Kid Williams
John Gutenko was an Austro-Hungarian-born American boxer of Danish, Ukrainian and Polish heritage who fought under the name Kid Williams and was known as the Baltimore Tiger. He knocked out Johnny Coulon in Vernon, California, on June 9, 1914. This victory earned him the Bantamweight Championship world title. In 1970, Johnny Gutenko was inducted into The Ring magazine’s Boxing Hall of Fame after being nominated “by the sports editors, boxing writers, and television sportscasters.” At the time, the magazine’s founder Nat Fleischer ranked him number three among bantamweights. However, the website AinsworthSports.com rated him number one for the 1910 decade. Over twenty years later, he would be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. Coincidentally, the ceremony occurred in Canastota, New York, on June 9, 1996, the 82nd anniversary of him winning the bantamweight title.
Biography
John Gutenko was born at Rahó, Máramaros, Austria-Hungary. Along with his mother, Aniela, and his two brothers and two sisters, they arrived in Baltimore on September 28, 1904, aboard the SS Breslau. John’s father, Wincenty Gutenko, had immigrated earlier in the year. Wincenty arrived in New York before moving to Baltimore, where a large Polish Galician Community was located in the Fells’ Point neighborhood in southeast Baltimore City.Three more children were born in Baltimore: Zygmunt, born on June 27, 1905; Paulina Rita, born on August 28, 1908; and Elizabeth, born on August 23, 1910. The family worshipped at the Polish Roman Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. There, he met his wife Agnieszka Zwiaskowska/Wiaskowska. They were married on May 23, 1916. They had two daughters-Katherine born February 8, 1919, and Rosalie Jeanette Gutenko, born April 21, 1927. He died at his daughter’s home on Payson Street, Baltimore City, Maryland, on October 18, 1963. After a Requiem Mass at Holy Rosary Church, he was buried in the Gutenko Family Plot at Holy Rosary Cemetery.
By 1928, the boxer “who a few years ago was idolized by ring followers” was ‘practically penniless’ not many years ago had a fortune of $300,000, made out of the ring, and some investments. Now he is broke, and his fighting days are over.”
Before he began his boxing career, Gutenko had left school after the third grade and worked as an apprentice typesetter. Possibly for one of the Baltimore Polish-language or German newspapers. After losing the title in 1917, he returned to typesetting but left to pursue his boxing career again. After he quit boxing, he would work for Bethlehem Steel in Sparrows Point, Maryland. During World War II, he was featured along with other workers promoting their efforts on behalf of the War.
Professional boxing record
John Gutnko's boxing career began on July 25, 1910, with a knockout win that started a meteoric rise and the race to win the bantamweight title. The latter was achieved because of his second manager Sammy Harris. It was Sammy Harris who, to garner publicity about his protégé John Gutenko reinvented and created a myth about themselves that the writers and fans were willing to accept since it made for good press. The most often repeated tale involved how Harris “discovered” the future bantamweight champion. At Harris’s prompting, Guntenko often told reporters:I sold him a paper, and he gave me half a dollar to get changed. I ran away with the half dollar. The next time Harris saw me, he took me up to his athletic club to box. He wanted to see me get licked for stealing his half dollar. But I didn’t get licked. And Harris kept me and trained me, and he made me a champion.
It made for an excellent newspaper copy but was a complete fabrication. Gutenko did not sign with Harris until almost a year after he began his boxing career. Another more plausible explanation was offered by Gutenko a year before his death. In the interview, he told John Sherwood, an Evening Sun writer, that he first put on boxing gloves in the empty stock room of Tom the Greek’s candy store on Eastern Avenue in Baltimore’s Fells’ Point.
Gutenko’s boxing career was initially managed by local boxing promoter Joe Barrett who arranged for his first match at the Oriole Baseball Park against Shep Ferren. A right-handed punch to Farren’s jaw sent the boxer to the canvas and gave the novice his first win.
His loss by knockout against George Henry Chaney, born in Baltimore on September 18, 1892, occurred at Baltimore’s Germania Maennerchor Hall on January 2, 1911, eventually leading to him becoming the protégé of promoter and manager Sammy Harris. Under Harris’ tutelage, he began an impressive winning streak. Then, on October 12, 1912, he met the reigning Bantamweight title holder, Johnny Coulon, at Madison Square Garden.
