MURRAY, FIGHTING BILL SIGNED PHOTO

Fighting Bill Murray was born John Marques (Marks) in Petaluna, California on April 18, 1892. He was the former Middleweight Champion of the Pacific Coast. He was of Portugese descent. When he and manager Jack Kearns got back from Australia, they parted ways. Kearns would then be critical of Murray's fighting. See the TACOMA DAILY NEWS, for example. Murray then took on Paul (Gloomy) Granstrom as manager. Kearns then immediately found and took on future champion Jack Dempsey as a client. Murray fought and defeated Leo Houck and Al McCoy and on September 4, 1915 he fought for the world middleweight title against champion Les Darcy. Darcy won a 20 round decision. Murray's last fight was on October 17, 1922, a loss to Jake Hyer. His final career mark was 61-20-9. He died at his home in Tucson, Arizona, March 4, 1926 of tuberculosis, which he contracted while serving in World War I. He was a Veterans Bureau patient at this time. Offered here is a rare antique photograph of Fighting Billy Murray which he has boldly signed and inscribed. Signed in 1914 while he was in New York for his match with Al McCoy.
This is an original, first generation photograph of Fighting Billy Murray in full, fight pose. Boldly signed in fountain pen ink, "New York 25/5/14 to My Pal Jack Paris Billy Murray." Crease in lower left corner and on right border. Stained on left side which does affect signature. Bold, clear image. 6" x 8." Very rare signed photo.