CHRISTNER, K. O. SIGNED PHOTOGRAPH

Meyer William Christner (Nickname K. O. Christner) was born in Akron, Ohio on December 28, 1896. He fought as a notable heavyweight contender from 1926 until 1940. According to the Tacoma Times (Tacoma, WA, USA) newspaper, Dec. 22, 1928, Meyer Christner did not start his professional boxing career until January 1, 1928, which is incorrect as he actually started around 1926. The paper likely printed the wrong year, as it says he was 29-years-old when he started his pro boxing career (which would make it circa 1925/26). Per that newspaper article, Christner was a classmate of the soon-to-become legendary baseball player Babe Ruth at St. Mary's Industrial School in Baltimore, Maryland. In fact, Christner was a baseball catcher while Ruth played ball there. By age 29, Christner was working at the Firestone Tire Plant in Akron, Ohio. During one incident at the plant, he got into an argument with a "foreigner," who tried to bully him. Christner slugged him, broke his jaw, and knocked him out, thus earning his nickname. His friends at the plant suggested he enter an amateur boxing show, which he did. Again, according to that newspaper article, his first pro bout occurred Jan. 1, 1928, for which he was paid $75.00. (Other reports indicate his debut was against Pete Rogers in Feb 1926.) His manager at the time was Tom E. Lennon, the former Chairman of the Canton Municipal Boxing Commission. His record as of Dec. 22, 1928, per that article, was 28 KOs, and two losses (to Bud Gorman and Joe Sekyra)(45 total bouts). Prior to boxing, he had played professional football with the Akron, Ohio, Indians team. He also played semi-professional baseball, as a catcher, around the Akron area. He served in the United States Army during World War I, stationed at Texas training camps. By December 1928, he was married, and had a son (age 9) and a daughter (age 6). His wife inherited a 1,800 acre ranch outside of San Antonio, Texas. During his career Christner fought many of the biggest names in the division including: Paolino Uzcudun, Jack Sharkey, Young Stribling, Mickey Walker, Tony Galento, Johnny Risko, Primo Carnera, Maxie Rosenbloom and Lee Ramage. He retired in 1940 with a final mark of 50-39-4. Christner passed away on November 1, 1979. Offered here is an original studio photograph of K. O. Christner which he has boldly signed in ink.
This is an original studio portrait by Bryant Studios of new York. Bold, clear image. Boldly signed in fountain pen ink, "To Jimmie Sowtill from K. O. Christner. " Clean front and back. Not creased or torn. 7" x 9."