Georges Carpentier


Georges Carpentier was a French boxer, actor and World War I pilot.
A precocious pugilist, Carpentier fought in numerous categories. He fought mainly as a light heavyweight and heavyweight in a career lasting from 1908 to 1926. A French professional champion on several occasions, he became the European heavyweight champion before the First World War. A sergeant aviator during the Great War, he was wounded before returning to civilian life. He then discovered rugby union, playing as a winger.
On his return to the ring in 1919, "le grand Georges" he was celebrated as a symbol of a sporting powerhouse France, via performances in Great Britain and the United States of America. His knockout victory over Battling Levinsky on 12 October 1920 in Jersey City in the United States earned him the title of world champion. A defeat by Jack Dempsey the following year nevertheless strengthened his legend and brought him worldwide fame. This defeat marked the decline of his career, punctuated by the controversial loss of his titles to Battling Siki.
Nicknamed the "Orchid Man", he stood and his fighting weight ranged from.
Later notable performances included a defeat by Gene Tunney. Carpentier ended his career in 1926, but remained a leading figure in French boxing. Appointed ambassador for French sport abroad after the Second World War, in which he took part in the French Air Force, Carpentier died of a heart attack in 1975. A decade after his death, the Parisian Sports Arena in the 13th arrondissement of Paris was renamed Halle Georges-Carpentier after him. Along with Marcel Cerdan, he remains one of France's best boxers.

Biography

Born in Liévin in Pas-de-Calais, Carpentier began his career by progressing up through the weight divisions, fighting in every division from welterweight upwards. After making his first professional bout at age 14, he was welterweight champion of France and of Europe in 1911, middleweight champion of Europe in 1912, and light heavyweight champion of Europe in 1913. On 1 June 1913, he beat "Bombardier" Billy Wells in Ghent, Belgium to become heavyweight champion of Europe. He defended his title in December against Wells, in January 1914 against Pat O'Keeffe and in London on 16 July he beat Ed "Gunboat" Smith to add the "White Heavyweight Champion of the World" to his European title. The white heavyweight title bout sported a purse worth £9,000.
Carpentier was also a referee during the early stages of his career, supervising a number of fights including the world title bout between Jack Johnson and Frank Moran in June 1914. Carpentier was a French Air Force aviator during World War I and was awarded two of the highest French military honors, the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille Militaire. This served to heighten his already exceptional popularity, not only in France but also in the United Kingdom and the United States.
Carpentier defended his title twice again in 1919 before dropping down a weight class to challenge Battling Levinsky for the light heavyweight championship of the world. The fight took place on 12 October 1920, in Jersey City and Levinsky was knocked out in the fourth. Carpentier's attempt at the heavyweight Championship of the world came on 2 July 1921, again in Jersey City, when he faced Jack Dempsey in front of boxing's first million dollar gate. Carpentier was badly beaten around before suffering a knockout in the second minute of the fourth round and never fought again for that title. He lost his world light heavyweight title and his European heavyweight and light heavyweight titles the following year, on 24 September 1922, in a controversial bout with Senegalese fighter Battling Siki. His last truly noteworthy fight was on 24 July 1924, with Gene Tunney at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, New York City. Carpentier lost the bout by TKO after fifteen rounds. He retired from the ring after a final exhibition bout in 1927.
Following his retirement from boxing, Carpentier spent a number of years as a vaudeville song-and-dance man, mostly in the UK and the US. As a singer he cut for Pathé, in the style of French singer Maurice Chevalier. He is the author of a boxing novel, Brothers of the Brown Owl: A Story of the Boxing Ring published c. 1920 by Cassell and Company. He also appeared in half a dozen motion pictures, starring in both silent films and talkies. He made three films in Hollywood, US, one for director J. Stuart Blackton in England and two in his native France. His last screen appearance was in 1934. Soon after, he became proprietor of an upmarket bar, Chez Georges Carpentier, in a chic Paris neighbourhood. In several different locations, this is the profession he would exercise until shortly before his death.
From the time they boxed together in 1921, Carpentier remained close friends with Jack Dempsey. They visited each other in New York and Paris, got together to commemorate the anniversary of their famous bout and exchanged birthday greetings.

Death

Carpentier died in Paris at age 81 in 1975 of a heart attack, and was buried in the cimetière de Vaires-sur-Marne, Seine-et-Marne, France.

