Packey McGrath

Name: Packey McGrath
Birth Name: Patrick Smith McGrath
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Birthplace: Scotland, United Kingdom
Died: 1967-03-29 (Age:72)
Pro Boxer: Record
Amateur Boxer: Record

Packey McGrath was born in Glasgow, September 20, 1894. He immigrated to Canada in 1913. He fought as an amateur until conscription in 1918, then for the military in England and in the Inter-Allied Games in Paris, 1919, then as a professional for a few years in the early twenties. In 1913 in Hamilton, Ontario he fought under the name of Packey Morton; from 1914 on he fought under his own name, Packey McGrath.

Amateur career

1913 After arriving in Canada from Glasgow in June Packey McGrath joined the Hamilton Athletic Club as Packey Morton; entering the Ontario championships in October in Toronto he won the silver medal, losing a close decision to W. White of Toronto, in the final bout: “The defeat of Packey Morton of Hamilton, who knocked out Ted Price of Riversides Saturday night, by W. White of Riversides was unexpected and showed White to be a real comer” (Toronto Star, October 14, 1913, p. 14). A month later Packey Morton entered the inter-city championships in Toronto and again finished a close second in a “rip-snorter” to a Cleveland boxer named Elmer Duane: “Morton uncorked a staggering right just often enough to leave the matter in doubt until the call of time” (Toronto Star, November 24, 1913, p. 14).

1914 My grandfather continued to fight as Packey Morton in smaller competitions but moved to Toronto, the centre of the amateur boxing scene in Canada, in the summer of 1914 when he joined the British United Athletic Club. As Packey McGrath, he won the Ontario championship in November in the 115 pound flyweight class, defeating Dave Brown in the semi-final and then Ted Price in the final.

1915 This was Packey’s best year. He finished second in the inter-club Riverdale tournament in January in Toronto, losing to Dave Brown in the final (The Globe, January 7, 1915, p. 10). In March he won the Toronto International tournament which featured some of the best amateurs from the USA and Canada; he defeated B. Weinstein, Ted Price, Frank Russell, and then won the final by default when his opponent, H. Hitchin was too sick to fight (The Globe, March 22, 1915, p. 11). In April he entered a tournament in Boston; he lost a close decision to Mattie Herbert in a preliminary bout (Boston Post, April 7, 1915, p.12). Then April 26, 1915 he fought W. Hearn in what The Globe, (April 26, 1915, p.9) headlined “The Best Bout of the Evening.” “Undoubtedly the best bout of the evening was that in the 115 pound class between Packey McGrath of the British United A.C. and W. Hearn of West Toronto. Hearn had a little in reach and height but McGrath was the cleverer. What pleased the crowd was that the boys seldom clinched, and the result was three rounds chockfull of excellent boxing. The decision went to McGrath who did most of the leading and landed more effectively.” A few days later he finished first in the Civic Arena when he defeated Davey Brown and then Frank Russell in the Ontario Qualifiers to select candidates for the Canadian championship in Montreal: “the winner [Packey McGrath] did all the leading while Russell kept as far away as possible” (The Globe, April 28, 1915, p. 11). In the Canadian championships held in May in Montreal he defeated J. Stanton in the semi-final and then had to settle for a silver medal after losing to his old rival Frank Russell in an extra round of the final. Lou Marsh, who was clearly disappointed in the judges’ decision, wrote this account of the fight in the Star: “The only other Toronto boy out in the finals is Packey McGrath, of the B.U.A.C., who lost to that shadow boxer F. Russell of Riversides, the boy who hits and runs away.” (Toronto Star, May 8, 1915, p.16).

In the Riverside inter-club final in June he defeated Russell, “the boy who hits and runs away” in the semi-final, only to lose by a close decision to Ted Price in the final (The Globe, June 26, 1915, p.16 ). Packey got his revenge in November when he beat Russell in the final of the Ontario Championship in Toronto to win his second gold medal in a row as Ontario champion. (The Globe, November 30, 1915).

Pound for pound he was the best amateur boxer in Canada during 1914/1915.

1916 This was probably the most frustrating year for all Canadian amateurs, in all sports, but especially for someone who has just finished the best year of his career, and was an obvious candidate for an Olympic medal. The war was going very badly as hundreds of young Canadian men every month were buried in mass graves in Flanders and France. Along with the cancellation of the Olympics, all major boxing competitions were cancelled or severely compromised. The generals were running short of cannon fodder to send over the wall, so recruitment campaigns and exhibitions gradually took the place of real competition. The only significant boxing competition of the year to make the sports pages was the Canadian Championship, in which the ranks were so depleted of good Canadian boxers that Americans (who had not yet entered the war) were invited to compete for the “Canadian” championship. There was no qualifying competition in Ontario. Instead, the best available Ontario amateurs were nominated for entry by the Ontario Athletic Association. Packey McGrath got the call, but was defeated in a preliminary bout by his nemesis, now a private, Frank Russell: “Frankie Russell of the 180th and P. McGrath had a battle royal, and it was nip and tuck for the entire three rounds. Russell was the more aggressive and had a shade. He got the decision.” (Toronto Star, April 22, 1916, p. 22). As the pride of the 180th, Pte Russell was better fed, better trained, and better rested than his civilian opponent. As it turned out, three of the eight Canadian championship medals were won by Americans, including the 115 pound class (Toronto Star, April 24, 1916, p. 12).

