Jack Blackburn Explained

Jack Blackburn
Realname:Charles Henry Blackburn
Weight:Welterweight
Lightweight
Height:5feet
Birth Date:May 20, 1883
Birth Place:Versailles, Kentucky, U.S.
Death Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Style:Orthodox
Total:168
With the inclusion of newspaper decisions
Wins:117
Ko:34
Losses:24
Draws:22
No Contests:5

Charles Henry "Jack" Blackburn (May 20, 1883 – April 24, 1942) was an American boxer and boxing trainer. Fighting in the first half of his career as a lightweight and later a welterweight, he was known for an exceptional defense and fought many men above his weight class, including six bouts with the great Sam Langford. He fought Joe Gans three times in no-decision bouts, defeating him once according to newspaper accounts and made good showings against Harry Lewis, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, and Harry Greb. He found most of his fame training 1937 World Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis, but also had a significant role in training 1926 Lightweight Champion Sammy Mandell. He helped to train World Bantamweight Champion Bud Taylor and World Light-Heavyweight Champion John Henry Lewis as well.[1]

Early life and career

Birth in Versailles, Kentucky, May 1883

Blackburn was born the son of a minister on May 20, 1883, in Versailles, Kentucky. At the age of ten he moved to Indiana, where he was raised in Indianapolis and Terra Haute. In one of his earliest bouts, according to the Pittsburgh Courier, he knocked out Eddie Gardner, brother of the better known Oscar, in eleven rounds in 1899. Frank Sutton was his trainer for a large portion of his career after Blackburn came to Pittsburgh to box around 1903. At one time Sutton operated a boxing club on Ross Street in Pittsburgh, though Blackburn did much of his mid-career boxing in Philadelphia.[2] [3]

Blackburn fought 147 recorded professional fights, often against considerably heavier opponents, though many of his fights were never recorded. He fought notable boxing legends Joe Gans, Sam Langford, Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, Panama Joe Gans, and Harry Greb and finished with a final record omitting newspaper decisions of 99–26–19. After retiring from boxing around 1923, he became a trainer, most notably of legendary heavyweight champion Joe Louis.

Bouts with Black Philadelphian boxer Dave Holly

Blackburn met Black Philadelphia boxer Dave Holly on at least five occasions. He first met Holly on May 4, 1903, drawing with him in a newspaper decision at the Sports Club in Philadelphia. Blackburn likely lost to Holly in a close six-round newspaper decision on November 21, 1903, at the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia. On August 26, 1904, three Philadelphia newspapers considered Blackburn the victor over Holly in a close six-round match at the Manhattan Athletic Club in Philadelphia. On January 20, 1905, the two met again in a no-decision bout in Philadelphia.

On January 10, 1906, Blackburn defeated Holly at the National Sporting Club in Wilmington, Delaware, in a close six-round newspaper decision. Blackburn floored Holly with a right to the jaw in the second round, but in the third Holly sent Blackburn to the mat for a count. In the fourth through the sixth, the Pittsburgh Press considered Blackburn to have the advantage, though the fighting was close. On October 11, 1906, the Philadelphia Item considered Blackburn the victor over Holly in a six-round match at the Broadway Athletic Club in Philadelphia. All of these matches were likely originally no-decision bouts.[4] Holly was a Black Philadelphian boxer who would meet Sam Langford and Joe Gans on several occasions, including a bout with Joe Gans in a World Lightweight Championship bout on July 23, 1906.

Boxing career highlights

Bouts with World Lightweight Champion Joe Gans

Boxing with a three-inch reach advantage on November 2, 1903, Blackburn impressively defeated the great World Lightweight Champion Joe Gans in a close non-title, six-round newspaper decision at the Washington Sporting Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Blackburn was actually down in the first round from a short right to the jaw, but fought on gamely. Blackburn scored frequently with straight lefts to Gans, as well as blows to the body.[5] On March 25, 1904, Blackburn lost to Joe Gans in Baltimore, Maryland in a fifteen-round points decision. The Philadelphia Item noted that "Gans won easily". It was Blackburn's first loss by decision, but it was to one of the greatest black lightweights in history.[6]

On December 31, 1903, boxing as a light welterweight at 142, Blackburn lost to 1907 World Welterweight Champion Mike "Twin" Sullivan at the Chelsea Athletic Club in Chelsea, Massachusetts in fifteen rounds in the opinion of most of the Boston newspapers. The bout was most likely a pre-arranged draw.[6]

On January 8, 1904, Blackburn drew with Black boxer Sam Bolen in a close fifteen-round decision at Shlegel's Hall in Baltimore, Maryland. The Scranton Republican felt strongly that Bolen had the better of the bout in every round but the second, when he was briefly down on the mat.[7] He fought Bolen one other time, in a six-round win by newspaper decision on December 3, 1904, before the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia.[6]

On October 13, 1905, Blackburn fought a fifteen-round pre-arranged draw at the Marlborough Theatre in Marborough, Massachusetts, with Black New York based boxer Larry Temple. A talented adversary, Temple would fight Joe Walcott, Sam Langford, and Harry Lewis in his career. Blackburn fought Temple on September 4, 1905, in a twelve-round draw in Sharon Pennsylvania, sandwiched between two bouts with Sam Langford.[6]

Boxing later on June 9, 1906, Blackburn lost to Gans in a six-round bout decided in Gans' favor by newspaper decision at the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Boston Morning Journal wrote that "Gans showed that he was his opponent's master in every department of the game."[6]

Bouts with future World Colored Middleweight Champion Sam Langford

Blackburn fought the extraordinary Sam Langford a noteworthy six times in his career. On December 23, 1903, perhaps in one of his most memorable fights, Blackburn met Langford for the first time in a twelve-round pre-arranged draw at the Central Athletic Club in Boston, Massachusetts. Three local Boston papers, including the Boston Globe and Herald wrote that Blackburn likely had the better of the bout. On January 11, 1904, Blackburn and Langford fought a six-round draw at the Washington Sporting Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On September 9, 1904, Blackburn drew with Langford at the Marlborough Opera House in Marlborough, Massachusetts in a fifteen-round points decision. The fight was sensational, and Blackburn may have been outweighed by Langford by well over thirty pounds.[3] [6]

On September 20, 1905, in front of a substantial crowd of 600, at the Lyric Athletic Club in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Blackburn and Langford met in a ten-round draw. The boxing was fierce and drew blood and both boxers had the better of their opponent at times, with Langford finding a way to counter the keen left of Blackburn. In the third round Blackburn was doubled over the ropes by Langford, and may have been out but for the bell.[8]

Gans and Blackburn met earlier on August 18, 1905, in Leiperville, Pennsylvania, in what was considered a great bout, though Blackburn lost in a fifteen-round points decision.[6] Langford would rightfully claim the World Colored Heavyweight Championship when Jack Johnson vacated it in July 1909, and defend it for several fights, though he would be denied a chance at Johnson's new World Heavyweight Title. Langford would take the World Colored Middleweight Championship defeating Young Peter Jackson in a twenty-round bout on November 12, 1907, at the Pacific Athletic Club in Los Angeles.