Much to everyone’s disbelief, he fought the champion to a standstill. “Some of the ringside sharps gave the Kid the shade, and all agreed that the Baltimore lad was entitled to a draw at the worst.”
The Polish boxer spent the next year and a half trying to force Coulon to a rematch. Although Coulon only fought three bouts during this time, Gutenko continued to take on worthy opponents, including the English and French bantamweight champions.
Finally, when an influential Californian boxing promoter, Tom McCarey, declared Gutenko the bantamweight champion after Coulon repeatedly failed to defend the title, Coulon was forced to step into the ring. Unfortunately, it appears Coulon was right to avoid a rematch as Gutenko knocked him out and became the Bantamweight Champion of the World.
John Gutenko gave several versions of how he acquired the fighting name “Kid Williams.” One of the most details suggests the name came from a Baltimore African American bantamweight boxer who encouraged Gutenko to assume his fighting moniker the night before a fight:
His nickname the Baltimore Tiger was coined by members of the New York sportswriter fraternity. It may have been former gunslinger turned sportswriter Bat Materson who came up with the moniker as he described Gutenko's aggressive boxing style as like that of a tiger.
Ironically, John Gutenko’s first fight after winning the bantamweight title was against Pete Herman in New Orleans. Unfortunately, the Baltimore Tiger would lose his title three years later to Herman in New Orleans on January 9, 1917. They had met the year before, where Gutenko prevailed, but the third time was not the charm, and he lost by being outpointed. Gutenko never recaptured the title, and on September 9, 1929, the Maryland State Athletic Commission “decided for the best interests of everyone concerned, including Williams himself, that the Kid would not be allowed to fight anymore in the State.” The action was taken because “the members of the ring body felt that there was danger of the veteran fight suffering serious injury if allowed to continue.” Thus, revoking his license and ending his boxing career.
After his death, the boxing world began to acknowledge his “great natural ability as a fighter.” On December 3, 1966, his brother Rudolph, a Maryland bicycling champion in the 1920s, represented him when the Baltimore Tiger was elected to the Maryland Athletic Sports Hall of Fame. The plaque awarded him was later hung “on the Baltimore Civic Center wall.”
John Gutenko was not the only member of the family to aspire to a boxing career. His younger brother Louis also began his career in 1910 as a lightweight. He remained in his brother’s shadow fighting under the name Young Kid Williams. However, he never achieved fame or a title like his older brother.
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 to the win/loss/draw column.| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Age | Location | Notes |
| 207 | Loss | 100–19–8 | Bobby Burns | TKO | 2 | Sep 3, 1929 | Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 206 | Win | 100–18–8 | Frankie Garcia | PTS | 8 | Jul 12, 1929 | Greensboro A.C., Greensboro, Maryland, US | ||
| 205 | Loss | 99–18–8 | Joe Belmont | PTS | 8 | Apr 9, 1929 | Armory, Hagerstown, Maryland, US | ||
| 204 | Loss | 99–17–8 | Sid Lampe | PTS | 10 | Mar 6, 1929 | 104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 203 | Win | 99–16–8 | Sid Lampe | DQ | 8 | Feb 11, 1929 | 104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 202 | Win | 98–16–8 | Bobby Garcia | PTS | 10 | Jan 14, 1929 | 104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 201 | Win | 97–16–8 | Lou Guglielmini | PTS | 8 | Dec 27, 1928 | Armory, Hagerstown, Maryland, US | ||
| 200 | Win | 96–16–8 | Willie Parrish | TKO | 5 | Dec 14, 1928 | 104th Medical Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 199 | Win | 95–16–8 | Joe Caniano | PTS | 8 | Dec 7, 1928 | National Guard Armory, Centreville, Maryland, US | ||
