Career
The International Boxing Research Organization rates Loughran as the 6th best light heavyweight ever. Loughran was named the Ring Magazine"s Fighter of the Year twice, first in 1929 and again 1931. He was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1956 and the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991.
Loughran"s effective use of coordinated foot work, sound defense and swift, accurate counter punching is now regarded as a precursor to the techniques practiced in modern boxing.
Loughran fought many middleweight, light heavyweight, and heavyweight champions in his career, including Gene Tunney, Jack Sharkey and Georges Carpentier. Loughran was but 19 years old when he first met Greb.
As a light heavyweight, he defeated two future world heavyweight champions: Max Baer and James J. Braddock. Loughran finally fought Primo Carnera for the heavyweight title but lost a decision.
While Loughran is remembered among boxing"s elite, his career was marred by his fragile hands and jaw.
He appeared as himself on the game show To Tell the Truth on February 12, 1957. There were several knockdowns in the fight. Tommy counted out the challenger at 2:57 of the 6th round.
In the 1960s Loughran retired from having been a long-time, successful broker on Wall Street, where he"d dealt in commodities (sugar).
He became a keynote speaker, appearing at dinners and banquets, his message an attempt to promote and strengthen the image of boxers and boxing at what for the sport was a troubled time. In addition, Tommy lent color commentary to at least one championship bout, Carlos Ortiz versus
Johnny Bizarro in Pittsburgh, June 20, 1966.
