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George Godfrey (II) The Leiperville Shadow (January 25, 1897 – August 13, 1947) was the ring name of Feab Smith Williams, a heavyweight boxer from the state of Alabama who fought from 1919 to 1937. He named himself after George "Old Chocolate" Godfrey, a Black Canadian boxer from the bare-knuckle boxing days who had been a top name during the John L. Sullivan era. Old Chocolate had been the fourth fighter to reign as World Colored Heavyweight Champion while the second George Godfrey was the 20th fighter to hold the colored heavyweight title.
George Godfrey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Feab Smith Williams January 25, 1897 |
| Died | August 13, 1947 (aged 50) |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | The Leiperville Shadow |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Heavyweight |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Reach | 79.5 in (202 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 124[1] |
| Wins | 97 |
| Wins by KO | 79 |
| Losses | 21 |
| Draws | 2 |
The colored heavyweight title was recognized due to the color bar in pro boxing in the 19th and early 20th centuries, when white champions drew the color line and would not defend the title against a black man. In the heavyweight division, the color bar was adamantly defended by Old Chocolate Godfrey's contemporary, "The Boston Strong Boy", John L. Sullivan. Ironically, it remained in force even after colored heavyweight title holder Jack Johnson won the world's heavyweight title in 1908. Johnson never fought black opponents either, allegedly because such top promoters as Tex Rickard believed that a fight between two black boxers would not draw at the gate. He was also the only man to ever defeat the 7 foot 9 inch giant Gogea Mitu.
Because of the color bar in the heavyweight division that continued until the rise of Joe Louis in the 1930s, the second Godfrey Williams never fought for the world heavyweight championship, like the man he had named himself after. He did win the International Boxing Union's version of the world heavyweight championship in 1935, two years before Louis became the second black man to become the universally recognized world heavyweight champ.
Boxing career
editBoxing's second George Godfrey fought ring legend Sam Langford three times. Godfrey, who was 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) tall and weighed between 220 and 260 lb (118 kg) during his career, dwarfed the 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Langford. Despite his advantage in size, height and weight, Godfrey was knocked out in two of the three matches in 1920 and 1921. He did manage a draw in his first bout with Langford in 1920.
Godfrey is said to have been instructed by promoters on a number of occasions to carry opponents if he wanted to receive more important fights. He was outpointed over 10 rounds in 1926 by future champion Jack Sharkey and in 1928 by Johnny Risko, but outpointed Paolino Uzcudun in 1928.
World Colored Heavyweight Championship
editGodfrey twice won the World Colored Heavyweight Championship. When Harry Wills was stripped of the title after losing by disqualification to Jack Sharkey on October 12, 1926, Godfrey defeated Larry Gains on November 8, 1926, at Broadway Auditorium in Buffalo, New York, on a TKO in the sixth round. Godfrey made three defenses of the title, which was retaken by Gaines on August 15, 1928, in Buffalo when Godfrey was disqualified.[2]
The title was later vacated, and Godfrey won it a second time on August 24, 1931, in Toronto, Canada, when he defeated Seal Harris, whom he knocked out in the second round. He defended it three more times before losing to Obidiah "Obie" Walker on points in a 10-round fight held in Philadelphia on October 9, 1933.[3] In the interim between the two titles, he fought Bearcat Wright for the "Black Heavyweight Championship" on December 19, 1930, in Atlanta, Georgia, but the 10-round fight was a draw.
Carnera fight
editTwo months before Godfrey fought Primo Carnera, Carnera fought Bombo Chevalier and it ended with extreme controversy when one of Chevalier's seconds threw in the towel. Chevalier's manager stated "the towel should not have been thrown in." In an investigation, Chevalier said he had been approached earlier about a "fake fight," but had declined. No one had expected the towel to be thrown in.[4] Carnera vs. Chevalier was depicted in the movie The Harder They Fall (1956). In response to the towel throwing controversy, seconds were forbidden from throwing in the towel in Carnera vs. Godfrey.[5]
Many observers considered the 1930 Carnera fight to be fixed. According to boxing historian Herbert Goldman, Carnera was "very much mob controlled."[6] Godfrey was disqualified for an intentional low blow in the fifth round when he was clearly getting the better of Carnera.[7] In the aftermath, Godfrey lost his boxing license and half his purse, Carnera was cleared. Godfrey was the 4th boxer that year to lose his license after fighting Carnera.[8] Godfrey's suspension by the National Boxing Association, which represented 13 states, forced Godfrey out of the major sports venues and into secondary arenas and to tour the world.
