Johnny Miler

Johnny Miler (August 10, 1910 – June 17, 1976), born John Miletich in Hocking, Monroe County, Iowa, was a professional boxer who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics in the light-heavyweight class for the United States.[1]

Johnny Miler
Statistics
Real name	John Miletich
Weight(s)	Light heavyweight Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Nationality	American
Born	(1910-08-10)August 10, 1910 Hocking, Iowa, United States
Died	June 17, 1976(1976-06-17) (aged 65) Iowa City, Iowa, United States
Boxing record
Total fights	31
Wins	12
Wins by KO	7
Losses	12
Draws	3
No contests	4
Medal record Men's boxing Representing the  United States Olympic Games

In late 1932 or early 1933, Miler defeated future heavyweight champion Joe Louis in an amateur bout.[2] Other notable fights included three professional bouts against "Slapsie" Maxie Rosenbloom that ended in two losses and a no decision,[3] and a four round exhibition bout against Max Baer in 1934.[4]

Miler quit professional boxing in 1938. He is the great-uncle of UFC Hall of Fame mixed martial artist Pat Miletich.[4]

Early life

Born John Miletich to Croatian immigrant parents in Hocking, Iowa, a vanished coal mining town just south of Albia, Miler farmed and worked the local coal mines. He supplemented his income by accepting the challenges of traveling carnival strongmen, defeating them in wrestling or boxing matches. He moved to Detroit in 1930.

Boxing

Joe Louis

Miler defeated Louis in three rounds in what was Louis' first organized boxing match, sending Louis to the mat seven times.[4]

1932 Summer Olympics

Despite evidence that Miler had boxed professionally,[2] he won the 1932 Olympic trials in San Francisco and represented the United States in Los Angeles in the light-heavyweight class. Miler lost to William Murphy of Ireland on points in the first match.

Professional boxing

Miler 'officially' debuted professionally as a light-heavyweight on January 12, 1933 against Leon Jasinski in Grand Rapids, Michigan, winning the bout on points. He went on to compile a 12 win (7 by knockout) - 12 loss - 3 draw record over the next 5 1/2 years.

After boxing

Miler eventually joined the Navy then returned to Albia, joining the police force. Miler died June 6, 1976 in Iowa City, Iowa.

Professional boxing record

12 Wins (7 knockouts, 5 decisions), 12 Losses (7 knockouts, 4 decisions, 1 disqualification), 3 Draws[3]
Result	Record	Opponent	Type	Rd., Time	Date	Location	Notes
Loss	12-12-3	Johnny Paycheck	TKO	3 (8)	October 17, 1938	Des Moines, Iowa
Loss	12-11-3	Jimmy Adamick	TKO	2 (10)	April 16, 1937	Detroit, Michigan
Loss	12-10-3	Moose Irwin	Points	6	February 16, 1937	Los Angeles, California
Draw	12-9-3	Joe Bauer	Technical Draw	10	February 2, 1937	Modesto, California	The bout was declared a technical draw after Bauer inflicted an injury to Miler's hip.
Loss	12-9-2	Bob Nestell	KO	2 (10), 1:51	November 27, 1936	Hollywood, California
Loss	12-8-2	Art "Young" Campbell	Disqualification	11 (15)	April 13, 1936	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	Miler was disqualified after repeated warnings about blows to the back
Loss	12-7-2	Ambrose Palmer	TKO	8 (15)	March 16, 1936	Sydney, New South Wales, Australia	Stopped due to cut eye
Win	12-6-2	Pret Ferrar	No Decision (Newspaper decision)	10	November 12, 1935	Des Moines, Iowa	Newspaper decision from Oelwein Daily Register
Win	12-6-2	Harry Hobbs	No Decision (Newspaper decision)	8	October 15, 1935	Ottumwa, Iowa	Newspaper decision from Waterloo Daily Courier
Loss	12-6-2	Fred Lenhart	TKO	8 (10)	June 26, 1935	Spokane, Washington	Declined to continue after 10 minute rest following 7th Round charge of foul
Loss	12-5-2	Abe Feldman	TKO	5 (10)	May 10, 1935	Hollywood, California	Stopped due to cut eye
Draw	12-4-2	Wesley Ketchell	Draw (points)	10	April 12, 1935	Hollywood, California
Loss	12-4-1	Frank Rowsey	Loss (points)	10	March 1, 1935	Hollywood, California
Loss	12-3-1	Maxie Rosenbloom	Loss (points)	10	February 5, 1935	Los Angeles, California
Loss	12-2-1	Ray Actis	TKO	6 (10), 1:35	January 4, 1935	San Francisco, California
Draw	12-1-1	Maxie Rosenbloom	No Decision (Newspaper decision)	10	October 22, 1934	Des Moines, Iowa	Newspaper decision from The Des Moines Register
Win	12-1-1	Joe Goeders	No Decision (Newspaper decision)	8	September 3, 1934	Graettinger, Iowa	Newspaper decision from Emmetsburg Reporter
Win	12-1-1	Johnny Neumann	TKO	4 (8)	August 16, 1934	Knoxville, Iowa
Win	11-1-1	Jack Stocker	KO	4 (10)	July 26, 1934	Oskaloosa, Iowa
Win	10-1-1	Johnny Saxon	KO	3 (10)	May 29, 1934	Des Moines, Iowa
Win	9-1-1	Red Fields	KO	3 (10)	May 23, 1934	Ottumwa, Iowa
Win	8-1-1	Billy Thomas	KO	3 (10)	April 23, 1934	New Orleans, Louisiana
Loss	7-1-1	Maxie Rosenbloom	Decision (split)	10	April 9, 1934	New Orleans, Louisiana
Win	7-0-1	Al White	Points	4	March 1, 1934	Miami, Florida
Win	6-0-1	Johnny Whiters	Points	10	December 12 (est.), 1934	Unknown
Draw	5-0-1	Joe Lipps	Draw (points)	8	October 30, 1933	Asheville, North Carolina
Win	5-0-0	Ed Anderson	Points	8	October 18, 1933	Mount Clemens, Michigan
Win	4-0-0	Flash Ryser	KO	Unknown	March 1 (est.), 1933	Detroit, Michigan
Win	3-0-0	Willie Davies	Points	8	February 1, 1933	Detroit, Michigan	"Beeftrust" Tournament
Win	2-0-0	Bobby Mathews	KO	1 (3)	February 1, 1933	Detroit, Michigan	"Beeftrust" Tournament
Win	1-0-0	Leon Jasinski	Points	6	January 12, 1933	Grand Rapids, Michigan

References

1. "Johnny Miler". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2020-04-18.
2. "Johnny Miler". BoxRec.
3. "Johnny Miler". BoxRec.
4. "A Name to Remember: Miletichs among Fighting's Great Even in 1930s". Quad Cities Dispatch-Argus. Retrieved 16 February 2016.

Further reading

• Bak, Richard (2011), Detroitland: A Collection of Movers, Shakers, Lost Souls, and History Makers from Detroit's Past, Painted Turtle, ISBN 0814334997