Wins over Jimmy Gardner, Blink McCloskey, and George Cole 1904–07

On January 2, 1904, Blackburn defeated well known light and welterweight Jimmy Gardner at the Central Athletic Club in Boston, Massachusetts in a twelve-round points decision.[6]

On September 14, 1904, Blackburn defeated prolific Jewish Philadelphian boxer Blink McCloskey in a six-round newspaper decision by the Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Record.[6] McCloskey was a boxer of considerable ability and usually lost only to boxers of considerable talent.

On June 10, 1905, Blackburn first met Black Philadelphian boxer George Cole in Philadelphia, losing in a six-round newspaper decision of the Philadelphia Item. Cole's win was something of an upset. On January 1, 1907, Blackburn decisively won his first newspaper decision over Cole at the Philadelphia Athletic Club, giving Cole a "bad whipping". On June 7, 1907, at the New Pen Art Club in Philadelphia, Blackburn won again in a six-round newspaper decision over Cole.[6]

Ten bouts with Black boxer George Gunther

On January 3, 1906, Blackburn first met Black boxer George Gunther at New Castle, Pennsylvania in a fifteen-round bout, defeating him in the opinion of several newspapers. On January 31, 1906, Blackburn defeated Gunther by newspaper decision in a ten-round bout in Newcastle, Pennsylvania, though Blackburn was down in both the third and sixth rounds. Fighting as a 132-pound lightweight, Blackburn was outweighed by ten pounds though having a three-inch height advantage.[9] On February 7 he would defeat Gunther in a six-round newspaper decision in Pittsburgh in the opinion of three Pittsburgh newspapers as well as the smaller Newcastle Herald.[10] He would meet Gunther a total of ten times drawing with him once, and fighting many close bouts in which he was usually the victor in the opinions of most newspapers.[6]

In their December 6, 1907 bout, Blackburn knocked out Gunther in the fifth round at the Industrial Athletic Club in Philadelphia. After sidestepping a rush by Gunther, Blackburn's knockout blow was the result of a well-timed right on Gunther's jaw. The fifth saw some heavy blows on both sides.[11] In their April 18, 1907 six round bout at the Broadway Athletic Club in Philadelphia, Blackburn had the better of the close match, in the opinion of the Philadelphia Item but was still battered by the end. Gunther was dropped for a count of nine in the second, but showed a slight advantage in the remaining rounds and took the lead in the sixth when Blackburn showed fatigue.[12] On May 23, 1907, against at Philadelphia's Broadway Athletic Club, Blackburn fought what the local papers ruled a draw with Gunther, though the Pittsburgh Press felt a hard left hook to Gunther's face in the fourth gave him the advantage in the bout.[6] [13] Gunther would face many great boxers in his career including Sam Langford, Harry Lewis, and George Carpentier in France.

Bouts with Jim Barry, July, September 1907

On July 8, and September 5, 1907, Blackburn won by newspaper decision and then lost on points to talented opponent Jim Barry who outweighed him by about twenty pounds in both matches. The bouts were in Philadelphia, and Bridgeport, Connecticut. In their July bout Barry was down in the middle of the sixth round from a hard blow to the head and the Wilkes-Barre Evening News wrote that Blackburn had the best of every round.[14] Barry had been a Montana cowboy and would fight some talented heavyweights in his career including Sam Langford, Battling Levinsky, and Billy Miske, though he would die tragically in a shooting after a boxing match in Ancon, Panama in March 1917.

Impressive bout with 1908 World Welterweight Champion Harry Lewis, November 1907

On November 20, 1907, before around 3000 spectators, Blackburn impressively defeated 1908 World Welterweight Champion Harry Lewis, though the six-round, no-decision bout at the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia was decided by newspaper decision of the Philadelphia Item and Philadelphia Record. The bout was a carefully boxed defensive show with neither boxer landing knockout blows. Showing an effective defense against such an exceptional boxer as Lewis was a considerable achievement for Blackburn.[6] Blackburn appeared to land more blows than Lewis in the first two rounds, but was cautious in the third and fourth. He opened up in the fifth and sixth, being urged on by the crowd, and connected with a few powerful rights, particularly one to the ribs of Lewis which caused him to cover up. Characteristic of Blackburn's style, he effectively used his left jab throughout the bout. Blackburn's three inch reach advantage was used to his benefit.[15] [16] The Wilkes-Barre Evening News wrote that "the bout was so palpably one sided, even the most ardent admirers of Lewis were quieted before the third round was over." Each man collected around $1000 from the well attended bout.[17] The New York Age wrote that "Blackburn was a marvel of science, and self-possession, outboxing his opponent at every angle, judging distance better and hitting a harder blow."[18]

Loss to 1905 World Light Heavyweight Champion Philadelphia Jack O'Brien, June 1908

Boxing as a 147-pound welterweight on June 10, 1908, Blackburn was defeated by Philadelphia Jack O'Brien in a six-round bout at the National Athletic Club. O'Brien knocked Blackburn down in the first round and had him groggy in the third, but Blackburn evaded a knockout in the no-decision bout. Blackburn was outweighed in the bout by slightly under twenty-five pounds, though both boxers were near equal in height.[19] Blackburn was very briefly down in the fifth from a slip. The sixth saw many heavy blows landed but neither men down for a count. The bout was fast throughout.[20] O'Brien had taken the World Light Heavyweight Championship in December 1905.

