"California" Jackie Wilson was actually in the Army with Sugar Ray Robinson, the two were friends, they fought twice in the pros, Robinson got the best of him both times, but not many people were going to beat a prime Ray Robinson. These are two photos of Wilson and Robinson in the service.
This is a photo from the California Jackie Wilson vs Tommy Bell fight, an image of Wilson flooring Bell. By all accounts, Jackie Wilson had pretty good punching power.
Ok, this is the last photo, my favorite photo of "California" Jackie Wilson, sick image of him holding his belts. Darn good fighter, should probably be in the Hall of Fame, I've certainly seen less deserving fighters than him inducted.
A Nightmare on Elm Street part 4: The Dream Master was a good one as well, remember going to see it at the theater with my best friend when I was young.
A Nightmare on Elm Street really was a stroke of genius as a horror movie franchise, the Freddy Krueger character was a stroke of genius, the gardeners glove with the razors, the fact that he could only get to you through your dreams, and everyone has to sleep so eventually you were going to have to face him.
One of the best scenes in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, the famous TV scene from part 3, always loved the part where Dick Cavett turns into Freddy and attacks Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Rinty Monaghan, flyweight champion from Belfast, Northern Ireland who held the title from 1948 to 1950.
Monaghan was known for an entertaining and busy in-ring style, and for singing to the crowd after fights, win or lose. He later had a career in traveling entertainment.
Rinty Monaghan -- Beloved Belfast Champion Boxer
By: Geoffrey Cobb
Mar 7, 2019
His fists earned him a world featherweight boxing title, but his songs and geniality won him his city’s hearts. Nicknamed the singing Irishman, Rinty Monaghan, even decades after he left the ring, remains a beloved Belfast icon. In a town full of fascinating characters, Monaghan has proven to be one of the most enduringly popular figures Titanic town has ever produced, yet few Irish- Americans know the story of this endearing slugger.
John Joseph Monaghan was born in 1918 in hardscrabble North Belfast, into a large, working class family. His nickname "Rinty" came from his childhood love of dogs. He brought home so many injured muts that his grandmother renamed him Rin Tin Tin, after the famous film canine, which she quickly shortened to Rinty. His parents developed the two great loves of Rinty’s life, boxing and singing.
Rinty’s father, a Navy man, taught him and his brothers how to box from an early age. His father and mother adored Irish ballads, often singing them to their children and Rinty sang these songs his entire life. While still at school in primary school, aged just 11, he began fighting in street boxing contests, earning a fish and chip supper when he won. Amazingly at just fourteen years of age he had his first professional fight. After the bout the fight promoter asked Rinty if he could sing and Rinty delighted the audience with a song entitled “Sally.” In appreciation the audience threw coins into the ring, which Rinty dutifully brought home to his mother and post match ballads instantly became a Monaghan trademark.
Rinty went undefeated in his next twenty-four bouts, winning and singing, until he was knocked out in his first defeat by Glasgow’s Jackie Patterson in 1938. The war interrupted RInty’s boxing career. Monaghan enlisted in the Navy. During the war Rinty entertained British troops with his ballads, even singing and dancing for troops on the beaches of Normandy just forty hours after the British landing. Rinty was only able to get a few fights during the war years, but in 1945 he resumed his boxing career and soon Monaghan knocked out Eddie 'Bunty' Doran to win the Ulster flyweight title. After this victory Rinty set his sights on the world championship and in 1948 he got his chance to win the crown in a rematch with his old nemesis, Jackie Patterson, at the King’s Hall in Belfast.
A packed arena eagerly anticipated the chance for the first Northern Irishman ever to win a boxing crown and when Monaghan knocked Patterson out in the seventh round to become the undisputed World flyweight champion the hall erupted in euphoria. Thousands of caps, hats and programs were thrown into the air. As Patterson was being carried out, the ecstatic fans even tried to storm the ring.
When Rinty began to sing “When Irish eyes are smiling” thousands of jubilant spectators sang along. Monaghan later claimed that his pre-fight diet of goat's milk and raw eggs was the secret to his victory. Bonfires were lit in celebration around Belfast, but RInty had another fight on his hands later than evening as he had to fight his way through the huge crowds celebrating his victory outside his home.