IBU title
editGodfrey would go to Europe later in his career and win the International Boxing Union World Heavyweight title. In late 1934, the IBU had ordered world champion Max Baer to defend his title against the reigning European champion, Pierre Charles of Belgium. When Baer instead opted to fight James J. Braddock, they withdrew recognition of him as champion.
Subsequently, the IBU matched Charles with Godfrey for their version of the title with the fight taking place in Brussels, Belgium on October 2, 1935. Godfrey won a fifteen-round decision on points, but did not press any claim to the championship and it was inactive for the next two years. The IBU then recognized Baer's successor Braddock, as champion.
Death and honors
editGodfrey died on August 13, 1947, in his home and was found a week later, aged 50. His funeral was attended by many boxers, including former heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, former light heavyweight champion Jack Root, former middleweight champion Gorilla Jones, and others included footballer Dick Donald and boxing manager Mike McNulty.[9]
In 2003, Godfrey was named to the Ring magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.
In 2007, he was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
Godfrey had a brief career in movies making five motion pictures from 1926 to 1937. His most famous role was as the cook in Paramount Pictures's 1926 Old Ironsides. His final role was as himself in MGM's Big City which starred Spencer Tracy.
Professional boxing record
edit| 126 fights | 98 wins | 21 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 80 | 6 |
| By decision | 16 | 6 |
| By disqualification | 2 | 9 |
| Draws | 2 | |
| No contests | 5 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 126 | Loss | 98–21–2 (5) | Hank Hankinson | TKO | 8 (10), 1:34 | Aug 10, 1937 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 125 | Win | 98–20–2 (5) | Billy Wells | KO | 2 (10), 1:34 | Aug 11, 1936 | Griffith Stadium, Washington, DC, US | |
| 124 | Win | 97–20–2 (5) | Pierre Charles | PTS | 15 | Oct 2, 1935 | Palais des Sports, Schaerbeek, Belgium | Won European heavyweight title |
| 123 | Loss | 96–20–2 (5) | Motzi Spakow | DQ | 4 (10) | Jun 15, 1935 | Roman Arenas, Bucharest, Romania | Godfrey DQ'd for hitting Spakow in the kidneys |
| 122 | Win | 96–19–2 (5) | Dumitru Pavelescu | KO | 2 (10) | Jun 7, 1935 | Venus Arena, Bucharest, Romania | |
| 121 | Win | 95–19–2 (5) | Piet van Gool | PTS | 10 | Dec 12, 1934 | Eden Theater, Leuven, Belgium | |
| 120 | Win | 94–19–2 (5) | Arthur Meurant | TKO | 5 (10) | Dec 6, 1934 | Cinema Imperial, Binche, Belgium | |
| 119 | Win | 93–19–2 (5) | Hans Schonrath | TKO | 3 (10) | Nov 14, 1934 | Palais d'Ete, Brussels, Belgium | |
| 118 | NC | 92–19–2 (5) | Mauro Galusso | NC | 3 (10) | Aug 25, 1934 | Estadio Brasil, Río de Janeiro, Brazil | Stopped for "stalling" |
| 117 | Win | 92–19–2 (4) | Giacomo Bergomas | KO | 6 (10) | Aug 18, 1934 | Estadio Paulista, Sao Paulo, Brazil | |
| 116 | NC | 91–19–2 (4) | Andres Castano | NC | ? (10) | Jul 14, 1934 | Santos Rink, Santos, Brazil | Result unknown |
| 115 | Win | 91–19–2 (3) | Valentin Campolo | PTS | 10 | Jun 30, 1934 | Estadio Brasil, Río de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| 114 | Loss | 90–19–2 (3) | Obie Walker | PTS | 10 | Oct 9, 1933 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | Lost world colored heavyweight title |
| 113 | NC | 90–18–2 (3) | Bearcat Wright | NC | 6 (10) | Feb 10, 1933 | Convention Hall, Kansas City, Missouri, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; Stopped for "stalling" |
| 112 | Win | 90–18–2 (2) | Tiger Jack Fox | PTS | 10 | Jan 31, 1933 | Armory, Indianapolis, Indiana, US | Retained world colored heavyweight title |
