Eddie Neil

Name: Eddie Neil
Birth Name: Olin Porter
Hometown: Everett, Washington, USA
Died: 1924-06-04 (Age:21)
Stance: Orthodox
Pro Boxer: Record

Division: Bantamweight
Manager: Pete Moe
Exact date of birth unknown. Early 1920s local Washington state newspapers reported Neil's hometown to be Anacortes, Washington. Mid-1920s Everett, Washington, newspapers claim him as its homeboy.

Newspaper Report of Neil's Death

Everett Daily Herald front page headline:

EDDIE NEAL [sic], EVERETT BANTAMWEIGHT BOXER, DIES SUDDENLY; COLLAPSES DURING A WORKOUT

Eddie Neil, 21 years old, prominent Everett bantamweight boxer, died at Providence hospital at 6 o'clock Wednesday morning, following a sudden collapse Tuesday evening after a workout at the Gym where he was training for his Friday evening bout with Marty Fosse. Death resulted from a cerebral hemorrhage.

The hemorrhage, physicians stated, was undoubtedly the result of an injury Neil received in the Butte, Mont., ring two weeks ago when his head struck on the floor of the ring when boxing Dixie LaHood, the interior mountain bantam champion, and [continued on Page Seven] was brought on Tuesday evening through over exertion.

Neil had completed a brief sparring session with Jack Richmond and a minute or two of rope skipping when he told Richmond that he felt ill. He had started to dress when he collapsed. Physicians were immediately summoned and Neil removed to the hospital in the Jerread ambulance. He collapsed into unconsciousness shortly after reaching the institution and died without regaining consciousness.

Neil was suffering from a heavy cold when he went to Butte for his bout with LaHood and the fight was postponed a week to allow the Everett boy to recuperate. He was still feeling ill when he returned home. He was a prominent ball player and had signed to play with the Independent Table Supply nine in the Senior league this season.

A few days ago Neil was asked why he had not yet donned a baseball uniform and he replied that every time he sought to retrieve a fly ball his sight failed him. He believed this the result of the attack of la grippe and went about preparing for his Friday evening bout at Eagles' hall.

Eddie Neil, whose true name was Olin Porter, was one of the most popular boxers in the Northwest ring, because of his pleasing personality and boxing ability. He climbed rapidly to the front, his bouts with Billy Mascott of Portland, Johnny McManus of San Francisco and Vic Foley of Vancouver, B.C., placing him in the front rank as [of?] bantam boxers with his services always in demand.

Matchmaker Tom Alliman has called off the smoker the Eagles had scheduled for Friday evening.

Neil's parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Porter, reside at Summit Park, a short distance out of Anacortes. The body is at the chapel of Gunderson & Cornell, from where funeral arrangements will be announced later.