Joe Choynski
| Joe Choynski | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Joseph Bartlett Choynski |
| Nickname(s) | "The California Terror" "Little Joe" "Chrysanthemum" Joe |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 1⁄2 in (1.84 m) |
| Nationality |  American |
| Born | November 8, 1868 San Francisco, California, United States |
| Died | January 25, 1943 (aged 74) Cincinnati, Ohio, United States |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 86 |
| Wins | 59 |
| Wins by KO | 39 |
| Losses | 17 |
| Draws | 6 |
| No contests | 4 |
Joseph Bartlett Choynski (/ˈtʃɔɪnski/; November 8, 1868 – January 24, 1943) was an American boxer who fought professionally from 1888 to 1904.[1]
Boxing career[]
"Chrysanthemum Joe", the son of a Jewish Polish immigrant who settled in California in 1867, weighed no more than 176 lb (80 kg) throughout his career but regularly fought heavyweights. He was considered a heavy puncher and a dangerous fighter.
In fact, James J. Jeffries claimed that the hardest blow he ever received in a bout came from Choynski during their 20-round draw. During that bout, Choynski hit Jeffries with a right hand so powerful that the punch drove one of Jeffries' teeth into his lip. The tooth was lodged so deeply that one of Jeffries' cornermen was forced to cut it out with a knife between rounds.
A contemporary of heavyweight champion "Gentleman Jim" (James J. Corbett), the two fought professionally three times. Both were from the San Francisco area, and thus generated a lot of local interest in their rivalry. The highlight of their series of bouts was fought on June 5, 1889, on a barge off the coast of Benicia, California.
The principals agreed that the bout was to be fought wearing two ounce gloves. Corbett had apparently hurt his hand, and Choynski learned of the injury. Accordingly, Choynski "forgot" to bring his gloves to the match, thereby hoping the fight would proceed as a bare-knuckle bout. Corbett, however, declined to fight bare-knuckle, but agreed to allow Choynski to wear leather riding gloves borrowed from a spectator. The riding gloves were seamed, and caused Corbett to suffer many cuts and welts. Nevertheless, Corbett won the legendary bout when he KOed Choynski in the 27th round.
In 1892 he KOd a 39-year-old legend in Boston's George Godfrey.
Choynski was never given an opportunity to fight for the heavyweight title, but enjoyed some stunning successes against famed heavyweights James J. Jeffries and Jack Johnson before they became champions. For example, he held the heavier, larger, and stronger Jeffries to a 20-round draw on November 30, 1892. On February 25, 1901, he faced and KO'ed the young Jack Johnson in three rounds. He then began to train Johnson, helping the younger man develop the style that enabled him to become world champion.
Choynski also fought six-round draws with two other men who later claimed the heavyweight championship of the world: Bob Fitzsimmons on June 17, 1894, and Marvin Hart on November 16, 1903.
Personal life[]
Choynski was born in San Francisco to a Jewish family, the son of Harriet (née Ashim) and Isidor Nathan Choynski.[2][3][4] He had 4 siblings, Herbert, Miriam, Maurice, and Edwin.[3]
In 1895, Choynski married Louise Anderson Miller, an actress in Cincinnati, Ohio.[2]
Halls of Fame[]
In 1998, Choynski’s ability and ring-record were officially recognised by his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Choynski, who was Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.[5]
Professional boxing record[]
All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[6] unless otherwise stated.
