Jim Popp

Name: Jim Popp
Birth Name: James Herdsman
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Died: 1961-12-14 (Age:88)
Pro Boxer: Record

Son of Joe Popp (Joseph W. Herdsman) and brother of Willie Popp. At the time of his father's death in 1931, Jim lived in Grand Rapids.

"He's a mighty clever fellow. His style is identical with that of Frank Erne. I don't think that Erne or Gans could beat Popp in a limited round contest. George McFadden couldn't beat the Canadian if they were in the ring for a week. Jack O'Brien and myself have both won decisions over Popp because our methods of fighting are different from his. We were perhaps a little too strong for him, too. I will say, for Popp, though, that he is a wonderful boxer at the weight, and is entitled to rank in the front rank. I have been unjustly accused of kicking Popp after I knocked him out at Buffalo. I had no such intention. He went down from a hard blow on the jaw, and I playfully tapped his foot and said, 'Get up and fight.' I didn't think for the moment that the punch had turned the trick." - Spike Sullivan on Jim Popp, The Toronto Daily Star, March 19, 1900

"James Popp, who once held three Canadian championships before retiring in 1906 from a 10-year career as a professional boxer, died today at Maple Grove Medical Care Facility. He was 87. In his career he claimed the Canadian bantamweight, featherweight and lightweight championships. A surviving sister, Mrs. Mary Kirkwood and another brother, William of Miami, Fla., legalized the name of Popp for professional boxing purposes from the family name of Herdsman. The family came from England and settled in Toronto. Popp came to Grand Rapids about 40 years ago. A widower and childless, he became a resident of the Medical Care Facility about seven years ago. Other survivors include a sister, Mrs. Williams R. Cooper, and a brother, Daniel Herdsman, both of Toronto." - Associated Press, December 14, 1961