On December 10 and 14, 1908, Blackburn met competent Southpaw boxer Jack Robinson at the Broadway and West End Athletic Clubs in Philadelphia, winning in a close newspaper decision on the tenth, and again in a six-round newspaper decision on the fourteenth.[6]

Four bouts with Mike Donovan

Blackburn first defeated Mike Donovan on October 18, 1907, in a six-round bout at Industrial Hall in Philadelphia in the opinion of the Philadelphia Record, though several newspapers considered the close fight a draw.[6] On December 24, 1907, Blackburn defeated Donovan in Reading, Pennsylvania at the Bijou Theatre in a ten-round newspaper decision. On April 21, 1908, Blackburn drew with Donovan in ten rounds at the Abel Opera House in Easton, Pennsylvania. In their November 23, 1908, six round bout, at the opening of Duquesne Gardens as a fight venue in Pittsburgh, The Pittsburgh Post wrote that "from start to finish, Blackburn danced around the Rochester man (Donovan), landing six blows to his opponent's one," and that he used a large repertoire of blows against which Donovan's only effective defense was to clinch.[21]

Trouble with the law, manslaughter conviction, 1909–14

Blackburn fought outside the ring at times, which caused him trouble in his life. He served four years and eight months for manslaughter as the result of a tragic shooting spree he instigated that led to several deaths in Philadelphia in 1909.[22] In 1935, Blackburn was indicted for manslaughter, as a result of two shootings in October of that year, though the charges were later dropped. He was briefly held in jail on October 21, 1935, and probably for a period later in that year.[2] [23] [24]

Second half of career, and return to boxing after jail sentence

After the completion of his jail sentence, Blackburn usually fought closer to the welterweight and light middleweight divisions, but continued to fight highly skilled opponents. His loss of training and advancing age caused by his sentence affected his boxing somewhat, and he won fewer bouts subsequent to his jail term.

Close loss to heavyweight Gunboat Smith, May 1914

In one of his first bouts after his prison term, fighting as a 150-pound light middleweight, he lost to Gunboat Smith in a six-round newspaper decision in front of 3000 fans at the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia on May 20, 1914. Smith was a 6' 2" heavyweight who outweighed him by thirty pounds. Blackburn was down for a count of nine from a right to the forehead in the first round. Blackburn took another count of nine in the fifth round, but throughout the fight he showed pluck and often was the aggressor. In the fourth and particularly the third rounds, Blackburn kept the boxing close and may have taken the third.[25] Smith would meet Battling Levinsky and Jack Dempsey on several occasions in his career, and was considered one of the top white heavyweight contenders at the time.[26]

Exciting bout with 1923 World Middleweight Champion Harry Greb, January 1915

On January 25, 1915, Blackburn met 1923 World Middleweight Champion Harry Greb at Duquesne Gardens in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, losing in a six-round newspaper decision of the Pittsburgh Post. Even against the great competitor Greb who was known to throw an exceptionally large number of punches, the Post wrote that Blackburn "blocked, side-stepped, slipped, rode, and ducked", putting up an excellent defense. The bout was reasonably close with Greb clearly taking around four of the six rounds.[6] Blackburn opened up in the third, sending a stiff left to the jaw of Greb and another to the mouth. Blackburn may have taken the sixth, but Greb's ability to throw far more punches, characteristic of his style, probably helped him to win on points.[27] The Pittsburgh Press noted Blackburn's "eel-like evasions of Greb's short range stuff", and that he "served flashes of former brilliancy", but Greb's youth, stamina, and strength was the final determinant of the fight's outcome.[28] The Pittsburgh Post wrote that Blackburn was "so elusive that not one punch in ten that Greb started ever connected."

On August 23, 1916, Blackburn defeated Young Ahearn, a noted welter and middleweight based in Brooklyn, at the National Athletic Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in a six-round newspaper decision of Philadelphia's Public Ledger, and Record. Blackburn had a two-inch advantage in height and reach, though Ahearn was six years younger at only twenty-three to Blackburn's thirty-four, an advancing age for a competitive boxer. One month later on August 8, Blackburn and Ahearn would fight a ten-round draw at the Harlem Sports Club in New York City.[6]

On October 20 and November 3, 1916, Blackburn lost twice to powerful hitter Joe Borrell by six-round newspaper decisions at the Nonpareil Athletic Club in Philadelphia. In their October 20 bout, Blackburn staggered Borrell in the first with a right hook to the jaw, making Borrell fight more cautiously. In the sixth and final round, Borrell took the advantage, staggering Blackburn, and showing more aggression. Borrell was ten years younger than Blackburn at only twenty-four.[29] In their November 3, bout, Borrell gave Blackburn a "severe whipping", and never let up on his opponent. Borrell reached both the head and body.[30] In their last bout on June 15, 1917, in a six-round bout at the Cambria Club in Philadelphia, Blackburn defeated Borrell in the opinion of the Philadelphia Record, though the boxing was close.

Late career loss to the future Colored Light Heavyweight Champion Kid Norfolk, June 1920

On June 22, 1920, Blackburn met the great future 1923 Colored Light Heavyweight World Champion Kid Norfolk, originally William Ward, losing in a fourth-round knockout at Madison Athletic Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Norfolk reportedly had a twenty-pound advantage on Blackburn and was about thirteen years younger, requiring the referee to stop the bout in the fourth round, as Blackburn could do little against his far stronger opponent. A match with such a glaring weight discrepancy would not have been made among more contemporary boxers, though Blackburn had a slight advantage in height and reach.[31]

Loss to Panama Joe Gans, July 1922

Blackburn fought the Barbados-born boxer Panama Joe Gans, who had boxed extensively in Panama where he lived prior to 1917. Panama Joe held the World Colored Middleweight Championship from 1920 to 1924, and held a Panamanian Lightweight Title in his youth. On July 24, 1922, Blackburn lost one of his last bouts to Gans in Indianapolis, Indiana, in a fourth-round technical knockout of a scheduled ten round bout. Panama Joe was a formidable boxer and fourteen years younger than Blackburn when they met, though Blackburn had a three-inch advantage in height and reach. Boxing at forty, Blackburn probably should not have been matched with the twenty-six year old Gans.[32]

On March 7, 1923, Gans fought Ray Pelkey, in what was likely his last recorded bout, at the Auditorium in Oakland, California, losing in a third-round knockout. Blackburn went down to one knee in the third round and remarked to the referee that he lacked the wind to continue. The referee ended the bout as a knockout. Blackburn was boxing at forty to Pelkey's twenty-four years.[33] Eleven years later, Blackburn would begin training Joe Louis.