| 198 | Win | 94–16–8 | Eddie Bowling | PTS | 8 | Nov 29, 1928 | St. Stanislaus Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 197 | Win | 93–16–8 | Joe Caniano | PTS | 8 | Oct 26, 1928 | National Guard Armory, Centreville, Florida, US | ||
| 196 | Win | 92–16–8 | Lou Guglielmini | PTS | 8 | Sep 28, 1928 | Riverview Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 195 | Win | 91–16–8 | Jack Daly | PTS | 8 | Sep 7, 1928 | Riverview Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 194 | Draw | 90–16–8 | Tony Ross | PTS | 12 | Aug 27, 1928 | Maryland Baseball Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 193 | Win | 90–16–7 | Young Joe O'Donnell | PTS | 8 | Aug 8, 1928 | Location unknown | ||
| 192 | Loss | 89–16–7 | Eddie Buell | TKO | 4 | Jul 19, 1928 | Riverview Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 191 | Win | 89–15–7 | Jimmy Hogan | PTS | 3 | Jul 15, 1927 | 5th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 190 | Win | 88–15–7 | Jack Skinner | KO | 3 | Feb 25, 1927 | St. Stanislaus Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 189 | Loss | 87–15–7 | Battling Mack | NWS | 10 | Mar 19, 1926 | Convention Hall, Camden, New Jersey, US | ||
| 188 | Win | 87–15–7 | Al Monahan | PTS | 10 | Mar 5, 1926 | Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 187 | NC | 86–15–7 | Billy Pimpus | NC | 3 | Feb 8, 1926 | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | Cut from accidental headbutt | |
| 186 | Loss | 86–15–7 | Nate Carp | DQ | 11 | Jan 4, 1926 | 104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 185 | Win | 86–14–7 | Jackie West | PTS | 10 | Dec 28, 1925 | Arcade, Washington, D.C., US | ||
| 184 | Draw | 85–14–7 | Jackie West | PTS | 10 | Oct 2, 1925 | Grime's Battery Armory, Norfolk, Virginia, US | ||
| 183 | Win | 85–14–6 | Midget Smith | DQ | 7 | Sep 28, 1925 | 104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 182 | Win | 84–14–6 | Red Leonard | PTS | 10 | Sep 4, 1925 | Grime's Battery Armory, Norfolk, Virginia, US | ||
| 181 | Win | 83–14–6 | Midget Smith | PTS | 12 | Aug 21, 1925 | Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 180 | Loss | 82–14–6 | Frankie Genaro | PTS | 12 | Jun 26, 1925 | Carlin's Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 179 | Win | 82–13–6 | Terry McHugh | DQ | 3 | Apr 24, 1925 | Charlton's Hall, Pottsville, Pennsylvania, US | McHugh DQ'd for low blows | |
| 178 | Draw | 81–13–6 | Lew Mayrs | PTS | 12 | Apr 20, 1925 | 104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 177 | Win | 81–13–5 | Al Monahan | NW | 8 | Feb 9, 1925 | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | ||
| 176 | Win | 81–13–5 | Jackie West | NWS | 8 | Jan 19, 1925 | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | ||
| 175 | Win | 81–13–5 | Joey Schwartz | PTS | 12 | Dec 29, 1924 | 104th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 174 | Win | 80–13–5 | Al Markie | PTS | 10 | Apr 5, 1924 | 108th Field Artillery Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 173 | Loss | 79–13–5 | Abe Friedman | DQ | 8 | Feb 27, 1924 | Marieville Gardens, North Providence, Rhode Island, US | Williams DQ'd for a kidney blow and blow to the back of the head | |
| 172 | Win | 79–12–5 | Young Montreal | PTS | 10 | Feb 6, 1924 | Providence, Rhode Island, US | ||
| 171 | Win | 78–12–5 | Charley Goodman | PTS | 12 | Jan 14, 1924 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 170 | Win | 77–12–5 | Midget Smith | PTS | 12 | Jan 1, 1924 | Rink S.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 169 | Win | 76–12–5 | Danny Lee | KO | 1, 1:20 | Dec 22, 1923 | Commonwealth Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 168 | Win | 75–12–5 | Ludger Kid Dube | NWS | 6 | Dec 12, 1923 | Waterville, Maine, US | ||
| 167 | Loss | 75–12–5 | Charley Holman | DQ | 9 | Oct 24, 1923 | Gayety Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | Williams DQ'd for a kidney blow | |
