Georges Carpentier

Georges Carpentier
Georges Carpentier 1920.jpg
Statistics
Weight(s)Welterweight
Middleweight
Light Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Height5 ft 11+12 in (182 cm)
NationalityFrench
Born12 January 1894
Liévin, France
Died28 October 1975(1975-10-28) (aged 81)
Paris, France
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights112
Wins89
Wins by KO57
Losses15
Draws6
No contests1

Georges Carpentier (French pronunciation: ​[ʒɔʁʒ kaʁ.pɑ̃ˈtje]; 12 January 1894 – 28 October 1975) was a French boxer, actor and World War I pilot. He fought mainly as a light heavyweight and heavyweight in a career lasting from 1908 to 1926. Nicknamed the "Orchid Man", he stood 5 feet 11+12 inches (182 cm) and his fighting weight ranged from 147 to 175 pounds (67 to 79 kg). Carpentier was known for his speed, his excellent boxing skills and his extremely hard punch. The Parisian Sports Arena Halle Georges Carpentier is named after him.

Biography

Born in Liévin in Pas-de-Calais, Carpentier began his career by progressing up through the weight divisions, fighting in every division from welterweight upwards. After making his first professional bout at age 14, he was welterweight champion of France and of Europe in 1911, middleweight champion of Europe in 1912, and light heavyweight champion of Europe in 1913. On 1 June 1913, he beat "Bombardier" Billy Wells in Ghent, Belgium to become heavyweight champion of Europe. He defended his title in December against Wells, in January 1914 against Pat O'Keeffe and in London on 16 July he beat Ed "Gunboat" Smith to add the "White Heavyweight Champion of the World" to his European title. The white heavyweight title bout sported a purse worth £9,000 (equivalent to approximately £918,889 today).

Carpentier was also a referee during the early stages of his career, supervising a number of fights including the world title bout between Jack Johnson and Frank Moran in June 1914. Carpentier was a French Air Force aviator during World War I and was awarded two of the highest French military honors, the Croix de Guerre and the Médaille Militaire. This served to heighten his already exceptional popularity, not only in France but also in the United Kingdom and the United States.

Dempsey and Carpentier in the arena before the fight

Carpentier defended his title twice again in 1919 before dropping down a weight class to challenge Battling Levinsky for the light heavyweight championship of the world. The fight took place on 12 October 1920, in Jersey City and Levinsky was knocked out in the fourth. Carpentier's attempt at the heavyweight Championship of the world came on 2 July 1921, again in Jersey City, when he faced Jack Dempsey in front of boxing's first million dollar gate (approximately $15,000,000 today). Carpentier was badly beaten around before suffering a knockout in the second minute of the fourth round. Carpentier never fought again for that title. He lost his world light heavyweight title and his European heavyweight and light heavyweight titles the following year, on 24 September 1922, in a controversial bout with Senegalese fighter Battling Siki. His last truly noteworthy fight was on 24 July 1924, with Gene Tunney at the Polo Grounds in Manhattan, New York City. Carpentier lost the bout by TKO after fifteen rounds. He retired from the ring after a final exhibition bout in 1927.

In June 1921, cartoonist Tad Dorgan drew what he expected would occur in the Carpentier-Dempsey fight.

Following his retirement from boxing, Carpentier spent a number of years as a vaudeville song-and-dance man, mostly in the UK and the US. He is the author of a boxing novel, Brothers of the Brown Owl: A Story of the Boxing Ring published c. 1920 by Cassell and Company (being a volume in the uniform Cassell's Empire Library). He also appeared in half a dozen motion pictures, starring in both silent films and talkies. He made three films in Hollywood, US, one for director J. Stuart Blackton in England and two in his native France. His last screen appearance was in 1934. Soon after, he became proprietor of an upmarket bar, Chez Georges Carpentier, in a chic Paris neighbourhood. In several different locations, this is the profession he would exercise until shortly before his death.

From the time they boxed together in 1921, Carpentier remained close friends with Jack Dempsey. They visited each other in New York and Paris, got together to commemorate the anniversary of their famous bout and exchanged birthday greetings.

Death

Carpentier died in Paris at age 81 in 1975 of a heart attack, and was buried in the cimetière de Vaires-sur-Marne, Seine-et-Marne, France.