Sammy Mandell takes World Lightweight Championship, July 1926

On July 3, 1926 Sammy Mandell took the World Lightweight Championship, defeating Rocky Kansas in Chicago. Blackburn had trained Mandell on his punching skills from his earliest start in boxing.[2] [34]

Working as a trainer to Joe Louis, 1934–42

After retiring from boxing around 1923, Blackburn drifted from job to job before Black Chicago businessman, Julian Black chose him to train Joe Louis, who was fresh from his achievements in the Golden Gloves. Blackburn wrote he had trained Louis since June 1934, shortly before Louis's first recorded professional bout, a knockout against Jack Kracken in Chicago. He helped Louis to properly time his blows, improve his punching accuracy, and to focus on proper balance. Blackburn's greatest achievement as a trainer came on June 22, 1937, when Joe Louis took the World Heavyweight Championship from Jim Braddock at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois in an eighth-round knockout.[3] Blackburn had trouble with drinking in his later years while training Joe Louis that likely caused the deterioration of his health.[2] [35]

List of Blackburn's trainees

In his career, besides his long work with Joe Louis, Blackburn had roles training Light Heavyweight Champion John Henry Lewis, Bantamweight Champion Bud Taylor, as well as Art Lasky, Jackie Fields, Lew Tendler, Sailor Freedman, and Von Porat.[3] He also trained Billy Ryan a welterweight from Cincinnati. While in Philadelphia, Blackburn briefly trained Jersey Joe Walcott.

Early death by heart attack in 1942

He died on April 24, 1942, of a heart attack while he was being given a routine physical examination. He had been suffering from pneumonia for two months, beginning shortly before Joe Louis met Abe Simon at Madison Square Garden in March of that year. Only months before his death, Blackburn was in Louis's corner giving him advice.

Blackburn's death came particularly hard for his greatest training protégé, world heavyweight champion Joe Louis whom he had trained since Louis's first professional bout. His funeral, which several thousand attended, took place on the South side of Chicago at Pilgrim Baptist Church on April 29, 1942. He was buried at Chicago's Lincoln Cemetery.[36] Chicago businessman Julian Black, who had helped recruit him as a trainer for Joe Louis, attended, as did Louis's manager Mike Jacobs.[37] He was survived by his widow Laura, a stepson, a brother John, and a sister.[1]

Legacy

He is an inductee of the World Boxing Hall of Fame and was an inductee of the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the non-participant category in 1992.[2]

He appeared as a character in the opera, Shadowboxer, based on the life of Joe Louis. He was portrayed by actor Richard Roundtree in the 2002 film Joe and Max and also by James Edwards in the 1953 movie The Joe Louis Story.[38]

Professional boxing record

All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[39] 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.

