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Joe Choynski
View on WikipediaJoseph Bartlett Choynski (/ˈtʃɔɪnski/; November 8, 1868 – January 24, 1943) was an American boxer who fought professionally from 1888 to 1904.[1]
Key Information
Boxing career
[edit]"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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]All information in this section is derived from BoxRec,[6] unless otherwise stated.
Official record
[edit]| 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 in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 86 | Win | 57–14–6 (9) | Jack Williams | NWS | 6 | Nov 21, 1904 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 85 | Loss | 57–14–6 (8) | Kid Carter | KO | 1 (15) | Jan 19, 1904 | Criterion A.C., Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. | |
| 84 | Loss | 57–13–6 (8) | Marvin Hart | NWS | 6 | Nov 16, 1903 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 83 | Win | 57–13–6 (7) | Nick Burley | KO | 7 (10) | Aug 7, 1903 | D.A.A.A. Rink, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada | |
| 82 | Loss | 56–13–6 (7) | Nick Burley | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 25, 1903 | D.A.A.A. Rink, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada | |
| 81 | Loss | 56–12–6 (7) | Philadelphia Jack O'Brien | NWS | 6 | Mar 30, 1903 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 80 | Win | 56–12–6 (6) | Peter Maher | KO | 2 (6) | Jan 26, 1903 | Washington S.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 79 | Win | 55–12–6 (6) | Frank Childs | PTS | 6 | Dec 1, 1901 | Lyceum A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 78 | Loss | 54–12–6 (6) | Philadelphia Jack O'Brien | PTS | 6 | Sep 29, 1901 | America A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 77 | Win | 54–11–6 (6) | Al Weinig | KO | 6 (20) | May 2, 1901 | Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 76 | Loss | 53–11–6 (6) | Kid Carter | KO | 1 (6) | Mar 24, 1901 | American A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | Lost American light-heavyweight title |
| 75 | Win | 53–10–6 (6) | Wild Bill Hanrahan | KO | 5 (20) | Mar 7, 1901 | Music Hall, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Claimed vacant American light-heavyweight title |
| 74 | Win | 52–10–6 (6) | Jack Johnson | KO | 3 (20) | Feb 25, 1901 | Harmony Hall, Galveston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 73 | Win | 51–10–6 (6) | Fred Russell | DQ | 4 (10) | Nov 2, 1900 | Colorado A.C., Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 72 | Win | 50–10–6 (6) | John Matthews | PTS | 3 | Aug 8, 1900 | Dayton, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 71 | Win | 49–10–6 (6) | Jimmy Smith | KO | 2 (?) | Aug 8, 1900 | Dayton, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 70 | Loss | 48–10–6 (6) | Tom Sharkey | TKO | 3 (6) | May 8, 1900 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 69 | Loss | 48–9–6 (6) | Barbados Joe Walcott | TKO | 7 (25) | Feb 23, 1900 | Broadway A.C., Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 68 | Win | 48–8–6 (6) | Peter Maher | PTS | 6 | Feb 16, 1900 | 2nd Regiment Armory, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 67 | Win | 47–8–6 (6) | M Woods | RTD | 2 (?) | Feb 11, 1900 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 66 | Loss | 46–8–6 (6) | Charles Kid McCoy | RTD | 4 (25) | Jan 12, 1900 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 65 | Win | 46–7–6 (6) | Tom Carey | KO | 2 (15) | Nov 4, 1899 | Olympic A.C., Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 64 | Win | 45–7–6 (6) | Steve O'Donnell | KO | 6 (6) | Oct 27, 1899 | Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 63 | Win | 44–7–6 (6) | Dick Moore | KO | 3 (20) | Oct 23, 1899 | St. Louis A.C., Saint Louis, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 62 | Win | 43–7–6 (6) | Australian Jim Ryan | KO | 7 (20) | Oct 20, 1899 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 61 | Draw | 42–7–6 (6) | Charles Kid McCoy | PTS | 6 | Oct 6, 1899 | Star Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 60 | NC | 42–7–5 (6) | 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 | 42–7–5 (5) | Jim Hall | KO | 3 (20) | Sep 25, 1899 | Nonpareil A.C., Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | Retained world light-heavyweight title |
