The only Canadian born Heavyweight Boxing Champion was born 144 years ago today in Hanover. Noah Brusso grew up in Preston and Hespeler, worked at Clare Foundry and Brodie Woollen Mills, played soccer and lacrosse and as a 14 year old in 1885 finished 3rd in the Ontario Skating Championships. He won a Jr. National Lacrosse Championship with Galt in 1898. He began his boxing career in Detroit in 1900 where he changed his name to Tommy Burns so his mother would not know he was fighting. From 1901-1909 Noah won 5 titles including the World Heavyweight Championship. He remains the only Canadian born boxer to win the heavyweight crown. He defended the title 13 times in 34 months and retired in 1920. He refused to boycott African American boxers and was vilified by American sportswriters. His bout with Jack Johnson in 1908 made him the first fighter to hold a heavyweight championship bout with an African American. He passed away on May 10 19565 and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2024 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame also has recognition for his achievements.
The only Canadian born Heavyweight Boxing Champion was born 144 years ago today in Hanover. Noah Brusso grew up in Preston and Hespeler, worked at Clare Foundry and Brodie Woollen Mills, played soccer and lacrosse and as a 14 year old in 1885 finished 3rd in the Ontario Skating Championships. He won a Jr. National Lacrosse Championship with Galt in 1898. He began his boxing career in Detroit in 1900 where he changed his name to Tommy Burns so his mother would not know he was fighting. From 1901-1909 Noah won 5 titles including the World Heavyweight Championship. He remains the only Canadian born boxer to win the heavyweight crown. He defended the title 13 times in 34 months and retired in 1920. He refused to boycott African American boxers and was vilified by American sportswriters. His bout with Jack Johnson in 1908 made him the first fighter to hold a heavyweight championship bout with an African American. He passed away on May 10 19565 and was inducted into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame in 2024 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame also has recognition for his achievements.