A BOXER, manager, promoter, judge and inspector, Tom O'Rourke did it all in the sweet science. But he is best remembered for his ability as a manager. Among his prized pupils were bantamweight and featherweight champion George Dixon, welterweight titleholder (Barbados) Joe Walcott and heavyweight contenders Tom Sharkey and Al Palzer.
O'Rourke, who was born in Boston, operated in some of New York City's most well-known fight clubs -- including the National Sporting Club and the Coney Island Athletic Club. He also arranged the 1923 flyweight championship bout between Jimmy Wilde and Pancho Villa at the Polo Grounds.
Although he worked primarily in Boston, Connecticut and New York, O'Rourke was one of the first managers to take his fighters overseas for larger paydays.
O'Rourke also served as an inspector with the New York State Athletic Commission. He died shortly after collapsing in Max Schmeling's dressing room prior to Schmeling's historic bout with Joe Louis.
Born: May 13, 1856
Died: June 19, 1936
Induction: 1999
Tom O'Rourke