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
168Loss47–9–11 Ray PelkeyKO3 (4)Mar 7, 1923
167Loss47–8–11 Panama Joe GansTKO4 (10)Jul 24, 1922
166Win47–7–11 Bonecrusher McNallyKO2 (10)Apr 25, 1922
165Win46–7–11 Calvin RespressNWS10Apr 7, 1922
164Win46–7–11 Young Jack JohnsonPTS8Dec 20, 1920
163Loss45–7–11 Kid NorfolkKO4 (8)Jun 22, 1920
162Win45–6–11 Smiling Kid NolanKO2 (6)Jan 27, 1920
161Win44–6–11 Jimmy Lyggett Sr.NWS6Nov 28, 1918
160Win44–6–11 Harry BakerNWS8Nov 22, 1918
159Win44–6–11 Larry WilliamsNWS8Sep 20, 1918
158Win44–6–11 Willie LangfordNWS12Apr 22, 1918
157Win44–6–11 Young Herman MillerNWS6Dec 7, 1917
156Win44–6–11 Henry HauberNWS6Oct 4, 1917
155Win44–6–11 Joe RosenNWS6Sep 6, 1917
154Win44–6–11 Pat O'MalleyNWS6Aug 13, 1917
153Win44–6–11 Henry HauberNWS6Jul 16, 1917
152Win44–6–11 Joe BorrellNWS6Jun 15, 1917
151Loss44–6–11 Larry WilliamsNWS6May 31, 1917
150Win44–6–11 Harry BakerNWS6Mar 29, 1917
149Win44–6–11 Henry HauberNWS6Feb 15, 1917
148Win44–6–11 Harry BakerNWS6Feb 1, 1917
147Win44–6–11 Christy WilliamsPTS10Jan 22, 1917
146Loss43–6–11 Jackie ClarkNWS10Nov 21, 1916
145Loss43–6–11 Eddie RevoireNWS6Nov 17, 1916
144Loss43–6–11 Joe BorrellNWS6Nov 3, 1916
143Loss43–6–11 Joe BorrellNWS6Oct 20, 1916
142Loss43–6–11 Eddie RevoireNWS6Oct 17, 1916
141Draw43–6–11 Young AhearnNWS10Sep 8, 1916
140Win43–6–11 Young AhearnNWS6Aug 23, 1916
139Win43–6–11 George K O SamsonKO2 (6)Jun 28, 1916
138Win42–6–11 Willie BakerKO4 (6)Jun 20, 1916
137Win41–6–11 Joe RosenNWS6Jun 12, 1916
136Win41–6–11 One Round SylvesterNWS8Jan 7, 1916
135Win41–6–11 One Round SylvesterNWS8Dec 25, 1915
134Win41–6–11 Jack WattsTKO9 (10)Sep 6, 1915
133Loss40–6–11 Eddie PalmerPTS8Aug 2, 1915
132Draw40–5–11 Al RogersNWS6Jan 27, 1915
131Loss40–5–11 Harry GrebNWS6Jan 25, 1915
130Loss40–5–11 Harry BakerNWS6Jan 19, 1915
129Draw40–5–11 Harry BakerNWS6Jan 12, 1915
128Draw40–5–11 Al GrayberNWS6Dec 16, 1914
127Loss40–5–11 Emmett 'Kid' WagnerKO4 (10)Oct 29, 1914
126Loss40–4–11 Bill WatkinsKO4 (10)Oct 10, 1914
125Loss40–3–11 Young Tommy ColemanNWS6Oct 5, 1914
124Loss40–3–11 Jack McCarronNWS6Sep 12, 1914
123Loss40–3–11 Gunboat SmithNWS6May 20, 1914
122Win40–3–11 Tommy HowellNWS6Apr 4, 1914
121Win40–3–11 Harry MansfieldNWS6Dec 29, 1908
120Win40–3–11 Jack RobinsonNWS6Dec 14, 1908
119Win40–3–11 Jack RobinsonNWS3Dec 10, 1908
118Win40–3–11 Mickey McDonoughNWS3Dec 10, 1908
117Win40–3–11 Professor Mike DonovanNWS6Nov 23, 1908
116Win40–3–11 George MemsicNWS6Nov 7, 1908
115NC40–3–11 Cy FlynnNC6 (6)Sep 30, 1908
114Win40–3–11 John WillieNWS6Sep 26, 1908
113Win40–3–11 Tony CaponiNWS6Sep 14, 1908
112Win40–3–11 George GuntherNWS6Jun 18, 1908
111Loss40–3–11 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienNWS6Jun 10, 1908
110Win40–3–11 Steve CrosbyNWS6May 1, 1908
109Win40–3–11 Mark AndersonTKO2 (6)May 1, 1908
108Draw39–3–11 Professor Mike DonovanPTS10Apr 21, 1908
107Win39–3–10 Bill HeveronTKO3 (6)Apr 13, 1908
106Win38–3–10 Young Tommy ColemanNWS6Mar 20, 1908
105Win38–3–10 Terry MartinNWS6Mar 14, 1908
104Win38–3–10 George GuntherNWS6Feb 27, 1908
103Win38–3–10 Charley HitteTKO14 (20)Jan 21, 1908
102Win37–3–10 Jack BonnerNWS6Jan 17, 1908
101Draw37–3–10 George GuntherNWS6Jan 9, 1908
100Win37–3–10 Professor Mike DonovanNWS10Dec 24, 1907
99Win37–3–10 Jack MorganTKO3 (6)Dec 20, 1907
98Win36–3–10 George GuntherKO5 (6)Dec 6, 1907
97Win35–3–10 Harry LewisNWS6Nov 20, 1907
96Win35–3–10 Professor Mike DonovanNWS6Oct 18, 1907
95Loss35–3–10 Jim BarryPTS6Sep 5, 1907
94Win35–2–10 Jim BarryNWS6Jul 8, 1907
93Win35–2–10 Billy BurkeNWS6Jun 27, 1907
92Win35–2–10 Terry MartinNWS6Jun 17, 1907
91Win35–2–10 George ColeNWS6Jun 7, 1907
90Win35–2–10 Fred BradleyKO2 (6)May 27, 1907
89Draw34–2–10 George GuntherNWS6May 23, 1907
88Win34–2–10 Herman MillerKO3 (6)May 17, 1907
87Win33–2–10 George GuntherNWS10May 15, 1907
86Win33–2–10 George GuntherNWS6Apr 18, 1907
85Win33–2–10 Billy BurkeNWS6Jan 25, 1907
84Win33–2–10 Kid HenryNWS6Jan 24, 1907
83Win33–2–10 George ColeNWS6Jan 1, 1907
82Win33–2–10 Eddie HaneyTKO2 (6)Nov 29, 1906
81Win32–2–10 Ted SmithNWS10Nov 6, 1906
80Win32–2–10 Dave HollyNWS6Oct 11, 1906
79Win32–2–10 Billy BurkeTKO3 (6)Aug 23, 1906
78Win31–2–10 Billy BurkeNWS6Aug 2, 1906
77Draw31–2–10 George GuntherNWS6Jul 5, 1906
76Loss31–2–10 Joe GansNWS6Jun 29, 1906
75Win31–2–10 Kid WilsonNWS6Jun 7, 1906
74Win31–2–10 Sammy CampbellNWS4May 11, 1906
73Win31–2–10 Sammy CampbellNWS4May 4, 1906
72Win31–2–10 Cleve HawkinsKO2 (6)May 1, 1906
71Win30–2–10 Kid WilsonPTS8Mar 20, 1906
70Win29–2–10 Jack WilliamsNWS6Mar 8, 1906
69Win29–2–10 George GuntherNWS6Feb 7, 1906
68Win29–2–10 George GuntherNWS10Jan 31, 1906
67Win29–2–10 Pat O'RourkeNWS3Jan 19, 1906
66Win29–2–10 Sailor BurkeNWS3Jan 1, 1906
65Draw29–2–10 Larry TemplePTS15Oct 13, 1905
64NC29–2–9 Sam LangfordNC1 (6)Oct 7, 1905
63Win29–2–9 Harry SenterPTS6Oct 4, 1905
62Draw28–2–9 Jack WilliamsNWS6Oct 4, 1905
61Draw28–2–9 Sam LangfordPTS10Sep 20, 1905
60Draw28–2–8 Larry TemplePTS12Sep 4, 1905
59Loss28–2–7 Sam LangfordPTS15Aug 18, 1905
58Win28–1–7 Jack WilliamsNWS6Aug 10, 1905
57Loss28–1–7 George ColeNWS6Jun 10, 1905
56Win28–1–7 Joe AllenKO1 (6)Apr 22, 1905
55Win27–1–7 Dick FitzpatrickKO2 (12)Apr 3, 1905
54Win26–1–7 Cy FlynnPTS12Feb 27, 1905
53Win25–1–7 Ed SmithPTS10Feb 21, 1905
52Win24–1–7 Kid WilsonNWS6Feb 17, 1905
51Win24–1–7 Kid FerryKO7 (10)Jan 31, 1905
50Win23–1–7 Charley MulhallPTS10Jan 19, 1905
49Win22–1–7 Joe GrimNWS6Jan 12, 1905
48Draw22–1–7 Sam LangfordPTS15Dec 9, 1904
47Win22–1–6 Sam BolenNWS6Dec 3, 1904
46Win22–1–6 Joe GrimNWS6Dec 1, 1904
45Win22–1–6 Joe GrimNWS6Nov 3, 1904
44Win22–1–6 Charley HitteTKO3 (6)Sep 23, 1904
43Win21–1–6 Blink McCloskeyNWS6Sep 14, 1904
42Win21–1–6 Dave HollyNWS6Aug 26, 1904
41Win21–1–6 Harry LennyTKO5 (6)Jul 18, 1904
40Win20–1–6 Kid FerryKO8 (10)Apr 5, 1904
39Loss19–1–6 Joe GansPTS15Mar 25, 1904
38NC19–0–6 Danny DuaneNC2 (15)Mar 1, 1904
37Win19–0–6 Kid WilsonNWS6Jan 25, 1904
36Win19–0–6 Charley MulhallNWS6Jan 19, 1904
35Draw19–0–6 Sam LangfordNWS6Jan 11, 1904
34Draw19–0–6 Sam BolenPTS15Jan 8, 1904
33Win19–0–5 Jimmy GardnerPTS12Jan 2, 1904
32Draw18–0–5 Mike "Twin" SullivanPTS15Dec 31, 1903
31Draw18–0–4 Sam LangfordPTS12Dec 23, 1903
30Loss18–0–3 Dave HollyNWS6Nov 21, 1903
29Win18–0–3 Joe GansNWS6Nov 2, 1903
28Win18–0–3 Eddie KennedyNWS6Oct 12, 1903
27Win18–0–3 Tommy DalyKO3 (6)Sep 25, 1903
2617–0–3 Tommy ClearyNC1 (6)Sep 25, 1903
25Win17–0–3 Vernon CampbellTKO4 (6)Sep 18, 1903
24Win16–0–3 Tommy WildTKO2 (6)Sep 15, 1903
23Win15–0–3 Howard WilsonNWS6Sep 1, 1903
22Win15–0–3 Kid TerrellTKO4 (6)Jul 3, 1903
21Draw14–0–3 Jack "Twin" SullivanNWS6Jun 19, 1903
20Win14–0–3 Joe UvanniTKO6 (6)Jun 13, 1903
19Win13–0–3 Jack McKenzieNWS6May 5, 1903
18Draw13–0–3 Dave HollyNWS6May 4, 1903
17Win13–0–3 Charles McDonaldKO3 (6)Mar 9, 1903
16Win12–0–3 James FrazierPTS6Mar 2, 1903
15Win11–0–3 Kid ReynoldsKO2 (?)Feb 23, 1903
14Win10–0–3 Eddie GardnerTKO10 (15)Dec 15, 1902
13Win9–0–3 Otis SouthersKO2 (?)Dec 1, 1902
12Win8–0–3 Bob FanningPTS10Aug 14, 1902
11Win7–0–3 Bob FanningPTS10Aug 7, 1902
10Draw6–0–3 Jack CullenPTS10May 5, 1902
9Draw6–0–2 Steve CrosbyPTS10Apr 10, 1902
8Win6–0–1 Kid StevensKO2 (?)Mar 6, 1902
75–0–1 Eugene BezenahND?Dec 16, 1901
6Win5–0–1Jim GlasgowKO2 (6)Nov 19, 1901
5Draw4–0–1Jack CullenPTS10May 11, 1901
4Win4–0William LoveKO2 (?)Apr 25, 1901
3Win3–0John DeanPTS4Feb 21, 1901
2Win2–0Joe TrevanPTS4Dec 27, 1900
1Win1–0Albert BeanKO7 (?)Apr 29, 1900

