Please note: Find A Grave told me that Art Donovan, perhaps the best known and most famous referee of the 20th Century and a member of the IBHOF, does not meet its criteria to be noted as famous. Most boxing fans know otherwise.
Professional Boxing Referee. One of the finest boxing referees of the 20th century, he boxed professionally from 1912 to 1922, and was a veteran of World War I. He started boxing against the wishes of his father, ex-middleweight champion Mike Donovan, he used various ringnames early in his career. He was also a Merchant Marine. He became boxing instructor at the New York Athletic Club, taking over from his father in 1915 and holding the position for 50 years. He gained international fame as a boxing referee beginning in 1926. He became one of the top referees in New York, and officiated dozens of world championships bout, and twenty Joe Louis fights, including Louis’ two historic bouts against Max Schmeling. He retired from refereeing in 1948. He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Note: The book “The Fighting Donovans” by his son Art Donovan, Jr., former NFL defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, gives his name as Arthur J. Donovan, Sr.
Professional Boxing Referee. One of the finest boxing referees of the 20th century, he boxed professionally from 1912 to 1922, and was a veteran of World War I. He started boxing against the wishes of his father, ex-middleweight champion Mike Donovan, he used various ringnames early in his career. He was also a Merchant Marine. He became boxing instructor at the New York Athletic Club, taking over from his father in 1915 and holding the position for 50 years. He gained international fame as a boxing referee beginning in 1926. He became one of the top referees in New York, and officiated dozens of world championships bout, and twenty Joe Louis fights, including Louis’ two historic bouts against Max Schmeling. He retired from refereeing in 1948. He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Note: The book “The Fighting Donovans” by his son Art Donovan, Jr., former NFL defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, gives his name as Arthur J. Donovan, Sr.
Please note: Find A Grave told me that Art Donovan, perhaps the best known and most famous referee of the 20th Century and a member of the IBHOF, does not meet its criteria to be noted as famous. Most boxing fans know otherwise.
Professional Boxing Referee. One of the finest boxing referees of the 20th century, he boxed professionally from 1912 to 1922, and was a veteran of World War I. He started boxing against the wishes of his father, ex-middleweight champion Mike Donovan, he used various ringnames early in his career. He was also a Merchant Marine. He became boxing instructor at the New York Athletic Club, taking over from his father in 1915 and holding the position for 50 years. He gained international fame as a boxing referee beginning in 1926. He became one of the top referees in New York, and officiated dozens of world championships bout, and twenty Joe Louis fights, including Louis’ two historic bouts against Max Schmeling. He retired from refereeing in 1948. He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Note: The book “The Fighting Donovans” by his son Art Donovan, Jr., former NFL defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, gives his name as Arthur J. Donovan, Sr.
Professional Boxing Referee. One of the finest boxing referees of the 20th century, he boxed professionally from 1912 to 1922, and was a veteran of World War I. He started boxing against the wishes of his father, ex-middleweight champion Mike Donovan, he used various ringnames early in his career. He was also a Merchant Marine. He became boxing instructor at the New York Athletic Club, taking over from his father in 1915 and holding the position for 50 years. He gained international fame as a boxing referee beginning in 1926. He became one of the top referees in New York, and officiated dozens of world championships bout, and twenty Joe Louis fights, including Louis’ two historic bouts against Max Schmeling. He retired from refereeing in 1948. He has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame. Note: The book “The Fighting Donovans” by his son Art Donovan, Jr., former NFL defensive tackle for the Baltimore Colts, gives his name as Arthur J. Donovan, Sr.
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