Jack Delaney (Born: March 18, 1900, Died: November 27, 1948 was a former light heavyweight champion of the world and contender for the heavyweight crown. One of the most popular fighters of the 1920s, the handsome French-Canadian was born Ovila Chapdelaine in Quebec, Canada. March 18 is the 77th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (78th in leap years). ... 1900 is a common year starting on Monday. ... November 27 is the 331st day (332nd on leap years) of the year. ... 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ... In boxing, the division between heavyweight over 175 pounds (79. ... Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. ... ...

Delaney was known for his beautiful, seemingly flawless movements in the ring. He was an accomplished boxer with a smooth and quick left hand. In addition he had one punch knockout power in his right hand. Early in his career he broke both his hands and seemed through. His contract was purchased by Pete Reilly for 900 dollars, who promptly promoted Delaney into an attraction worth a half million dollars.

In 1924, Delaney decisioned future light heavyweight champion Tommy Loughran, and less than a month later, in Madison Square Garden, Delaney first faced the hard punching Paul Berlenbach. In a great fight that saw both men knocked to the canvas, Delaney scored two knockdowns in the fourth round, causing the referee to stop the fight. 1924 was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link will take you to calendar). ... Tommy Loughran (November 29, 1902 - July 7, 1982) was a light-heavyweight boxing champion and elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. ...

Delaney was also involved in a bizarre match with future middleweight champion Tiger Flowers. After a round had passed, Delaney floored Flowers with a straight right hand. The referee counted Flowers out, but his corner protested that he had received a "fast count". The Flowers faction became unruly and a riot seemed imminent. Flowers demanded that the match resume, and Delaney amazingly agreed. The two fought until the fourth round when Delaney again fired an irresistible right hand that knocked Flowers senseless. This time there was no controversey as Flowers did not come close to arising in time. When Flowers did come to, he went to Delaney's dressing room and said:" Ah want to thank you, Mr. Delaney, and tell you that Ah is convinced." Middleweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. ...

Delaney was rewarded with a title shot against Berlanbach, who in the meantime had won the crown. In an outstanding display of courage, perseverance and fortitude, Berlanbach upset Delaney by winning a 15 round decision. Delaney then then embarked on an eleven-fight winning streak that led to a rematch. The fight was held in Brooklyn's Ebbets Field and spurred on by his loudly cheering female fans, known as "Delaney's screaming mamies," Delaney dropped Berlenbach, controlled the fight and won the light heavyweight title. The Brooklyn Bridge in 1890, seven years after its opening Kings County in New York State Brooklyn is the most populous of the five boroughs of New York City. ... Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York. ...

Early in 1927, Delaney relinquished his championship in order to pursue the heavyweight crown. He was matched against Jimmy Maloney, a journeyman heavyweight contender Delaney was expected to defeat handily. Had Delaney defeated Maloney, he would have faced the heavyweight champion Gene Tunney. 1927 was a common year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar). ... James Joseph Gene Tunney (May 25, 1897 - November 7, 1978) was the heavyweight boxing champion from 1926-28 who defeated Jack Dempsey in 1926 and 1927 in what became known as The Long Count Fight and retired undefeated after winning against Tom Heeney in 1928. ...

Delaney always prepared for fights in secluded training camps, in idyllic settings where no liquor was allowed on the premises. Unknown to the fans and sportwriter's of the day was the reason for the no liquor rules; Delaney drank. He just didn't drink socially, but would disappear on benders lasting days.

Before the Maloney fight, Delaney disappeared on a three day toot. Unknown to his manager, sometime during the three days, Delaney threw a punch at a railroad porter. The porter ducked, and Delaney hit the steel side of the rail car, breaking his hand. He told no one of his injury and fought Maloney, anyway. Unable to throw his right, Delaney dropped the 10 round decision.

By this time, Delaney's drinking had become a major obstacle in his career. In his last big fight he was matched with future heavyweight champion Jack Sharkey. Once again, the possibility of a crack at the heavyweight crown, and a big gate with Tunney, was in the balance. Jack Sharkey, born October 6, 1902 in Binghamton, New York, United States – died August 17, 1994 in Beverly, Massachusetts, was a heavyweight boxing champion. ...

This time Delaney entered the ring flabby, bloated and listless. When the bell rang for the opening round he was unable to move. Apparently intoxicated to the point of virtual paralysis, Delaney stood staring at his corner as Sharkey came across the ring. Sharkey paused momentarily in disbelief, and then knocked Delaney to the canvas. The fight ended with Delaney on his hands and knees, crawling around the ring like a man looking for a lost button, while the referee counted him out. The emotional Sharkey, his mouth piece hanging halfway out of his mouth, clung to the top ring rope crying in joy, as the furious spectators cried fix.

Delaney retired with a record of 77 wins (44 KOs), 10 losses, and 2 draws, 2 No Decisions and 2 No Contests. After his boxing career, he operated a number of businesses, ran a tavern in New York and refereed. He died of cancer in 1948. 1948 is a leap year starting on Thursday (link will take you to calendar). ...