| 111 | Loss | 89–18–2 (2) | Walter Cobb | UD | 10 | Dec 29, 1932 | Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 110 | Win | 89–17–2 (2) | Walter Cobb | PTS | 10 | Dec 12, 1932 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 109 | Win | 88–17–2 (2) | Al Fay | TKO | 8 (20) | Oct 24, 1932 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 108 | Win | 87–17–2 (2) | Roy Clark | KO | 5 (20) | Sep 5, 1932 | Arena Tex Rickard, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico | Retained world colored heavyweight title |
| 107 | Win | 86–17–2 (2) | Gene Stanton | KO | 3 (?) | May 31, 1932 | Lakeside Stadium, Canton, Ohio, US | Second fight in one day |
| 106 | Win | 85–17–2 (2) | K.O. Willis | KO | 2 (?) | May 31, 1932 | Lakeside Stadium, Canton, Ohio, US | |
| 105 | Win | 84–17–2 (2) | Texas Tanner | KO | 2 (?) | May 30, 1932 | Lakeside Stadium, Canton, Ohio, US | |
| 104 | Win | 83–17–2 (2) | Billy Williams | KO | 1 (4) | May 24, 1932 | Barnes Auditorium, Alliance, Ohio, US | |
| 103 | Win | 82–17–2 (2) | Kid Moran | KO | 2 (5) | May 19, 1932 | Pontiac A.C., Pontiac, Michigan, US | Second fight in one day |
| 102 | Win | 81–17–2 (2) | Harry Johnson | KO | 1 (5), 0:20 | May 19, 1932 | Pontiac A.C., Pontiac, Michigan, US | |
| 101 | Win | 80–17–2 (2) | K.O. Harper | KO | 2 (10) | May 10, 1932 | Mount Clemens, Michigan, US | Exact date unknown |
| 100 | Win | 79–17–2 (2) | Flash Ryser | KO | 2 (10) | May 3, 1932 | Monroe, Michigan, US | |
| 99 | Loss | 78–17–2 (2) | Jack Gross | PTS | 10 | Nov 17, 1931 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 98 | Win | 78–16–2 (2) | Seal Harris | KO | 2 (10), 1:35 | Aug 24, 1931 | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Canada | Won vacant world colored heavyweight title |
| 97 | Win | 77–16–2 (2) | George Gemas | KO | 2 (?), 1:22 | Jul 13, 1931 | Arena Gardens, Toronto, Canada | |
| 96 | Win | 76–16–2 (2) | Ricardo Rosel | KO | 1 (20), 0:53 | Feb 23, 1931 | Plaza de Toros, Nuevo Laredo, Mexico | Won vacant Mexico heavyweight title |
| 95 | Win | 75–16–2 (2) | Salvatore Ruggirello | KO | 1 (10), 2:25 | Jan 1, 1931 | El Toreo de Cuatro Caminos, Mexico City, Mexico | |
| 94 | Draw | 74–16–2 (2) | Bearcat Wright | PTS | 10 | Dec 19, 1930 | City Auditorium, Atlanta, Georgia, US | For vacant Black American heavyweight title |
| 93 | Win | 74–16–1 (2) | Seal Harris | KO | 3 (5) | Dec 8, 1930 | Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US | |
| 92 | Win | 73–16–1 (2) | Seal Harris | KO | 4 (10) | Nov 7, 1930 | Prudden Auditorium, Lansing, Michigan, US | |
| 91 | Win | 72–16–1 (2) | Jack Leslie | KO | 3 (10) | Aug 29, 1930 | Columbia Arena, Evansville, Indiana, US | |
| 90 | Win | 71–16–1 (2) | Arthur De Kuh | KO | 4 (10) | Aug 26, 1930 | Taylor Bowl, Newburgh Heights, Ohio, US | |
| 89 | Win | 70–16–1 (2) | Elijah Lee | KO | 2 (10) | Aug 20, 1930 | Tomlinson Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana, US | |
| 88 | Win | 69–16–1 (2) | Frankie Simms | TKO | 2 (12) | Jul 8, 1930 | Taylor Bowl, Newburgh Heights, Ohio, US | |
| 87 | Loss | 68–16–1 (2) | Primo Carnera | DQ | 5 (10), 1:13 | Jun 23, 1930 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 86 | Win | 68–15–1 (2) | Jack Rozier | TKO | 1 (10) | May 16, 1930 | Maryland Ball Park, Baltimore, Maryland, US | |
| 85 | Win | 67–15–1 (2) | Roy Clark | KO | 7 (10) | Mar 24, 1930 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 84 | Win | 66–15–1 (2) | Jack Gross | TKO | 5 (10) | Mar 10, 1930 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 83 | Win | 65–15–1 (2) | Tom Hawkins | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 23, 1929 | Roanoke, Virginia, US | |