Legacy

He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Selected filmography

Professional boxing record

112 fights 89 wins 15 losses
By knockout 57 10
By decision 29 4
By disqualification 3 1
Draws 6
No contests 1
Newspaper decisions/draws 1

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 Age Location Notes
112 Win 89–15–6 (2) Rocco Stramaglia KO 3 (12) Sep 15, 1926 32 years, 246 days Elks Gym, Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.
111 Win 88–15–6 (2) Jack Burke KO 2 (4) Jul 7, 1926 32 years, 176 days Denver, Colorado, U.S.
110 Loss 87–15–6 (2) Tommy Loughran UD 10 Jun 17, 1926 32 years, 156 days Sesquicentennial Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
109 Draw 87–14–6 (2) Eddie Huffman PTS 10 May 21, 1926 32 years, 129 days Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
108 Loss 87–14–5 (2) Gene Tunney TKO 15 (15) Jul 24, 1924. 30 years, 194 days Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, U.S.
107 Loss 87–13–5 (2) Tommy Gibbons NWS 10 May 31, 1924 30 years, 140 days Floyd Fitzsimmons' Arena, Michigan City, Indiana, U.S.
106 Win 87–13–5 (1) Arthur Townley KO 2 (10) May 1, 1924 30 years, 110 days Stadion Hohe Warte, Vienna, Austria
105 Win 86–13–5 (1) Joe Beckett KO 1 (20) Oct 1, 1923 29 years, 262 days Olympia, Kensington, London, England Won vacant IBU heavyweight title
104 Win 85–13–5 (1) Marcel Nilles KO 8 (20) May 6, 1923 29 years, 114 days Stade Buffalo, Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, France Won vacant France heavyweight title
103 Loss 84–13–5 (1) Battling Siki KO 6 (20) Sep 24, 1922 28 years, 255 days Stade Buffalo, Montrouge, Hauts-de-Seine, France Lost NBA, NYSAC, and IBU light-heavyweight titles
Lost IBU heavyweight title
102 Win 84–12–5 (1) Ted 'Kid' Lewis KO 1 (20) May 11, 1922 28 years, 119 days Olympia, Kensington, London, England Retained NBA, NYSAC, and IBU light-heavyweight titles
101 Win 83–12–5 (1) George Cook KO 4 (10) Jan 12, 1922 28 years, 0 days Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England
100 Loss 82–12–5 (1) Jack Dempsey KO 4 (12) Jul 2, 1921 27 years, 171 days Boyle's Thirty Acres, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. For NYSAC and NBA heavyweight titles
99 Win 82–11–5 (1) Battling Levinsky KO 4 (12) Oct 12, 1920 26 years, 274 days Westside Ballpark, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. Won world and vacant NYSAC light-heavyweight titles
98 Win 81–11–5 (1) Georges Grundhoven KO 2 (15) Feb 21, 1920 26 years, 40 days Palais du Soleil, Beausoleil, Alpes-Maritimes, France
97 Win 80–11–5 (1) Blink McCloskey KO 2 (15) Jan 10, 1920 25 years, 363 days Alhambra, Bordeaux, Gironde, France
96 Win 79–11–5 (1) Joe Beckett KO 1 (20) Dec 4, 1919 25 years, 326 days Holborn Stadium, Holborn, London, England Retained IBU heavyweight title
95 Win 78–11–5 (1) Jean Croissilles KO 2 (20) Sep 29, 1919 25 years, 260 days Teatro Bellas Artes, San Sebastian, País Vasco, Spain
94 Win 77–11–5 (1) Dick Smith KO 8 (20) Jul 19, 1919 25 years, 188 days Cirque de Paris, Paris, France Retained IBU light-heavyweight title
93 Win 76–11–5 (1) Kid Jackson DQ 4 (15) Jul 26, 1914 20 years, 195 days Bordeaux, Gironde, France Jackson was disqualified for hitting low
92 Win 75–11–5 (1) Gunboat Smith DQ 6 (20) Jul 16, 1914 20 years, 185 days Olympia, Kensington, London, England Won 'white' world heavyweight title
91 Win 74–11–5 (1) Battling Robinson KO 3 (?) Jun 14, 1914 20 years, 153 days Place du Champ-de-Mars, Beziers, Hérault, France
90 Win 73–11–5 (1) Hubert Roc KO 2 (12) May 31, 1914 20 years, 139 days Hippodrome, Valenciennes, Nord, France
