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Tiger Flowers
American boxer (1895–1927) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Theodore "Tiger" Flowers (February 14, 1895 – November 16, 1927) was an American professional boxer. Nicknamed "The Georgia Deacon", he rose to prominence in the early 20th century, becoming the first African-American World Middleweight Boxing Champion after defeating Harry Greb to claim the title in 1926. He was inducted into The Ring Hall of Fame in 1971, The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1976, The World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990, and The International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.[1] A left-handed fighter, Flowers was fast and elusive, usually avoiding heavy punishment while landing quick, sharp blows.
A celebrated African-American prizefighter, Flowers is considered a trailblazer of his era, competing during a time when the boxing profession was predominantly white. Flowers is often compared, in precedence, to fighters George Dixon, the first black boxing champion who won the Bantamweight World Title in 1892, Barbados Joe Walcott, first black to win the World Welterweight title on December 18, 1901, Joe Gans, the first black to win the World Lightweight Title in 1902, and also the more controversial Jack Johnson, the first black to win the World Heavyweight Title in 1908.
In addition to becoming the first black Middleweight champion, Tiger's unprecedented accumulation of wins (136) and knockouts (56) in his career spanning less than ten years proved to many skeptics that African-Americans could compete at the highest level. Prominent Atlanta area rapper Killer Mike, of Run the Jewels, memorialized Tiger Flowers in the song "Kill Your Masters" on RTJ3
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Personal life
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Early Life and Family
Theodore “Tiger” Flowers was born on February 14, 1895, in Mitchell County, Georgia, to Aaron Flowers (1878–1957) and Lula Dawson Flowers (1875–1949), who were married on December 28, 1888, in Camilla, Georgia.
Flowers was one of six children. His siblings were:
• Uly Smith Flowers (b. 1908, Georgia)
• Cecil Nathan Flowers (b. June 5, 1910, Brunswick, Georgia – d. September 30, 1992, New York City, New York)
• Carl Flowers (b. March 5, 1896, Georgia – d. May 25, 1978, Glynn County, Georgia), a baker and pastry cook who married Bessie Anderson (divorced) and later Viola Farrester
• Gertrude Flowers (b. October 1898, Georgia), mother of Ira Marjorie Johnson with Kinchen Johnson
• O’See Flowers Williams (b. February 11, 1900, Brunswick, Georgia – d. January 13, 1992, Volusia County, Florida), a tutor who married Columbus Williams.
Marriage and Children
On November 22, 1915, Theodore Flowers married Willie Mae Spellers. The couple had one daughter, Verna Lee Flowers (later Jackson), born on September 9, 1921, in Georgia. Following Theodore Flowers’ death in 1927, Willie Mae and Verna Lee relocated to Los Angeles, California.
Verna Lee Jackson died on April 18, 2021, at Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital in Los Angeles.
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Professional career
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After working as a stevedore on the Georgia coast, Flowers temporarily relocated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1918; this is where he ultimately began boxing professionally at the age of 23.
By early 1920 he started training with manager Walk Miller. Over the next six years the lightning-quick lefthander competed all over the country in a grueling ascent to the top of the boxing ranks.
Flowers combined showmanship inside the ropes with a public persona characterized by sobriety and religious devotion; eventually becoming donned "The Deacon". He famously carried a Bible into the ring for each fight and also shared scripture. A devoutly religious man, Flowers would recite a passage from Psalm 144 before every bout throughout his career.[2]
Flowers' first bout was a victory over fighter Billy Hooper; which he followed up with an impressive two-dozen straight victories before suffering his first loss to Panama Joe Gans.
Like many other African-American boxers of the time period, Flowers found it difficult to obtain fights with white fighters early in his career. He found himself primarily having to fight men of his own race, and many times over, in order to make a living. Despite this, during his era Flowers challenged many high-caliber fighters, including Maxie Rosenbloom, Sam Langford, Kid Norfolk, Johnny Wilson, Jamaica Kid, Mickey Walker and many other future Hall of Fame inductees.
By 1924, after being rated the number-one contender for Harry Greb's middleweight title by The Ring magazine, Flowers earned a shot at Greb; despite previously losing a questionable decision to light heavyweight champion Mike McTigue.
On February 26, 1926, before a crowd of 16,311 at Madison Square Garden, Flowers dethroned champion Harry Greb by split decision. He would also defeat Greb once more on August 19, 1926, to defend the title.
Tiger's next and final championship bout came against Mickey Walker on December 3, 1926, in Chicago, where he was defeated for the title. A match decided by points in the end, it was considered a controversial decision in the eyes of many. The match later was investigated by the Illinois Athletic Commission, but the decision was not overturned.
Flowers immediately set his sights on a rematch to regain the title, but his career would be cut short before ever gaining the opportunity.
Flowers' final match, a victory over Leo Gates, was fought November 12, 1927.[3]
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Death
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Flowers was hospitalized in New York City in early November 1927, requiring surgery to remove scar tissue from around his eyes. Complications from the surgery ultimately resulted in his death on November 16, 1927, at age 32. The circumstances of Tiger's death were similar to what caused the death of former champion Harry Greb about a year prior. Greb checked into an Atlantic City clinic for surgery to repair damage to his nose and respiratory tract caused by his ring career and several car crashes. However, complications occurred and he died of heart failure on October 22, 1926, at 2:30 pm.
Posthumously, Theodore Flowers was honored as one of the greatest fighters of his era. The International Boxing Research Organization would rank him as number 12 on their list of Greatest Middleweights of All Time. Boxing historian Bert Sugar placed him 68th in his Top 100 Fighters catalog.[4][5] The Bleacher Report named him the number 6 greatest southpaw in boxing history.[6]
An important figure in Atlanta, Georgia's black community, Tiger was remembered as a deacon for the Butler Street CME Church and as a member of the lodges of Masons, Elks, and Knights of Pythias. His house on Simpson Road was one of the most luxurious in the city.
Estimates put the number of mourners who turned up to show their respects at around 75,000, with an additional 7,000 crammed the City Auditorium to witness a lavish memorial service. He was laid to rest at Lincoln Cemetery in Atlanta.[3]
Tiger Flowers Cemetery in Lakeland, Florida, was named for him.
Tiger Flowers Drive in Atlanta, Georgia, is named for him.[7]
Professional boxing record
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All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[8] 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.
Unofficial record
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.
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Titles in boxing
Major world titles
- NYSAC middleweight champion (160 lbs)
- NBA (WBA) middleweight champion (160 lbs)
The Ring magazine titles
- The Ring middleweight champion (160 lbs)
Regional/International titles
- Southwest middleweight champion (160 lbs)
Undisputed titles
See also
References
Further reading
External links
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