 Frank ChildsPTS6Mar 16, 1900Star Athletic Club, Chicago, Illinois, USRetained world colored heavyweight title;
For black heavyweight title
29Loss13–2–12 George GardnerDQ14 Feb 22, 1900Coliseum, Hartford, Connecticut, USByers DQ'd for hitting Gardner after a knockdown
28Win13–1–12 Martin MulverhillTKO2 Feb 12, 1900Kirkland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
27Draw12–1–12 George GardnerNWS15Feb 2, 1900Lasters Hall, Lynn, Massachusetts, USPre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
26Draw12–1–11 Jim McCormickPTS12Jan 11, 1900Brockton Athletic Club, Brockton, Massachusetts, US
25Draw12–1–10 Dick O'BrienPTS10Dec 28, 1899Lewiston, Maine, US
24Win12–1–9 Jack BurkePTS10Nov 3, 1899Kirtland Athletic Club, Lynn, Massachusetts, US
23Loss11–1–9 Tommy WestKO7 Sep 4, 1899Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
22Draw11–0–9 Australian Jim RyanPTS25Aug 12, 1899Greenwood Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
21Win11–0–8 Charley StrongTKO9 Jul 24, 1899Coney Island Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
20Draw10–0–8 Billy StiftPTS6Jun 16, 1899Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, US
1910–0–7 Dick O'BrienNC3May 30, 1899Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
18Win10–0–7 Jack CattanachTKO2 May 3, 1899Pawtucket, Rhode Island, US
17Win9–0–7 Charles GoffTKO2 Apr 3, 1899Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
16Draw8–0–7 Jack BonnerPTS20Dec 13, 1898Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
15Win8–0–6 Frank ChildsPTS20Sep 14, 1898Lenox Athletic Club, New York City, New York, USWon world colored heavyweight title
147–0–6 Bob ArmstrongND?May 2, 1898Roanoke Athletic Club, Boston, Massachusetts, USWinner not specified
13Draw7–0–6Johnny GormanPTS8Apr 28, 1898Lynn, Massachusetts, USPre-arranged draw if it lasted the distance
12Win7–0–5Harry PeppersKO19 Dec 9, 1897Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
11Draw6–0–5Dan MurphyPTS20Nov 11, 1897Jacque's Auditorium, Waterbury, Connecticut, US
10Draw6–0–4Charles GoffPTS12Sep 23, 1897Gladiator Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
9Draw6–0–3Dan MurphyPTS15May 25, 1897Nutmeg Athletic Club, Hartford, Connecticut, US
8Draw6–0–2Dan MurphyPTS10Apr 5, 1897Auditorium, Hartford, Connecticut, US
7Win6–0–1Lon BeckwithTKO5 Mar 24, 1897Broadway Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
6Win5–0–1James McNamaraKO3 Feb 25, 1897New York City, New York, US
5Win4–0–1Jack BoylanKO2 Feb 17, 1897New Polo Athletic Club, New York City, New York, US
4Win3–0–1Dan CarrollTKO7 Dec 16, 1896Boston, Massachusetts, US
3Win2–0–1Charley SmithPTS8Dec 1, 1895Boston, Massachusetts, USExact date is unavailable
2Win1–0–1Charley GerrardKO2 Nov 11, 1895Boston, Massachusetts, USExact date is unavailable
1Draw0–0–1Jack ColbertPTS3Aug 23, 1895Boston, Massachusetts, US