89 Win 72–11–5 (1) George Mitchell TKO 1 (6) Apr 14, 1914 20 years, 92 days Salle Lerda, Paris, France
88 Win 71–11–5 (1) Irish O'Mara KO 2 (15) Apr 13, 1914 20 years, 91 days Blois, Loir-et-Cher, France
87 Loss 70–11–5 (1) Joe Jeannette PTS 15 Mar 21, 1914 20 years, 68 days Luna Parc, Porte Maillot, Paris, France
86 Win 70–10–5 (1) Pat O'Keeffe KO 2 (15) Jan 19, 1914 20 years, 7 days Eldorado-Casino, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
85 Win 69–10–5 (1) Bombardier Billy Wells KO 1 (20) Dec 8, 1913 19 years, 330 days National Sporting Club, Covent Garden, London, England Retained IBU heavyweight title
84 Win 68–10–5 (1) Max Abbat KO 3 (12) Oct 31, 1913 19 years, 292 days Kursaal de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland
83 Win 67–10–5 (1) Jeff Smith PTS 20 Oct 11, 1913 19 years, 272 days Luna Park Arena, Paris, France
82 Win 66–10–5 (1) Ashley Williams KO 4 (12) Aug 6, 1913 19 years, 206 days Casino-Kursaal, Vichy, Allier, France
81 Win 65–10–5 (1) Albert Lurie TKO 3 (?) Jun 29, 1913 19 years, 168 days Arènes de la Benatte, Bordeaux, Gironde, France
80 Win 64–10–5 (1) Bombardier Billy Wells KO 4 (20) Jun 1, 1913 19 years, 140 days Feestpaleis, Ghent, Oost-Vlaanderen, Belgium Won inaugural IBU heavyweight title
79 Win 63–10–5 (1) George Gunther PTS 15 Mar 17, 1913 19 years, 64 days Eldorado-Casino, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
78 Win 62–10–5 (1) Willy Schoot KO 2 (10) Mar 8, 1913 19 years, 55 days Casino-Palace, Roubaix, Nord, France
77 Win 61–10–5 (1) Cyclone Smith KO 3 (20) Mar 1, 1913 19 years, 48 days Eldorado-Casino, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France
76 Win 60–10–5 (1) Bandsman Dick Rice KO 2 (20) Feb 12, 1913 19 years, 31 days Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France Won inaugural IBU light-heavyweight title
75 Win 59–10–5 (1) Marcel Moreau TKO 8 (20) Jan 8, 1913 18 years, 362 days Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France
74 Loss 58–10–5 (1) Billy Papke TKO 18 (20) Oct 23, 1912 18 years, 285 days Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France For world middlweight title claim
73 Loss 58–9–5 (1) Frank Klaus DQ 19 (20) Jun 24, 1912 18 years, 164 days Grand Hall des Magasins Généraux, Dieppe, Seine-Maritime, France Lost world middleweight title claim
For world middleweight title
72 Win 58–8–5 (1) Willie Lewis PTS 20 May 22, 1912 18 years, 131 days Cirque de Paris, Paris, France Retained IBU and world middleweight title claim
71 Win 57–8–5 (1) Hubert Roc KO 6 (?) May 10, 1912 18 years, 119 days Apollo-Théâtre, Marseille, Bouches-du-Rhône, France
70 Win 56–8–5 (1) George Gunther PTS 20 Apr 3, 1912 18 years, 82 days Cirque de Paris, Paris, France Retained IBU and world middleweight title claim
69 Win 55–8–5 (1) Jim Sullivan KO 2 (20) Feb 29, 1912 18 years, 48 days Stand de la Condamine, Monte Carlo, Monaco Retained world middlweight title claim
Won inaugural IBU middleweight title
68 Win 54–8–5 (1) Charles Bradley KO 2 (?) Jan 27, 1912 18 years, 15 days Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France
67 Win 53–8–5 (1) Battling Lacroix TKO 6 (15) Jan 17, 1912 18 years, 5 days Salle du Grand Skating-Rouennais, Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France
66 Win 52–8–5 (1) Battling Taylor KO 4 (?) Jan 13, 1912 18 years, 1 day Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France
65 Win 51–8–5 (1) Harry Lewis PTS 20 Dec 13, 1911 17 years, 335 days Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
64 Win 50–8–5 (1) Battling Lacroix KO 9 (15) Nov 25, 1911 17 years, 317 days Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France
