johnny kilbane: the boxing life of a featherweight champion

Holding the world featherweight boxing championship for more than 11 years, Johnny Kilbane’s name became synonymous with the title. His accepted record of 51-4-7, with 78 no decisions and 2 no contests (25 victories by way of knockout), put him in elite company with other members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

In October 1917--while still World Featherweight Champion--Johnny Kilbane, a true patriot, became a lieutenant in the U.S. Army to serve in World War I. Following his career as fighter, he turned to adjudication. Johnny Kilbane transformed himself into a talented and prolific boxing referee and he did so while juggling his other responsibilities such as operating a gym, serving in the Ohio Senate, or acting as Clerk of the Cleveland Municipal Court. As dedicated to public service as he was to pugilism, he gained the respect of his peers and his constituents and was admired for his commitment to family. This is his biography.

Mark Allen Baker, business executive and author of hundreds of articles and more than 25 books, is the only person to serve the International Boxing Hall of Fame as an author, historian, chairperson, sponsor, volunteer and biographer. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Connecticut Boxing Hall of Fame. He was accorded a Lifetime Award of Merit by the State University of New York in 2022.