Theodore “Tiger” Flowers was the first Black boxer to win the world middleweight championship.
Flowers was born on August 5, 1895, in Camilla, Georgia. Often referred to as the “Georgia Deacon” because of his deep religious devotion, he was a southpaw who began boxing professionally in 1918 at the age of 22.
He quickly reeled off 21 straight victories before suffering his first loss to Panama Joe Gans. Like many other African American boxers of that period, Flowers found it difficult to secure bouts with white fighters, and often had to fight the same opponents within his own race multiple times to make a living.
His first of two victories over Harry Greb came on February 26, 1926, at New York’s Madison Square Garden, earning him the World Middleweight Championship. He became the first Black man to capture that title. Notably, Greb—whose career spanned nearly 300 bouts—was defeated only a handful of times, and Flowers was the only middleweight ever to beat him.
Flowers lost his title to future Hall of Famer Mickey Walker in December 1926 on a controversial referee’s decision. Although the ruling was investigated, it was ultimately upheld. Flowers sought a rematch, but Walker, managed by Jack “Doc” Kearns, refused. Unable to secure another title shot, Flowers moved up in weight and challenged several top light heavyweights, losing only once—by decision to Leo Lomski on January 22, 1927.
In November of that same year, Flowers underwent surgery to remove scar tissue from around his eye but died as a result of complications. He was just 32 years old.
Flowers finished his career with 115 wins, 14 losses, 21 no-decisions, and 6 draws. He was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1976 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993. Some rankings place him among the top middleweights of all time.
Sources:
http://www.blackpast.org/aaw/flowers-theodore-tiger-1895-1927#sthash.nHiyAV5u.dpuf/
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/sports-outdoor-recreation/tiger-flowers-1895-1927