| 58 | Win | 41–7–5 (5) | Australian Jim Ryan | PTS | 20 | Aug 29, 1899 | Auditorium for fistic carnival, Dubuque, Iowa, U.S. | Won inaugural world light-heavyweight title |
| 57 | Win | 40–7–5 (5) | Mexican Pete Everett | DQ | 7 (25) | Aug 4, 1899 | Colorado A.A., Denver, Colorado, U.S. | |
| 56 | Win | 39–7–5 (5) | Jack McCormick | PTS | 6 | Jul 21, 1899 | Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 55 | ND | 38–7–5 (5) | Willard Bean | ND | 10 | Apr 17, 1899 | New Grand Theatre, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. | |
| 54 | Loss | 38–7–5 (4) | Charles Kid McCoy | PTS | 20 | Mar 24, 1899 | Mechanic's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 53 | Win | 38–6–5 (4) | Ed Dunkhorst | PTS | 6 | Dec 19, 1898 | Fort Dearborn A.C., Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 52 | Loss | 37–6–5 (4) | Gus Ruhlin | PTS | 6 | Nov 4, 1898 | Arena A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 51 | Win | 37–5–5 (4) | Joe Goddard | NWS | 6 | Sep 12, 1898 | Arena A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 50 | Draw | 37–5–5 (3) | 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 | 37–5–4 (3) | James J. Jeffries | PTS | 20 | Nov 30, 1897 | National A.C., San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 48 | Win | 37–5–3 (3) | Herman Bernau | TKO | 4 (6) | Oct 11, 1897 | Grand Opera House, Galveston, Texas, U.S. | |
| 47 | Win | 36–5–3 (3) | Denver Ed Smith | DQ | 4 (20) | May 10, 1897 | Broadway A.C., Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 46 | Win | 35–5–3 (3) | Frank Dwyer | PTS | 4 | Jan 2, 1897 | Allegheny Theater, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 45 | Loss | 34–5–3 (3) | Peter Maher | KO | 6 (20) | Nov 16, 1896 | Broadway A.C., Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 44 | Win | 34–4–3 (3) | Joe McAuliffe | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 28, 1896 | Woodward's Pavilion, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 43 | Loss | 33–4–3 (3) | Tom Sharkey | PTS | 8 | Apr 16, 1896 | People's Palace Theater, San Francisco, California, U.S. | |
| 42 | Win | 33–3–3 (3) | Jim Hall | KO | 13 (20) | Jan 20, 1896 | Empire A.C., Maspeth, Queens, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 41 | Win | 32–3–3 (3) | Frank Childs | KO | 3 (3) | Nov 15, 1895 | Sam T. Jack's Opera House, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 40 | Win | 31–3–3 (3) | Dick Wilson | KO | 2 (?) | Aug 20, 1895 | Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | |
| 39 | Win | 30–3–3 (3) | Jack Cattanach | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 3, 1895 | Front Street Theater, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. | |
| 38 | Draw | 29–3–3 (3) | Dan Creedon | PTS | 6 | Mar 21, 1895 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | Pre-arranged draw if no KO |
| 37 | Win | 29–3–2 (3) | Mike Madden | PTS | 4 | Mar 11, 1895 | Auditorium, Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | |
| 36 | Win | 28–3–2 (3) | Jim Douglass | PTS | 3 | Feb 25, 1895 | Triangle AC, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 35 | Draw | 27–3–2 (3) | Bob Armstrong | PTS | 6 | Sep 19, 1894 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 34 | Win | 27–3–1 (3) | Mike Boden | KO | 3 (4) | Sep 17, 1894 | Tattersall's, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 33 | Win | 26–3–1 (3) | Harry Miller | RTD | 3 (6) | Sep 15, 1894 | People's Theater, Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. | |
| 32 | Draw | 25–3–1 (3) | 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 | 25–3 (3) | Tommy West | PTS | 3 | Feb 6, 1893 | Portland, Oregon, U.S. | |
| 30 | Win | 24–3 (3) | Mike Boden | KO | 4 (?) | Dec 29, 1892 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 29 | Win | 23–3 (3) | Bob Ferguson | PTS | 4 | Dec 29, 1892 | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | |
| 28 | Win | 22–3 (3) | Jack Fallon | KO | 4 (?) | Nov 26, 1892 | Ariel A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 27 | Win | 21–3 (3) | Denny Kelliher | PTS | 2 | Nov 24, 1892 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 26 | Win | 20–3 (3) | Charles C. Smith | KO | 4 (?) | Nov 21, 1892 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 25 | Win | 19–3 (3) | George Godfrey | KO | 15 (?) | Oct 31, 1892 | Coney Island A.C., Coney Island, New York, U.S. | |