Legacy

He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Selected filmography

The Wonder Man A Gipsy Cavalier The Show of Shows Hold Everything

Professional boxing record

All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted in the win/loss/draw column.
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateAgeLocationNotes
112WinRocco StramagliaKO3 Sep 15, 1926Elks Gym, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
111Win88–15–6 Jack BurkeKO2 Jul 7, 1926Denver, Colorado, U.S.
110Loss87–15–6 Tommy LoughranUD10Jun 17, 1926Sesquicentennial Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
109Draw87–14–6 Eddie HuffmanPTS10May 21, 1926Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
108Loss87–14–5 Gene TunneyTKO15 Jul 24, 1924.Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.
107Loss87–13–5 Tommy GibbonsNWS10May 31, 1924Floyd Fitzsimmons' Arena, Michigan City, Indiana, U.S.
106Win87–13–5 Arthur TownleyKO2 May 1, 1924Stadion Hohe Warte, Vienna, Austria
105Win86–13–5 Joe BeckettKO1 Oct 1, 1923Olympia, Kensington, London, EnglandWon vacant IBU heavyweight title
104Win85–13–5 Marcel NillesKO8 May 6, 1923Stade Buffalo, Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, FranceWon vacant France heavyweight title
103Loss84–13–5 Battling SikiKO6 Sep 24, 1922Stade Buffalo, Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, FranceLost NBA, NYSAC, and IBU light-heavyweight titles
Lost IBU heavyweight title
102Win84–12–5 Ted 'Kid' LewisKO1 May 11, 1922Olympia, Kensington, London, EnglandRetained NBA, NYSAC, and IBU light-heavyweight titles
101Win83–12–5 George CookKO4 Jan 12, 1922Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
100Loss82–12–5 Jack DempseyKO4 Jul 2, 1921Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.For NYSAC and NBA heavyweight titles
99Win82–11–5 Battling LevinskyKO4 Oct 12, 1920Westside Ballpark, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.Won world and vacant NYSAC light-heavyweight titles
98Win81–11–5 Georges GrundhovenKO2 Feb 21, 1920Palais du Soleil, Beausoleil, Alpes-Maritimes, France
97Win80–11–5 Blink McCloskeyKO2 Jan 10, 1920Alhambra, Bordeaux, Gironde, France
96Win79–11–5 Joe BeckettKO1 Dec 4, 1919Holborn Stadium, Holborn, London, EnglandRetained IBU heavyweight title
95Win78–11–5 Jean CroissillesKO2 Sep 29, 1919Teatro Bellas Artes, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
94Win77–11–5 Dick SmithKO8 Jul 19, 1919Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceRetained IBU light-heavyweight title
93Win76–11–5 Kid JacksonDQ4 Jul 26, 1914Bordeaux, Gironde, FranceJackson was disqualified for hitting low
92Win75–11–5 Gunboat SmithDQ6 Jul 16, 1914Olympia, Kensington, London, EnglandWon 'white' world heavyweight title
91Win74–11–5 Battling RobinsonKO3 Jun 14, 1914Place du Champ-de-Mars, Beziers, Hérault, France
90Win73–11–5 Hubert RocKO2 May 31, 1914Hippodrome, Valenciennes, Nord, France
89Win72–11–5 George MitchellTKO1 Apr 14, 1914Salle Lerda, Paris, France
88Win71–11–5 Irish O'MaraKO2 Apr 13, 1914Blois, Loir-et-Cher, France
87Loss70–11–5 Joe JeannettePTS15Mar 21, 1914Luna Parc, Porte Maillot, Paris, France
86Win70–10–5 Pat O'KeeffeKO2 Jan 19, 1914Eldorado-Casino, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
85Win69–10–5 Bombardier Billy WellsKO1 Dec 8, 1913National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, EnglandRetained IBU heavyweight title
84Win68–10–5 Max AbbatKO3 Oct 31, 1913 Kursaal de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
83Win67–10–5 Jeff SmithPTS20Oct 11, 1913Luna Park Arena, Paris, France
82Win66–10–5 Ashley WilliamsKO4 Aug 6, 1913Casino-Kursaal, Vichy, Allier, France
81Win65–10–5 Albert LurieTKO3 Jun 29, 1913Arènes de la Benatte, Bordeaux, Gironde, France
80Win64–10–5 Bombardier Billy WellsKO4 Jun 1, 1913Feestpaleis, Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, BelgiumWon inaugural IBU heavyweight title
