Sport: Boxing Inducted: 1985 Country: United States Born: December 25, 1884 in Chicago, Illinois Died: February 1925
Berger, left, spars with
Jim Jeffries circa 1910.
Sam Berger
was the first Olympic Heavyweight Boxing Champion, winning
his gold medal at the 1904 St. Louis Olympiad. The St. Louis
Games marked the first time boxing was included on the Olympic
program.
A longtime leading amateur boxer representing the San Francisco
Olympic Club, the 6'2", 200-pound Berger turned professional
immediately after the Olympics, but fought as a pro for only
two years. His most notable professional bout was a six-round
no-decision against Light-Heavyweight Champion Philadelphian
Jack O’Brien in July 1906.