| 24 | Win | 18–3 (3) | Jack Hart | PTS | 3 | May 29, 1892 | London, England, U.K. | |
| 23 | Win | 17–3 (3) | William Patmore | KO | 1 (?) | May 27, 1892 | London, England, U.K. | |
| 22 | Win | 16–3 (3) | Mike Horrigan | KO | 1 (?) | May 24, 1892 | London, England, U.K. | |
| 21 | Win | 15–3 (3) | Denver Ed Smith | PTS | 4 | Apr 30, 1892 | Ariel A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 20 | Win | 14–3 (3) | 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 | 13–3 (3) | Charles Bull McCarthy | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 21, 1892 | Clermont Rink, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 18 | Win | 12–3 (3) | Jerry Slattery | KO | 2 (?) | Apr 19, 1892 | Niblo's Theatre, Manhattan, New York City, New York, U.S. | |
| 17 | Win | 11–3 (3) | Joe Godfrey | KO | 1 (?) | Apr 9, 1892 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
| 16 | Loss | 10–3 (3) | 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. |
Unofficial record
[edit]| 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 in the win/loss/draw column.
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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. | |
| 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
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ IBHOF/Joe Choynski Archived 2006-03-17 at the Wayback Machine, IBHOF.com, Retrieved on 1–1–08
- ^ a b "Joseph Bartlett Choynski: Foremost Jewish Boxer of San Francisco & Light-Heavyweight Champion". Jewish Museum of the American West.
- ^ 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
- ^ "BoxRec: Login".
External links
[edit]- Boxing record for Joe Choynski from BoxRec (registration required)
Joe Choynski
View on GrokipediaEarly Life
Birth and Family Background
Joseph Bartlett Choynski was born on November 8, 1868, in San Francisco, California, to Jewish parents of Polish descent.[6][7] His father, Isidor Nathan Choynski, was a Polish Jewish immigrant who arrived in the United States in the mid-19th century and worked as a merchant, writer, newspaper publisher, and antiquarian bookseller in the growing city.[6][8] Choynski's mother, Harriet Ashim, was of English origin.[6][3] As the fourth of five children in a middle-class household, Choynski grew up alongside siblings Herbert, Miriam, Maurice, and Edwin.[6][3] His older brother Herbert shared a competitive rivalry with the Corbett brothers in their youth, fostering an early environment of physical contests near their San Francisco neighborhood.[9] Choynski's Jewish heritage profoundly shaped his identity, as he openly embraced it amid the vibrant post-Gold Rush Jewish community in San Francisco, where Eastern European immigrants like his father contributed to cultural and intellectual life.[7][10] This background influenced perceptions of him as a refined figure in boxing, earning the nickname "Chrysanthemum Joe" for his long, flowing hair and dandyish style.[6] The era's booming San Francisco, with its diverse immigrant enclaves, provided a dynamic setting for his formative years, marked by work in a candy factory before pursuing athletics.[10]Introduction to Boxing
Joe Choynski first encountered boxing in the vibrant San Francisco pugilistic scene during his mid-teens, around 1884, when the city served as a major hub for the sport amid the bare-knuckle era's popularity in California.[1] Growing up in a middle-class environment, Choynski, who had labored as a blacksmith, was drawn to the local gyms and informal training spots where fighters honed their skills in the rough-and-tumble style of the time.[3] His amateur career began shortly thereafter, featuring sparring sessions and matches against local San Francisco fighters throughout the 1880s, which built his reputation for speed, cunning, and devastating punching power.[1] By 1887, at age 19, Choynski captured the Pacific Coast amateur championship, a key milestone that showcased his potential before transitioning to professional ranks.