Official record[]
| 86 fights | 57 wins | 14 losses |
| By knockout | 39 | 10 |
| By decision | 15 | 4 |
| By disqualification | 3 | 0 |
| Draws | 6 | |
| No contests | 4 | |
| Newspaper decisions/draws | 5 | |
All newspaper decisions are officially regarded as “no decision” bouts and are not counted as a win, loss or draw.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | showNotes |
|---|
Unofficial record[]
| 86 fights | 59 wins | 17 losses |
| By knockout | 39 | 10 |
| By decision | 17 | 7 |
| By disqualification | 3 | 0 |
| Draws | 6 | |
| No contests | 4 | |
Record with the inclusion of newspaper decisions to the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | hideNotes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | Win | 59–17–6 (4) | Jack Williams
|
NWS | 6 | Nov 21, 1904 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 85 | Loss | 58–17–6 (4) | Kid Carter
|
KO | 1 (15) | Jan 19, 1904 | Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
|
|
| 84 | Loss | 58–16–6 (4) | Marvin Hart
|
NWS | 6 | Nov 16, 1903 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 83 | Win | 58–15–6 (4) | Nick Burley
|
KO | 7 (10) | Aug 7, 1903 |  D.A.A.A. Rink, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada
|
|
| 82 | Loss | 57–15–6 (4) | Nick Burley
|
KO | 2 (10) | Jun 25, 1903 | D.A.A.A. Rink, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada
|
|
| 81 | Loss | 57–14–6 (4) | Philadelphia Jack O'Brien
|
NWS | 6 | Mar 30, 1903 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 80 | Win | 57–13–6 (4) |  Peter Maher
|
KO | 2 (6) | Jan 26, 1903 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 79 | Win | 56–13–6 (4) | Frank Childs
|
PTS | 6 | Dec 1, 1901 | Lyceum A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 78 | Loss | 55–13–6 (4) | Philadelphia Jack O'Brien
|
PTS | 6 | Sep 29, 1901 | America A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 77 | Win | 55–12–6 (4) | Al Weinig
|
KO | 6 (20) | May 2, 1901 | Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
|
|
| 76 | Loss | 54–12–6 (4) | Kid Carter
|
KO | 1 (6) | Mar 24, 1901 | American A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
Lost American light-heavyweight title |
| 75 | Win | 54–11–6 (4) | Wild Bill Hanrahan
|
KO | 5 (20) | Mar 7, 1901 | Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
|
Claimed vacant American light-heavyweight title |
| 74 | Win | 53–11–6 (4) | Jack Johnson
|
KO | 3 (20) | Feb 25, 1901 | Harmony Hall, Galveston, Texas, U.S.
|
|
| 73 | Win | 52–11–6 (4) | Fred Russell
|
DQ | 4 (10) | Nov 2, 1900 | Colorado A.C., Denver, Colorado, U.S.
|
|
| 72 | Win | 51–11–6 (4) | John Matthews
|
PTS | 3 | Aug 8, 1900 | Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
|
|
| 71 | Win | 50–11–6 (4) | Jimmy Smith
|
KO | 2 (?) | Aug 8, 1900 | Dayton, Ohio, U.S.
|
|
| 70 | Loss | 49–11–6 (4) | Tom Sharkey
|
TKO | 3 (6) | May 8, 1900 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 69 | Loss | 49–10–6 (4) |  Barbados Joe Walcott
|
TKO | 7 (25) | Feb 23, 1900 | Broadway A.C., Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 68 | Win | 49–9–6 (4) | Peter Maher
|
PTS | 6 | Feb 16, 1900 | 2nd Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 67 | Win | 48–9–6 (4) | M Woods
|
RTD | 2 (?) | Feb 11, 1900 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 66 | Loss | 47–9–6 (4) | Charles Kid McCoy
|
RTD | 4 (25) | Jan 12, 1900 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 65 | Win | 47–8–6 (4) | Tom Carey
|
KO | 2 (15) | Nov 4, 1899 | Olympic A.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
|
|
| 64 | Win | 46–8–6 (4) |  Steve O'Donnell
|
KO | 6 (6) | Oct 27, 1899 | Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 63 | Win | 45–8–6 (4) | Dick Moore
|
KO | 3 (20) | Oct 23, 1899 | St. Louis A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S.
|
|
| 62 | Win | 44–8–6 (4) | Australian Jim Ryan
|
KO | 7 (20) | Oct 20, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 61 | Draw | 43–8–6 (4) | Charles Kid McCoy
|
PTS | 6 | Oct 6, 1899 | Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 60 | NC | 43–8–5 (4) | Ed Dunkhorst
|
NC | ? (20) | Sep 30, 1899 | Colorado A.A., Denver, Colorado, U.S.
|
Bout Scheduled as finale of Colorado Sporting Festival. No result found |
| 59 | Win | 43–8–5 (3) | Jim Hall
|
KO | 3 (20) | Sep 25, 1899 | Nonpareil A.C., Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
|
Retained world light-heavyweight title |
| 58 | Win | 42–8–5 (3) | Australian Jim Ryan
|
PTS | 20 | Aug 29, 1899 | Auditorium for fistic carnival, Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
|
Won inaugural world light-heavyweight title |
| 57 | Win | 41–8–5 (3) | Mexican Pete Everett
|
DQ | 7 (25) | Aug 4, 1899 | Colorado A.A., Denver, Colorado, U.S.
