Tony Gardner, the KO King

[coreygardner]

Tony Gardner, the KO King, was a top welterweight and middleweight contender of the 70's who was a six foot southpaw. He had a string of knockout victories. Gardner had nine one - round knockout victories and six one - round knockout losses.

Was he white or black?

I believe he is from Memphis, TN and I had read somewhere on the net that someone interviewed him on Beale Street and asked him, "Does it hurt to get knocked out?" and he replied, "Naw, it don't hurt. Everything is peaceful. It's beautiful, man."

[raylawpc]

Tony Gardner, the KO King, was a top welterweight and middleweight contender of the 70's who was a six foot southpaw. He had a string of knockout victories. Gardner had nine one - round knockout victories and six one - round knockout losses.

Was he white or black?

I believe he is from Memphis, TN and I had read somewhere on the net that someone interviewed him on Beale Street and asked him, "Does it hurt to get knocked out?" and he replied, "Naw, it don't hurt. Everything is peaceful. It's beautiful, man."

Tony is white. Born and bred in Memphis, Tennessee and proud of it. When he was fighting out of Oklahoma City, he lived in a little efficiency apartment on 16th Street within walking distance of the gym, but he would head back to Memphis every chance he got. Hated to train more than any fighter I ever knew.

Tony was NOT a southpaw. Boxrec has that wrong.

[Dart340]

If you want to see a photo of Tony Gardner, you'll have to go to the Title Bout boxing simulation site and look through the photo archive. He was on several of the fight posters at the old PAL gym here in Indy and I always thought he looked less like a prizefighter than anyone else I'd ever seen. Like Alan Alda with even less threatening looks. From what Ray said here before, though, he carried one shot knockout power.

[raylawpc]

If you want to see a photo of Tony Gardner, you'll have to go to the Title Bout boxing simulation site and look through the photo archive. He was on several of the fight posters at the old PAL gym here in Indy and I always thought he looked less like a prizefighter than anyone else I'd ever seen. Like Alan Alda with even less threatening looks. From what Ray said here before, though, he carried one shot knockout power.

Dart is right-on. Tony didn't look much like a fighter . . . and he did look a bit like a young Alan Alda. Here's the best photo I could find on the internet.



He looked less like a boxer in person than in his photo.

I've enjoyed this thread. It's made me think about Tony and remember the good times and the good fights. I haven't seen him in 30 years, but back in the day, he was great guy and a real friend. I'm sure he still is.

[Dart340]

Tony had a fascinating career, running from small-town hero to world tittle challenger to journeyman gatekeeper to cutman to promoter. Literally, he did everything there was to do. He's one of the most fascinating old-timers I've run across and would love to give him the opportunity to tell his story. Ray, where in the world did he disapper to?

[raylawpc]

Tony had a fascinating career, running from small-town hero to world tittle challenger to journeyman gatekeeper to cutman to promoter. Literally, he did everything there was to do. He's one of the most fascinating old-timers I've run across and would love to give him the opportunity to tell his story. Ray, where in the world did he disapper to?

I have no idea. I haven't seen him in 30 years. I'm told that he's still down in Memphis, but I have no idea if he's still involved in boxing, or what he's doing.

[coreygardner]

I am writing a book on prizefighters named Gardner. Thanks for the picture. And thank you for the information.

Did Tony Gardner ever knock anybody out cold?

He had an interesting career. Is he a boxing coach now?

[wsbuf]

Tony Gardner, the KO King, was a top welterweight and middleweight contender of the 70's who was a six foot southpaw. He had a string of knockout victories. Gardner had nine one - round knockout victories and six one - round knockout losses.

Was he white or black?

I believe he is from Memphis, TN and I had read somewhere on the net that someone interviewed him on Beale Street and asked him, "Does it hurt to get knocked out?" and he replied, "Naw, it don't hurt. Everything is peaceful. It's beautiful, man."

Tony is white. Born and bred in Memphis, Tennessee and proud of it. When he was fighting out of Oklahoma City, he lived in a little efficiency apartment on 16th Street within walking distance of the gym, but he would head back to Memphis every chance he got. Hated to train more than any fighter I ever knew.