[3] These early experiences emphasized the bare-knuckle techniques prevalent in California, where bouts often involved minimal rules and relied on endurance and raw aggression under the guidance of informal local mentors. Physically, Choynski entered the sport with a compact, powerful build suited to welterweight and middleweight divisions, standing at 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing no more than 170 pounds throughout his early years, though he frequently challenged heavier opponents.[4] This natural frame, combined with his agility, allowed him to excel in the fluid, defensive-oriented bare-knuckle style before the widespread adoption of gloved boxing. As the son of a Polish Jewish immigrant in an era marked by antisemitism, Choynski's entry into the ring also fostered a personal resilience that propelled his dedication to the sport.[3]Boxing Career
Early Professional Fights
Joe Choynski made his professional boxing debut on November 14, 1888, in San Francisco, where he knocked out George Bush in the second round.[11] This victory came shortly after his success as an amateur, having won the Pacific Coast amateur championship in 1887, which prepared him for the paid ranks.[1] His early bouts were primarily against local opponents in the San Francisco area, often under bare-knuckle or finish-to-finish rules common in the era, establishing him quickly in the lightweight and welterweight divisions.[4] In December 1888, Choynski secured a points decision over H. McDonald in three rounds in San Francisco, followed by a win against Frank Glover in February 1889, also in his hometown.[4] A key early victory came on August 27, 1889, when he fought Billy McCarthy to a no-decision in four rounds at the California Athletic Club in San Francisco, a bout that highlighted his rising prowess against competitive lightweight and welterweight fighters.[4] Building momentum, Choynski achieved nine consecutive wins in 1889 after initial setbacks, six of which ended by knockout, demonstrating his power and contributing to a string of quick finishes that bolstered his record.[11] As Choynski transitioned to challenging slightly heavier opponents despite his own compact frame around 160 pounds, he ventured beyond San Francisco, defeating Frank McLarney in Portland, Oregon, in January 1890.[4] Additional regional triumphs included victories over Billy Wilson in March 1890 and Jack Davis in May 1890, both in San Francisco, solidifying his presence on the West Coast.[4] By late 1890, after a win over Jim Fogarty in Darlinghurst, Australia, Choynski had earned the nickname "The California Terror" for his aggressive, hard-hitting style in these formative bouts.[1]Notable Heavyweight Bouts
Choynski's heavyweight challenge began with a high-profile bout against James J. Corbett on June 5, 1889, held on a barge anchored in Southampton Bay near Benicia, California, to evade local authorities prohibiting prizefights.[12] The fight, which lasted 27 rounds under Marquis of Queensberry rules with two-ounce gloves, showcased Choynski's aggressive style against Corbett's scientific boxing, but Corbett landed a decisive knockout punch in the 27th round after Choynski had dominated earlier exchanges.[13] This loss marked Choynski's entry into elite heavyweight contention, highlighting his durability despite the controversial offshore setting.[14] In 1892, Choynski secured a significant victory over veteran George Godfrey, knocking him out in the 15th round on October 31 at the Coney Island Athletic Club in Brooklyn, New York. The 15-round bout demonstrated Choynski's punching power against the 39-year-old Godfrey, a former colored heavyweight champion, as Choynski overcame early pressure to land the finishing blow after nearly an hour of fighting.[15] This win elevated Choynski's status among heavyweights, proving his ability to handle seasoned opponents.[4] Choynski's endurance was evident in his 20-round draw against future heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries on November 30, 1897, at the National Athletic Club in San Francisco, California.[16] Despite conceding over 50 pounds to the 219-pound Jeffries, Choynski landed a notable right hand early that embedded one of Jeffries' teeth into his lip, forcing the fight to a points draw after a grueling display of mutual respect and toughness.[6] The bout underscored Choynski's reputation as one of the era's hardest punchers, even against larger foes.