Greb, Harry (1894-1926), an American boxer, was the middleweight champion of the world from 1923 to 1926. Greb won the title by defeating Johnny Wilson in a 15-round decision. He lost the title to Tiger Flowers in a 15-round decision.
Greb became known as one of the toughest and most ferocious fighters in boxing history. He was also one of the most active boxers of his time. During his 13-year career, he fought 299 bouts, winning 105, drawing 3, and losing only 8 times. The remainder of his fights ended in no decision. He was knocked out only twice.
Greb fought many of the most famous American boxers of the early 1900’s, including Tommy Gibbons, Battling Levinsky, Tommy Loughran, Maxie Rosenblum, Gene Tunney, and Mickey Walker. Greb fought Tunney five times, from 1922 to 1925, winning once and losing twice, with two fights ending in no decision. Greb’s victory over Tunney in 1922 gave him the American light heavyweight title, but not the world title. Tunney was the heavyweight champion of the world from 1926 to 1928.
Edward Henry Greb was born on June 6, 1894, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He began fighting professionally at the age of 18. Greb dropped to the middleweight division to fight Johnny Wilson for the title in 1923. Greb died on Oct. 22, 1926, while undergoing surgery for facial injuries suffered during his boxing career and from an automobile accident.
