Tod Morgan
Encyclopedia
Albert Morgan Pilkington, better known as "Tod Morgan," (December 25, 1902 – August 3, 1953), was an American
boxer
.
Per an August 19, 1923 Seattle Daily Times newspaper article, Morgan's first bout occurred in Concrete, Washington
. His second occurred at Anacortes, Washington, and his opponent was Pete Moe. He then headed south to California with his stepfather Fred Morgan, who had been born in Oregon.
After they arrived in Eureka, California
, Fred put Tod in boxing merely as a means of getting some strength into his body. According to the April 3, 1929 Seattle Daily Times, Fred began training him in the backroom of the Hoffman House in Vallejo, a soft-drink parlor and lunch room (this was during Prohibition). Fred had no intention of his son ever becoming a professional fighter, let alone a world champion. But Tod liked it so much that he began boxing professionally. On April 6, 1927, local newspapers reported that Fred Morgan had been found dead in a motor boat near Port Angeles, Washington. It was believed that a leak in the boat's exhaust pipe resulted in his death while he had slept. Tod took a break from boxing during this period.
On February 15, 1929, in Seattle, Tod adopted Billie, the four-year-old son of Mrs. Morgan (formerly of Arcata, California).
According to the December 24, 1942 Portland Oregonian, Morgan served in the Australian Army, fighting in Africa. He later returned to the United States and worked as a referee and a bellboy in hotels before he became ill in 1953 and died. He was survived by his widow Grace, and his mother Ms. Minta Pilkington of Reno, Neveda.
. He retired in 1942 after fighting for years in Australia.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
.
Background
According to the April 7, 1927 Spokane Spokesman-Review, Morgan was born in Dungeness, WA--which is adjacent to Sequim. Dungeness is now a ghost town.Per an August 19, 1923 Seattle Daily Times newspaper article, Morgan's first bout occurred in Concrete, Washington
Concrete, Washington
Concrete is a town in north-central Skagit County, Washington, United States. The population was 705 at the 2010 census. The town of Concrete is included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Early history:...
. His second occurred at Anacortes, Washington, and his opponent was Pete Moe. He then headed south to California with his stepfather Fred Morgan, who had been born in Oregon.
After they arrived in Eureka, California
Eureka, California
Eureka is the principal city and the county seat of Humboldt County, California, United States. Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census....
, Fred put Tod in boxing merely as a means of getting some strength into his body. According to the April 3, 1929 Seattle Daily Times, Fred began training him in the backroom of the Hoffman House in Vallejo, a soft-drink parlor and lunch room (this was during Prohibition). Fred had no intention of his son ever becoming a professional fighter, let alone a world champion. But Tod liked it so much that he began boxing professionally. On April 6, 1927, local newspapers reported that Fred Morgan had been found dead in a motor boat near Port Angeles, Washington. It was believed that a leak in the boat's exhaust pipe resulted in his death while he had slept. Tod took a break from boxing during this period.
On February 15, 1929, in Seattle, Tod adopted Billie, the four-year-old son of Mrs. Morgan (formerly of Arcata, California).
According to the December 24, 1942 Portland Oregonian, Morgan served in the Australian Army, fighting in Africa. He later returned to the United States and worked as a referee and a bellboy in hotels before he became ill in 1953 and died. He was survived by his widow Grace, and his mother Ms. Minta Pilkington of Reno, Neveda.
Professional career
Morgan turned professional in 1920 and captured the National Boxing Association World Super Featherweight Title with a win over Mike Ballerino in 1925. He lost the belt in 1929 when he was KO'd by Benny BassBenny Bass
Benny Bass, known as "Little Fish," was an American boxer....
. He retired in 1942 after fighting for years in Australia.