1910 T220 Champions Tommy Burns 🥊🏒
On the eve of the start of the 2025-26 NHL season, my mind wanders to crossover athletes who were World Boxing Champions and also hockey players.
Boxing and hockey both prize toughness and hand skills, but it’s rare to find someone who competed seriously in both.
That's where Tommy Burns steps into focus.
Tommy Burns, born in Canada, became the World Heavyweight boxing Champion from 1906 to 1908.
His is the first and only Canadian-born to hold that title. Though small for a heavyweight at just 5'7" and around 175 pounds, he relied on speed, skill, and tenacity to defeat much larger opponents. Burns made history by defending his title around the world.
Before his boxing fame, Burns was a skilled hockey player in Ontario, known for his quick skating and physical toughness, traits that translated directly into his boxing success.

1910 T220, Jeffries vs. Sharkey (1899). 🥊
The Jeffries vs. Tom Sharkey fight in 1899 is remembered as one of the most brutal and punishing battles of the toughest heavyweight era.
It was a savage 25-round slugfest at Coney Island that showcased the raw toughness and endurance of both men. Sharkey, the rugged ex-sailor, fought with relentless aggression, while Jeffries absorbed everything, proving his durability and stamina. The fight was so grueling that both men were battered nearly beyond recognition.

By defeating Sharkey, Jeffries established himself as the heir apparent to the heavyweight throne. The victory cemented his reputation as a powerhouse capable of handling the roughest contender of his era, setting the stage for his world title shot against Bob Fitzsimmons later that year.

1910 T220 Champions, Joe Choynski.
This colorful tobacco card of Joe Choynski, done in the classic lithographic style, is a fitting tribute to one of boxing's unsung influencers.
Despite never winning a World Title, himself, he trained the first-ever black Heavyweight World Champion, Jack Johnson, who he famously knocked out in 1901.

Join Mantel's⭐The Sweet Science Boxing Group to share & learn about boxing's legacy.
Just open the link below and then click the "Join" button. So easy even a caveman can do it.😂
https://www.onmantel.com/group/8dec1691-bd0f-4aef-b536-c9279a03f502

1910 T220 Boxing Willie Beecher. A Tiny Piece of Awesome Artwork that is uncommonly beautiful.😎
Willie Beecher was a journeyman, who served in the United States Marines from 1917 to 1919. He returned to ring activity in 1920 and 1921, but then retired to manage boxers. He was also a boxing judge.

Join today using the attached link! It's FREE!
Have fun with the rich history of boxing.
Have a great day, too!👊
https://www.onmantel.com/group/8dec1691-bd0f-4aef-b536-c9279a03f502

1910 T220 Champions Jas J. Corbett.
Known as “Gentleman Jim,” James J. Corbett revolutionized boxing in the late 19th century with his scientific approach and graceful footwork. He famously defeated bare-knuckle legend John L. Sullivan in 1892 to become the first gloved heavyweight champion under the Marquess of Queensberry Rules. More than just a fighter, Corbett brought class, strategy, and showmanship to the sport—paving the way for modern boxing as both a spectacle and a science.