James J. Johnston
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
November 28, 1875
"Pop" Johnston
Boxing manager
James J. Johnston | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Joy Johnston November 28, 1875 Liverpool, England |
| Died | May 7, 1946 (aged 70) New York, U.S. |
| Other names | The Boy Bandit of Broadway, "Pop" Johnston |
| Occupations | Boxing promoter Boxing manager |
James Joy Johnston (November 28, 1875 – May 7, 1946) was an English boxer, boxing manager, promoter, and matchmaker who was in the fight business for 40 years.
James Joy Johnston was born in Liverpool, England, on November 28, 1875.[1]
He and his family relocated to the United States when he was 12 years old.[2]
Career
The émigré from Liverpool worked in an iron foundry while boxing professionally as a bantamweight in New York. As a professional boxer, he once refused $50 to fight "Terrible Terry" McGovern.[3]
He worked under Charley Harvey, a specialist in importing English boxers, before starting his own management career around 1912.[1]
While managing the Central Boxing Club at the Manhattan Casino in July 1921, Johnston was charged with withholding $9,000 in ticket tax and held on $1,000 bail.[4] Under the Revenue Act of 1918, he was convicted for failing to pay and report federal taxes on boxing match admissions.[5]
By 1924, Johnston was serving as matchmaker for the Cromwell Athletic Club, the Polo Grounds A.C., and other small clubs.[6]
Johnston's stable included nine world champions,[7] and featured former world light heavyweight champion Mike McTigue.[8] He also managed England's Phil Scott during the "golden twenties."[7] The boxing manager maneuvered Scott into the title shot discussions with Boston heavyweight Jack Sharkey in 1930.[9]
In 1931, Johnston managed Dodger Athletic Club, Inc., which directed Brooklyn's Ebbets Field. He set up a fight between Jack Sharkey and Primo Carnera that year, but a court ruled against him after Madison Square Garden asserted exclusive contract rights to Carnera.[10] He later handled promotion for the Sharkey–Carnera fight at Ebbets Field and notably gave James J. Braddock a chance on the undercard.[11]
Madison Square Garden
Johnston accepted an offer to be general manager of Madison Square Garden Corp. in October 1931, with a yearly salary of $25,000.[3] He succeeded the late Tex Rickard as the fight promoter for Madison Square Garden.[12]
On June 21, 1932, he staged Sharkey vs. Max Schmeling for the world heavyweight championship. The next month, he introduced the idea of an elimination tournament to select a challenger for Sharkey.[11]
Johnston promoted featherweight champion Kid Chocolate vs. Tony Canzoneri at the Garden in 1933. By that time, multiple members of the Johnston family were actively involved in combat sports. His brother, Charles B. Johnston, handled wrestling bookings throughout New York State, and his son, James J. Johnston Jr., was matchmaker at the St. Nicholas Arena.[13]
By the mid-1930s, he held another heavyweight elimination tournament at the Garden. He staged Braddock against Max Baer in the summer of 1935.[14] Johnston initially refused to book Joe Louis at the arena, believing that a Black fighter would not draw sufficient ticket sales. Louis's success at Yankee Stadium led to his acceptance at most venues, including the Garden.[15]
Johnston served as the Garden's matchmaker for six years before being succeeded by Mike Jacobs in October 1937. While at the Garden, he oversaw 35 world championship bouts—five for the heavyweight title—and ensured the operation remained profitable.[11] Johnston reentered the managing scene that year.[16]