Career
The professional career of Spider Kelly as a boxer began in 1887 when he knocked out Larry Boylan, with Boylan being removed from the ring unconscious. In a second match with Moran, in an 1889 fight that was billed as a world title bantam-weight fight, Kelly was victorious, allowing him to claim the world bantam-weight title. However, only a few months later, in his third duel against Moran, Kelly was defeated and the world title went to Moran.
Nevertheless, in early 1890, Kelly and Moran fought a fourth time.
Kelly managed to serve a definitive knockout to his rival during this match, as Kelly laid Moran out on the canvas within a time of 38 minutes. Kelly held on to his world bantam-weight title until 1892, when he was dethroned by Englishman Billy Plimmer in 10 rounds at Coney Island.
After losing his title to Plimmer, Kelly fought - through a hard series of defeats - Tim Murphy (3 times), Maxie Haugh, Kid Gleason, Frank Brierley, Harry Fisher, Casper Leon, and Fred Mayo. Finally, after a discouraging nine years of on and off fighting with just three wins to eight losses, Kelly decided to retire in 1901 after four consecutive draws against the light-weight fighter, Kid Goodman.
After boxing, Kelly obtained a civil service position with the New York City Streets Department.