9. Jack Britton 103-29-20, 30 KOs
Birthplace: Clinton, New York
Professional Career: 1904-1930
“The Boxing Marvel,” Jack Britton was born on October of 1885 and originally named William J. Breslin. Outlaw Billy the Kid had been killed just four years earlier and it would be 23 years before the Ford Model T would go into production.
Jack Britton became the type of fighter for which stories are written and legends are inspired. This actually manifests itself in the literal sense in the short story “Fifty Grand” by Ernest Hemmingway which is based on his 1922 bout with fellow fabled fighter “The Toy Bulldog,” Mickey Walker in Madison Square Garden.
Britton’s final boxing record has been registered with inconsistencies, not completely uncommon with a fighter from that early American generation. The above mentioned record appears to be credible however there are accounts of his final ledger as 213-52-43 and 239-57-44.
These were the early dusty days when combatants would often fight many times a year, in fact even several times in a month; far away from a time rife with network deals, fat contracts and protected records. Living fight to fight was the boxer’s far more dangerous equivalent to everyday people living check to check. For the true gladiators of this time, eating meant fighting anyone and often.
Britton was clearly able to forge a living in the unforgiving blood sport with a career that spanned 25 years. He competed in an amazing 37 title bouts, a historic landmark that stands to this day as the most in boxing history.
While it would appear that Britton was a master boxer without a huge payoff punch, he fought his way to the top of his game becoming a three-time Welterweight champion of the world.
Greatest rival: Britton engaged in 20 battles with fellow Hall of Famer, Ted “Kid” Lewis, many of which were title bouts.
