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]

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
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

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

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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

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Joe Louis

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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

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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

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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+12 years.

After boxing

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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

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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

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  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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  • Bak, Richard (2011), Detroitland: A Collection of Movers, Shakers, Lost Souls, and History Makers from Detroit's Past, Painted Turtle, ISBN 0814334997