Tony was NOT a southpaw. Boxrec has that wrong.

I updated in database. Anyone know his DOB?

[Dart340]

Best I could tell, Gardner parlayed his status as a well-traveled journeyman into both being a cornerman- he was called in to work Termite Watkins' corner in his title shot against Mamby- and then replaced Bruce Trampler as matchmaker for the promotion based out of Orlando, FL. After that, I can't find any information on him.

[coreygardner]

If anyone has his email address I'd like to send him a message.

Was he a hero to Memphis back in the day?

[raylawpc]

I am writing a book on prizefighters named Gardner.

I hope you are planning to include Oscar Gardner, the "Omaha Kid," in your book.

[coreygardner]

Yes, definitely. You seem to know a lot about prizefighters. Do you have any records or additional information on the following?

Here are the prizefighters of note in the book:

Orville "Awful" Gardner (1825 - 1899) was a notorious prizefighter, gambler, and ruffian who was a contender for the Heavyweight Championship of America in 1856 against Dominick Bradley, and trained heavyweight champions Tom Hyer, John Morrissey, and Joe Coburn; described as "over six feet tall and powerfully - built". He later became a preacher.

Oscar Gardner (1872 - 1928) was the Featherweight Champion of America and world class fighter.

George Gardner (1877 - 1954) was the Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World and once rated number one fighter.

Jimmy Gardner (1885 - 19??) was the World Welterweight Champion claimant.

Jack Gardner (1926 - 1978) was the Heavyweight Champion of Great Britain, the British Empire, and Europe, and once a top ten contender for the Heavyweight Championship of the World, even rated above Rocky Marciano in 1950 Ring Magazine.

John L. Gardner (1953 - present) was the British, Commonwealth, and European Heavyweight Champion.

Tony Gardner (195? - present) was a top middleweight contender.

Chuck Gardner (1952 - present) was a heavyweight boxer who beat Jimmy Young, and faced a number of heavyweight champions.

And of course a few wrestlers, such as Rulon Gardner and "Pink" Gardner.

[raylawpc]

Yes, definitely. You seem to know a lot about prizefighters. Do you have any records or additional information on the following?

Here are the prizefighters of note in the book:

Orville "Awful" Gardner (1825 - 1899) was a notorious prizefighter, gambler, and ruffian who was a contender for the Heavyweight Championship of America in 1856 against Dominick Bradley, and trained heavyweight champions Tom Hyer, John Morrissey, and Joe Coburn; described as "over six feet tall and powerfully - built". He later became a preacher.

Oscar Gardner (1872 - 1928) was the Featherweight Champion of America and world class fighter.

George Gardner (1877 - 1954) was the Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World and once rated number one fighter.

Jimmy Gardner (1885 - 19??) was the World Welterweight Champion claimant.

Jack Gardner (1926 - 1978) was the Heavyweight Champion of Great Britain, the British Empire, and Europe, and once a top ten contender for the Heavyweight Championship of the World, even rated above Rocky Marciano in 1950 Ring Magazine.

John L. Gardner (1953 - present) was the British, Commonwealth, and European Heavyweight Champion.

Tony Gardner (195? - present) was a top middleweight contender.

Chuck Gardner (1952 - present) was a heavyweight boxer who beat Jimmy Young, and faced a number of heavyweight champions.

And of course a few wrestlers, such as Rulon Gardner and "Pink" Gardner.

My understanding is that Jimmy Gardner was George Gardner's brother. They had another brother named Bill or Ben (can't remember which), who was also a fighter, but not nearly as good as Jimmy or George.

A couple of other Gardners come to mind: Gus Gardner was a lightweight who challenged Joe Gans for the lightweight title, and beat George "Elbows" McFadden a couple of times, if I recall correctly. There was also a British flyweight in the 40s and 50s named Teddy Gardner. He was the British and European champion, if memory serves, but I don't think he ever got a world title shot.