[4] In 1899, Choynski claimed the vacant World Light Heavyweight Championship with a 20-round newspaper decision victory over Australian Jimmy Ryan on August 29 at the Dubuque Athletic Club in Dubuque, Iowa.[4][3] He defended the title successfully on September 5, 1899, knocking out Jim Hall in the third round at the Metropolitan Club in San Francisco.[4] However, Choynski lost the title controversially via 12-round newspaper decision to Kid McCoy on January 9, 1900, at the Broadway Athletic Club in New York City.[4] A clash with Bob Fitzsimmons on June 18, 1894, at the Boston Theater in Boston, Massachusetts, ended in a five-round draw due to police intervention, preventing a likely finish.[17] Choynski, weighing 162 pounds, was bloodied and down when authorities halted the scheduled eight-round match, robbing Fitzsimmons of a potential knockout victory in what was described as a gory battle.[18] This interruption highlighted the legal challenges of boxing at the time and Choynski's resilience under pressure.[10] One of Choynski's most famous wins came against a young Jack Johnson on February 25, 1901, at Harmony Hall in Galveston, Texas, where he knocked out the 22-year-old in the third round with a right hand to the jaw.[19] The illegal bout led to both fighters' arrest by Texas Rangers, and while sharing a jail cell for 23 days, Choynski mentored Johnson on boxing fundamentals, influencing the future champion's career.[20] Johnson later credited Choynski as the hardest hitter he faced pound-for-pound.[21] Choynski closed his notable heavyweight run with a six-round draw against Marvin Hart on November 16, 1903, at the Washington Sporting Club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The no-decision bout featured competitive exchanges, with Choynski holding his own against the rising Hart, who would later claim the heavyweight title, further affirming Choynski's prowess into his later career.[22]Later Career and Retirement
In the early 1900s, Choynski's professional bouts increasingly featured matchups against emerging heavyweights, resulting in a series of setbacks that underscored the physical challenges of his later years. On March 30, 1903, he lost a 6-round no-decision bout to Philadelphia Jack O'Brien at the Washington Sporting Club in Philadelphia, with newspapers awarding the decision to O'Brien. Later that year, Choynski dropped a decision to Nick Burley on June 25 in Dawson City, Yukon Territory, but rebounded with a knockout victory over the same opponent on August 7 in the same location. These contests highlighted the toll of competing against larger, younger fighters, as Choynski, typically weighing around 170 pounds, often conceded significant size advantages.[4] Choynski's 1904 schedule began with a quick loss, as Kid Carter knocked him out in the first round of a 15-round bout on January 19 at the Criterion Athletic Club in Boston. He returned later that year for what proved to be his final fight, securing a newspaper decision win over Jack Williams on November 4 at the Washington Sporting Club in Philadelphia after six rounds. At age 36, following this string of non-wins—including defeats to O'Brien, Burley, and Carter—Choynski chose to retire from active competition, ending a 20-year career that had seen him battle many of boxing's top heavyweights despite his lighter frame. The physical demands of these size-mismatched encounters, which frequently exposed him to punishing blows, contributed to his exit from the ring.[4][6] His transition out of fighting was facilitated by prior experiences in coaching, such as the mentorship he provided to Jack Johnson during their shared imprisonment after their 1901 bout, where Choynski imparted defensive techniques that aided the future champion's development.[20] In the years immediately following retirement, Choynski remained involved in the sport through training and promotional efforts in California. He served as a trainer and referee for various athletic associations and contributed to the organization of high-profile events, including preparing James J. Jeffries for his 1910 comeback challenge against Johnson.[11][6]Personal Life
Marriage and Immediate Family
