By David Martinez / Boxing Historian / dmboxing.com
Theodore “Tiger” Flowers was the first African-American to become middleweight champion. Born on August 5, 1895 in Camille, Georgia, Flowers’ nickname, “The Georgia Deacon”, was most appropriate because he always carried his own Bible with him. A deeply religious man, he would recite a passage from Psalm 144 before every bout.
Flowers began his professional career in 1918 at the age of twenty-three and was actually introduced to boxing while working at the shipyards in Philadelphia during World War I when he wandered into a gym that was owned by former light heavyweight champion Philadelphia Jack O’Brien.
O’Brien was not prejudiced and allowed all colors and creeds to train in his gym, and he became very impressed with Flower’s natural talent, encouraging him to become a prize fighter.
A southpaw, Flowers won his first 25 bouts before losing by a sixth round knockout to Panama Joe Gans in August 1921. After four successful wins, he would meet Gans in a rematch four months later in December and would lose again by a fifth round knockout.
In 1922, Flowers engaged in 20 bouts, mostly wins, but did suffer knockout losses to Kid Norfolk, Lee Anderson, Sam Langford, and the Jamaica Kid, followed by another knockout loss to Kid Norfolk.
In 1923, Flowers had sixteen bouts with a record of 13 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw. His only losses were by stoppage to Kid Norfork and Fireman Jim Flynn.
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