79Win63–10–5 George GuntherPTS15Mar 17, 1913Eldorado-Casino, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
78Win62–10–5 Willy SchootKO2 Mar 8, 1913Casino-Palace, Roubaix, Nord, France
77Win61–10–5 Cyclone SmithKO3 Mar 1, 1913Eldorado-Casino, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
76Win60–10–5 Bandsman Dick RiceKO2 Feb 12, 1913Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, FranceWon inaugural IBU light-heavyweight title
75Win59–10–5 Marcel MoreauTKO8 Jan 8, 1913Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France
74Loss58–10–5 Billy PapkeTKO18 Oct 23, 1912Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, FranceFor world middlweight title claim
73Loss58–9–5 Frank KlausDQ19 Jun 24, 1912Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, FranceLost world middleweight title claim
For list of world [middleweight boxing champions|world middleweight title]
72Win58–8–5 Willie LewisPTS20May 22, 1912Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceRetained IBU and world middleweight title claim
71Win57–8–5 Hubert RocKO6 May 10, 1912Apollo-Théâtre, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
70Win56–8–5 George GuntherPTS20Apr 3, 1912Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceRetained IBU and world middleweight title claim
69Win55–8–5 Jim SullivanKO2 Feb 29, 1912Stand de la Condamine, Monte Carlo, MonacoRetained world middlweight title claim
Won inaugural IBU middleweight title
68Win54–8–5 Charles BradleyKO2 Jan 27, 1912 Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France
67Win53–8–5 Battling LacroixTKO6 Jan 17, 1912Salle du Grand Skating-Rouennais, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France
66Win52–8–5 Battling TaylorKO4 Jan 13, 1912 Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France
65Win51–8–5 Harry LewisPTS20Dec 13, 1911 Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
64Win50–8–5 Battling LacroixKO9 Nov 25, 1911 Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France
63Win49–8–5 Theo GrayKO9 Nov 17, 1911Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, France
62Win48–8–5 Young JosephRTD10 Oct 23, 1911Empress Rink, Earl's Court, London, EnglandWon inaugural IBU welterweight title
61Win47–8–5 Sid BurnsPTS15Oct 2, 1911Empress Rink, Earl's Court, London, England
60Loss46–8–5 Dixie KidTKO5 Aug 19, 1911Trouville, Calvados, France
59Win46–7–5 Arthur EverndenPTS15Aug 14, 1911Cabourg, Calvados, France
58Win45–7–5 Jack GoldswainKO4 Jun 23, 1911Skating de la Rue Edinbourg, Paris, France
57Win44–7–5 Robert EustacheTKO16 Jun 10, 1911Cirque de Paris, Paris, FranceWon vacant France welterweight title
56Win43–7–5 Frank LoughreyPTS15May 20, 1911Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
55Win42–7–5 Henri MarchandKO6 Apr 23, 1911Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France
54Win41–7–5 George ColbournePTS10Apr 8, 1911Palais Baudouin, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
53Win40–7–5 Sid StaggPTS10Apr 1, 1911Franco-American Skating Rink, Roubaix, Nord, France
52Win39–7–5 Jack MeekinsPTS10Mar 25, 1911Wonderland, Paris, France
51Win38–7–5 Henri MarchandKO6 Mar 15, 1911Liege, Belgium
50Win37–7–5 Harry StaessensKO1 Mar 12, 1911 Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
49Win36–7–5 Young NipperPTS8Mar 1, 1911Hippodrome, Paris, Paris, France
48Loss35–7–5 Henri PietPTS10Jan 27, 1911Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
47Win35–6–5 George RandallKO5 Jan 14, 1911Wonderland, Paris, France
46Win34–6–5 Edouard BrochetKO7 Jan 8, 1911 Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
45Win33–6–5 Jack DanielsPTS10Dec 17, 1910Wonderland, Paris, France
44Win32–6–5 Henri DemlenPTS10Dec 3, 1910Theatre Lyrique, Schaerbeek, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