Joe Choynski married Louise Anderson Miller, an actress, on January 26, 1895, in Cincinnati, Ohio, after meeting her during his travels for boxing matches.[3][23][24] The couple had no children. Choynski was one of five siblings, including Herbert, Miriam, Maurice, and Edwin.[3]Later Years and Death
Following his retirement from professional boxing in 1904, Choynski settled in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he continued his involvement in boxing as a trainer, promoter, and referee, and resided for the remainder of his life.[1] He had married actress Louise Miller in Cincinnati in 1895, and after years of travel for his career, the couple made the city their long-term home.[24] In his later years, Choynski maintained occasional connections to the sport, including public commentary on boxing figures and events as late as 1943.[25] Little is documented about specific health challenges tied to his boxing career, though he endured the physical toll of an era marked by bare-knuckle and extended-round bouts.[26] Choynski died on January 25, 1943, in Cincinnati at the age of 74.[27] He was survived by his wife, Louise.[5] Obituaries in major newspapers highlighted his legacy as one of the last great bare-knuckle fighters and a veteran of high-profile bouts against champions like James J. Jeffries and James J. Corbett, with tributes emphasizing his punching power and toughness from contemporaries in the boxing world.[27] He was buried at Walnut Hills Cemetery in Cincinnati.[5]Legacy
Halls of Fame Inductions
Joe Choynski was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, recognizing him as a pioneering Jewish boxer who competed at the highest levels of the heavyweight division despite his relatively small stature for the weight class.[2] The ceremony took place at the Wingate Institute in Netanya, Israel, where the hall is located, honoring his contributions as one of the foremost Jewish athletes in boxing history and his bouts against prominent figures that advanced the sport's visibility among Jewish communities. Choynski was also inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1960.[10] In 1998, Choynski was posthumously inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame as part of the old-timer category, acknowledging his competitive performances against boxing legends such as James J. Corbett, Jim Jeffries, and Jack Johnson.[1] The induction occurred during the annual ceremony in Canastota, New York, the site of the hall's museum, where inductees receive plaques commemorating their legacies; his selection emphasized his role in early heavyweight boxing and his reputation for toughness and punching power, as noted by contemporaries like Johnson.[1]Influence on Future Boxers
One of Joe Choynski's most direct influences on future boxers came through his mentorship of Jack Johnson following their February 25, 1901, bout in Galveston, Texas, where Choynski knocked out the 22-year-old Johnson in the third round.[19] Both fighters were arrested for participating in an illegal contest and spent approximately 23 days in jail, during which Choynski provided daily instruction in the jail yard.[19] He taught Johnson essential defensive techniques, including the "stick and move" method to evade punches, emphasizing that a fighter with Johnson's natural mobility "should never have to take a punch."[19][28] Johnson later credited this period—where he claimed to have learned more about boxing in two weeks than in his entire prior experience—for refining his defensive mastery, which proved crucial to his development into a strategic counterpuncher.[20] These skills contributed to Johnson's success in the heavyweight division, culminating in his 1908 victory over Tommy Burns to become the first African American world heavyweight champion, a title he held for seven years.[20] Choynski also played a pivotal role in the transition from bare-knuckle to gloved boxing in the United States, particularly on the West Coast, where he was a prominent figure during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.[6] Turning professional in 1888 amid the adoption of Marquis of Queensberry rules—which mandated padded gloves, three-minute rounds, and no wrestling—Choynski adapted his aggressive, power-oriented style to the new format while competing in San Francisco and surrounding areas.