| 166 | Win | 75–11–5 | Frankie Daly | PTS | 12 | Sep 26, 1923 | Gayety Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 165 | Loss | 74–11–5 | Pancho Villa | NWS | 8 | Jul 31, 1923 | Shetzline Ballpark, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 164 | Win | 74–11–5 | Bud Dempsey | PTS | 12 | Jul 13, 1923 | Steeplechase A.A., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 163 | Loss | 73–11–5 | Bobby Garcia | PTS | 12 | Apr 25, 1923 | Gayety Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 162 | Win | 73–10–5 | Battling Mack | NWS | 8 | Apr 16, 1923 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 161 | Loss | 73–10–5 | Bobby Garcia | DQ | 9 | Apr 4, 1923 | Gayety Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 160 | Win | 73–9–5 | Sammy Sandow | PTS | 12 | Mar 12, 1923 | 4th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 159 | Win | 72–9–5 | Young Montreal | PTS | 12 | Jan 15, 1923 | 4th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 158 | Win | 71–9–5 | Battling Harry Leonard | DQ | 1, 2:24 | Dec 22, 1922 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | Leonard DQ'd for a low blow | |
| 157 | Win | 70–9–5 | Eddie O'Dowd | DQ | 9 | Nov 24, 1922 | Infantry Hall, Providence, Rhode Island, US | ||
| 156 | Win | 69–9–5 | Roy Moore | TKO | 11 | Sep 18, 1922 | 4th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 155 | Win | 68–9–5 | Joe Dundee | DQ | 10 | Sep 4, 1922 | 4th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 154 | Win | 67–9–5 | Joe Mandell | DQ | 6 | Jul 8, 1922 | Ridgewood Grove S.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 153 | Draw | 66–9–5 | Terry Martin | PTS | 12 | Feb 15, 1922 | Marieville Gardens, North Providence, Rhode Island, US | ||
| 152 | Win | 66–9–4 | Jimmy Mendo | NWS | 8 | Oct 18, 1921 | Armory, Reading, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 151 | Win | 66–9–4 | Mickey Brown | PTS | 12 | Oct 13, 1921 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 150 | Loss | 65–9–4 | Andy Chaney | PTS | 10 | Oct 4, 1921 | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US | ||
| 149 | Win | 65–8–4 | Louisiana | NWS | 8 | Jun 29, 1921 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 148 | Win | 65–8–4 | Frankie Edwards | DQ | 9 | Jun 11, 1921 | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 147 | Win | 64–8–4 | Patsy Scanlon | NWS | 10 | May 20, 1921 | Duquesne Gardens, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 146 | Loss | 64–8–4 | Jack 'Kid' Wolfe | PTS | 12 | May 18, 1921 | Troop A. Armory, Cleveland, Ohio, US | ||
| 145 | Win | 64–7–4 | Packey O'Gatty | TKO | 9, 2:25 | May 11, 1921 | Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 144 | Win | 63–7–4 | Joe Burman | NWS | 8 | Apr 25, 1921 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 143 | Win | 63–7–4 | Earl Puryear | PTS | 12 | Apr 18, 1921 | Playhouse, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 142 | Win | 62–7–4 | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 8 | Mar 17, 1921 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 141 | Win | 62–7–4 | Marty Collins | PTS | 12 | Mar 15, 1921 | 4th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 140 | Win | 61–7–4 | Jack Perry | NWS | 8 | Mar 5, 1921 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 139 | Win | 61–7–4 | Tommy Ryan | NWS | 10 | Mar 2, 1921 | Palisades Rink, McKeesport, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 138 | Win | 61–7–4 | Abe Goldstein | NWS | 8 | Feb 21, 1921 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 137 | Loss | 61–7–4 | Carl Tremaine | NWS | 8 | Jan 24, 1921 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 136 | Win | 61–7–4 | Battling Harry Leonard | NWS | 8 | Dec 18, 1920 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 135 | Win | 61–7–4 | Charles Ledoux | PTS | 12 | Dec 16, 1920 | 5th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 134 | Win | 60–7–4 | Earl Puryear | NWS | 8 | Nov 13, 1920 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 133 | Win | 60–7–4 | Sammy Sandow | PTS | 12 | Oct 28, 1920 | 5th Regiment