BoxRec

On September 3rd, 1906 at Millinocket, Maine, Billy Dunning fought the great Jack Johnson for 10 rounds and got a draw!

Any guys here from Maine or at least New England? You might take a look at your local library to find a write-up on this one. Apparently, Dunning did not capitalize on his performance against Johnson. He did nothing of note for some four years, losing to Porky Flynn in 1910.

Cap

Hi Gents,
Billy Dunning was my great grandfather. I still have his picture. For your information, after he was killed in the ring...he had a glass jaw...they gave his wife and her kids (my grandfather Ray), $20.00 for the burial and to get on. They went to Caribou. Then my grandfather who took care of his mom and never went to High School, became a postman, then a member of the Maine National Guard, the State Rifle and Pistol champ for many years, and then became an officer, finally commanding a battalion against the japs in WWII in the battle of Munda in the Solomon Islands. He opened the Newcastle Inn in Newcastle and adopted my father Bill Dunning after his sister died. Great to see his name here!
Thanks,
Ray Dunning

Cap,
Billy Dunning was my Great Grandfather. His death precipitated his son ray to move south to Portland, later becoming a Lieutenant Colonel and leading his 2nd Battalion 103rd Maine Inf into battle in the Solomon's in 1943. He too was a boxer of sorts for sport in his unit as many Army Soldiers were at the time, on unit teams. Ray had a sister Evelyn who died about 5 years after she had a son named William, who was my father "Bill" Dunning, who died just last year. My brother is named Billy Dunning too. I have a photo/portrait of my Great Grandfather Billy Dunning still. He was quite handsome when it was photo'd. In a tux! The chin is very distinct, and my father had it. I don't know what happened to me..I have it but not nearly as pronounced. That glass jaw is what got him killed. By the way, Billy fought for extra cash to supplement his job at the Mill. The townspeople gave his widow $20 to cover his burial and to survive on!

Sorry to hear. Took real guts to get in the ring with Jack Johnson!

Cap,
Also, Billy had his left hand sawn off after the index finger at teh Mill, so basically he always fought with a claw.