Monaghan won a few more fights, defending his world title, but he had developed a chronic lung and sinus condition, which in April 1950, forced him to renounce his titles and retire at age 32. He tried to make a comeback a few years later, but he was refused a boxing license and had to hang up his gloves. Although he made good money from boxing, it did not last long. Generous to a fault, Rinty fell for his neighbors numerous hard luck stories, giving away much of the money he earned in the ring. He went on the road as a singer with a small band, but without the success he had in the ring. Finally, the taxman took his remaining money, forcing him to work as a taxi driver, truck driver and gas station attendant.
Other men might have been bitter about the passing of their wealth and fame, but Rinty had no complaints and stayed jovial. People who rode in Rinty’s taxi still talk about the charming driver with his magical songs, yarns and jokes as he took them to their destination. As he worked his various jobs, people all around Belfast were delighted when they recognized the little ex-boxer with the twinkling eyes, infectious smile and hearty laugh. RInty is still fondly remembered for bursts of song, his amazing impersonation of 'Popeye the Sailorman,’ his tap dancing and harmonica playing.
His famous sense of humor reappeared in 1976 when a local radio Station broadcast a false report of his death. 'I'm not floored yet', he laughed as he called in to correct the story. He died from lung cancer in 1984 at age 65 and several hundred people turned up for his funeral, including many of the most famous members of Ireland’s boxing community.
More than thirty years passed after his death, but Belfast never forgot the singing flyweight. A movement started to build a monument to Monaghan. Finally, in 2015 The Belfast City Council commissioned a bronze statue of Rinty holding a microphone in his left hand and singing. His right arm is raised in triumph and he is wearing his world title belt. Rinty’s family and many friends came to the opening, which was presided over by the Lord Mayor of Belfast. The statue has become one of Belfast’s most popular pieces of street art and stands in tribute to Belfast’s beloved singing boxer.
The highlights from Rinty Monaghan vs Dado Marino 1 in July of 1947, cracking fight. You can get an idea of the kind of fighter Rinty Monaghan was from this video, just a tough, scrappy Irishman.
The second fight between Rinty Monaghan and Dado Marino, on October 20, 1947 at the Harringay Arena in London, England, Rinty Monaghan and Dado Marino fought for the N.B.A. World Flyweight Title. Monaghan prevailed winning a 15 round decision and the title.
On March 23rd, 1948, at Kings Hall Belfast, Rinty Monaghan knocked out Jackie Paterson in the 7th round to become world flyweight champion. Paterson was one heck of a fighter, legendary flyweight of Scottish heritage. This is one of the most brutal boxing photos right here, Jackie Paterson down in the corner with a blank expression on his face after being knocked out by Rinty Monaghan, this was one of the boxing photos of the year in 1948.
Comments
A few more photos of "California" Jackie Wilson.
Another nice autographed photo.
Nice up-close shot of California Jackie Wilson.
"California" Jackie Wilson was actually in the Army with Sugar Ray Robinson, the two were friends, they fought twice in the pros, Robinson got the best of him both times, but not many people were going to beat a prime Ray Robinson. These are two photos of Wilson and Robinson in the service.
Jackie Wilson and Sugar Ray Robinson at a weigh-in before one of their bouts.
Jackie Wilson (right) and Sugar Ray Robinson during one of their bouts.
A Jackie Wilson postcard featuring Wilson wearing his Army uniform.
Jackie Wilson posing in his Army hat with gloves raised.
Jackie Wilson vs Earl Turner on the cover of Referee magazine in 1949.
A program for the Jackie Wilson vs Tommy Bell fight in 1949.
This is a photo from the California Jackie Wilson vs Tommy Bell fight, an image of Wilson flooring Bell. By all accounts, Jackie Wilson had pretty good punching power.
A program for Jackie Wilson vs Luis Castillo 1949.
This is a photo from Jackie Wilson vs Bobby Yaeger in 1947.
California Jackie Wilson weighs in before his fight with Ceferino Garcia in 1942.
California Jackie Wilson and Ceferino Garcia in the trenches during their bout on February 24th, 1942.
California Jackie Wilson photo from his Wikipedia page.
Nice fight pose shot of Jackie Wilson.
A Ring magazine clipping of Jackie Wilson and Henry Armstrong.