|
|
| 56 | Win | 40–8–5 (3) | Jack McCormick
|
PTS | 6 | Jul 21, 1899 | Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 55 | ND | 39–8–5 (3) | Willard Bean
|
ND | 10 | Apr 17, 1899 | New Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
|
|
| 54 | Loss | 39–8–5 (2) | Charles Kid McCoy
|
PTS | 20 | Mar 24, 1899 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 53 | Win | 39–7–5 (2) | Ed Dunkhorst
|
PTS | 6 | Dec 19, 1898 | Fort Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 52 | Loss | 38–7–5 (2) | Gus Ruhlin
|
PTS | 6 | Nov 4, 1898 | Arena A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 51 | Win | 38–6–5 (2) | Joe Goddard
|
NWS | 6 | Sep 12, 1898 | Arena A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 50 | Draw | 37–6–5 (2) | Tom Sharkey
|
PTS | 8 (20) | Mar 11, 1898 | Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
Choynski fell out of the ring and the fight was declared a draw |
| 49 | Draw | 37–6–4 (2) | James J. Jeffries
|
PTS | 20 | Nov 30, 1897 | National A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 48 | Win | 37–6–3 (2) | Herman Bernau
|
TKO | 4 (6) | Oct 11, 1897 | Grand Opera House, Galveston, Texas, U.S.
|
|
| 47 | Win | 36–6–3 (2) |  Denver Ed Smith
|
DQ | 4 (20) | May 10, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 46 | Win | 35–6–3 (2) | Frank Dwyer
|
PTS | 4 | Jan 2, 1897 | Allegheny Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 45 | Loss | 34–6–3 (2) | Peter Maher
|
KO | 6 (20) | Nov 16, 1896 | Broadway A.C., Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 44 | Win | 34–5–3 (2) | Joe McAuliffe
|
KO | 4 (10) | Aug 28, 1896 | Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 43 | Loss | 33–5–3 (2) | Tom Sharkey
|
PTS | 8 | Apr 16, 1896 | People's Palace Theater, San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 42 | Win | 33–4–3 (2) | Jim Hall
|
KO | 13 (20) | Jan 20, 1896 | Empire A.C., Maspeth, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 41 | Win | 32–4–3 (2) | Frank Childs
|
KO | 3 (3) | Nov 15, 1895 | Sam T. Jack's Opera House, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 40 | Win | 31–4–3 (2) | Dick Wilson
|
KO | 2 (?) | Aug 20, 1895 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
|
|
| 39 | Win | 30–4–3 (2) | Jack Cattanach
|
KO | 2 (10) | Jun 3, 1895 | Front Street Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
|
|
| 38 | Draw | 29–4–3 (2) | Dan Creedon
|
PTS | 6 | Mar 21, 1895 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
Pre-arranged draw if no KO |
| 37 | Win | 29–4–2 (2) | Mike Madden
|
PTS | 4 | Mar 11, 1895 | Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
|
|
| 36 | Win | 28–4–2 (2) | Jim Douglass
|
PTS | 3 | Feb 25, 1895 | Triangle AC, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
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| 35 | Draw | 27–4–2 (2) | Bob Armstrong
|
PTS | 6 | Sep 19, 1894 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 34 | Win | 27–4–1 (2) | Mike Boden
|
KO | 3 (4) | Sep 17, 1894 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 33 | Win | 26–4–1 (2) | Harry Miller
|
RTD | 3 (6) | Sep 15, 1894 | People's Theater, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S.
|
|
| 32 | Draw | 25–4–1 (2) | Bob Fitzsimmons
|
PTS | 5 (8) | Jun 18, 1894 | Boston Theater, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
|
Choynski was down and bloodied when the police stepped in and would likely have been knocked out had the fight continued The bout was declared a draw. Pre-fight agreement that the fight could only be won via KO |
| 31 | Win | 25–4 (2) | Tommy West
|
PTS | 3 | Feb 6, 1893 | Portland, Oregon, U.S.
|
|
| 30 | Win | 24–4 (2) | Mike Boden
|
KO | 4 (?) | Dec 29, 1892 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 29 | Win | 23–4 (2) | Bob Ferguson
|
PTS | 4 | Dec 29, 1892 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 28 | Win | 22–4 (2) | Jack Fallon
|
KO | 4 (?) | Nov 26, 1892 | Ariel A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 27 | Win | 21–4 (2) | Denny Kelliher
|
PTS | 2 | Nov 24, 1892 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 26 | Win | 20–4 (2) | Charles C. Smith
|
KO | 4 (?) | Nov 21, 1892 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 25 | Win | 19–4 (2) | George Godfrey
|
KO | 15 (?) | Oct 31, 1892 | Coney Island A.C., Coney Island, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 24 | Win | 18–4 (2) | Jack Hart
|
PTS | 3 | May 29, 1892 | London, England, U.K.