1917 If 1916 was a bad year for competitive boxing,1917 was even worse. All major boxing competitions were cancelled and replaced by fund-raising exhibitions and entertainment at recruitment rallies. One such event was an outdoor venue at Hanlan’s Point Stadium on Toronto Island. All proceeds were to go to a fund to provide a permanent clubhouse for the Association of Discharged soldiers of Canada. Soldiers from the convalescent hospitals were invited as guests of the association. Packey McGrath, billed as ex-city, ex-provincial, and ex-Dominion champion (although strictly speaking he was a silver medallist Dominion champion) did his part for the war effort by fighting William Gould, ex-provincial flyweight champion, an opponent who for once, he outweighed (The Globe, July 30, 1917, p. 9). The results were not written up, but it hardly matters who won as these fund-raising events were more in the nature of friendly exhibitions than serious competitions.

Military and professional career Immediately after the war Packey resumed boxing with the military in England, still with amateur status, although according to the sports pages of the time there was some controversy as to whether ex-soldiers who had boxed in a semi-professional capacity for the military could resume their amateur status after the war. It is clear that he continued to train with the army because in June 1919, still a private, he was sent from England to Paris to represent his country in the Inter-Allied Games. As a private in a military culture where boxers were revered, his primary duty would have been to train hard to represent his battalion; with the luxury of nearly full-time training in a military environment he would have been in the best shape of his life. “McGrath of Canada was awarded the decision over Pain of Belgium in the bantamweight boxing class. McGrath forced the boxing, and Pain was on the defensive throughout.” (The Globe, June 26, 1919, p. 14.) McGrath’s first semi-pro bout was with Ted Joyce, probably the only opponent he had ever had the satisfaction of knocking out (Toronto Star, October 14, 1913, p. 14), an old foe from the amateur days, on Boxing Day, 1919. According to Lou Marsh: “Ted Joyce the little bantam, should beat Packey McGrath. The latter used to be a corker, but he hasn’t been boxing since the armistice. It’s a hard card to call.” (Toronto Star, December 26, 1919, p. 19. Here, briefly, are the final eight professional fights. Most of his opponents he knew well, and had beaten before, in the amateur days: 1921-01-21 vs. Pee Wee Adams at the Armouries. 4 round draw. “Adams was very aggressive and fast on his feet but McGrath met him at every turn. It was even-Stephen in every round.” (Toronto Star January 22, 1921 p. 20) 1921-01-31 vs. Pee Wee Adams at the Armouries. 6 rounds. Lost by decision. McGrath went down in round three but he got up and went the distance. “Every round was a red-hot contest” (The Globe, February 1, 1921) 1921-02-21 vs. Pee Wee Adams at the Armouries. 8 round draw. “Pee Wee Adams and Packey McGrath gave their customary rattling exhibition. This was their third appearance in recent shows and they never failed to please the crowd. Their battle last night was the best on the card as was also their engagement the best of the last card on which they appeared here. Both lads were weak and tired at the end of the tilt, and the decision, a draw, was fair to both.” (The Globe, February 22, 1921, p. 13.) 1921-03-04 vs. Pee Wee Adams at the Star Theatre. 10 rounds. Lost by decision. “In the main bout Pee Wee Adams succeeded in winning a three point decision over his game little rival, Packey McGrath. In the opinion of one judge, Adams just got up in the final round to make the bout a tie, while the other judge awarded the verdict to Adams on three points. This pair of bantams – Adams at 120 pounds had only a pound on McGrath – fought their usual sparkling bout and had the crowd on their toes making funny noises all the way. As usual McGrath carried the battle to Adams and scored repeatedly with rights and lefts but Adams countered heavily and had McGrath pretty well marked up and a little weary on end. In the tenth round Adams had a decided edge in the toe-to-toe slamming and he got the award.” (Toronto Star, March 5, 1921, p. 25.) 1922-02-06 vs. Johnny Kid Rose at the Civic Arena. 8 rounds. Lost by decision. “Packey McGrath’s Courageous Effort Against Johnny Rose Won Him Many Friends” “The feature of the rest of the card was the game struggle little Packey McGrath, the bantam, put up against Johnny Rose, the rising little junior featherweight. McGrath stepped in at 118 pounds ringside and gave Rose 6 pounds in weight and 10 years in age, and he survived eight bitter rounds. Rose hit McGrath with everything but his breech clout, but he couldn’t stop the wily veteran. McGrath tied him up more than once in the infighting and slammed him plenty of clean clouts, but Rose was too strong and heavy for him and won by a wide margin. Rose showed himself to be a real sportsman by refusing to take advantage of his lighter opponent on the ropes or in the clinches and won many friends. He tried to “cuckoo” him in the open work but failed. McGrath is as tough as moosehide and one of the gamest and cleverest little fellows in Canada and if there is any 116-118 pound boy who wants to hook with him all he has to do is say the