1936 Alfa Olympics Jackie Wilson card.
Ok, this is the last photo, my favorite photo of "California" Jackie Wilson, sick image of him holding his belts. Darn good fighter, should probably be in the Hall of Fame, I've certainly seen less deserving fighters than him inducted.
Freddy's Glove, made by Marty Toys in 1984, I used to have one of these when I was a kid, love the "A Nightmare on Elm Street" films.
A Nightmare on Elm Street part 3: Dream Warriors was my favorite film from the franchise.
Cool advertisement for A Nightmare on Elm Street part 3 on VHS, man this brings back memories.
A Nightmare on Elm Street part 3, Freddy's skeleton scene, wicked scene.
A Nightmare on Elm Street part 4: The Dream Master was a good one as well, remember going to see it at the theater with my best friend when I was young.
It's fascinating that people still collect these posters and have them framed and everything.
A Nightmare on Elm Street part 4, Freddy's rebirth scene.
I remember dressing up as Freddy Krueger for Halloween when I was a kid, it was the jam back in the day.
A Nightmare on Elm Street really was a stroke of genius as a horror movie franchise, the Freddy Krueger character was a stroke of genius, the gardeners glove with the razors, the fact that he could only get to you through your dreams, and everyone has to sleep so eventually you were going to have to face him.
An advertisement for the video game on NES.
A Nightmare on Elm Street, NES, 1989.
I remember this from back in the day as well, the Freddy Krueger make-up kit.
One of the best scenes in the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, the famous TV scene from part 3, always loved the part where Dick Cavett turns into Freddy and attacks Zsa Zsa Gabor.
This is a poster for the original, the film that started it all.
They remade Nightmare in 2010, pretty good film.
Thr remake was good, but nobody can play Freddy like Robert England, and it was good to see him get his star on the Hollywood walk of fame in 2025.
The Nightmare on Elm Street part 3 Freddy Krueger NECA action figure. You can buy accessories for it, including the Freddy from the TV scene.
Another great Nightmare on Elm Street poster, they really did a great job with the poster designs.
Ok, I guess that's enough of Freddy Krueger.....for now. He'll be back. He always comes back.
This one shot from the original Nightmare still gets me.
Music break, one of the greatest songs ever made.
This just might be the coolest image I've ever seen of Greg Page.
Rinty Monaghan, flyweight champion from Belfast, Northern Ireland who held the title from 1948 to 1950.
Monaghan was known for an entertaining and busy in-ring style, and for singing to the crowd after fights, win or lose. He later had a career in traveling entertainment.
Rinty Monaghan -- Beloved Belfast Champion Boxer
By: Geoffrey Cobb
Mar 7, 2019
His fists earned him a world featherweight boxing title, but his songs and geniality won him his city’s hearts. Nicknamed the singing Irishman, Rinty Monaghan, even decades after he left the ring, remains a beloved Belfast icon. In a town full of fascinating characters, Monaghan has proven to be one of the most enduringly popular figures Titanic town has ever produced, yet few Irish- Americans know the story of this endearing slugger.
John Joseph Monaghan was born in 1918 in hardscrabble North Belfast, into a large, working class family. His nickname "Rinty" came from his childhood love of dogs. He brought home so many injured muts that his grandmother renamed him Rin Tin Tin, after the famous film canine, which she quickly shortened to Rinty. His parents developed the two great loves of Rinty’s life, boxing and singing.
Rinty’s father, a Navy man, taught him and his brothers how to box from an early age. His father and mother adored Irish ballads, often singing them to their children and Rinty sang these songs his entire life. While still at school in primary school, aged just 11, he began fighting in street boxing contests, earning a fish and chip supper when he won. Amazingly at just fourteen years of age he had his first professional fight. After the bout the fight promoter asked Rinty if he could sing and Rinty delighted the audience with a song entitled “Sally.” In appreciation the audience threw coins into the ring, which Rinty dutifully brought home to his mother and post match ballads instantly became a Monaghan trademark.