Armory, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 132 | Win | 59–7–4 | Joe Nelson | TKO | 5 | Oct 16, 1920 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 131 | Win | 58–7–4 | Johnny Ertle | PTS | 12 | Aug 13, 1920 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 130 | Win | 57–7–4 | Dutch Brandt | TKO | 3 | Jun 28, 1920 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 129 | Win | 56–7–4 | Patsy Johnson | NWS | 8 | May 24, 1920 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 128 | Loss | 56–7–4 | Frankie Tucker | KO | 3 | Dec 19, 1919 | Strand Theater, Drumright, Oklahoma, US | ||
| 127 | Win | 56–6–4 | Andy Chaney | PTS | 12 | Jun 1, 1918 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 126 | Win | 55–6–4 | Joe Tuber | NWS | 6 | May 20, 1918 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 125 | Win | 55–6–4 | Jackie Sharkey | PTS | 12 | Apr 1, 1918 | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 124 | Win | 54–6–4 | Joe Leopold | PTS | 10 | Feb 25, 1918 | Denver, Colorado, US | ||
| 123 | Loss | 53–6–4 | Joe Lynch | TKO | 4 | Jan 29, 1918 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 122 | Draw | 53–5–4 | Johnny Ertle | PTS | 12 | Dec 17, 1917 | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | For world bantamweight title claim | |
| 121 | Loss | 53–5–3 | Benny McNeil | NWS | 10 | Oct 16, 1917 | Future City A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, US | ||
| 120 | Win | 53–5–3 | Dick Loadman | PTS | 12 | Oct 1, 1917 | Monumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 119 | Win | 52–5–3 | Gussie Lewis | NWS | 6 | Sep 24, 1917 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 118 | Win | 52–5–3 | Jackie Sharkey | NWS | 6 | Jul 27, 1917 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 117 | Loss | 52–5–3 | Pete Herman | NWS | 6 | Jun 13, 1917 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 116 | Win | 52–5–3 | Benny McNeil | PTS | 15 | May 24, 1917 | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 115 | Win | 51–5–3 | Bernie Hahn | NWS | 6 | May 14, 1917 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 114 | Win | 51–5–3 | Jimmy Taylor | NWS | 6 | Apr 23, 1917 | Orpheum Theatre, York, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 113 | Win | 51–5–3 | Benny McNeil | NWS | 6 | Apr 2, 1917 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 112 | Win | 51–5–3 | Jimmy Murray | NWS | 10 | Mar 27, 1917 | Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 111 | Draw | 51–5–3 | Joe Lynch | NWS | 10 | Mar 13, 1917 | Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 110 | Win | 51–5–3 | Benny Kaufman | TKO | 10 | Mar 8, 1917 | Monumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 109 | Loss | 50–5–3 | Eddie O'Keefe | NWS | 6 | Feb 19, 1917 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 108 | Win | 50–5–3 | Benny McNeil | NWS | 15 | Jan 30, 1917 | Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, US | ||
| 107 | Loss | 50–5–3 | Pete Herman | PTS | 20 | Jan 9, 1917 | Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | Lost world bantamweight title | |
| 106 | Win | 50–4–3 | Billy Fitzsimmons | NWS | 10 | Dec 7, 1916 | Monumental Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 105 | Win | 50–4–3 | Al Shubert | NWS | 10 | Oct 26, 1916 | Monumental Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 104 | Win | 50–4–3 | Al Shubert | NWS | 6 | Oct 16, 1916 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 103 | Win | 50–4–3 | Benny Kaufman | NWS | 6 | Oct 2, 1916 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 102 | Win | 50–4–3 | Dick Loadman | NWS | 10 | Sep 15, 1916 | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | World bantamweight title at stake; | |
| 101 | Win | 50–4–3 | Joe O'Donnell | NWS | 6 | Sep 11, 1916 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 100 | Win | 50–4–3 | Frankie Brown | NWS | 10 | Sep 4, 1916 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 99 | Win | 50–4–3 | Young Joey Mendo | TKO | 5 | Aug 28, 1916 | Baseball Park, Buffalo, New York, US | ||