word. McGrath is ready and after last night’s game display the fans will welcome him back with open arms. Six pounds and ten years is a terrific handicap. “McGrath may only weigh 118 pounds but 116 pounds of it is courage,” remarked one delighted fan as he cheered McGrath on his departure to the dressing room, bloody faced and tired, but with the battle light shining undiminished in his blue eyes. Give Packey McGrath more work but don’t make him give away handicaps.” (Lou Marsh -- Toronto Star, February 7, 1922, p. 18). The Globe’s take on the fight was less positive than Lou Marsh’s: “Only ability to assimilate punishment and a canny knowledge of how to cover up enabled “Packey” McGrath, 118 pounds, Toronto, to last the scheduled eight rounds against Johnny Rose of Toronto. McGrath won the ungrudging admiration of the spectators by the “game” manner in which he took the beating meted out by Rose. Rose, winning handily all the way, displayed sportsmanship by refusing to take advantage of McGrath several times when the latter was on the ropes and groggy. Rose weighed 124 pounds and had an advantage of six pounds.” (Globe, February 7, 1922, p. 12). 1922-11-24 vs Phil Lisner at the Gayety Theatre. 3 rounds. Won by decision. Lou Marsh: “A Sassy Slugfest. The star bout of the prelims was the tilt between that hard-battling lad Phil Lisner and Packey McGrath, an old time favourite who can clout hard. Lisner fought a nice clean fight. He had the edge the first round, but McGrath sized him up and in the second tilted him over twice. The second knockdown was a beaut, a right-hand punch that took Phil off his feet and landed him on his eye-brow in the resin. He looked like a ferry boat foundering bow first. He actually skidded when he hit the canvas. Lisner came up on the count of nine, groggy, and as white as if someone had hit him with a flour sack. McGrath tried to knock him clean through into the cellar, but Lisner hung on to the bell. The last round was a sizzler. Lisner sailed in like a buzz saw and had McGrath tired on end, but the kid with the Sein Fein monicker managed to connect with a couple more wicked rights and there was no doubt who earned the verdict. It was McGrath of course. At 119 pounds he gave his opponent 2½ pounds. The Sheffield Lunch champion won himself T-bone steaks for the rest of the cold spell when he trounced Lisner. (Toronto Star, November 25, 1922, p. 22) 1922-12-01 vs Donnie Mack at the Gayety Theatre. 6 rounds. Lost by decision. Lou Marsh: “Packey McGrath, the Toronto veteran lost to Young Mack, the Hamilton bantam, but he got a great ovation from the fans for his great defensive work. McGrath went along well for three rounds but Mack was too strong and in the final rounds it was a question whether the youngster could fathom McGrath’s great defence and put the game veteran away. He cracked McGrath often enough to make any ordinary lad lay down, but Packey stood the gaff like the little Irish terrier that he is, and was on his feet, tired but still fighting at the end of the sixth…. [Mack] weighed 119 pounds and McGrath a pound less. (Toronto Star, December 2, 1922, p. 13.) The Globe (December 2, 1922, p. 11): “Young Mack of Hamilton, 119 pounds, was a more or less easy victor over Packey McGrath, 118, Toronto. Mack was always in the lead. He kept after McGrath throughout the contest, did the leading and forced the milling. He had the advantage of height and reach on McGrath, and the latter found difficulty in reaching his lanky opponent. The Toronto boy stayed the six rounds largely because of his greater experience and ringcraft.” As a postscript to this “Young” Mack was to become the Canadian Bantamweight Champion in 1924. 1923-01-19 vs. Spike Marino at the Gayety Theatre. 4 round draw. Lou Marsh: “Bout No. 2 was a hum-dinger. It brought out Spike Marino, the new Wop bantam, and Packey McGrath, the Toronto veteran. Charlie Hallat only put this one on to show the fans Marino, and he expected the Sicilian to “murder” McGrath in a round. He was “building” Marino for a future main bout and McGrath was the lamb led to the slaughter. However Hallat picked on the wrong party when he selected the little Irishman. McGrath stepped in determined to go down fighting, and he gave Marino such a good pasting here and there along the route that the judges in their admiration for his gameness exercised a bit of charity and called it a draw. Maybe Marino did win by a whisker, but McGrath gave him such a merry argument that the fans cheered until they were hoarse when the draw verdict was announced. This Marino is a real wildcat. He fights from the south side. He worked along easily for a round and let McGrath get a lead. Then McGrath got fresh and pasted him one on the chin which sat him on his blinkers. From then on the pace was dizzy. Marino tore in like a peeved bobcat and banged McGrath from both sides and top and bottom. The Irish kid covered and with a couple of shrewd rights dropped Marino again and that is what gave him the draw.” (Toronto Star, January 20, 1923).

My grandfather was scheduled to fight Marino one more time at the Gayety Theatre but if he did the results don’t seem to have been recorded. (Globe, 15 February, 1923, p. 13). In Marino’s previous fight he had knocked out his opponent in the second round. I believe the Marino bout of January 19, 1923 was his last fight.

Reginald Webber, Vancouver, Canada