| 82 | NC | 64–15–1 (2) | Jimmy Byrne | NC | 7 (10) | Nov 7, 1929 | Arena, Boston, Massachusetts, US | Called NC by the referee because of a "lack of action" |
| 81 | Loss | 64–15–1 (1) | Long Tom Hawkins | DQ | 3 (10) | Aug 13, 1929 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 80 | Win | 64–14–1 (1) | Ralph Smith | TKO | 2 (10) | Jul 15, 1929 | Grand Rapids, Michigan, US | |
| 79 | Win | 63–14–1 (1) | Chuck Wiggins | TKO | 7 (12) | Jun 26, 1929 | Taylor Bowl, Newburgh Heights, Ohio, US | |
| 78 | Win | 62–14–1 (1) | Jimmy Byrne | TKO | 7 (10) | Jun 3, 1929 | Baker Bowl, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 77 | Win | 61–14–1 (1) | Farmer Lodge | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 15, 1929 | Jackson, Michigan, US | |
| 76 | Win | 60–14–1 (1) | Bill Hartwell | KO | 2 (10) | Apr 5, 1929 | Tinker Field, Orlando, Florida, US | |
| 75 | Win | 59–14–1 (1) | Francisco Cruz Coelho | KO | 2 (10) | Jan 14, 1929 | Antler's Auditorium, Lorain, Ohio, US | |
| 74 | Loss | 58–14–1 (1) | Al Walker | DQ | 3 (10) | Jan 7, 1929 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | Godfrey DQ'd for a low blow |
| 73 | Win | 58–13–1 (1) | Jim Sigman | KO | 2 (10) | Dec 12, 1928 | Fremont Theatre, Fremont, Ohio, US | |
| 72 | Win | 57–13–1 (1) | Clem Johnson | KO | 3 (?) | Dec 3, 1928 | Richmond, Virginia, US | |
| 71 | Win | 56–13–1 (1) | Bud Gorman | TKO | 3 (10), 2:40 | Nov 12, 1928 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 70 | Win | 55–13–1 (1) | Benny Hill | KO | 1 (10) | Oct 12, 1928 | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | |
| 69 | Win | 54–13–1 (1) | Pierre Charles | KO | 2 (10), 1:45 | Aug 31, 1928 | Navin Field, Detroit, Michigan, US | |
| 68 | Win | 53–13–1 (1) | Tut Jackson | TKO | 4 (10) | Aug 21, 1928 | Memorial Stadium, Greensboro, North Carolina, US | |
| 67 | Loss | 52–13–1 (1) | Larry Gains | DQ | 3 (10), 1:20 | Aug 15, 1928 | Maple Leaf Stadium, Toronto, Ontario, Canada | Lost world colored heavyweight title; Godfrey DQ'd for low blow |
| 66 | Loss | 52–12–1 (1) | Johnny Risko | PTS | 10 | Jun 27, 1928 | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US | |
| 65 | Win | 52–11–1 (1) | Paulino Uzcudun | PTS | 10 | Feb 28, 1928 | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 64 | Win | 51–11–1 (1) | Joe White | TKO | 1 (8) | Jan 23, 1928 | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | |
| 63 | Win | 50–11–1 (1) | Soldier Jones | KO | 1 (10) | Dec 26, 1927 | Motor Square Garden, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 62 | Win | 49–11–1 (1) | Andre DeRosa | KO | 2 (10) | Dec 5, 1927 | Canton Auditorium, Canton, Ohio, US | |
| 61 | Win | 48–11–1 (1) | Jack Townsend | PTS | 4 | Nov 22, 1927 | Olympia Boxing Club, New York City, New York, US | |
| 60 | Win | 47–11–1 (1) | Clem Johnson | KO | 1 (8) | Nov 21, 1927 | Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US | Retained world colored heavyweight title |
| 59 | Win | 46–11–1 (1) | Tom Sayers | KO | 1 (10) | Oct 31, 1927 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 58 | Win | 45–11–1 (1) | Monte Munn | TKO | 4 (12), 2:20 | Sep 14, 1927 | Ebbets Field, New York City, New York, US | |
| 57 | Win | 44–11–1 (1) | Henry van Patten | KO | 2 (10) | Sep 8, 1927 | Culver City Stadium, Culver City, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 56 | Win | 43–11–1 (1) | Jim Maloney | KO | 1 (10), 1:25 | Aug 15, 1927 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 55 | Win | 42–11–1 (1) | Neil Clisby | KO | 7 (10) | Jul 5, 1927 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | Retained world colored heavyweight title |
| 54 | Win | 41–11–1 (1) | Jake Kilrain | PTS | 10 | Jun 23, 1927 | Culver City Stadium, Culver City, California, US | |