| 98 | Win | 49–4–3 | Alf Mansfield | TKO | 5 | Jul 12, 1916 | Gayety Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 97 | Win | 48–4–3 | Benny McCoy | TKO | 7 | May 30, 1916 | Holliday Street Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 96 | Win | 47–4–3 | Billy Bevan | NWS | 10 | May 15, 1916 | Coliseum A.C., Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, US | World bantamweight title at stake; | |
| 95 | Win | 47–4–3 | Battling Lahn | NWS | 10 | Apr 11, 1916 | Monumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 94 | Draw | 47–4–3 | Pete Herman | PTS | 20 | Feb 7, 1916 | Louisiana Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | Retained world bantamweight title | |
| 93 | Draw | 47–4–2 | Frankie Burns | PTS | 20 | Dec 6, 1915 | Tulane Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | Retained world bantamweight title | |
| 92 | Loss | 47–4–1 | Memphis Pal Moore | NWS | 8 | Oct 28, 1915 | Phoenix A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US | ||
| 91 | Win | 47–4–1 | Dutch Brandt | PTS | 10 | Oct 5, 1915 | Lyric Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 90 | Loss | 46–4–1 | Johnny Ertle | DQ | 5 | Sep 10, 1915 | Auditorium, Saint Paul, Minnesota, US | World bantamweight title at stake; Referee said that Williams landed low blows and DQ'd him Both fighters claimed the title | |
| 89 | Win | 46–3–1 | Jimmy Taylor | PTS | 15 | Jul 24, 1915 | Terrapin Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | Retained world bantamweight title | |
| 88 | Win | 45–3–1 | Jimmy Murray | NWS | 10 | Jun 4, 1915 | Palace Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | World bantamweight title at stake; | |
| 87 | Loss | 45–3–1 | Louisiana | NWS | 6 | Apr 5, 1915 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 86 | Loss | 45–3–1 | Johnny Kilbane | NWS | 6 | Mar 17, 1915 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 85 | 45–3–1 | Joe Superior | NC | 5 | Feb 25, 1915 | Bijou Theater, Atlanta, Georgia, US | |||
| 84 | Win | 45–3–1 | Jimmy Murray | NWS | 6 | Feb 15, 1915 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 83 | Win | 45–3–1 | Eddie Wallace | NWS | 10 | Feb 2, 1915 | Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 82 | Win | 45–3–1 | Johnny Daly | NWS | 10 | Dec 25, 1914 | Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 81 | Win | 45–3–1 | Joe O'Donnell | TKO | 3 | Dec 19, 1914 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 80 | Win | 44–3–1 | Young Freddie Diggins | TKO | 3 | Nov 30, 1914 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 79 | Win | 43–3–1 | Dutch Brandt | NWS | 10 | Oct 27, 1914 | Broadway S.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 78 | Win | 43–3–1 | Pekin Kid Herman | KO | 4 | Sep 28, 1914 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 77 | Win | 42–3–1 | Louisiana | NWS | 6 | Sep 14, 1914 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 76 | Win | 42–3–1 | Pete Herman | NWS | 10 | Jun 30, 1914 | Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | ||
| 75 | Win | 42–3–1 | Johnny Coulon | KO | 3 | Jun 9, 1914 | Arena, Vernon, California, US | Retained world bantamweight title claim; Won world bantamweight title | |
| 74 | Draw | 41–3–1 | Louisiana | NWS | 6 | Apr 6, 1914 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 73 | Win | 41–3–1 | Young Freddie Diggins | NWS | 6 | Mar 23, 1914 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 72 | Win | 41–3–1 | Eddie Campi | KO | 12 | Jan 31, 1914 | Arena, Vernon, California, US | Retained world bantamweight title claim; Won European bantamweight title | |
| 71 | Win | 40–3–1 | Chick Hayes | TKO | 7 | Jan 5, 1914 | Monumental Theatre, Baltimore, Wisconsin, US | Retained world bantamweight title claim | |
| 70 | Win | 39–3–1 | Dick Loadman | NWS | 10 | Nov 27, 1913 | Riverview A.C., Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US | World bantamweight title claim at stake; | |