|
|
| 23 | Win | 17–4 (2) | William Patmore
|
KO | 1 (?) | May 27, 1892 | London, England, U.K.
|
|
| 22 | Win | 16–4 (2) | Mike Horrigan
|
KO | 1 (?) | May 24, 1892 | London, England, U.K.
|
|
| 21 | Win | 15–4 (2) | Denver Ed Smith
|
PTS | 4 | Apr 30, 1892 | Ariel A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 20 | Win | 14–4 (2) | Philadelphia Tommy Ryan
|
KO | 2 (?) | Apr 22, 1892 | Niblo's Theatre, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
Not to be confused with Tommy Ryan |
| 19 | Win | 13–4 (2) | Charles Bull McCarthy
|
KO | 2 (?) | Apr 21, 1892 | Clermont Rink, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 18 | Win | 12–4 (2) | Jerry Slattery
|
KO | 2 (?) | Apr 19, 1892 | Niblo's Theatre, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S.
|
|
| 17 | Win | 11–4 (2) | Joe Godfrey
|
KO | 1 (?) | Apr 9, 1892 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
|
|
| 16 | Loss | 10–4 (2) | Jim Hall
|
NWS | 4 | Apr 2, 1892 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
|
|
| 15 | Win | 10–3 (2) | Billy Woods
|
KO | 34 (?) | Dec 17, 1891 | Pacific A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 14 | Loss | 9–3 (2) | Joe Goddard
|
KO | 4 (20) | Jul 20, 1891 | Melbourne Athletic Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
|
For Australian heavyweight title |
| 13 | Win | 9–2 (2) | Owen Sullivan
|
KO | 2 (8) | Jun 20, 1891 | Melbourne Athletic Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
|
|
| 12 | Win | 8–2 (2) | Mick Dooley
|
KO | 2 | May 25, 1891 | Melbourne Athletic Club, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
|
A finish fight |
| 11 | Loss | 7–2 (2) | Joe Goddard
|
RTD | 4 (20) | Feb 10, 1891 | Sydney Amateur Gymnastic Club, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
|
For Australian heavyweight title |
| 10 | Win | 7–1 (2) | Jim Fogarty
|
RTD | 10 | Nov 24, 1890 | Australian AC, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
|
A finish fight |
| 9 | Win | 6–1 (2) | Jack Davies
|
KO | 9 (?) | May 26, 1890 | Occidental A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 8 | Win | 5–1 (2) | Billy Wilson
|
KO | 2 (?) | Mar 26, 1890 | Golden Gate A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 7 | Win | 4–1 (2) | Frank McLarney
|
KO | 2 (?) | Jan 25, 1890 | Portland, Oregon, U.S.
|
|
| 6 | ND | 3–1 (2) | Billy McCarthy
|
ND | 4 | Aug 27, 1889 | California A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 5 | Loss | 3–1 (1) | James J. Corbett
|
KO | 27 (?) | Jun 5, 1889 | Benicia Harbor, California, U.S.
|
|
| 4 | NC | 3–0 (1) | James J. Corbett
|
NC | 4 (?) | May 30, 1889 | San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
Bout stopped by the police |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Frank Glover
|
KO | 14 | Feb 26, 1889 | San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
A finish fight |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | H McDonald
|
PTS | 3 | Dec 26, 1888 | San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
|
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | George Bush
|
KO | 2 (?) | Nov 14, 1888 | San Francisco, California, U.S.
|
See also[]
- List of select Jewish boxers
References[]
- ^ IBHOF/Joe Choynski Archived 2006-03-17 at the Wayback Machine, IBHOF.com, Retrieved on 1–1–08
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Joseph Bartlett Choynski: Foremost Jewish Boxer of San Francisco & Light-Heavyweight Champion". Jewish Museum of the American West.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Harriet Ashim Choynski: Early Jewish Pioneer Educator of San Francisco". Jewish Museum of the American West.
- ^ "Isidor Nathan Choynski: Foremost Pioneer Jewish Journalist of Early San Francisco". Jewish Museum of the American West.
- ^ International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame at www.jewishsports.net
- ^ https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/10540
External links[]
| show Authority control  |
|---|
- 1868 births
- 1943 deaths
- American male boxers
- American people of Polish-Jewish descent
- Bare-knuckle boxers
- Boxers from California
- Heavyweight boxers
- International Boxing Hall of Fame inductees
- Jewish American boxers
- Sportspeople from San Francisco