He was one of 11 children including siblings Gretta, Martin, Patrick, Mary, John, Katie, Thomas, Maggie and Ellie. Michael left Ireland and arrived in New York on 21st September 1912 aboard the Baltic.
Michael recorded his occupation as Labourer o the Ship’s Manifest and his last place of residence as Ennis while his father Patrick was recorded as his next of kin in Ireland. Michael carried $25 with him and was recorded as 5 feet 11 in height with fair hair and brown eyes. He planned to stay with a John McTigue in New York.
Mike in action
Michael and his wife Celicia are listed on the 1920 US Federal Census where he is listed as a ‘Professional Boxer’ living in Manhattan. On 19th May 1922 Michael applied for a US Passport stating he and his family were living at 525 West 175 Street, New York.
In 1930 three daughters have joined the family - Rosaleen, Ceclia and Peggy. The Milwaukee Journal reported on the fighter in 1927. It referred to the young, virtually unknown fighter of 1912 and his rise to become a champion boxer in the USA. His young days in co. Clare, the paper reports included a time as a Blacksmoth’s helper before moving to Liverpool, London and Cardiff. Having seen McTigue in action in an early fight, Dan Hicky, McTgue’s eventual coach thought he had potential and time had him winning the world light heavyweight title in Dublin on 17th arch 1923, winning in all, about 200 fights.
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