Unofficial record

Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions in the win/loss/draw column.

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
168Loss117–24–22 Ray PelkeyKO3 (4)Mar 7, 1923
167Loss117–23–22 Panama Joe GansTKO4 (10)Jul 24, 1922
166Win117–22–22 Bonecrusher McNallyKO2 (10)Apr 25, 1922
165Win116–22–22 Calvin RespressNWS10Apr 7, 1922
164Win115–22–22 Young Jack JohnsonPTS8Dec 20, 1920
163Loss114–22–22 Kid NorfolkKO4 (8)Jun 22, 1920
162Win114–21–22 Smiling Kid NolanKO2 (6)Jan 27, 1920
161Win113–21–22 Jimmy Lyggett Sr.NWS6Nov 28, 1918
160Win112–21–22 Harry BakerNWS8Nov 22, 1918
159Win111–21–22 Larry WilliamsNWS8Sep 20, 1918
158Win110–21–22 Willie LangfordNWS12Apr 22, 1918
157Win109–21–22 Young Herman MillerNWS6Dec 7, 1917
156Win108–21–22 Henry HauberNWS6Oct 4, 1917
155Win107–21–22 Joe RosenNWS6Sep 6, 1917
154Win106–21–22 Pat O'MalleyNWS6Aug 13, 1917
153Win105–21–22 Henry HauberNWS6Jul 16, 1917
152Win104–21–22 Joe BorrellNWS6Jun 15, 1917
151Loss103–21–22 Larry WilliamsNWS6May 31, 1917
150Win103–20–22 Harry BakerNWS6Mar 29, 1917
149Win102–20–22 Henry HauberNWS6Feb 15, 1917
148Win101–20–22 Harry BakerNWS6Feb 1, 1917
147Win100–20–22 Christy WilliamsPTS10Jan 22, 1917
146Loss99–20–22 Jackie ClarkNWS10Nov 21, 1916
145Loss99–19–22 Eddie RevoireNWS6Nov 17, 1916
144Loss99–18–22 Joe BorrellNWS6Nov 3, 1916
143Loss99–17–22 Joe BorrellNWS6Oct 20, 1916
142Loss99–16–22 Eddie RevoireNWS6Oct 17, 1916
141Draw99–15–22 Young AhearnNWS10Sep 8, 1916
140Win99–15–21 Young AhearnNWS6Aug 23, 1916
139Win98–15–21 George K O SamsonKO2 (6)Jun 28, 1916
138Win97–15–21 Willie BakerKO4 (6)Jun 20, 1916
137Win96–15–21 Joe RosenNWS6Jun 12, 1916
136Win95–15–21 One Round SylvesterNWS8Jan 7, 1916
135Win94–15–21 One Round SylvesterNWS8Dec 25, 1915
134Win93–15–21 Jack WattsTKO9 (10)Sep 6, 1915
133Loss92–15–21 Eddie PalmerPTS8Aug 2, 1915
132Draw92–14–21 Al RogersNWS6Jan 27, 1915
131Loss92–14–20 Harry GrebNWS6Jan 25, 1915
130Loss92–13–20 Harry BakerNWS6Jan 19, 1915
129Draw92–12–20 Harry BakerNWS6Jan 12, 1915
128Draw92–12–19 Al GrayberNWS6Dec 16, 1914
127Loss92–12–18 Emmett 'Kid' WagnerKO4 (10)Oct 29, 1914
126Loss92–11–18 Bill WatkinsKO4 (10)Oct 10, 1914
125Loss92–10–18 Young Tommy ColemanNWS6Oct 5, 1914
124Loss92–9–18 Jack McCarronNWS6Sep 12, 1914
123Loss92–8–18 Gunboat SmithNWS6May 20, 1914
122Win92–7–18 Tommy HowellNWS6Apr 4, 1914
121Win91–7–18 Harry MansfieldNWS6Dec 29, 1908
120Win90–7–18 Jack RobinsonNWS6Dec 14, 1908
119Win89–7–18 Jack RobinsonNWS3Dec 10, 1908
118Win88–7–18 Mickey McDonoughNWS3Dec 10, 1908
117Win87–7–18 Professor Mike DonovanNWS6Nov 23, 1908
116Win86–7–18 George MemsicNWS6Nov 7, 1908
115NC85–7–18 Cy FlynnNC6 (6)Sep 30, 1908
114Win85–7–18 John WillieNWS6Sep 26, 1908
113Win84–7–18 Tony CaponiNWS6Sep 14, 1908
112Win83–7–18 George GuntherNWS6Jun 18, 1908
111Loss82–7–18 Philadelphia Jack O'BrienNWS6Jun 10, 1908
110Win82–6–18 Steve CrosbyNWS6May 1, 1908
109Win81–6–18 Mark AndersonTKO2 (6)May 1, 1908
108Draw80–6–18 Professor Mike DonovanPTS10Apr 21, 1908
107Win80–6–17 Bill HeveronTKO3 (6)Apr 13, 1908
106Win79–6–17 Young Tommy ColemanNWS6Mar 20, 1908
105Win78–6–17 Terry MartinNWS6Mar 14, 1908
104Win77–6–17 George GuntherNWS6Feb 27, 1908
103Win76–6–17 Charley HitteTKO14 (20)Jan 21, 1908
102Win75–6–17 Jack BonnerNWS6Jan 17, 1908
101Draw74–6–17 George GuntherNWS6Jan 9, 1908
100Win74–6–16 Professor Mike DonovanNWS10Dec 24, 1907
99Win73–6–16 Jack MorganTKO3 (6)Dec 20, 1907
98Win72–6–16 George GuntherKO5 (6)Dec 6, 1907
97Win71–6–16 Harry LewisNWS6Nov 20, 1907
96Win70–6–16 Professor Mike DonovanNWS6Oct 18, 1907
95Loss69–6–16 Jim BarryPTS6Sep 5, 1907
94Win69–5–16 Jim BarryNWS6Jul 8, 1907
93Win68–5–16 Billy BurkeNWS6Jun 27, 1907
92Win67–5–16 Terry MartinNWS6Jun 17, 1907
91Win66–5–16 George ColeNWS6Jun 7, 1907