| 53 | Win | 40–11–1 (1) | Long Tom Hawkins | KO | 7 (10) | May 13, 1927 | Coliseum, San Diego, California, US | |
| 52 | Win | 39–11–1 (1) | Jack Roper | TKO | 5 (10) | May 5, 1927 | Culver City Stadium, Culver City, California, US | |
| 51 | Win | 38–11–1 (1) | Leon Chevalier | KO | 4 (10) | Apr 18, 1927 | Wrigley Field, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 50 | Win | 37–11–1 (1) | Jack Roper | KO | 9 (10) | Apr 6, 1927 | Auditorium, Oakland, California, US | |
| 49 | Win | 36–11–1 (1) | Tony Fuente | TKO | 2 (10) | Mar 29, 1927 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 48 | Win | 35–11–1 (1) | Ralph Smith | TKO | 9 (10) | Mar 8, 1927 | Armory, Portland, Maine, US | |
| 47 | Win | 34–11–1 (1) | Cowboy Billy Owens | TKO | 8 (8) | Dec 3, 1926 | Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US | |
| 46 | NC | 33–11–1 (1) | Bearcat Wright | NC | 10 (10) | Nov 23, 1926 | Armory, Portland, Maine, US | World colored heavyweight title at stake; Fight stopped for "not trying" |
| 45 | Win | 33–11–1 | Larry Gains | RTD | 6 (10), 3:00 | Nov 8, 1926 | Broadway Auditorium, Buffalo, New York, US | Won vacant world colored heavyweight title |
| 44 | Win | 32–11–1 | Jack Townsend | DQ | 6 (10) | Nov 1, 1926 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 43 | Win | 31–11–1 | Bob Lawson | PTS | 6 | Sep 23, 1926 | Sesquicentennial Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 42 | Loss | 30–11–1 | Jack Sharkey | PTS | 10 | Sep 21, 1926 | Mechanics Building, Boston, Massachusetts, US | |
| 41 | Win | 30–10–1 | Tiny Jim Herman | UD | 10 | Aug 24, 1926 | Armory, Portland, Oregon, US | |
| 40 | Loss | 29–10–1 | Chuck Wiggins | DQ | 7 (10) | Jun 9, 1926 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 39 | Win | 29–9–1 | Sully Montgomery | DQ | 7 (10) | Jan 6, 1926 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 38 | Win | 28–9–1 | Martin Burke | PTS | 10 | Dec 23, 1925 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 37 | Win | 27–9–1 | Fred Fulton | KO | 5 (10) | Dec 18, 1925 | Kenwood Armory, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US | |
| 36 | Win | 26–9–1 | Battling Owens | KO | 3 (15) | Dec 14, 1925 | Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US | |
| 35 | Win | 25–9–1 | Martin Burke | PTS | 10 | Sep 29, 1925 | Maier Park, Vernon, California, US | |
| 34 | Win | 24–9–1 | Mike Conroy | TKO | 2 (10) | Aug 26, 1925 | Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US | |
| 33 | Win | 23–9–1 | Tiny Jim Herman | TKO | 3 (10) | Aug 4, 1925 | Arena, Vernon, California, US | |
| 32 | Win | 22–9–1 | Jack Renault | PTS | 10 | Jun 6, 1925 | Recreation Park, San Francisco, California, US | |
| 31 | Win | 21–9–1 | Sam Baker | KO | 4 (10) | Apr 14, 1925 | Arena, Vernon, California, US | |
| 30 | Win | 20–9–1 | Vic Alexander | TKO | 6 (10) | Mar 21, 1925 | Wilmington Baseball Park, Wilmington, California, US | |
| 29 | Win | 19–9–1 | Tut Jackson | KO | 5 (12) | Feb 26, 1925 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 28 | Win | 18–9–1 | Soldier George Jones | KO | 2 (10) | Jan 30, 1925 | Pottsville, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 27 | Win | 17–9–1 | Joe White | TKO | 1 (10) | Dec 1, 1924 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 26 | Loss | 16–9–1 | Jack Renault | PTS | 10 | Sep 8, 1924 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 25 | Loss | 16–8–1 | Jack Townsend | DQ | 1 (12) | Jul 19, 1924 | Commonwealth Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | |
| 24 | Win | 16–7–1 | Jack Thompson | TKO | 3 (10) | Jun 23, 1924 | Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 23 | Win | 15–7–1 | Farmer Lodge | KO | 3 (10) | May 12, 1924 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 22 | Loss | 14–7–1 | Tom Cowler | DQ | 2 (10) | Mar 31, 1924 | Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | Godfrey was DQ'd for hitting Cowler when he was down |
| 21 | Loss | 14–6–1 | Battling Owens | DQ | 5 (12) | Dec 13, 1923 | Oak Hill Auditorium, Youngstown, Ohio, US | |
| 20 | Win | 14–5–1 | Rough House Ware | KO | 1 (10) | Dec 7, 1923 | Golden Gate A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 19 | Win | 13–5–1 | Bill Tate | KO | 7 (12) | Nov 2, 1923 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 18 | Win | 12–5–1 | Buddy Jackson | TKO | 2 (8) | Sep 17, 1923 | Smedley Field, Chester, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 17 | Loss | 11–5–1 | Jack Renault | KO | 11 (12) | Mar 9, 1923 | Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | |
| 16 | Win | 11–4–1 | Clem Johnson | PTS | 12 | Feb 27, 1923 | Knickerbocker A.C. Arena, Albany, New York, US | |
| 15 | Win | 10–4–1 | Jim Pearson | KO | 1 (6) | Feb 21, 1923 | Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US | |
| 14 | Win | 9–4–1 | Jack Thompson | TKO | 5 (12) | Dec 5, 1922 | Pioneer Sporting Club, New York City, New York, US | |
| 13 | Win | 8–4–1 | George Ward | KO | 5 (8) | Oct 20, 1922 | Old Reliable A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US | |
| 12 | Win | 7–4–1 | K.O. Gordon | KO | 2 (?) | Jan 1, 1922 | Exact location unknown, US | Exact date unknown |
| 11 | Loss | 6–4–1 | Sam Langford | KO | 1 (12) | Aug 17, 1921 | Riverside Arena, Covington, Kentucky, US | |
| 10 | Loss | 6–3–1 | Jack Thompson | KO | 4 (?) | Feb 15, 1921 | Saint Louis, Missouri, US | |
| 9 | Win | 6–2–1 | Young Norfolk | KO | 1 (?) | Feb 1, 1921 | Exact location unknown, US | Exact date unknown |
| 8 | Loss | 5–2–1 | Sam Langford | KO | 2 (10) | Nov 17, 1920 | Hot Springs, Arkansas, US | |
| 7 | Loss | 5–1–1 | Battling Norfolk | KO | 5 (6), 2:00 | Nov 1, 1920 | Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US | |
| 6 | Win | 5–0–1 | Charlie Jude | KO | 1 (?), 1:30 | Aug 30, 1920 | Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US | |
| 5 | Win | 4–0–1 | Baby Doll Green | KO | 5 (?) | Jul 19, 1920 | Southern A.C., Memphis, Tennessee, US | |
| 4 | Win | 3–0–1 | Bill Tate | PTS | 10 | Jul, 1920 | Exact location unknown, US | Exact date unknown |
| 3 | Win | 2–0–1 | Battling Gahee | PTS | 15 | Jun, 1920 | Exact location unknown, US | Exact date unknown |
| 2 | Draw | 1–0–1 | Sam Langford | PTS | 10 | May, 1920 | Exact location unknown, Canada | Exact date unknown |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Eddie Jamison | KO | 1 (?) | Dec, 1919 | Exact location unknown, US | Exact date unknown |
References
edit- ^ "BoxRec: Login".
- ^ "George Godfrey". BoxRec. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ "George Godfrey". BoxRec. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ "California Ring Board to Continue Investigation". The Oregon Journal. April 16, 1930.
- ^ "CARNERA TO FIGHT GODFREY TONIGHT". The New York Times. May 17, 1930. ProQuest 98918577. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ Bodner, Alan (1997). When Boxing Was a Jewish Sport. Praeger Publishers. p. 133. ISBN 978-0275953539.
- ^ "Primo Carnera vs. George Godfrey". BoxingRec. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
- ^ "GODFREY'S LICENSE REVOKED BY BOARD: His $10,000 Purse Is Cut in Half as Aftermath of Foul in Carnera Bout". The New York Times. June 25, 1930. ProQuest 98939453. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
- ^ "Heavyweight Fighter George Godfrey, 'The Black Shadow of Leiperville,' Dies at 50". Los Angeles Sentinel. August 21, 1947 – via The Daily Mirror.