63 Win 49–8–5 (1) Theo Gray KO 9 (?) Nov 17, 1911 17 years, 309 days Boulogne-sur-Mer, Pas-de-Calais, France
62 Win 48–8–5 (1) Young Joseph RTD 10 (20) Oct 23, 1911 17 years, 284 days Empress Rink, Earl's Court, London, England Won inaugural IBU welterweight title
61 Win 47–8–5 (1) Sid Burns PTS 15 Oct 2, 1911 17 years, 263 days Empress Rink, Earl's Court, London, England
60 Loss 46–8–5 (1) Dixie Kid TKO 5 (15) Aug 19, 1911 17 years, 219 days Trouville, Calvados, France
59 Win 46–7–5 (1) Arthur Evernden PTS 15 Aug 14, 1911 17 years, 214 days Cabourg, Calvados, France
58 Win 45–7–5 (1) Jack Goldswain KO 4 (15) Jun 23, 1911 17 years, 162 days Skating de la Rue Edinbourg, Paris, France
57 Win 44–7–5 (1) Robert Eustache TKO 16 (20) Jun 10, 1911 17 years, 149 days Cirque de Paris, Paris, France Won vacant France welterweight title
56 Win 43–7–5 (1) Frank Loughrey PTS 15 May 20, 1911 17 years, 128 days Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
55 Win 42–7–5 (1) Henri Marchand KO 6 (15) Apr 23, 1911 17 years, 101 days Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France
54 Win 41–7–5 (1) George Colbourne PTS 10 Apr 8, 1911 17 years, 86 days Palais Baudouin, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
53 Win 40–7–5 (1) Sid Stagg PTS 10 Apr 1, 1911 17 years, 79 days Franco-American Skating Rink, Roubaix, Nord, France
52 Win 39–7–5 (1) Jack Meekins PTS 10 Mar 25, 1911 17 years, 72 days Wonderland, Paris, France
51 Win 38–7–5 (1) Henri Marchand KO 6 (?) Mar 15, 1911 17 years, 62 days Liege, Belgium
50 Win 37–7–5 (1) Harry Staessens KO 1 (10) Mar 12, 1911 17 years, 59 days Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
49 Win 36–7–5 (1) Young Nipper PTS 8 Mar 1, 1911 17 years, 48 days Hippodrome, Paris, Paris, France
48 Loss 35–7–5 (1) Henri Piet PTS 10 Jan 27, 1911 17 years, 15 days Cirque de Paris, Paris, France
47 Win 35–6–5 (1) George Randall KO 5 (15) Jan 14, 1911 17 years, 2 days Wonderland, Paris, France
46 Win 34–6–5 (1) Edouard Brochet KO 7 (15) Jan 8, 1911 16 years, 361 days Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
45 Win 33–6–5 (1) Jack Daniels PTS 10 Dec 17, 1910 16 years, 339 days Wonderland, Paris, France
44 Win 32–6–5 (1) Henri Demlen PTS 10 Dec 3, 1910 16 years, 325 days Theatre Lyrique, Schaerbeek, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
43 Win 31–6–5 (1) George Randall TKO 10 (10) Nov 19, 1910 16 years, 311 days Wonderland, Paris, France
42 Win 30–6–5 (1) Young Williams KO 7 (?) Nov 6, 1910 16 years, 298 days Arras, Pas-de-Calais, France
41 Win 29–6–5 (1) Jim Campbell KO 5 (10) Oct 22, 1910 16 years, 283 days Wonderland, Paris, France
40 Win 28–6–5 (1) Percy Wilson PTS 10 Oct 15, 1910 16 years, 276 days Wonderland, Paris, France
39 Draw 27–6–5 (1) Jean Audouy PTS 10 Oct 8, 1910 16 years, 269 days Theatre Lyrique, Schaerbeek, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
38 Win 27–6–4 (1) Fernand Cuny TKO 8 (?) Aug 13, 1910 16 years, 213 days Cabourg, Calvados, France
37 Win 26–6–4 (1) Hubert Baelen KO 2 (?) Jul 17, 1910 16 years, 186 days Lille, Nord, France
36 Draw 25–6–4 (1) Paul Til PTS 15 Jul 8, 1910 16 years, 177 days Pepiniere, Paris, France
35 Win 25–6–3 (1) Louis Achille KO 6 (10) Jun 11, 1910 16 years, 150 days Salon de l'Alcazar, Lievin, Pas-de-Calais, France
34 Loss 24–6–3 (1) Fernand Cuny TKO 13 (?) Apr 16, 1910 16 years, 94 days Bordeaux, Gironde, France
33 Loss 24–5–3 (1) Ted Broadribb TKO 4 (?) Apr 9, 1910 16 years, 87 days Wonderland, Paris, France
32 Win 24–4–3 (1) Georges Gloria KO 8 (?) Apr 3, 1910 16 years, 81 days Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