90Win65–5–16 Fred BradleyKO2 (6)May 27, 1907
89Draw64–5–16 George GuntherNWS6May 23, 1907
88Win64–5–15 Herman MillerKO3 (6)May 17, 1907
87Win63–5–15 George GuntherNWS10May 15, 1907
86Win62–5–15 George GuntherNWS6Apr 18, 1907
85Win61–5–15 Billy BurkeNWS6Jan 25, 1907
84Win60–5–15 Kid HenryNWS6Jan 24, 1907
83Win59–5–15 George ColeNWS6Jan 1, 1907
82Win58–5–15 Eddie HaneyTKO2 (6)Nov 29, 1906
81Win57–5–15 Ted SmithNWS10Nov 6, 1906
80Win56–5–15 Dave HollyNWS6Oct 11, 1906
79Win55–5–15 Billy BurkeTKO3 (6)Aug 23, 1906
78Win54–5–15 Billy BurkeNWS6Aug 2, 1906
77Draw53–5–15 George GuntherNWS6Jul 5, 1906
76Loss53–5–14 Joe GansNWS6Jun 29, 1906
75Win53–4–14 Kid WilsonNWS6Jun 7, 1906
74Win52–4–14 Sammy CampbellNWS4May 11, 1906
73Win51–4–14 Sammy CampbellNWS4May 4, 1906
72Win50–4–14 Cleve HawkinsKO2 (6)May 1, 1906
71Win49–4–14 Kid WilsonPTS8Mar 20, 1906
70Win48–4–14 Jack WilliamsNWS6Mar 8, 1906
69Win47–4–14 George GuntherNWS6Feb 7, 1906
68Win46–4–14 George GuntherNWS10Jan 31, 1906
67Win45–4–14 Pat O'RourkeNWS3Jan 19, 1906
66Win44–4–14 Sailor BurkeNWS3Jan 1, 1906
65Draw43–4–14 Larry TemplePTS15Oct 13, 1905
64NC43–4–13 Sam LangfordNC1 (6)Oct 7, 1905
63Win43–4–13 Harry SenterPTS6Oct 4, 1905
62Draw42–4–13 Jack WilliamsNWS6Oct 4, 1905
61Draw42–4–12 Sam LangfordPTS10Sep 20, 1905
60Draw42–4–11 Larry TemplePTS12Sep 4, 1905
59Loss42–4–10 Sam LangfordPTS15Aug 18, 1905
58Win42–3–10 Jack WilliamsNWS6Aug 10, 1905
57Loss41–3–10 George ColeNWS6Jun 10, 1905
56Win41–2–10 Joe AllenKO1 (6)Apr 22, 1905
55Win40–2–10 Dick FitzpatrickKO2 (12)Apr 3, 1905
54Win39–2–10 Cy FlynnPTS12Feb 27, 1905
53Win38–2–10 Ed SmithPTS10Feb 21, 1905
52Win37–2–10 Kid WilsonNWS6Feb 17, 1905
51Win36–2–10 Kid FerryKO7 (10)Jan 31, 1905
50Win35–2–10 Charley MulhallPTS10Jan 19, 1905
49Win34–2–10 Joe GrimNWS6Jan 12, 1905
48Draw33–2–10 Sam LangfordPTS15Dec 9, 1904
47Win33–2–9 Sam BolenNWS6Dec 3, 1904
46Win32–2–9 Joe GrimNWS6Dec 1, 1904
45Win31–2–9 Joe GrimNWS6Nov 3, 1904
44Win30–2–9 Charley HitteTKO3 (6)Sep 23, 1904
43Win29–2–9 Blink McCloskeyNWS6Sep 14, 1904
42Win28–2–9 Dave HollyNWS6Aug 26, 1904
41Win27–2–9 Harry LennyTKO5 (6)Jul 18, 1904
40Win26–2–9 Kid FerryKO8 (10)Apr 5, 1904
39Loss25–2–9 Joe GansPTS15Mar 25, 1904
38NC25–1–9 Danny DuaneNC2 (15)Mar 1, 1904
37Win25–1–9 Kid WilsonNWS6Jan 25, 1904
36Win24–1–9 Charley MulhallNWS6Jan 19, 1904
35Draw23–1–9 Sam LangfordNWS6Jan 11, 1904
34Draw23–1–8 Sam BolenPTS15Jan 8, 1904
33Win23–1–7 Jimmy GardnerPTS12Jan 2, 1904
32Draw22–1–7 Mike "Twin" SullivanPTS15Dec 31, 1903
31Draw22–1–6 Sam LangfordPTS12Dec 23, 1903
30Loss22–1–5 Dave HollyNWS6Nov 21, 1903
29Win22–0–5 Joe GansNWS6Nov 2, 1903
28Win21–0–5 Eddie KennedyNWS6Oct 12, 1903
27Win20–0–5 Tommy DalyKO3 (6)Sep 25, 1903
2619–0–5 Tommy ClearyNC1 (6)Sep 25, 1903
25Win19–0–5 Vernon CampbellTKO4 (6)Sep 18, 1903
24Win18–0–5 Tommy WildTKO2 (6)Sep 15, 1903
23Win17–0–5 Howard WilsonNWS6Sep 1, 1903
22Win16–0–5 Kid TerrellTKO4 (6)Jul 3, 1903
21Draw15–0–5 Jack "Twin" SullivanNWS6Jun 19, 1903
20Win15–0–4 Joe UvanniTKO6 (6)Jun 13, 1903
19Win14–0–4 Jack McKenzieNWS6May 5, 1903
18Draw13–0–4 Dave HollyNWS6May 4, 1903
17Win13–0–3 Charles McDonaldKO3 (6)Mar 9, 1903
16Win12–0–3 James FrazierPTS6Mar 2, 1903
15Win11–0–3 Kid ReynoldsKO2 (?)Feb 23, 1903
14Win10–0–3 Eddie GardnerTKO10 (15)Dec 15, 1902
13Win9–0–3 Otis SouthersKO2 (?)Dec 1, 1902
12Win8–0–3 Bob FanningPTS10Aug 14, 1902
11Win7–0–3 Bob FanningPTS10Aug 7, 1902
10Draw6–0–3 Jack CullenPTS10May 5, 1902
9Draw6–0–2 Steve CrosbyPTS10Apr 10, 1902
8Win6–0–1 Kid StevensKO2 (?)Mar 6, 1902
75–0–1 Eugene BezenahND?Dec 16, 1901
6Win5–0–1Jim GlasgowKO2 (6)Nov 19, 1901
5Draw4–0–1Jack CullenPTS10May 11, 1901
4Win4–0William LoveKO2 (?)Apr 25, 1901
3Win3–0John DeanPTS4Feb 21, 1901
2Win2–0Joe TrevanPTS4Dec 27, 1900
1Win1–0Albert BeanKO7 (?)Apr 29, 1900