[6] His high-profile bouts, such as the 1889 series against James J. Corbett on a barge in Benicia Harbor, showcased gloved fighting under these rules and helped popularize the safer, more technical approach in California, influencing regional styles that emphasized footwork and punching precision over raw endurance.[6] As one of the era's top pugilists bridging the old London Prize Ring rules and the emerging gloved era, Choynski's career helped normalize padded gloves and structured rounds, setting precedents for West Coast boxing promotions.[6] Choynski's historical legacy as an underdog heavyweight challenger further inspired generations of smaller fighters navigating weight class disparities. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches and typically weighing around 170 pounds, he routinely faced opponents 30 to 70 pounds heavier in an era without a formal light heavyweight division until 1903, yet he compiled a strong professional record.[6] His clever ring generalship, quick movement, and devastating left hook allowed him to compete against giants like Corbett, Bob Fitzsimmons, and James J. Jeffries, earning praise from contemporaries as one of the hardest punchers of his time.[6] This resilience as a perennial challenger—never securing a heavyweight title shot despite his skill—positioned Choynski as a symbol of determination for undersized boxers, with his exploits frequently cited in early 20th-century boxing literature as exemplars of tactical savvy over brute size.[6] As a Jewish athlete in an era rife with antisemitism, Choynski's prominence broke ethnic barriers and paved the way for later minority figures in boxing. Born in 1868 to Polish and English Jewish immigrants in San Francisco, he openly embraced his heritage while achieving success against top competition, challenging stereotypes of Jewish physicality amid widespread prejudice.[11] His father, Isidore Choynski, a journalist who combated antisemitism through his newspaper The Public Opinion, viewed Joe's career as an extension of this fight, proudly proclaiming in 1887 that Jewish athletes were "getting heavy on their muscle."[11] By mentoring Johnson and excelling in a discriminatory sport, Choynski contributed to greater representation, influencing the acceptance of Jewish boxers like Benny Leonard and Barney Ross in the 1920s and 1930s.[11][28]Professional Boxing Record
Official Record Summary
Joe Choynski's verified professional boxing record, as compiled by BoxRec from historical newspaper accounts and fight reports, includes 81 bouts from November 1888 to November 1904. He recorded 57 wins (41 by knockout or technical knockout, approximately 72% of his victories; 16 by decision), 14 losses, and 6 draws, with no official no-contest listings though some early-era bouts were inconclusive due to interruptions. Record as compiled by BoxRec as of November 2025.[4] Choynski's wins comprised 41 knockouts and 16 decisions, underscoring his punching power in an era when fights often ended abruptly. His career transitioned from bare-knuckle contests under London Prize Ring rules in the late 1880s to gloved bouts under Marquis of Queensberry rules by the mid-1890s, influencing fight durations and outcomes; early bare-knuckle matches frequently featured unlimited rounds, while later gloved fights were scheduled for fixed numbers, typically 10 to 20.[6] Discrepancies in historical records, such as varying round counts or disputed decisions, arise from inconsistent contemporary reporting, but BoxRec prioritizes verified results from primary sources like San Francisco Examiner accounts.[4] The following table summarizes key verified professional bouts, highlighting major opponents and results:| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Method/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 5, 1889 | James J. Corbett | Benicia Harbor, CA (barge) | Loss | KO in 27th round; bare-knuckle, unlimited rounds[29] |
| July 7, 1894 | Bob Fitzsimmons | Langtry, TX | Draw | 12 rounds; stopped by police, Queensberry rules[6] |
| March 21, 1898 | Tom Sharkey | San Francisco, CA | Draw | 10 rounds; Queensberry rules[4] |
| May 8, 1900 | Tom Sharkey | Tattersall's, Chicago, IL | Loss | TKO in 3rd round; Queensberry rules |
| February 25, 1901 | Jack Johnson | Galveston, TX | Win | KO in 3rd round; both arrested post-fight[20] |
