Jackie Donovan
Welterweight 1938 - 1941

John J. "Jackie" Donovan, born November 18, 1919 in Buffalo, N.Y. was regarded as the best amateur ever to come out of Buffalo. Jackie grew up in the Old First Ward section of South Buffalo, attending St. Monica's School and South Park High School. He came from a large family and like his brothers, Bob and Dick, he learned to box in the Babcock Street Boys Club at the age of 14, under the tutelage of trainer, Billy Michael. His first amateur fight took place in the winter of 1935. He was pitted against Paul Columbo, who had been Buffalo's Golden Gloves flyweight champion for five years. Within two bouts, the quick-footed Donovan took Columbo's title and went on to become Niagara District champion.

His early successes inspired sportswriter, Charlie Bailey, to dub him "The Irish Imp" making Jackie a public figure at the age of 16. He was often compared to the legendary Jimmy Slattery. His popularity was enhanced by his good looks, wit, and engaging personality.

Jackie went on to win the New York State Amateur Championship and the prestigious New York City Golden Gloves in 1937. He had 47 amateur bouts and won all but two, reversing both of the losses in return bouts. Jackie won 34 Golden Glove Championships defeating 14 National Amateur Champions throughout the U.S. His toughest opponent was Jimmy Tygh of Philadelphia, who had won 34 straight pro bouts before running into Sugar Ray Robinson. Jackie also beat Willie Joyce (who beat Ike Williams three times ). Donovan's biggest thrill as an amateur was his two victories over the great Jimmy Bivins, who later became Interim World Heavyweight Champion while Joe Louis was serving in World War II.

Turning professional in 1938, he signed with manager, Eddie Mead, who also managed triple champion, Henry Armstrong. Donovan went to New York City to train and captured the city by storm with his boxing ability, personality, and artistic talent, Jackie won the New York State Welterweight Championship in 1939. In his brief professional career (due to the breakout of World War II), he beat many notable contenders such as, Tommy Tedesco, Jimmy Clark, Tommy Bland, Eddie Dolan, and Ralph Gizzy.

Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, Jackie would spend four of his prime years in the service. Through basic training, Jackie bulked up to 175 pounds and managed to win the Light-heavyweight Championship of Kessler Air Force Base in 1942. While on duty in North Africa in 1943, he won the first Allied European Boxing Tournament. He served on the intelligence staff of the Army's 12th Troop Carrier Squadron and acted as the unit's official artist. He wrote and illustrated a cartoon history of the squadron and drew for Yank magazine during the war.

In 1944, the Army chose him to represent the United States in an exhibition match against British pro boxer, Henry Mizler, the Royal Air Force champion . Donovan received considerable press coverage for this match, including feature articles in Ring magazine.

After the war, he grew angry with mismanagement in professional boxing and quit the ring. He became a postal clerk for the U.S. Post Office until retiring and continued to draw, paint, and cartoon, as his works
were very much in demand. -

He remained devoted to the sport of boxing and was a proud member of Ring #44 for many years, painting many portraits of boxers, boxing matches, and the like. Jackie Donovan passed away on November 16, 1997 at the age of 78. The "Irish Imp" will always be remembered as an outstanding amateur champion, a proud U.S. soldier, and a very creative artist. Tonight, Ring #44 proudly honors and posthumously inducts Jackie Donovan into Ring #44's Boxing Hall of Fame.