Born: Joseph Paul Cukoschay
Heavyweight Champion 1932-33
Although he held the heavyweight championship for barely a year, Jack Sharkey was a well-respected boxer with great ring skills and an arsenal of punches. Over the years, he faced eleven opponents who either were or had been world champions, and he was the only man to fight both Joe Louis and Jack Dempsey. Sharkey learned to box in the Navy, where he became champion of the Atlantic Fleet. He turned pro in 1924, adopting his ring name in imitation of of Jack Dempsey and Sailor Tom Sharkey. At the beginning of his career, Sharkey was a hard hitter, knocking out four of his first five opponents. Later, several hand injuries required him to evolve into more of a boxer, although he could still command a variety of punches, including a devastating left hook.
The Boxing Register