Johnny Miler
Born
John Miletich

(1910-08-10)August 10, 1910
Hocking, Iowa, United States
DiedJune 17, 1976(1976-06-17) (aged 65)
Iowa City, Iowa, United States
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s)Light heavyweight
Heavyweight
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Boxing record
Total fights31
Wins12
Wins by KO7
Losses12
Draws3
No contests4
Medal record
Men's boxing
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games

Johnny Miler (August 10, 1910 – June 17, 1976), born John Miletich, was a professional boxer who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics in the light-heavyweight class for the United States.[1]

In late 1932 or early 1933, Miler defeated future heavyweight champion Joe Louis in an amateur bout.[2] Other notable fights included three professional bouts against "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom that ended in two losses and a no decision,[3] and a four round exhibition bout against Max Baer in 1934.[4]

Miler quit professional boxing in 1938. He is the great-uncle of UFC Hall of Fame mixed martial artist Pat Miletich.[4]

Early life

Born John Miletich to Croatian immigrant parents in Hocking, Iowa, a vanished coal mining town just south of Albia, Miler farmed and worked the local coal mines. He supplemented his income by accepting the challenges of traveling carnival strongmen, defeating them in wrestling or boxing matches. He moved to Detroit in 1930.

Boxing

Joe Louis

Miler defeated Louis in three rounds in what was Louis' first organized boxing match, sending Louis to the mat seven times.[4]

1932 Summer Olympics

Despite evidence that Miler had boxed professionally,[2] he won the 1932 Olympic trials in San Francisco and represented the United States in Los Angeles in the light-heavyweight class. Miler lost to William Murphy of Ireland on points in the first match.

Professional boxing

Miler 'officially' debuted professionally as a light-heavyweight on January 12, 1933, against Leon Jasinski in Grand Rapids, Michigan, winning the bout on points. He went on to compile a 12 win (7 by knockout) – 12 loss – 3 draw record over the next 5+1⁄2 years.

After boxing

Miler eventually joined the Navy then returned to Albia, joining the police force. Miler died on June 17, 1976, in Iowa City, Iowa.

Professional boxing record

12 Wins (7 knockouts, 5 decisions), 12 Losses (7 knockouts, 4 decisions, 1 disqualification), 3 Draws[3] Result Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes Loss 12-12-3 Johnny Paycheck TKO 3 (8) October 17, 1938 Des Moines, Iowa Loss 12-11-3 Jimmy Adamick TKO 2 (10) April 16, 1937 Detroit, Michigan Loss 12-10-3 Moose Irwin Points 6 February 16, 1937 Los Angeles, California Draw 12-9-3 Joe Bauer Technical Draw 10 February 2, 1937 Modesto, California The bout was declared a technical draw after Bauer inflicted an injury to Miller's hip. Loss 12-9-2 Bob Nestell KO 2 (10), 1:51 November 27, 1936 Hollywood, California Loss 12-8-2 Art "Young" Campbell Disqualification 11 (15) April 13, 1936 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Miller was disqualified after repeated warnings about blows to the back Loss 12-7-2 Ambrose Palmer TKO 8 (15) March 16, 1936 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia Stopped due to cut eye Win 12-6-2 Pret Ferrar No Decision (Newspaper decision) 10 November 12, 1935 Des Moines, Iowa Newspaper decision from Oelwein Daily Register Win 12-6-2 Harry Hobbs No Decision (Newspaper decision) 8 October 15, 1935 Ottumwa, Iowa Newspaper decision from Waterloo Daily Courier Loss 12-6-2 Fred Lenhart TKO 8 (10) June 26, 1935 Spokane, Washington Declined to continue after 10 minute rest following 7th Round charge of foul Loss 12-5-2 Abe Feldman TKO 5 (10) May 10, 1935 Hollywood, California Stopped due to cut eye Draw 12-4-2 Wesley Ketchell Draw (points) 10 April 12, 1935 Hollywood, California Loss 12-4-1 Frank Rowsey Loss (points) 10 March 1, 1935 Hollywood, California Loss 12-3-1 Maxie Rosenbloom Loss (points) 10 February 5, 1935 Los Angeles, California Loss 12-2-1 Ray Actis TKO 6 (10), 1:35 January 4, 1935 San Francisco, California Draw 12-1-1 Maxie Rosenbloom No Decision (Newspaper decision) 10 October 22, 1934 Des Moines, Iowa Newspaper decision from The Des Moines Register Win 12-1-1 Joe Goeders No Decision (Newspaper decision) 8 September 3, 1934 Graettinger, Iowa Newspaper decision from Emmetsburg Reporter Win 12-1-1 Johnny Neumann TKO 4 (8) August 16, 1934 Knoxville, Iowa Win 11-1-1 Jack Stocker KO 4 (10) July 26, 1934 Oskaloosa, Iowa Win 10-1-1 Johnny Saxon KO 3 (10) May 29, 1934 Des Moines, Iowa Win 9-1-1 Red Fields KO 3 (10) May 23, 1934 Ottumwa, Iowa Win 8-1-1 Billy Thomas KO 3 (10) April 23, 1934 New Orleans, Louisiana Loss 7-1-1 Maxie Rosenbloom Decision (split) 10 April 9, 1934 New Orleans, Louisiana Win 7-0-1 Al White Points 4 March 1, 1934 Miami, Florida Win 6-0-1 Johnny Whiters Points 10 December 12 (est.), 1934 Unknown Draw 5-0-1 Joe Lipps Draw (points) 8 October 30, 1933 Asheville, North Carolina Win 5-0-0 Ed Anderson Points 8 October 18, 1933 Mount Clemens, Michigan Win 4-0-0 Flash Ryser KO Unknown March 1 (est.), 1933 Detroit, Michigan Win 3-0-0 Willie Davies Points 8 February 1, 1933 Detroit, Michigan "Beeftrust" Tournament Win 2-0-0 Bobby Mathews KO 1 (3) February 1, 1933 Detroit, Michigan "Beeftrust" Tournament Win 1-0-0 Leon Jasinski Points 6 January 12, 1933 Grand Rapids, Michigan

References

  1. ^ "Johnny Miler". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18.
  2. ^ a b "Johnny Miler". BoxRec.
  3. ^ a b "Johnny Miler". BoxRec.
  4. ^ a b c "A Name to Remember: Miletichs among Fighting's Great Even in 1930s". Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2016.

Further reading

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