Boxing History: On This Day, George Chip Remembered

By Peter Silkov

George Chip was a tough, hard-hitting middleweight, who during his career, mixed it up with the best middles of the 1910s. Born Jurgis Chipulonis on August 25, 1888, in Madison, Pennsylvania, Chip started his working life after he was taken out of school in the third grade and became a water boy in the coal mines in Scranton, PA. In 1909 he turned to boxing to make his living and moved to New Castle with his family to begin training with Jimmy Dime, his manager. Dime also trained George's brother, Joe, who was also a professional boxer.

During his career, Chip fought big names such as, Jack Dillon, Leo Houck, George ‘Ko’ Brown, Jeff Smith, Willie ‘Ko’ Brennan, Frank Klaus, Gus Christie, Jimmy Clabby, Al McCoy, Harry Greb, Young Ahearn, Les Darcy, Art Magirl, Tommy Gibbons, Eddie McGooty, and Mike Gibbons.

Chip won the World middleweight title on October 11, 1913, when he stopped

Frank Klaus in the 6^th round. He reigned as champion until April 7, 1914, when he stepped in for his brother, Joe, who had broke his hand, to fight Al McCoy. Chip thought it was going to be an easy bout, but he was stopped in the 1^st round by Al McCoy. In a rematch with McCoy on January 20, 1916, Chip would win the fight, but it was a non-title bout.

George Chip would again compete for the World middleweight title on July , 1921, when he met Mike Gibbons in Youngstown, Ohio, and lost by newspaper decision. After Gibbons came back from the armed services, he gave Chip a rematch in Terre Haute, Indiana, on June 11, 1919, and Chip once again was clearly defeated by Gibbons.

Chip continued to box until 1922. His final opponent was Frankie Maguire. Who he beat on points in 8 rounds. Chip's final record was (42-17-4, 36 koes). He also had about 90 no-decision contests.

After retirement, Chip would work as a referee and trainer. He owned and managed a billiards hall in the 1920s, but was closed down due to alleged gambling activities. During the Great Depression he was employed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and Penn Power, as a watchman, in 1937.

While crossing a highway in New Castle, a 73-year old George was hit by a car and suffered two broken legs and neck on November 4, 1960. He would die two days later in New Castle, Pennsylvania hospital. 

Les Darcy vs George Chip

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On This Day: Al McCoy Remembered

Al McCoy was a good all-round boxer with a decent punch, and a southpaw style, which made him a tough match for anyone. McCoy was born Alexander Rudolph on October 23, 1894, in Woodbine, New Jersey. The second of nine children, Rudolph left home at the age of 14 to begin his boxing career after being forbidden to box by his father. McCoy would be managed by a number of colourful figures during his career, including A.I. Randolph, T.Brennan, Jack Daugherty, Dan Morgan and Leo Flynn. For most of his professional career McCoy was trained by Charley Goldman, an ex-fighter himself, who would later train Rocky Marciano to the heavyweight title.

Through his career, McCoy faced an impressive array of the top middleweights and light-heavyweight’s of the 1900s and 1910s, fighters such as Young Otto, Willie Fitzgerald, Gus Christie, Wild Cat Ferns, Soldier Bartfield, Willie ‘Ko’ Brennan, Zulu Kid, Mike Gibbons, George Chip, Willie Lewis, Italian Joe Gans, Young Ahearn, Jack Dillon, Harry Greb, Mike O’Dowd, and Leo Houck. However, McCoy’s career was marked by the high number of no-decision fights that he took part in, and for this reason, never truly gained the credit that he should have for his accomplishments.

McCoy won the World middleweight title on April 7, 1914, with a surprising 1^st round knockout over the favoured George Chip. McCoy would hold the world title until November 14, 1917, when he was knocked out in 6 rounds by Mike O’Dowd. He was not a popular champion due to his taking part in a lot of no-decision fights during his reign. He was also adjudged to have lost quite a few of these no decision contests, but held onto his middleweight title as he could only be dethroned if he was stopped inside the distance. In April, 30, 1917, McCoy had fought a no-decision contest with Harry Greb, with both men under the middleweight limit, and had been badly beaten and out-classed by Greb, yet held onto his title because he lasted the 10 round distance.

Al McCoy retired in 1924, his final record is disputed, Box Rec has his verified record as being (31-13-6, 27koes) while the late Nat Fleischer compiled a (50-5-7, 28koes) (plus 82 no decisions) record for McCoy. It is known that he is said to have taken part in many fights which have yet to be verified.

After retiring from boxing, McCoy would try acting in Los Angeles. He would have a role in the movie “The Bowery.” He would also work in boxing promotions. The later part of Al McCoy's life was a series of unfortunate events, which started when he lost everything in a fire, then plagued by health problems he was placed in a nursing home.

Al McCoy died on August 22, 1966, at the age of 71, in Los Angeles. 

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