| 69 | Win | 39–3–1 | Battling Reddy | NWS | 6 | Nov 24, 1913 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 68 | Win | 39–3–1 | Patsy Brannigan | NWS | 6 | Oct 25, 1913 | Old City Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 67 | Win | 39–3–1 | Willie Mack | NWS | 6 | Oct 6, 1913 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 66 | Win | 39–3–1 | Mickey Dunn | KO | 2 | Oct 3, 1913 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | Retained world bantamweight title claim | |
| 65 | Win | 38–3–1 | Charles Ledoux | TKO | 16 | Jul 15, 1913 | Arena, Vernon, California, US | Claimed vacant world bantamweight title | |
| 64 | Win | 37–3–1 | Jim Kenrick | TKO | 6 | Jun 11, 1913 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 63 | Win | 36–3–1 | Young Freddie Diggins | KO | 4 | May 14, 1913 | Empire Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 62 | Win | 35–3–1 | Louisiana | NWS | 6 | Apr 26, 1913 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 61 | Draw | 35–3–1 | Frank Bradley | NWS | 6 | Apr 14, 1913 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 60 | Win | 35–3–1 | Frankie Conway | NWS | 6 | Mar 29, 1913 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 59 | Win | 35–3–1 | Eddie Campi | PTS | 20 | Feb 12, 1913 | Arena, Vernon, California, US | ||
| 58 | Win | 34–3–1 | Frankie Conway | NWS | 6 | Jan 4, 1913 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 57 | Win | 34–3–1 | Charles Ledoux | NWS | 6 | Dec 11, 1912 | National A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 56 | Win | 34–3–1 | Harry Smith | NWS | 6 | Nov 22, 1912 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 55 | Win | 34–3–1 | Billy Fitzsimmons | NWS | 10 | Nov 6, 1912 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 54 | Win | 34–3–1 | Johnny Hughes | NWS | 6 | Nov 1, 1912 | Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 53 | Win | 34–3–1 | Johnny Coulon | NWS | 10 | Oct 18, 1912 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | World bantamweight title at stake; | |
| 52 | Win | 34–3–1 | Young Freddie Diggins | NWS | 6 | Sep 24, 1912 | Spring Garden A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | ||
| 51 | Win | 34–3–1 | Billy Fitzsimmons | TKO | 8 | Sep 16, 1912 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 50 | Win | 33–3–1 | Mickey Brown | TKO | 8 | Sep 4, 1912 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 49 | Win | 32–3–1 | Kid Kelly | TKO | 9 | Aug 26, 1912 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 48 | Win | 31–3–1 | Battling Reddy | NWS | 10 | Aug 17, 1912 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 47 | Win | 31–3–1 | Young Mickey McDonough | TKO | 5 | Aug 9, 1912 | Albaugh's Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 46 | Win | 30–3–1 | Johnny Solzberg | RTD | 7 | Jul 29, 1912 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 45 | Win | 29–3–1 | Artie Edwards | TKO | 8 | Jul 20, 1912 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 44 | Win | 28–3–1 | Charley Goldman | PTS | 15 | May 31, 1912 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 43 | Win | 27–3–1 | Young Ketchel | KO | 2 | May 2, 1912 | Holliday Street Theatre, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 42 | Win | 26–3–1 | Battling Reddy | NWS | 10 | Apr 23, 1912 | St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, US | ||
| 41 | Win | 26–3–1 | Johnny Daly | PTS | 15 | Apr 9, 1912 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 40 | Win | 25–3–1 | Kohoma Kid | KO | 4 | Mar 6, 1912 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 39 | Win | 24–3–1 | Young Joe Stanley | NWS | 10 | Feb 10, 1912 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 38 | Loss | 24–3–1 | Johnny Solzberg | NWS | 10 | Jan 30, 1912 | Royale A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 37 | Win | 24–3–1 | Benny Reilly | KO | 12 | Jan 19, 1912 | Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 36 | Win | 23–3–1 | Young Mickey McDonough | NWS | 10 | Jan 17, 1912 | Royale