Notes and References

  1. "Jack Blackburn, Louis Trainer, Dies in Chicago", The Courier Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, pg. 14, 25 April 1942
  2. Web site: Jack Blackburn. International Boxing Hall of Fame. 24 October 2016.
  3. Blackburn, Jack, "How I trained Joe Louis to Beat Carnera", The Pittsburgh Courier, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 14, 20 July 1935
  4. "Jack Blackburn Won", Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 14, 11 January 1906
  5. "The World of Sport", Harrisburgh Telegraph, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, pg. 6, 3 November 1903
  6. Web site: Jack Blackburn. BoxRec. 24 May 2016.
  7. "Met in the Ring", The Scranton Republican, Scranton, Pennsylvania, pg. 1, 9 January 1904
  8. "Jack Blackburn and Sam Langford Draw", The St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, pg. 16, 21 September 1905
  9. St Louis Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, pg. 14, 1 February 1906
  10. "Blackburn Won", New Castle Herald, New Castle, Pennsylvania, pg. 6, 8 February 1906
  11. "Blackburn Knocked Out George Gunther", Evening Star, Washington, D.C., pg. 9, 7 December 1907
  12. "Blackburn in a Hard Battle", The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 26, 19 April 1907
  13. "Australian Got a Beating", The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 26, 24 May 1907
  14. "Blackburn Beat Barry", Wilkes-Barre Evening News, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 6, 9 July 1907
  15. "Blackburn Gets Best of Harry Lewis", Wilkes-Barre Times, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 6, 21 November 1907
  16. 3000 fans attended in "Lewis Outpointed by Jack Blackburn", Evening Star, Washington, D.C., pg. 22, 21 November 1907
  17. "Blackburn Wins from Harry Lewis", Wilkes-Barre Evening News, Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 10, 21 November 1907
  18. "Live News of Philadelphia", The New York Age, New York, New York, pg. 1, 28 November 1907
  19. "Jack O'Brien Defeats Blackburn in Six Rounds", New Castle Herald, New Castle, Pennsylvania, pg. 11, 11 June 1908
  20. "Jack O'Brien Won From Blackburn", Trenton Evening News", Trenton, New Jersey, pg. 11, 11 June 1908
  21. "Jack Blackburn's Clever Boxing Proves Too Much for Mike Donovan", The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 9, 24 November 1908
  22. "Jack Blackburn Rated Louis Best of All Time", St. Louis Post Dispatch, St. Louis, Missouri, pg. 25, 25 April 1942
  23. Louis's Trainer Suspected of Shooting Girl", Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada, pg. 1, 22 October 1935
  24. Shooting of a bystander precipitated manslaughter charge in "Blackburn is Held for Manslaughter", The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, pg. 19, 6 December 1935
  25. The boxing was close in "Gunboat Smith Beat Blackburn", Delaware County Daily Times, Chester, Pennsylvania, pg. 10, 21 May 1914
  26. "Gunboat Smith Wins From Jack Blackburn", The Allentown Democrat, Allentown, Pennsylvania, pg. 5, 22 May 1914
  27. "Harry Greb Winner Over Jack Blackburn", The Gazette Times, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 10, 26 January 1915
  28. Jab, Jim, "Rooters Help Harry Greb to Ring Victory", The Pittsburgh Press, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 24, 26 January 1915
  29. "Joe Borrell Land Win Over Blackburn", The Wilkes-Barre Evening News, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, pg. 9, 21 October 1916
  30. "Joe Borrell Beats J. Blackburn Badly", The Pittsburgh Post, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, pg. 11, 4 November 1916
  31. "Too Big For Blackburn", The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, pg. 14, 23 June 1920
  32. "Last Nite's Fights", Logansport Pharoah Tribune, Logansport, Indiana, pg. 7, 25 July 1922
  33. "Jack Blackburn Got No Mo Wind", El Paso Herald, El Paso, Texas, pg. 21, 10 March 1923
  34. Web site: Sammy Mandell. BoxRec. 24 May 2016.
  35. Julian Black chose him as trainer in "Jack Blackburn's Death Toughtest Blow for Lewis", The News-Herald, Franklin, Pennsylvania, pg. 7, 25 April 1942
  36. "Blackburn Goes to his Rest", Chicago Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, pg. 26, 30 April 1942
  37. "Jack Blackburn's Death Toughest Blow for Louis", The News Herald, Franklin, Pennsylvania, pg. 7, 25 April 1942
  38. Midegette, Anne, "Inspired by Joe Louis, opera 'Shadowboxer' scores one for reality", Washington Post, April 17, 2010
  39. Web site: BoxRec: Jack Blackburn.