Every once in a while a story gets circulated that speaks directly to the resiliency of the human condition to such an extent, that its retelling becomes an obligation.  One such case is our feature in this week’s Boxing History segment, which details the inspiring and remarkable true story of heavyweight Billy Miske, and his desire to fulfill one last Christmas wish for his wife and children in the fall of 1923.

For many within the boxing community, the story of Billy Miske has become almost a matter of general knowledge.  For those that may be unfamiliar with the story of the St. Paul Thunderbolt, however, I thought it necessary to tell the story one more time, if only to underscore the honor and sacrifice that is often missing in the news that we are accustomed to receiving today.    

Billy Miske was born in St. Paul Minnesota on April 12, 1894, and his professional boxing career began at the tender age of eighteen when he decisioned Joe Christie in a middleweight contest in 1913.  By all accounts, Miske was an extremely tough fighter, losing only once by knockout in a career that spanned 104 contests in just over ten years (the only knockout, and knockdown of his career came against Jack Dempsey in 1920).  It is a universally agreed upon fact that Miske was a standout fighter of his era, as his induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2010, and his record of 72-14-17 with 34 knockouts(including newspaper decisions) can attest.  Miske fought the best, and never backed down from a challenge, including the one that would ultimately cost him his life.

In 1916, Miske was diagnosed with Bright’s disease, a rare condition that affected the functioning of his kidneys, and caused debilitating back pain, inflammation, and difficulty breathing.  He was advised by doctors to desist from boxing completely, and barring any unforeseen setbacks in his treatment, was told he could expect to live five more years under the best of circumstances.  For most, the decision to hang up the gloves would have been a foregone conclusion, as matters of health would most likely have superseded all other existing concerns.  For Miske, however, who was obviously cut from a different mold, not only did he refuse to give up boxing, but he also went on to fight over seventy times over the next five years.  Faced with mounting financial obligations, Miske was forced to submit his ailing body to further abuse in order to provide for the wellbeing of his family.  Unfortunately, there was no denying the inevitable, and in the fall of 1923, with money running low, and his health rapidly deteriorating, Miske pleaded with his manager, Jack Reddy,  to secure him one last fight so that he could provide one last favorable Christmas for his family. “I haven’t got long to be around,” Miske told Reddy.  “I’d like to have my family around me, all happy for just one more Christmas.  It will be my last one.  You got to get me a fight.”

Reddy knew the gravity of Miske’s physical condition, and he was aware of the fact that Miske could hardly walk, much less train for a fight, yet he did what his friend asked of him, and scheduled him a fight against former top contender Bill Brennan on November 7, 1923 in Omaha Nebraska.   Reddy implored his friend to reconsider, fearing that he would become another tragic ring statistic if he went through with the fight.  Undeterred, Miske simply replied, “What’s the difference?  It is better than waiting for death in a rocking chair.”   

So Billy Miske left his home in St. Paul just three days before the contest in Omaha after a month long training camp that consisted almost exclusively of bed rest, and heavy doses of pain pills.  Since traditional training methods were not tolerable in his state, everyone within his camp felt that he was invoking disaster by fighting at all, much less taking on a quality opponent such as Bill Brennan.  However, once the initial bell tolled, opinions quickly changed, and everyone ringside realized they were witnessing something special, as Miske, perhaps inspired by divine intervention, did the unthinkable and stopped Brennan just inside four rounds.  In one of the most courageous acts in sporting history, Billy Miske had defied the odds and had written a most incredible final chapter to his fabled life story.  Days later, he returned to home and immediately began making preparations for his final encore, his last memorable gift to his wife and children.

Christmas day at the Miske household was filled with laughter, lavish gifts, and scenes of outward merriment.  Miske concealed the crippling pain that was forcing his body to shut down, and he put on a brave face in perhaps his greatest performance.  On December 26, Miske called Reddy and asked to be taken to a hospital, knowing that his mortality was down to being measured in minutes and hours.  Hospitalized for close to a week’s time, Billy Miske finally passed away from complications resulting from kidney failure on January 1, 1924 at the tender age of 29.  He left behind two children, but in dying, he made good on a final promise to them, and he imparted a lifetimes’ worth of lessons on integrity and courage to countless numbers of individuals like myself, who continue to draw strength through his courage.