43Win31–6–5 George RandallTKO10 Nov 19, 1910Wonderland, Paris, France
42Win30–6–5 Young WilliamsKO7 Nov 6, 1910Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France
41Win29–6–5 Jim CampbellKO5 Oct 22, 1910Wonderland, Paris, France
40Win28–6–5 Percy WilsonPTS10Oct 15, 1910Wonderland, Paris, France
39Draw27–6–5 Jean AudouyPTS10Oct 8, 1910Theatre Lyrique, Schaerbeek, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
38Win27–6–4 Fernand CunyTKO8 Aug 13, 1910Cabourg, Calvados, France
37Win26–6–4 Hubert BaelenKO2 Jul 17, 1910Lille, Nord, France
36Draw25–6–4 Paul TilPTS15Jul 8, 1910Pepiniere, Paris, France
35Win25–6–3 Louis AchilleKO6 Jun 11, 1910Salon de l'Alcazar, Lievin, Pas-de-Calais, France
34Loss24–6–3 Fernand CunyTKO13 Apr 16, 1910Bordeaux, Gironde, France
33Loss24–5–3 Ted BroadribbTKO4 Apr 9, 1910Wonderland, Paris, France
32Win24–4–3 Georges GloriaKO8 Apr 3, 1910Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
31Win23–4–3 Fernand CunyPTS10Mar 26, 1910Nouvel-Alcazar, Lyon, Rhône, France
30Win22–4–3 Louis AchilleKO5 Mar 20, 1910Hippodrome Municipal, Douai, Nord, France
29Loss21–4–3 Buck ShinePTS10Mar 12, 1910Palais Baudouin, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
28Win21–3–3 Wally PickardKO8 Feb 5, 1910Palais Baudouin, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
2720–3–3 Paul TilNC8 Jan 14, 1910Élysée Montmartre, Paris, FranceNo decision was given after an accidental clash of heads left Til unable to continue
26Win20–3–3Georges GaillardPTS10Jan 8, 1910Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
25Win19–3–3Young WarnerDQ7 Jan 5, 1910Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
24Win18–3–3Paul TilPTS10Dec 22, 1909Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
23Win17–3–3Georges GaillardPTS6Dec 8, 1909Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
22Loss16–3–3Paul TilTKO8 Nov 27, 1909Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, FranceFor vacant France bantamweight title
21Win16–2–3Charles LedouxPTS15Nov 24, 1909Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
20Win15–2–3Joseph LampinKO7 Nov 8, 1909Henin-Beaumont, Pas-de-Calais, France
19Win14–2–3Lucien DorgueillePTS10Oct 23, 1909Wonderland, Paris, France
18Draw13–2–3Paul TilPTS10Oct 16, 1909Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, FranceFor vacant France bantamweight title
17Win13–2–2Omer HelleboutTKO5 Oct 11, 1909Salle Desruelles, Roubaix, Nord, France
16Win12–2–2Joseph LampinKO5 Aug 28, 1909Théâtre du Café Dubois, Denain, Nord, France
15Win11–2–2Lucien DorgueilleKO11 Aug 21, 1909Salle Beudaert, Lille, Nord, France
14Win10–2–2Emile WetinckKO1 Jun 26, 1909Lille, Nord, France
13Win9–2–2Joseph LampinKO10 May 20, 1909Valenciennes, Nord, France
12Win8–2–2Auguste RelingerPTS6May 17, 1909Hippodrome-Théâtre, Roubaix, Nord, France
11Win7–2–2F. CheveauPTS6Apr 25, 1909Vélodrome Roubaisien, Roubaix, Nord, France
10Win6–2–2AchalmePTS10Mar 18, 1909Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
9Draw5–2–2Charles LegrandPTS20Feb 28, 1909Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
8Win5–2–1Gaston SimonPTS10Feb 25, 1909Paris, France
7Loss4–2–1Georges GloriaKO6 Feb 19, 1909Paris, France
6Win4–1–1Charles LegrandPTS15Jan 10, 1909Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
5Draw3–1–1Charles LegrandPTS6Dec 5, 1908Bethune, Pas-de-Calais, France
4Win3–1Gaston SimonPTS6Dec 3, 1908Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
3Win2–1Louis LépinePTS6Dec 3, 1908Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
2Loss1–1Ed SalmonTKO18 Nov 30, 1908 Cafe de Paris, Maisons-Lafitte, Val-de-Marne, France
1Win1–0Ed SalmonDQ13 Nov 1, 1908 Cafe de Paris, Maisons-Lafitte, Val-de-Marne, France

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

Regional/International titles

Undisputed titles