142:(October 17, 1872 – July 10, 1936) was an American boxing official and announcer. He was one of the most popular fight announcers from the turn of the 20th century up until the 1930s. In his near 50-year career, Humphreys was estimated to have announced over 20,000 boxing matches and officiated many of the top prize fights of the era as the longtime official ring announcer at the old
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for three weeks. On the morning of July 10, he apparently collapsed from heat and was unable to speak coherently. Falling into a coma at around 2:00 pm, he died an hour and a half later. His son and daughter-in-law, as well as his grand daughter Terry, were at his bedside at the time of his death.
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once wrote, "Joe
Humphreys had voice, presence, personality, tact, and razorblade Irish wit". He was particularly known for his distinctive and colorful announcing style, mannerisms and catchphrases, most notably, "the win-ah and new champion!" when announcing a title change. He was also able to
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as a broker's page. To make some extra money, Humphreys also began singing in clubs, smokers and benefits. At age 15, he was a bartender and later became a mascot of the old
Nonpareil Athletic Club where he was originally introduced to boxing. It was while performing at Gus Maisch's
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fight on
September 24, 1935. Humphreys continued working at Madison Square Garden during the 1935–36 season, but announced only the main events. Although he lived most of his life in New York City, where he exclusively performed during his career, Humphreys spent his later years in
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in 1888, a popular establishment near New Bowery, that he agreed to be a last minute replacement as the night's official ring announcer when the regular man was unable to appear. Humphreys became an instant success and became a full-time announcer.
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Humphreys suffered a serious stroke in June, 1933 which sidelined him for only two months. He resumed his role August 17 of that year at
Madison square garden. He made a few remarks to an enthusiastic crowd. At the third meeting between
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259:. He was a major fan of Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey, regarding the latter as "the most devastating fighter ever to step in the ring". He often claimed that Dempsey's bout against Firpo was "the most exciting he had ever witnessed".
373:"Joe Humphreys, 63, Sports Figure, Dies; Boxing Announcer 43 Years, He Officiated at Famous Championship Fights. Began Work As Newsboy; Boyhood Chum of Ex-Gov. Smith, He Was Singer Before Voice Won Him Chance in Ring".
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in 1935, he was unable to enter the ring and had to do his introductory announcements from ringside. However, he was so ill that he was unable to attend the championship bout between
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in 1925, Humphreys was hired as official ring announcer and was present at many of the top prize fights held at the venue including Jack
Dempsey's bouts against
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Humphreys also became involved behind the scenes and was associated with Sam H. Harris in the management of then world bantamweight and featherweight champion
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to help support his family. During his years as a newsboy, he was known as a "lusty-lunged youngster" whose voice led him to obtain a position at the
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By the early 20th century, Humphreys had become the single most popular boxing announcer in the New York-area. Harry
Grayson, boxing writer for the
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He spent a month in the hospital and made his in-ring return at Yankee
Stadium, welcomed by the 95,000 fans in attendance, to announce Max Baer-
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silence noisy and unruly crowds by shouting "Quiet please!" following with a "mollifying spread of his arms".
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Humphreys was also highly skilled at using current events during his performances. For example, during the
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He also developed both close friendships and friendly rivalries with fellow announcers
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who had left earlier that day on his transatlantic flight from New York to Paris.
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In late-June 1936, Humphreys fell seriously ill and was confined to his home in
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Popular fight announcer and boxing official during the early 20th century.
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Madison Square Garden, 100 Years of
History: One Hundred Years of History
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The Gangs of New York: An
Informal History of the New York Underworld
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on June 13, 1935, and missed the first major fight in his career.
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on
October 17, 1872. He grew up at 54 Oliver Street in the
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when they were first introduced at Madison Square Garden.
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or when his throat became dry, and was opposed to using
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in the area. The movie house failed to catch on in the
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American boxing official & announcer (1872-1936)
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393:. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1928. (pg. 286, 289)
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154:Joseph Edward Humphreys was born in
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342:International Boxing Hall of Fame
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455:IBOHF - Joe Humphreys
245:Madison Square Garden
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202:Chinatown, Manhattan
164:Governor of New York
249:Georges Carpentier
409:Mosley, Leonard.
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82:(1936-07-10)
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475:1936 deaths
470:1872 births
299:Barney Ross
291:microphones
268:Jim Maloney
257:Gene Tunney
241:Tex Rickard
237:Frawley Law
96:Nationality
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348:References
287:cough drop
253:Luis Firpo
114:Occupation
61:1872-10-18
318:Joe Louis
229:secretary
221:Tim Hurst
214:Tong wars
150:Biography
307:Max Baer
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