A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 35 | Draw | 23–3–1 | Charley Harvey | NWS | 10 | Jan 15, 1912 | Brooklyn Beach A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 34 | Win | 23–3–1 | Banty Lewis | NWS | 10 | Jan 6, 1912 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 33 | Win | 23–3–1 | Barry Hill | NWS | 10 | Dec 23, 1911 | Fairmont A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 32 | Win | 23–3–1 | Eddie McCloskey | PTS | 6 | Nov 24, 1911 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 31 | Win | 22–3–1 | Frankie Smith | TKO | 6 | Nov 10, 1911 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 30 | Win | 21–3–1 | Barry Hill | PTS | 15 | Oct 30, 1911 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 29 | Win | 20–3–1 | Paddy Mitchell | NWS | 6 | Oct 2, 1911 | Brooklyn Beach A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 28 | Win | 20–3–1 | Willie Carroll | KO | 2 | Sep 4, 1911 | Brighton Beach A.C., Brighton Beach, Indiana, US | ||
| 27 | 19–3–1 | K.O. Sweeney | ND | 10 | Aug 19, 1911 | New York City, New York, US | |||
| 26 | Win | 19–3–1 | Willie Faust | KO | 4 | Aug 15, 1911 | Twentieth Century A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 25 | Win | 18–3–1 | Johnny Solzberg | NWS | 10 | Aug 7, 1911 | Brooklyn Beach A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 24 | Win | 18–3–1 | Willie Carroll | KO | 4 | Aug 1, 1911 | 20th Century A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 23 | Win | 17–3–1 | Babe Davis | KO | 1 | Jul 31, 1911 | Perth Amboy, New Jersey, US | ||
| 22 | Win | 16–3–1 | Babe Davis | TKO | 5 | Jul 28, 1911 | Twentieth Century A.C., New York City, New York, US | ||
| 21 | Win | 15–3–1 | Young Packey McFarland | KO | 5 | Jul 27, 1911 | New York City, New York, US | ||
| 20 | Loss | 14–3–1 | George K.O. Chaney | PTS | 20 | Jul 10, 1911 | Ford Opera House, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 19 | Win | 14–2–1 | Kid Murphy | PTS | 15 | May 26, 1911 | Monumental Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 18 | Win | 13–2–1 | Jimmy Cross | KO | 5 | Mar 21, 1911 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 17 | Loss | 12–2–1 | Charley Harvey | PTS | 15 | Mar 14, 1911 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 16 | Win | 12–1–1 | Leo Walton | KO | 3 | Feb 20, 1911 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 15 | Loss | 11–1–1 | George K.O. Chaney | KO | 6 | Jan 2, 1911 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 14 | Win | 11–0–1 | Tommy Buck | NWS | 10 | Nov 29, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 13 | Win | 11–0–1 | Frank Bradley | KO | 5 | Nov 1, 1910 | Princess Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 12 | Draw | 10–0–1 | Tommy Buck | PTS | 15 | Oct 11, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 11 | Win | 10–0 | Babe Stinger | KO | 5 | Oct 4, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 10 | Win | 9–0 | Buck Kirchener | TKO | 4 | Sep 26, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 9 | Win | 8–0 | Sammy Miller | KO | 1 | Sep 12, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 8 | Win | 7–0 | Buddy Jones | KO | 2 | Sep 12, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 7 | Win | 6–0 | Joe Britton | KO | 1 | Sep 12, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 6 | Win | 5–0 | Sammy Miller | KO | 1 | Sep 12, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 5 | Loss | 4–0 | Tommy Buck | NWS | 6 | Aug 29, 1910 | Albaugh Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Shep Farren | KO | 6 | Aug 22, 1910 | Germania Maennerchor Hall, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Young McFarland | TKO | 1 | Aug 9, 1910 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Ike Miller | KO | 2 | Aug 1, 1910 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | ||
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Shep Farren | KO | 5 | Jul 25, 1910 | Oriole Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US |