One correction to your list: Tony Gardner was ranked as a junior middleweight, never as a middleweight.

[raylawpc]

Tony Gardner, the KO King, was a top welterweight and middleweight contender of the 70's who was a six foot southpaw. He had a string of knockout victories. Gardner had nine one - round knockout victories and six one - round knockout losses.

Was he white or black?

I believe he is from Memphis, TN and I had read somewhere on the net that someone interviewed him on Beale Street and asked him, "Does it hurt to get knocked out?" and he replied, "Naw, it don't hurt. Everything is peaceful. It's beautiful, man."

Tony is white. Born and bred in Memphis, Tennessee and proud of it. When he was fighting out of Oklahoma City, he lived in a little efficiency apartment on 16th Street within walking distance of the gym, but he would head back to Memphis every chance he got. Hated to train more than any fighter I ever knew.

Tony was NOT a southpaw. Boxrec has that wrong.

I updated in database. Anyone know his DOB?

You missed it in his bio - still says southpaw. I've looked through every scrap of paper I still have from those days, and I don't have a thing with this DOB. Sorry. I'm guessing he was born between 1948 and 1950.

[wsbuf]

I don't see where says southpaw?

[raylawpc]

I don't see where says southpaw?

It says "orthodox" now.

[Dart340]

Gardner got stopped by local Orlando favorite Joey Vincent on a cut on one of his last big fights while still holding a world rating and then lost the rematch in seven on a TKO. Guess who then became Vincent's manager? Tony Gardner. I wish he'd turn up somewhere and grant an interview, Ray, he's a fascinating character. I guess he learned well from Pat O' Grady during his time in Oklahoma.

[raylawpc]

Gardner got stopped by local Orlando favorite Joey Vincent on a cut on one of his last big fights while still holding a world rating and then lost the rematch in seven on a TKO. Guess who then became Vincent's manager? Tony Gardner. I wish he'd turn up somewhere and grant an interview, Ray, he's a fascinating character. I guess he learned well from Pat O' Grady during his time in Oklahoma.

Oh yeah . . . I'd love to hear that interview. Heck, I'd love to see the guy after all these years. He was definitely a character . . . and probably still is!

[coreygardner]

Does anybody know "Awful" Gardner's boxing record?

He trained Tom Hyer, John Morrissey, and Joe Coburn.

I had found a news article from 1856 that stated that Awful Gardner was going to fight Dominick Bradley for the Heavyweight Championship of America and Gardner was the favorite, but nothing more on it.

Gardner was involved in several barroom brawls in the early 1850's in New York, a real badass.

[kayla]

Did any of you know him Personally?

[kayla]

I wasn't 100 percent sure until i saw the photo, but Tony Gardner is my Grandfather :) I knew he was a great boxer but i didn't know the details of his career, so I wasn't positive.

[raylawpc]

Did any of you know him Personally?

Yes, I sent you a private message. I used to train with him, and I was in his corner for most of his OKC fights circa 1974-1976.

[coreygardner]

Kayla,

Hi, I am writing a book on interesting people with the last name Gardner.

I have already finished my biography on Tony Gardner, but could always add more information.

What is your email address or Tony's?

Here is the chapter:

"Awful" GARDNER, the Prize - Fighter
Oscar GARDNER, the "Omaha Kid"
George GARDNER, the Light - Heavyweight Champion of the World
Jimmy GARDNER, the Welterweight Champion of the World
Jack GARDNER, the "Fighting Guardsman"
John L. GARDNER, the Heavyweight Champion
"Pink" GARDNER, the Wrestler
Tony GARDNER, the "KO King"

[max hord]

Tony Gardner and I fought each other 3 times. He wasn't a southpaw but could box that way fairly well. He had a hard right hand and when he did turn southpaw he could shoot that jab hard. I tried to get in touch with Tony and since then heard he was living in Arizona. I knew one of his wives, I think her name was Pat. If you're out there Tony give me a call. I'm in the book under M Hord in Fernandina Bch,Florida or e-mail me at [email protected].

[ROKMOD]

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click for photos of Tony Garner