Rinty went undefeated in his next twenty-four bouts, winning and singing, until he was knocked out in his first defeat by Glasgow’s Jackie Patterson in 1938. The war interrupted RInty’s boxing career. Monaghan enlisted in the Navy. During the war Rinty entertained British troops with his ballads, even singing and dancing for troops on the beaches of Normandy just forty hours after the British landing. Rinty was only able to get a few fights during the war years, but in 1945 he resumed his boxing career and soon Monaghan knocked out Eddie 'Bunty' Doran to win the Ulster flyweight title. After this victory Rinty set his sights on the world championship and in 1948 he got his chance to win the crown in a rematch with his old nemesis, Jackie Patterson, at the King’s Hall in Belfast.
A packed arena eagerly anticipated the chance for the first Northern Irishman ever to win a boxing crown and when Monaghan knocked Patterson out in the seventh round to become the undisputed World flyweight champion the hall erupted in euphoria. Thousands of caps, hats and programs were thrown into the air. As Patterson was being carried out, the ecstatic fans even tried to storm the ring.
When Rinty began to sing “When Irish eyes are smiling” thousands of jubilant spectators sang along. Monaghan later claimed that his pre-fight diet of goat's milk and raw eggs was the secret to his victory. Bonfires were lit in celebration around Belfast, but RInty had another fight on his hands later than evening as he had to fight his way through the huge crowds celebrating his victory outside his home.
Monaghan won a few more fights, defending his world title, but he had developed a chronic lung and sinus condition, which in April 1950, forced him to renounce his titles and retire at age 32. He tried to make a comeback a few years later, but he was refused a boxing license and had to hang up his gloves. Although he made good money from boxing, it did not last long. Generous to a fault, Rinty fell for his neighbors numerous hard luck stories, giving away much of the money he earned in the ring. He went on the road as a singer with a small band, but without the success he had in the ring. Finally, the taxman took his remaining money, forcing him to work as a taxi driver, truck driver and gas station attendant.
Other men might have been bitter about the passing of their wealth and fame, but Rinty had no complaints and stayed jovial. People who rode in Rinty’s taxi still talk about the charming driver with his magical songs, yarns and jokes as he took them to their destination. As he worked his various jobs, people all around Belfast were delighted when they recognized the little ex-boxer with the twinkling eyes, infectious smile and hearty laugh. RInty is still fondly remembered for bursts of song, his amazing impersonation of 'Popeye the Sailorman,’ his tap dancing and harmonica playing.
His famous sense of humor reappeared in 1976 when a local radio Station broadcast a false report of his death. 'I'm not floored yet', he laughed as he called in to correct the story. He died from lung cancer in 1984 at age 65 and several hundred people turned up for his funeral, including many of the most famous members of Ireland’s boxing community.
More than thirty years passed after his death, but Belfast never forgot the singing flyweight. A movement started to build a monument to Monaghan. Finally, in 2015 The Belfast City Council commissioned a bronze statue of Rinty holding a microphone in his left hand and singing. His right arm is raised in triumph and he is wearing his world title belt. Rinty’s family and many friends came to the opening, which was presided over by the Lord Mayor of Belfast. The statue has become one of Belfast’s most popular pieces of street art and stands in tribute to Belfast’s beloved singing boxer.
The highlights from Rinty Monaghan vs Dado Marino 1 in July of 1947, cracking fight. You can get an idea of the kind of fighter Rinty Monaghan was from this video, just a tough, scrappy Irishman.
This is a photo of Rinty Monaghan and Dado Marino before their first bout.
Rinty Monaghan and Dado Marino after their first fight. Notice Marino's grotesquely swollen left eye.
The second fight between Rinty Monaghan and Dado Marino, on October 20, 1947 at the Harringay Arena in London, England, Rinty Monaghan and Dado Marino fought for the N.B.A. World Flyweight Title. Monaghan prevailed winning a 15 round decision and the title.
Rinty Monaghan singing to the crowd after defeating Dado Marino for the N.B.A. flyweight title.
On March 23rd, 1948, at Kings Hall Belfast, Rinty Monaghan knocked out Jackie Paterson in the 7th round to become world flyweight champion. Paterson was one heck of a fighter, legendary flyweight of Scottish heritage. This is one of the most brutal boxing photos right here, Jackie Paterson down in the corner with a blank expression on his face after being knocked out by Rinty Monaghan, this was one of the boxing photos of the year in 1948.
Here are the highlights from Rinty Monaghan-Jackie Paterson in 1948, the knockout is at the end of the video, absolutely brutal stuff.