31 Win 23–4–3 (1) Fernand Cuny PTS 10 Mar 26, 1910 16 years, 73 days Nouvel-Alcazar, Lyon, Rhône, France
30 Win 22–4–3 (1) Louis Achille KO 5 (10) Mar 20, 1910 16 years, 67 days Hippodrome Municipal, Douai, Nord, France
29 Loss 21–4–3 (1) Buck Shine PTS 10 Mar 12, 1910 16 years, 59 days Palais Baudouin, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
28 Win 21–3–3 (1) Wally Pickard KO 8 (10) Feb 5, 1910 16 years, 24 days Palais Baudouin, Brussels, Bruxelles-Capitale, Belgium
27 NC 20–3–3 (1) Paul Til NC 8 (15) Jan 14, 1910 16 years, 2 days Élysée Montmartre, Paris, France No decision was given after an accidental clash of heads left Til unable to continue
26 Win 20–3–3 Georges Gaillard PTS 10 Jan 8, 1910 15 years, 361 days Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
25 Win 19–3–3 Young Warner DQ 7 (10) Jan 5, 1910 15 years, 358 days Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
24 Win 18–3–3 Paul Til PTS 10 Dec 22, 1909 15 years, 344 days Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
23 Win 17–3–3 Georges Gaillard PTS 6 Dec 8, 1909 15 years, 330 days Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
22 Loss 16–3–3 Paul Til TKO 8 (20) Nov 27, 1909 15 years, 319 days Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France For vacant France bantamweight title
21 Win 16–2–3 Charles Ledoux PTS 15 Nov 24, 1909 15 years, 316 days Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
20 Win 15–2–3 Joseph Lampin KO 7 (?) Nov 8, 1909 15 years, 300 days Henin-Beaumont, Pas-de-Calais, France
19 Win 14–2–3 Lucien Dorgueille PTS 10 Oct 23, 1909 15 years, 284 days Wonderland, Paris, France
18 Draw 13–2–3 Paul Til PTS 10 Oct 16, 1909 15 years, 277 days Hippodrome Lillois, Lille, Nord, France For vacant France bantamweight title
17 Win 13–2–2 Omer Hellebout TKO 5 (10) Oct 11, 1909 15 years, 272 days Salle Desruelles, Roubaix, Nord, France
16 Win 12–2–2 Joseph Lampin KO 5 (10) Aug 28, 1909 15 years, 75 days Théâtre du Café Dubois, Denain, Nord, France
15 Win 11–2–2 Lucien Dorgueille KO 11 (15) Aug 21, 1909 15 years, 221 days Salle Beudaert, Lille, Nord, France
14 Win 10–2–2 Emile Wetinck KO 1 (?) Jun 26, 1909 15 years, 165 days Lille, Nord, France
13 Win 9–2–2 Joseph Lampin KO 10 (10) May 20, 1909 15 years, 128 days Valenciennes, Nord, France
12 Win 8–2–2 Auguste Relinger PTS 6 May 17, 1909 15 years, 125 days Hippodrome-Théâtre, Roubaix, Nord, France
11 Win 7–2–2 F. Cheveau PTS 6 Apr 25, 1909 15 years, 103 days Vélodrome Roubaisien, Roubaix, Nord, France
10 Win 6–2–2 Achalme PTS 10 Mar 18, 1909 15 years, 65 days Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
9 Draw 5–2–2 Charles Legrand PTS 20 Feb 28, 1909 15 years, 47 days Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
8 Win 5–2–1 Gaston Simon PTS 10 Feb 25, 1909 15 years, 44 days Paris, France
7 Loss 4–2–1 Georges Gloria KO 6 (?) Feb 19, 1909 15 years, 38 days Paris, France
6 Win 4–1–1 Charles Legrand PTS 15 Jan 10, 1909 14 years, 364 days Théâtre des Associations, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, France
5 Draw 3–1–1 Charles Legrand PTS 6 Dec 5, 1908 14 years, 328 days Bethune, Pas-de-Calais, France
4 Win 3–1 Gaston Simon PTS 6 Dec 3, 1908 14 years, 326 days Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
3 Win 2–1 Louis Lépine PTS 6 Dec 3, 1908 14 years, 326 days Tivoli Boxing-Hall, Paris, France
2 Loss 1–1 Ed Salmon TKO 18 (20) Nov 30, 1908 14 years, 323 days Cafe de Paris, Maisons-Lafitte, Val-de-Marne, France
1 Win 1–0 Ed Salmon DQ 13 (20) Nov 1, 1908 14 years, 294 days Cafe de Paris, Maisons-Lafitte, Val-de-Marne, France

See also


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